The Satanic Self

In exploring the difference between external appearances and internal reality, this is really the key to understanding the Bible and the sacred scriptures of old. The ancient human mind was, like that of a child, very literal, so literal allusions were typically made. Therefore we have the notion of an external, physical creature who wears red and sports horns and a tail, bedeviling the poor beleaguered human soul and trying to seduce the human spirit away from worshiping the One True God. If the Devil wins we go to a physical hell, presumably in the center of the earth, with coals and flames and regrets and no ticket home. If God wins, we float around in a physical heaven in the physical sky [but invisible, I guess] and get to be saved.

In the Baha'i Faith there is no external, physical entity, The Devil. No magically controlling powers. There is only one true source of power in the universe: God. Baha'is have something a lot scarier: The Satanic Self. This is the source of impulses not in our best interests. The trick is in recognizing and discerning the difference between healthy and spontaneous thoughts, and the other kind. Especially when the thought, "That fudge looks really good," seems to take on the appearance of some sort of mythical, benevolent Aunt Betty in our minds who would be hurt if we offended her. Which is actually our own impulsive desire for the fudge.

So, in actual fact, I have hijacked my own self.

I don't think God really cares if I'm fat or thin. I think He just wants us to be healthy and to form a good relationship with Him. So then the desire to be lean, and the whatever-it-takes to become that way, is on me.

I do believe in the power of prayer.