Exercise-Sports-Motions-Actions
From Bahai9
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Exercise/Sports/Motions/Actions and Physical Games
General Approach to Exercise - Sports and Games
(see also the Education section on physical education)
(Games, especially athletic activities (participation) are encouraged for children ('Abdu'l-Bahá even encouraged Shoghi Effendi to go out and play when he was young--see Priceless Pearl ))
"But recreation which may improve the bodily powers, as exercise, is desirable."
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, A Heavenly Vista, p. 9 in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era , p. 103)
"...strive...that the companions of God...may be physically and morally superior to others...that through...health...they may be the chief of wise men..."
- (Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás , p. 585)
"Playing games is not in the least forbidden. It should in fact be encouraged if they are of an athletic nature."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Lights of Guidance, p. 295)
"...there is nothing in the teachings about whether people should...exercise or not exercise"
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Lights of Guidance , p. 299)
Bahá'u'lláh was to have had daily exercises (at least while imprisoned) (see God Passes By, p. 72 or Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era , p. 51 (under "Birth and Childhood").
'Abdu'l-Bahá was to have praised a wrestling game He witnessed (see 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, 99 and the following page (the document takes a while to load as it has the whole book).
On the historical function of sports as well as physical activity's benefit to mental and even moral character, see this article of Shoghi Effendi as a youth: http://bahai-library.com/?file=shoghieffendi_functions_sports_life
Warnings
As to whether prohibition of gambling applies to games of every description:
- "-No, some games are innocent, and if pursued for pastime there is no harm. But there is danger that pastime may degenerate into waste of time. Waste of time is not acceptable in the Cause of God..."
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, A Heavenly Vista, p. 9 in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era , p. 103)
Not to have a fanatical obsession with sport
"On page 25 of "The Advent of Divine Justice" the beloved Guardian is describing the requirements not only of chastity, but of "a chaste and holy life"–both the adjectives are important. One of the signs of a decadent society, a sign which is very evident in the world today, is an almost frenetic devotion to pleasure and diversion, an insatiable thirst for amusement, a fanatical devotion to games and sport , a reluctance to treat any matter seriously, and a scornful, derisory attitude towards virtue and solid worth. Abandonment of "a frivolous conduct" does not imply that a Bahá'í must be sour-faced or perpetually solemn. Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of a true Bahá'í life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God, are characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.
"Shoghi Effendi's choice of words was always significant, and each one is important in understanding his guidance. In this particular passage, he does not forbid "trivial" pleasures, but he does warn against "excessive attachment" to them and indicates that they can often be "misdirected". One is reminded of `Abdu'l-Bahá's caution that we should not let a pastime become a waste of time."
- (From a letter dated 8 May 1979 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, A Chaste and Holy Life, selection 23)
Pertaining to Eating
"Exercise is good when the stomach is empty; it strengthens the muscles. When the stomach is full it is very harmful."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Star of the West , vol. 13, no. 9, December 1922, p. 252 online at [1] )
From the Bible
"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.
"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
"This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation."
