Tuesday, December 31, 2013

"Love is a veil betwixt the lover and the loved one; More than this I am not permitted to tell."



"Wherefore, relevant to this, Khájih ‘Abdu’lláh 7 —may God the Most High sanctify his beloved spirit—hath made a subtle point and spoken an eloquent word as to the meaning of “Guide Thou us on the straight path,” 8 which is: “Show us the right way, that is, honor us with the love of Thine Essence, that we may be freed from turning toward ourselves and toward all else save Thee, and may become wholly Thine, and know only Thee, and see only Thee, and think of none save Thee.”

Nay, these even mount above this station, wherefore it is said:

Love is a veil betwixt the lover and the loved one;
More than this I am not permitted to tell. 9"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 16

7. Shaykh Abú Ismá’íl ‘Abdu’lláh Ansárí of Hirát (1006–1088 A.D.) Súfí leader, descended from the Prophet’s companion Abú Ayyúb. Chiefly known for his Munáját (Supplications) and Rubá’íyyát (Quatrains). “Ansár” means the “Helpers” or companions of Muḥammad in Medina. 
8. Qur’án 1:5. 
9. The Mathnaví.

Monday, December 30, 2013

" ... the people of the Valleys above this see the end and the beginning as one ..."



"Such is the state of the wayfarers in this Valley; but the people of the Valleys above this see the end and the beginning as one; nay, they see neither beginning nor end, and witness neither “first” nor “last.” 5 Nay rather, the denizens of the undying city, who dwell in the green garden land, see not even “neither first nor last”; they fly from all that is first, and repulse all that is last. For these have passed over the worlds of names, and fled beyond the worlds of attributes as swift as lightning. Thus is it said: “Absolute Unity excludeth all attributes.” 6 And they have made their dwelling-place in the shadow of the Essence."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys , p. 15

 5. Qur’án 57:3. 
 6. Saying attributed to ‘Alí.






Daguerreotype of unknown person 
Library of Congress

Sunday, December 29, 2013

" ... all the variations which the wayfarer in the stages of his journey beholdeth in the realms of being, proceed from his own vision."



"It is clear to thine Eminence that all the variations which the wayfarer in the stages of his journey beholdeth in the realms of being, proceed from his own vision. We shall give an example of this, that its meaning may become fully clear: Consider the visible sun; although it shineth with one radiance upon all things, and at the behest of the King of Manifestation bestoweth light on all creation, yet in each place it becometh manifest and sheddeth its bounty according to the potentialities of that place. For instance, in a mirror it reflecteth its own disk and shape, and this is due to the sensitivity of the mirror; in a crystal it maketh fire to appear, and in other things it showeth only the effect of its shining, but not its full disk. And yet, through that effect, by the command of the Creator, it traineth each thing according to the quality of that thing, as thou observest.

In like manner, colors become visible in every object according to the nature of that object. For instance, in a yellow globe, the rays shine yellow; in a white the rays are white; and in a red, the red rays are manifest. Then these variations are from the object, not from the shining light. And if a place be shut away from the light, as by walls or a roof, it will be entirely bereft of the splendor of the light, nor will the sun shine thereon.

Thus it is that certain invalid souls have confined the lands of knowledge within the wall of self and passion, and clouded them with ignorance and blindness, and have been veiled from the light of the mystic sun and the mysteries of the Eternal Beloved; they have strayed afar from the jewelled wisdom of the lucid Faith of the Lord of Messengers, have been shut out of the sanctuary of the All-Beauteous One, and banished from the Ka‘bih 4 of splendor. Such is the worth of the people of this age!"

-Bahá'u'lláh,The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 18-20 



 4. The holy Sanctuary at Mecca. Here the word means “goal.”



Anne Archer

Saturday, December 28, 2013

"In thy soul of love build thou a fire - And burn all thoughts and words entire."




