心内的眼

The Eye Within

“耳朵哑，嘴唇是聋的。但是，眼睛感觉而讲话。从外面世界， 从内在人，都在眼睛被反射。”（约翰・沃尔夫冈・冯・歌德的言话）

"The ear is mute, the lips deaf. But the eye senses and speaks. In it the world is reflected from without, and man from within."  (Words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

“上苍已给予人探询之眼， 经由它他能看见并认识真理；他也赐予人耳朵， 使他能听见真实之信息；更赋予了他思维的礼物，使他能自己发现东西。这是每个人的天赋和调查真实之工具。人本来就不该以他人的眼睛去观察，以他人的耳朵去听闻， 也不可用他人的头脑去思考的。在上帝富有创造性的宏图中，每个人都有其独特的天赋，力量与责任。”（啊搏都.巴哈，《世界和平之传扬》，293 页）

“God has given man the eye of investigation by which he may see and recognize truth. He has endowed man with ears that he may hear the message of reality and conferred upon him the gift of reason by which he may discover things for himself. This is his endowment and equipment for the investigation of reality. Man is not intended to see through the eyes of another, hear through another’s ears nor comprehend with another’s brain. Each human creature has individual endowment, power and responsibility in the creative plan of God.” (`Abdu’l-Baha, “Promulgation of Universal Peace”, p. 293)

为了发现宇宙的现实和创造界的神秘，了解自然界与所性质的互相关系，人被赐予了智慧能力和理解的力量。这样获得的知识与理解导致人到达所好的，正确的，值得称赞的。在从事这种发现和学习，也是---既我们人的特权又是责任---认识到自己而承认我们的真是与潜力。每一个人同样的被创造而虽然在各自的差异和特殊程度，全人类都具有巨大的能力和潜在的力量，都需要发现，开发。认识了自己而通过不断思考、学习和行动，渐增地得到于我们生活的目的更深的了解；如此，将会越来越发展而我们的自尊心和自我价值将取得真正的意义。到的这样的实现，踏而行走在这么崇高路径上是人类的卓越和完美的开始。

We humans are gifted with the faculty of intellect and power of comprehension—to discover the realities of the universe and the mysteries of the realm of creation, to understand nature and the interconnected relations of every existent being.  The knowledge and understanding thus acquired leads us to what is good and right.  And as we engage in such discoveries and learning, it is likewise both our privilege and our responsibility to know ourselves and to recognize the realities of our own being.  Each one of us is created with great potential and immense capacities, however diverse in kinds and different in measures, which need to be discovered and developed.  Knowing ourselves and gaining ever-deeper understanding of the purpose of our lives—through continuous contemplation, learning and action—will increasingly develop in us a true sense of self-esteem and self-worth。Attaining to such a realization and treading such a noble path is the beginning of human perfection. 

“人被创造的目的是载进不断演进之文明。全能的上帝为我作证！人若行如野兽他便被丧失其存在的价值。与他的尊严地位相匹配的品德是耐心、仁慈、同情和以友爱善良对待地球上所有民族和人们。”（巴哈欧拉，《巴哈欧拉圣典选集》，页215）

“All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah”, p. 215)

如果有兴趣的话,欢迎您访问以下我两个英文的博客：

If interested you are welcome to visit my two other blogs in English:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/

若水

Like Water

“上善若水。水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善缘，与善仁，言善信，政善治，事善能，动善时。”《道德经.第八章》

“Best of goodness and excellence is that of the water.  Water's merit and goodness lies in its benefiting all things; and in spite of that, roaring and flowing gently with free nature, it treads the path of lowliness and reaches down the places where all men dislike. Hence its path is near to that of the Tao.  Residing on the ground of goodness, with heart rooted in goodness, benevolent and kind, the words spoken are honest and trusted, the leadership is powerful and healing, the affairs are useful and works rendered capable and effective, and the changes are timely and proper.”   (“Dao De Jing”, chapter 8)

“你们上帝的人啊！公正善良的博学而为教导人民致力，有自由地从基地和贪婪自然的提示被自好守卫的人们，在他世界欲望的视域，是真实知识天堂的星。必要与高区别对待他们。他们 确是更软流动水的喷泉一样，是发光灿烂的星又神圣被保佑树的果子，是天堂力量的代表者，上天智慧的海洋也。幸福的愉快是跟随他们的人。实在，这样的人物在那些，即，与他们都将是完美完好之中，在上帝、强大阁下的王主之经典被编号。” （《巴哈欧拉之经典》，页97）

