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"The first thing which emanated from God is that universal reality, which the ancient philosophers termed 'First Mind'... This emanation... is not limited by time or place; it is without beginning or end... Though the 'First Mind' is without beginning, it does not become a sharer in the pre- existence of God, for the existence of the universal reality in relation to the existence of God is nothingness, and it has not the power to become an associate of God and like unto Him in pre- existence." (Bwf 315- 6) (14:1) "'Before all else, God created mind.' From the dawn of creation, it was made to be revealed in the temple of man." (Sdc 1) (14:2) "The reality of Prophethood which is the Word of God and the perfect state of manifestation, did not have any beginning...; its rising (origin, beginning?) is different from all others, and is like that of the sun." (Saq 174- 5) (14:3) "The Holy Reality... has neither beginning nor end. When beginning (or 'First' or 'before'?) is spoken of, it signifies the state of manifesting." (Saq 175) (14:4) "Man is the sum of creation, and the Perfect Man (Manifestation) is the expression of the complete thought of the Creator-- the Word of God." (Pt 51) (14:5) "The Perfect Man is as a polished mirror reflecting the Sun of Truth, manifesting the attributes of God." (Pt 25) (14:6) "In the Manifestation of God, the perfectly polished mirror, appear the qualities of the Divine in a form that man is capable of comprehending." (Pt 26) (14:7) "The function of the sun is the revelation of the mysteries and creative purposes hidden within the phenomenal world. The outer sun is the sign or symbol of the inner Sun of Truth, the Word of God." (Pup 70- 1) (14:8) As "the sun is the center of lights, and the cause of the life of the beings of the solar system... (so) the Holy Manifestations of God are the centers of the light of Reality, of the source of Mysteries, and of the bounties of Love." (Saq 185) (14:9) As "the sun is the life- giver to the physical bodies of all creatures upon earth... so do the souls of men need the Sun of Truth to shed its rays upon their souls, to develop them, to educate and encourage them. As the sun is to the body of man so is the Sun of Truth to his soul." (Pt 31) (14:10) "Ten thousand Prophets, each a Moses, are thunderstruck upon the Sinai of Their search at His forbidding voice, 'Thou shalt never behold Me!'; whilst a myriad Messengers, each as great as Jesus, stand dismayed upon Their heavenly thrones by the interdiction, 'Mine Essence Thou shalt never apprehend!' From time immemorial He (God) hath been veiled in the ineffable sanctity of His exalted Self, and will everlastingly continue to be wrapt in the impenetrable mystery of His unknowable Essence." (Bwf 29- 30)
(14:11)
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