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; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy
Life)