"These statements are made in the sphere of that which is relative, because of the limitations of men. Otherwise, those personages who in a single step have passed over the world of the relative and the limited, and dwelt on the fair plane of the Absolute, and pitched their tent in the worlds of authority and command—have burned away these relativities with a single spark, and blotted out these words with a drop of dew. And they swim in the sea of the spirit, and soar in the holy air of light. Then what life have words, on such a plane, that “first” and “last” or other than these be seen or mentioned! In this realm, the first is the last itself, and the last is but the first.

In thy soul of love build thou a fire
And burn all thoughts and words entire. 18"


-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys , pp. 27-28


 18. The Mathnaví.

Friday, December 27, 2013

“Knowledge is a single point, but the ignorant have multiplied it.”




"Secrets are many, but strangers are myriad. Volumes will not suffice to hold the mystery of the Beloved One, nor can it be exhausted in these pages, although it be no more than a word, no more than a sign.  “Knowledge is a single point, but the ignorant have multiplied it.”15"


-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys , pp. 24-25


 15. Hadíth, i.e. action or utterance traditionally attributed to the Prophet Muḥammad or to one of the holy Imáms.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

“A servant is drawn unto Me in prayer until I answer him; and when I have answered him, I become the ear wherewith he heareth….”



"Whensoever the light of Manifestation of the King of Oneness settleth upon the throne of the heart and soul, His shining becometh visible in every limb and member. At that time the mystery of the famed tradition gleameth out of the darkness: 9"
“A servant is drawn unto Me in prayer until I answer him; and when I have answered him, I become the ear wherewith he heareth….” For thus the Master of the house hath appeared within His home, and all the pillars of the dwelling are ashine with His light. And the action and effect of the light are from the Light-Giver; so it is that all move through Him and arise by His will. And this is that spring whereof the near ones drink, as it is said: “A fount whereof the near unto God shall drink….”

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 22



 9. Qur’án 83:28.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

"There is none other God except Thee, the Fashioner, the Creator, the Almighty, the Most Powerful."






"Magnified be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou art He Whom all things worship and Who worshipeth no one, Who is the Lord of all things and is the vassal of none, Who knoweth all things and is known of none. Thou didst wish to make Thyself known unto men; therefore, Thou didst, through a word of Thy mouth, bring creation into being and fashion the universe. There is none other God except Thee, the Fashioner, the Creator, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.

I implore Thee, by this very word that hath shone forth above the horizon of Thy will, to enable me to drink deep of the living waters through which Thou hast vivified the hearts of Thy chosen ones and quickened the souls of them that love Thee, that I may, at all times and under all conditions, turn my face wholly towards Thee.

Thou art the God of power, of glory and bounty. No God is there beside Thee, the Supreme Ruler, the All-Glorious, the Omniscient."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, p. 6, IV

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

“But of that Day and Hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.”



"O Shaykh! Hearken unto the melodies of the Gospel with the ear of fairness. He saith—glorified be His utterance—prophesying the things that are to come: “But of that Day and Hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.” By Father in this connection is meant God—exalted be His glory. He, verily, is the True Educator, and the Spiritual Teacher.

Joel saith: “For the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” Firstly, in the sublime utterance set forth in the Gospel He saith that none is aware of the time of the Revelation, that none knoweth it except God, the All-Knowing, Who is cognizant of all. Secondly, He setteth forth the greatness of the Revelation. Likewise, in the Qur’án He saith: “Of what ask they of one another? Of the Great Announcement.” This is the Announcement, the greatness of which hath been mentioned in most of the Books of old and of more recent times. This is the Announcement that hath caused the limbs of mankind to quake, except such as God, the Protector, the Helper, the Succorer, hath willed to exempt. Men have indeed with their own eyes witnessed how all men and all things have been thrown into confusion and been sore perplexed, save those whom God hath chosen to exempt."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 143-144

Monday, December 23, 2013

"The journeys in the pathway of love are reckoned as four ..."






"The journeys in the pathway of love are reckoned as four: From the creatures to the True One; from the True One to the creatures; from the creatures to the creatures; from the True One to the True One."


