Strategies for Conquering Nine Obstacles to Devotion
In her influential work, The Flame: The Teaching and Life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Baha'i author Ruth Moffett outlines nine hindrances that can impede the effectiveness and spiritual benefit of prayer. These obstacles, while discussed in a Baha'i context, reflect common spiritual challenges that can be addressed through Baha'i principles.
- Lack of Sincerity
- Hindrance: Praying without genuine feeling or inner conviction.
- Overcome by: Cultivating heartfelt sincerity and truthfulness in communication with God.
- Distraction
- Hindrance: Mind wandering, inability to focus during prayer.
- Overcome by: Preparing the heart and mind before praying, creating a quiet, reverent environment.
- Demanding Immediate Results
- Hindrance: Expecting instant answers or material benefits.
- Overcome by: Developing patience and understanding that God’s timing is perfect.
- Pride or Self-Importance
- Hindrance: Approaching prayer arrogantly or feeling self-righteous.
- Overcome by: Cultivating humility and awareness of human limitations.
- Lack of Gratitude
- Hindrance: Forgetting to express thanks or recognize blessings.
- Overcome by: Including gratitude as an essential element of prayer.
- Insincerity in Life (Contradictory Actions)
- Hindrance: Living in ways inconsistent with spiritual teachings.
- Overcome by: Aligning daily actions with spiritual principles.
- Worldly Preoccupations
- Hindrance: Being overly absorbed in material concerns.
- Overcome by: Detaching from material distractions and focusing on spiritual realities.
- Lack of Faith
- Hindrance: Doubting the power or purpose of prayer.
- Overcome by: Strengthening one’s belief in the oneness and mercy of God.
- Mechanical or Repetitive Prayer
- Hindrance: Praying out of habit without thought or feeling.
- Overcome by: Making prayer a living, conscious act of devotion.
Ruth Moffett emphasizes the importance of prayer as a vital, living connection with God that requires an open, humble heart and consistent spiritual discipline.
Other hindrances mentioned by Ruth Moffett include: - Indifference towards the things of eternal value - Waywardness, or wilful wandering away from a right course of conduct - Egotism, or self-centeredness - Irresolution, or indecision - Discontent - Doubt
Overcoming these hindrances involves strengthening decisiveness, becoming more acquiescent, and cultivating patience, among other spiritual practices. Knowledge of God is also essential for spiritual progress, as written by Baha'u'llah.
According to the Pew Research Center's 2014 Religious Landscape Study, 23% of adults seldom or never pray. Engaging in prayer with sincerity, humility, and a focus on spiritual growth can help deepen one's connection with the divine and foster personal and spiritual development.
In the spirit of cultivating personal growth and self-development, establishing sincerity and humility during prayer can be a powerful means for deepening one's connection with the divine.
Addressing hindrances such as indifference towards eternal values, egotism, and doubt, requires a conscious effort in embracing knowledge of God, strengthening decisiveness, and practicing patience, contributing to the path of spiritual progress and continued personal development.