“O people of God!  Righteous men of learning who dedicate themselves to the guidance of others and are freed and well guarded from the promptings of a base and covetous nature are, in the sight of Him Who is the Desire of the world, stars of the heaven of true knowledge.  It is essential to treat them with deference.  They are indeed fountains of soft-flowing water, stars that shine resplendent, fruits of the blessed Tree, exponents of celestial power, and oceans of heavenly wisdom.  Happy is he that followeth them.  Verily such a soul is numbered in the Book of God, the Lord of the mighty Throne, among those with whom it shall be well.” (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p. 97)

在真正幸福与那仅仅是幻想之间是，我们一旦到达那前一个而赢得它，我们就非常珍惜它， 不要它消失，并且一直热切地设法追求有更多的；以那后情况下来说明，然而，一旦我们拥有了它我们就感到着满意有时不在要它而时常还没有充分地享用它我们的焦点就分散搜寻幸福，我们可能感到徒劳不足道的，甚至更坏也我们或许默默地混淆和太困厄地感觉生活是奇怪又没有什么意思。于真正的幸福导致与起因的渴望和情绪是完美完全的喜悦，因为它丰富既灵魂又心，理性又心情；它装饰既人精神又他物质的住宅。幻想物质的幸福仅能遇见人暂短的需要和追求；因为，它本身是临死没有持久的踪影和作用，类似渐渐离开飘动的阴影。物质世界，因此，与它乐趣和幸福一起投掷于我们哀痛和绝望；但，“精神世界仅赠送喜悦。”

The difference between the happiness which is real and the one which is mere illusion is that once we reach to the former and earn it, we treasure it dearly, do not want it to vanish, eagerly trying and pursuing to have more; in the case of the later, however, once we possess it we feel satisfied and at times without even enjoying it fully, our focus gets distracted and our mind begins wondering about the meaning of our life, silently confused and distressed too perhaps, searching for happiness! The eagerness and sentiment caused by and resulted from the real one is a holistic joy as it enriches both the soul and the mind, adorns both the spiritual and material abodes of ones being, while the later and passing one only meets the material, the mortal and fleeting needs and pursuits and thus itself mortal with no lasting trace and effect, drifts away like a shadow.  The world of matter, therefore, casts sorrow and despair on us along with its pleasures and happiness; where "The spiritual world bestows only joy."

“我的兄弟啊！倾听我甘美之舌的悦耳之言， 畅饮我甜蜜之唇的神圣之圈！将我神圣智慧之种子，播种在你纯洁的心田，浇以确信之水，使我知识与智慧之风信子，在你心灵之圣域里，出壮成长， 花红叶绿。” （巴哈欧拉，《隐言经》，33）

“O MY BROTHER! Hearken to the delightsome words of My honeyed tongue, and quaff the stream of mystic holiness from My sugar-shedding lips.  Sow the seeds of My divine wisdom in the pure soil of thy heart, and water them with the water of certitude, that the hyacinths of My knowledge and wisdom may spring up fresh and green in the sacred city of thy heart.”

(Revealed by Baha'u'llah, “The Hidden Words”, verse 33)

如果有兴趣的话,欢迎您访问以下我两个英文的博客：

If interested you are welcome to visit my two other blogs in English:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/

 

变革与智力推进

Transformation and

Intellectual Advancement

与乐观和坚持不懈的精神  -- 力争上游
Aiming high—with optimism and Perseverance

“往者不可谏，来者犹可追。” 《孟子.公孙丑上》

“That which is already done and past cannot be admonished and changed.  All that is being done now and may keep happening in the future has always a chance to be remedied and should be pursued for positive change and betterment.”  (“Meng Zi, Gong Sun Chou Shang”)

“我们没有失败了。今天我们知道一千多不会运作的事；所以，我们于所会被成功地成就而运作的事就是那么更加地接近了。” (Thomas Edison, 1847-1931; 发明家，实业家)

“We haven't failed. We now know a thousand things that won't work, so we're that much closer to finding what will.” (Thomas Edison, 1847-1931, Inventor, Businessman)

“生命给予你我的最大奖励无疑就是努力奋斗实现梦想的机会。” (Thomas Jefferson - 第三届美国总统)

 “Far and away the best prize that life offers is a chance to work hard at work [which] worth doing.” (Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826); 3rd U.S. President)

“科学是从上苍第一个发出而给予人的礼物。所被创造的生物都具有潜在力得到而体现物质的完美；但是，探寻和调查的智力与取得科学的知识是更高的功绩和美德，那唯一的只是人的特点和力量。”

（阿博都.巴哈，《世界和平的基础》，60 页）

“Science is the first emanation from God toward man.  All created beings embody the potentiality of material perfection, but the power of intellectual investigation and scientific acquisition is a higher virtue specialized to man alone.”