-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valley, p. 25

Sunday, December 22, 2013

"If I speak forth, many a mind will shatter, And if I write, many a pen will break."



"O thou dear one! Impoverish thyself, that thou mayest enter the high court of riches; and humble thy body, that thou mayest drink from the river of glory, and attain to the full meaning of the poems whereof thou hadst asked.

Thus it hath been made clear that these stages depend on the vision of the wayfarer. In every city he will behold a world, in every Valley reach a spring, in every meadow hear a song. But the falcon of the mystic heaven hath many a wondrous carol of the spirit in His breast, and the Persian bird keepeth in His soul many a sweet Arab melody; yet these are hidden, and hidden shall remain.

   
    If I speak forth, many a mind will shatter,
    And if I write, many a pen will break. 20 , 21

Peace be upon him who concludeth this exalted journey and followeth the True One by the lights of guidance." ...

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 28-29

20. The Mathnaví. 
21. This refers to Bahá’u’lláh Himself, Who had not yet declared His mission.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

“There was God and there was naught beside Him.”







"O friend, till thou enter the garden of such mysteries, thou shalt never set lip to the undying wine of this Valley. And shouldst thou taste of it, thou wilt shield thine eyes from all things else, and drink of the wine of contentment; and thou wilt loose thyself from all things else, and bind thyself to Him, and throw thy life down in His path, and cast thy soul away. However, there is no other in this region that thou need forget: “There was God and there was naught beside Him.”4 For on this plane the traveler witnesseth the beauty of the Friend in everything. Even in fire, he seeth the face of the Beloved. He beholdeth in illusion the secret of reality, and readeth from the attributes the riddle of the Essence. "...


-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 30-31


 4. Hadíth, i.e. action or utterance traditionally attributed to the Prophet Muḥammad or to one of the holy Imáms.

Friday, December 20, 2013

"Only heart to heart can speak the bliss of mystic knowers; No messenger can tell it and no missive bear it."



... "The pen steppeth not into this region, the ink leaveth only a blot. In these planes, the nightingale of the heart hath other songs and secrets, which make the heart to stir and the soul to clamor, but this mystery of inner meaning may be whispered only from heart to heart, confided only from breast to breast.

Only heart to heart can speak the bliss of mystic knowers;
No messenger can tell it and no missive bear it. 2

I am silent from weakness on many a matter,
For my words could not reckon them and my speech would fall short. 3

O friend, till thou enter the garden of such mysteries, thou shalt never set lip to the undying wine of this Valley. " ...

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 30


2.Háfiz: Shamsu’d-Dín Muḥammad, of Shíráz, died ca. 1389 A.D. One of the greatest of Persian poets.   
3.Arabian poem. 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

"How many a mystic tree hath this whirlwind of wonderment snatched by the roots, how many a soul hath it exhausted."




"Now is he struck dumb with the beauty of the All-Glorious; again is he wearied out with his own life. How many a mystic tree hath this whirlwind of wonderment snatched by the roots, how many a soul hath it exhausted. For in this Valley the traveler is flung into confusion, albeit, in the eye of him who hath attained, such marvels are esteemed and well beloved. At every moment he beholdeth a wondrous world, a new creation, and goeth from astonishment to astonishment, and is lost in awe at the works of the Lord of Oneness."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 32

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

"Indeed, O Brother, if we ponder each created thing, we shall witness a myriad perfect wisdoms and learn a myriad new and wondrous truths."




"Indeed, O Brother, if we ponder each created thing, we shall witness a myriad perfect wisdoms and learn a myriad new and wondrous truths. One of the created phenomena is the dream. Behold how many secrets are deposited therein, how many wisdoms treasured up, how many worlds concealed. Observe, how thou art asleep in a dwelling, and its doors are barred; on a sudden thou findest thyself in a far-off city, which thou enterest without moving thy feet or wearying thy body; without using thine eyes, thou seest; without taxing thine ears, thou hearest; without a tongue, thou speakest. And perchance when ten years are gone, thou wilt witness in the outer world the very things thou hast dreamed tonight."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 32

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

“O Lord, increase my astonishment at Thee!”



