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Baha'i Writings describe the physical universe as consisting of units of energy which are continually forming and reforming into larger units of matter according to a universal law of attraction, repulsion, composition and decomposition. (29:3) "Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly Cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directs the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms." ('Abdul-Baha) (29:4) The power of attraction or love, organizes matter at several differing levels of complexity of which the most primitive is the mineral. At a more sophisticated level it forms the vegetable which has the power of growth and self-reproduction. At a still higher level is the animal, which has the power of sensory perception. The highest and most complex form of matter is that which has not only the power of growth, reproduction, and sensory perception but also the ability to conceive ideas beyond itself-- transcendental power. This is man. (29:5) "Just as the animal is more noble than the vegetable and mineral, so man is superior to the animal. The animal is bereft of ideality; that is to say, it is a captive of nature and not in touch with that which lies within and beyond nature; it is without spiritual susceptibilities, deprived of the attractions of consciousness, unconscious of the world of God and incapable of deviating from the law of nature.. Man is possessed of the emanations of consciousness; he has perception, ideality and is capable of discovering the mysteries of the universe. All the industries, inventions and facilities surrounding our daily life were at one time hidden secrets of nature.. but man.. discovered these mysteries and brought them out of the plane of the invisible into the realms of the known and visible." ('Abdul-Baha)
(29:6)
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