(Revealed by `Abdu'l-Baha, “Foundations of World Unity”, p.60)

“宗教必须符合科学与理性，否则它就是迷信。”

（阿博都.巴哈）

“If religion does not agree with science, it is superstition and ignorance.” 

(Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Promulgation of the Universal Peace”, p. 128)

每个人生来都已表现和发展特征与崇高的完美被投资了潜力和能力；虽然这种潜在的礼物都是多元化而有差异的强度，没有一个人出生而无具有他唯一的潜在能力。只是其能力是隐藏的而需要被出现和加以发展---就好像一个盛开百花的果树隐藏着在一个种子那样。“你们一切都拥有的能力”，巴哈欧拉确认地陈述，“只由于你们自己的意志力和尽力可体现出来。”

Every human being is invested with innate potential and capacity to manifest and develop worthy traits and acquire noble perfections, and while the potentials are diverse in degrees and measures, and varied in qualities and kinds, no one is born without such a powerful and matchless gift and capacity.  Albeit, that capacity is concealed within its being and needs to be developed and brought into light, like a blooming and fruit-bearing tree which once been hidden in a seed.  "All that which ye potentially possess, can" Bahá'u'lláh confirms, “...be manifested only as a result of your own volition."

如果有兴趣的话,欢迎您访问以下我两个英文的博客：

If interested you are welcome to visit my two other blogs in English:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/

“求则得之，舍则失之，是求有益于得也，求在我者也。” (孟子，《尽心.章句上》，13 卷，3)

“Whoso seeks and strives, shall attain the quest; whoso abandons the will and gives up, shall not succeed.  It is the earnest want and endeavor that accomplishes; and that depends on me, rests upon my volition.”  (Meng Zi, “Jin Xin”,  Zheng Ju Sheng, 13.3)

不是就这种类的人我们在生活里与现在的社会比以往任何时候都更需要的？我们不是都希望在地球上有更多的这样有能力的、高尚的、自愿的、奋起有助而贡献建设更好的世界和弘扬人类文明---所将我们人类感到真正的自豪和荣耀---的人吗？咱们不是珍爱地愿望，也都不应就这样---有坚决地、信心地尽力而以良心的态度和真正谦虚的服务精神自己也想要最努力地做到这种人的目标吗？

目的在行走如此的路而面向光亮的地平线焦点，指挥我们的想法而设定到达这样的终点是真实地努力表现我们内在的潜力，也实在是真正高贵的标志。如此，将带领我们到达纯正成就和幸福的感觉---既是完全满意的生活！

Aren't these the kind of people whom we really need in our lives and our societies today?  Wouldn't we all wish that more of these individuals would exist on the planet who would be capable, high-minded and willing to arise and contribute in building a better world and carrying forward a civilization which would benefit everyone and be the true pride and glory of humanity? Wouldn't we each cherish the wish and shouldn't we each nobly aim to be one of these individuals ourselves, endeavoring—resolutely with confidence and resourcefulness, yet humbly with conscientious attitude and spirit of service—to exert our best and thus set a worthy example?

Directing our thoughts and focusing on such a bright horizon, aiming to tread such a path and setting such a goal, is being true to our innate potential and the sign of true nobility.  It will lead us to live with a genuine sense of fulfillment and happiness—a life of true satisfaction.

“做真理面容上的宝饰，忠诚之额上的冠冕，正直殿宇中的栋梁，人类躯体的生命气息，正义万军的旗帜，美德地平线上的星辰，慈润人心土壤的露珠，知识海洋上的方舟，恩惠天空中的朝阳，智慧冠冕上的宝石，当代苍弯中的光亮的光芒，谦虚之树上的果实。”（巴哈欧拉，《巴哈欧拉圣典选集》，285 页）

“Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.” (Revealed by Baha'u'llah, “Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah”, p. 285)

“谦虚的态度被人提升到荣耀的天堂。”

“Humility exalts man to the heaven of glory.”

“一个人的幸福与伟大，地位和状态，愉悦和安宁从来不在于他个人的财富而是在他优秀的品格、高尚的决心、广度的学识与他解决困难问题的能力。”（阿博都.巴哈《神圣文明的隐秘》，23 页）

“The happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning and his ability to solve difficult problems.”  (`Abdu'l-Baha, "The Secret of Divine Civilization", p. 23)

 

如果有兴趣的话,欢迎您访问以下我两个英文的博客：

If interested you are welcome to visit my two other blogs in English:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/