"All these states are to be witnessed in the Valley of Wonderment, and the traveler at every moment seeketh for more, and is not wearied. Thus the Lord of the First and the Last in setting forth the grades of contemplation, and expressing wonderment hath said: “O Lord, increase my astonishment at Thee!” Likewise, reflect upon the perfection of man’s creation, and that all these planes and states are folded up and hidden away within him.

Dost thou reckon thyself only a puny form
When within thee the universe is folded? 2

Then we must labor to destroy the animal condition, till the meaning of humanity shall come to light."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys , pp. 33-34

2. ‘Alí.

Monday, December 16, 2013

"O My friend, listen with heart and soul to the songs of the spirit, and treasure them as thine own eyes."



"O My friend, listen with heart and soul to the songs of the spirit, and treasure them as thine own eyes. For the heavenly wisdoms, like the clouds of spring, will not rain down on the earth of men’s hearts forever; and though the grace of the All-Bounteous One is never stilled and never ceasing, yet to each time and era a portion is allotted and a bounty set apart, this in a given measure. “And no one thing is there, but with Us are its storehouses; and We send it not down but in settled measure.” 5 The cloud of the Loved One’s mercy raineth only on the garden of the spirit, and bestoweth this bounty only in the season of spring. The other seasons have no share in this greatest grace, and barren lands no portion of this favor."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys,pp. 37-38 

 5. Qur’án 15:21.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

"For whatever the creatures have is limited by their own limits, and whatever the True One hath is sanctified therefrom ..."






"When the qualities of the Ancient of Days stood revealed,
Then the qualities of earthly things did Moses burn away. 1

He who hath attained this station is sanctified from all that pertaineth to the world. Wherefore, if those who have come to the sea of His presence are found to possess none of the limited things of this perishable world, whether it be outer wealth or personal opinions, it mattereth not. For whatever the creatures have is limited by their own limits, and whatever the True One hath is sanctified therefrom; this utterance must be deeply pondered that its purport may be clear. “Verily the righteous shall drink of a winecup tempered at the camphor fountain.” 2 If the interpretation of “camphor” become known, the true intention will be evident. This state is that poverty of which it is said, “Poverty is My glory.” 3 And of inward and outward poverty there is many a stage and many a meaning which I have not thought pertinent to mention here; hence I have reserved these for another time, dependent on what God may desire and fate may seal."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 36-37

1. The Mathnaví. 
 2. Qur’án 76:5. 
 3. Muḥammad.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

"Make of thine effort a glass, perchance it may shelter this flame from the contrary winds ..."



"O Shaykh! Make of thine effort a glass, perchance it may shelter this flame from the  contrary winds; albeit this light doth long to be kindled in the lamp of the Lord, and to shine in the globe of the spirit. For the head raised up in the love of God will certainly fall by the sword, and the life that is kindled with longing will surely be sacrificed, and the heart which remembereth the Loved One will surely brim with blood. How well is it said:

Live free of love, for its very peace is anguish; Its beginning is pain, its end is death. 15

Peace be upon him who followeth the Right Path!"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 41-42

15. Arabian poem.

Friday, December 13, 2013

" ... the huntsman of envy stalketh this deer of the meadow of love."




"O My friend! Many a hound pursueth this gazelle of the desert of oneness; many a talon claweth at this thrush of the eternal garden. Pitiless ravens do lie in wait for this bird of the heavens of God, and the huntsman of envy stalketh this deer of the meadow of love."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 41

Thursday, December 12, 2013

"I do as bidden, and I bring the message, Whether it give thee counsel or offense."



"Likewise He saith, “Go straight on then as thou hast been commanded.” 5 Wherefore, this course is incumbent on those who dwell in the presence of God.

I do as bidden, and I bring the message, Whether it give thee counsel or offense. 6

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 48

 5. Qur’án 11:114; 42:14. 
 6. Sa’dí.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

"The death of self is needed here, not rhetoric: Be nothing, then, and walk upon the waves."





