abstain from self-appetites and self-desires.
But mere abstention from food has no effect on the spirit. It is
only a symbol, a reminder. Otherwise it is of no importance.
Fasting for this purpose does not mean entire abstinence from
food. The golden rule as to food is, do not take too much or too
little. Moderation is necessary. There is a sect in India who
practice extreme abstinence, and gradually reduce their food until
they exist on almost nothing. But their intelligence suffers. A
man is not fit to do service for God with brain or body if he is
weakened by lack of food. He cannot see clearly. (quoted by Miss
E. S. Stevens in Fortnightly Review, June 1911).

Meetings

'Abdu'l-Baha attaches the greatest important to regular meetings of the
believers for united worship, for the exposition and study of the
teachings and for consultation regarding the progress of the Movement. In
one of His Tablets He says:--

It hath been decided by the Desire of God that union and harmony
may day by day increase among the friends of God and the handmaids
of the Merciful. Not until this is realized will the affairs
advance by any means whatever! And the greatest means for the
union and harmony of all are Spiritual Meetings. This matter is
very important and is as a magnet to attract divine confirmation.

In the spiritual meetings of Baha'is contentious argument and the
discussion of political or worldly affairs must be avoided; the sole aim
of the believers should be to teach and learn Divine Truth, to have their
hearts filled with Divine Love, to attain more perfect obedience to the
Divine Will, and to promote the coming of the Kingdom of God. In an
address given at New York in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha said:--

The Baha'i meeting must be the meeting of the Celestial Concourse.
It must be illumined by the lights of the Celestial Concourse. The
hearts must be as mirrors wherein the lights of the Sun of Truth
shall be revealed. Every bosom must be as a telegraph station: one
terminal of the wire shall be in the bosom of the soul, the other
in the Celestial Concourse, so that messages may be exchanged
between them. In this way from the Abha Kingdom inspiration shall
flow and in all discussions harmony shall prevail.... The more
agreement, unity and love prevail among you, the more shall the
confirmations of God assist you,