A Bahá’i-Based Devotional Habit?

5 Jalál 178: Alláh’u’abhá, dear friends. Since Naw-Rúz I have been ramping up my daily devotional practice. Using a solar and lunar app on my phone I have been pausing to read devotionals and pause in prayer several times during the day. Pre-dawn, sunrise, mid-morning, solar noon, mid-afternoon and sunset have become set devo times. And my iPhone sends me a nice little notification at each of these times! Taking a few moments to read a devotional in an attitude of prayer and gratitude has sincerely helped me stay closer to God throughout my busy day. So what kinds of devotionals are we talking about here?

When I wake up before dawn I read from the Bahá’i writings. Currently I am reading Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Spiritual Realities. Then at sunrise I read a daily Quran verse, as well as a random paragraph or two sent to me by a Bahá’i app. At mid-morning, solar noon and mid-afternoon I read from one of three Christian devotional apps, each of which gives a new Bible reading and commentary daily. And then at sunset I read a fourth Christian devotional, which is in booklet form. So many Christian devotionals, wouldn’t you agree?

Lately I have been feeling a disconnect from the Bahá’i writings, and after pausing today to pray about it, the reason became quite apparent: Imbalance.

Christian devotionals are very plentiful and available, making them easy choices. But, while Bahá’is are encouraged to explore other faiths, I have been doing so in excess. And so, I am inspired to do something to achieve balance…..

I would like to create my own Bahái-based devotional plan!

Such a practice would entail selections from any number of Bahá’i writings, on which I could meditate. Journaling on each devotional could be a wonderful way to reconnect with these writings. Selecting writings could be done on a monthly schedule, thus giving me a plan to follow. Or….. I could simply pick a paragraph at random upon which to reflect. There are certainly options, and I shall be weaving a new devotional practice based on this awesome faith! Stay tuned!