"The death of self is needed here, not rhetoric: Be nothing, then, and walk upon the waves. 8

 Likewise is it written, “And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He hath therefore caused to forget their own selves. These are the wicked doers.” 9"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 52



 8. The Mathnaví. 
 9. Qur’án 59:19.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

“Read thy Book: There needeth none but thyself to make out an account against thee this day.”



"This station hath many signs, unnumbered proofs. Hence it is said: “Hereafter We will show them Our signs in the regions of the earth, and in themselves, until it become manifest unto them that it is the truth,” 5 and that there is no God save Him.

One must, then, read the book of his own self, rather than some treatise on rhetoric. Wherefore He hath said, 6
“Read thy Book: There needeth none but thyself to make out an account against thee this day.”

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 51

 5. Qur’án 41:53. 
 6. Qur’án 17:15.

Monday, December 9, 2013

"If a man could know what lieth hid in this one verse, it would suffice him..."



"On this plane, the traveler meeteth with many a trial and reverse. Now is he lifted up to heaven, now is he cast into the depths. As it hath been said: “Now Thou drawest me to the summit of glory, again Thou castest me into the lowest abyss.” The mystery treasured in this plane is divulged in the following holy verse from the Súrih of THE CAVE: 3

 “And thou mightest have seen the sun when it arose, pass on the right of their cave, and when it set, leave them on the left, while they were in its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of God. Guided indeed is he whom God guideth; but for him whom He misleadeth, thou shalt by no means find a patron.”

If a man could know what lieth hid in this one verse, it would suffice him. Wherefore, in praise of such as these, He hath said: “Men whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of God….” 4"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 53

 3. Qur’án 18:16. This is a reference to the station of complete faith. The companions of the Cave are identified with early Christian martyrs. 
 4. Qur’án 24:37.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

“Leave thyself behind, and then approach Me.”



"If the loving seekers wish to live within the precincts of the Attracting One (Majdhúb), 1 no soul may dwell on this Kingly Throne save the beauty of love. This realm is not to be pictured in words.

Love shunneth this world and that world too,
In him are lunacies seventy-and-two.
The minstrel of love harpeth this lay:
Servitude enslaveth, kingship doth betray. 2

This plane requireth pure affection and the bright stream of fellowship. In telling of these companions of the Cave He saith: “They speak not till He hath spoken; and they do His bidding.” 3

On this plane, neither the reign of reason is sufficient nor the authority of self. Hence, one of the Prophets of God hath asked: “O my Lord, how shall we reach unto Thee?” And the answer came,
“Leave thyself behind, and then approach Me.”"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 54-55


 1. That attribute of God which draws all creatures to Him. 
 2. The Mathnaví. 
 3. Qur’án 21:27

Saturday, December 7, 2013

“O My Servant! Obey Me and I shall make thee like unto Myself..."





"Astonishment here is highly prized, and utter poverty essential. Wherefore hath it been said, “Poverty is My pride.” 18 And again: “God hath a people beneath the dome of glory, whom He hideth in the clothing of radiant poverty.” 19

These are they who see with His eyes, hear with His ears, as it is written in the well-known tradition. Concerning this realm, there is many a tradition and many a verse, of broad or special relevancy, but two of these will suffice to serve as a light for men of mind and heart. The first is His statement:
“O My Servant! Obey Me and I shall make thee like unto Myself. I say ‘Be,’ and it is, and thou shalt say ‘Be,’ and it shall be.” And the second: “O Son of Adam! Seek fellowship with none until thou hast found Me, and whenever thou shalt long for Me, thou shalt find Me close to thee.”"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 62-63



 18. Muḥammad. 
 19. Hadíth.

Friday, December 6, 2013

"He Who hath ever been the Desire of every perceiving heart, the Object of the adoration of all that are in heaven and on earth, and the Cynosure of the former and the latter generations—is now come!"



"O Temple of Divine Revelation! Sound the trumpet in My Name! O Temple of Divine mysteries! Raise the clarion call of Thy Lord, the Unconditioned, the Unconstrained! O Maid of Heaven! Step forth from the chambers of paradise and announce unto the people of the world: By the righteousness of God! He Who is the Best-Beloved of the worlds—He Who hath ever been the Desire of every perceiving heart, the Object of the adoration of all that are in heaven and on earth, and the Cynosure of the former and the latter generations—is now come!"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 54


Mt. Sinai

Thursday, December 5, 2013

"Say: This is the Day whereon God’s most great favour hath been made manifest. "




" ... Well is it with them who hearken unto the Voice of God, and turn their faces towards His throne to behold a most holy and blessed Vision. For whoso cherisheth in his heart the love of anyone beside Me, be it to the extent of a grain of mustard seed, shall be unable to gain admittance into My Kingdom. To this beareth witness that which adorneth the preamble of the Book of Existence, could ye but perceive it. Say: This is the Day whereon God’s most great favour hath been made manifest. The voice of all who are in the heavens above and on the earth below proclaimeth My Name, and singeth forth My praises, could ye but hear it!"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, pp. 53-54

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

"...consider the Mosque of Aqsá ..."



"Again, consider the Mosque of Aqsá and the other places which We have made sanctuaries unto the people in every land and region. The honour and distinction they enjoy is in no wise due to their own merit, but stemmeth from their relation to Our Manifestations, Whom We have appointed as the Daysprings of Our Revelation amidst mankind, if ye be of them that understand. In this there lieth a wisdom inscrutable to all save God. Inquire, that He may graciously make plain unto you His purpose. His knowledge, verily, embraceth all things. Detach yourselves, O people, from the world and all its vanities, and heed not the call of such as have disbelieved in God and joined partners with Him. Arise above the horizon of utterance to extol and praise your Lord, the All-Merciful. This is that which God hath purposed for you; well is it with them who perceive it."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 49

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

" ... They ask the sun to expound the words of the shadow ..."






" ... They ask the sun to expound the words of the shadow, and the True One to explain the utterances of His creatures, could ye but perceive it! Say: O people! The sun offereth naught save the effulgence of its own light and that which appeareth therefrom, whilst all else seek illumination from its rays. Fear God, and be not of the ignorant! Among them also were those who inquired of the darkness about the light. Say: Open thine eyes, that thou mayest behold the brightness which hath visibly enveloped the earth! This, verily, is a light which hath risen and shone forth above the horizon of the Dayspring of divine knowledge with manifest radiance. Would ye ask the Jews whether Jesus was the True One from God, or the idols if Muhammad was an Apostle of His Lord, or inquire from the people of the Qur’án as to Him Who was the Remembrance of God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great?"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 42

Monday, December 2, 2013

"That which alone is exempt from change is His own Self, the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate..."






"Would ye gainsay, O people, the very thing that your eyes behold? Woe unto you, O assemblage of deniers!
That which alone is exempt from change is His own Self, the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate, were ye to gaze with the eye of insight, while all else beside Him can be altered by an act of His Will. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty, the All-Wise."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 37

Sunday, December 1, 2013

"Other knowledges We do as well possess, not a single letter of which We can disclose, nor do We find humanity able to hear even the barest reference to their meaning."



"Within the treasury of Our Wisdom there lieth unrevealed a knowledge, one word of which, if we chose to divulge it to mankind, would cause every human being to recognize the Manifestation of God and to acknowledge His omniscience, would enable every one to discover the secrets of all the sciences, and to attain so high a station as to find himself wholly independent of all past and future learning. Other knowledges We do as well possess, not a single letter of which We can disclose, nor do We find humanity able to hear even the barest reference to their meaning. Thus have We informed you of the knowledge of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Were We to find worthy vessels, We would deposit within them the treasures of hidden meanings and impart unto them a knowledge, one letter of which would encompass all created things."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 35