The Worlds of God - U.S.Baha'i National Ref Library Committee
 <<   <-   >   >>
Page 34 of  105

"Verily I say, the human soul is, in its essence, one of the signs of God, a mystery among His mysteries. It is one of the mighty signs of the Almighty, the harbinger that proclaimeth the reality of all the worlds of God. Within it lieth concealed that which the world is now utterly incapable of apprehending." (Gl 160) (34:5)

"Know, verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him." (Bwf 121) (34:6)

"The superiority of man over the rest of the created world is seen... in this, that man has a soul in which dwells the divine spirit; the souls of the lower creatures are inferior in their essence. There is no doubt then, that of all created beings man is the nearest to the nature of God, and therefore receives a greater gift of the Divine Bounty." (Pt 25) (34:7)

"I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee." (pam 314) (34:8)

"Love is the fundamental principle of God's purpose for man, and He has commanded us to love each other even as He loves us." (Pt 122) (34:9)

"He... chose to confer upon man the unique distinction and capacity to know Him and to love Him-- a capacity that must needs be regarded as the generating impulse and primary purpose underlying the whole of creation." (Bwf 102- 3) (34:10)

"What is the purpose of our lives?" 'Abdul- Baha-- "To acquire virtues." (Pt 177) (34:11)

"The spiritual love of God maketh man pure and holy and clotheth him with the garment of virtue and purity." (Bwf 365) (34:12)

"The knowledge of God is beyond all knowledge. For... the knowledge of God is the cause of spiritual progress and attraction, and through it the perception of truth, the exaltation of humanity, divine civilization, rightness of morals and illumination are obtained." (Saq 344) (34:13)

"God in His infinite goodness has exalted us to so much honor, and has made us masters over the natural world. Shall we then become its slaves? Nay, rather let us claim our birthright, and strive to live the life of the spiritual sons of God." (Pt 109) (34:14)

"All men have been created to carry forward an ever- advancing civilization." (Bwf 114) (34:15)

"The great fundamental teachings of Baha'u'llah are the oneness of God and the unity of mankind. This is the bond of union among Baha'is all over the world. They become united among themselves, then unite others. It is impossible to unite unless united." (Pup 130) (34:16)

"The object of life to a Baha'i is to promote the oneness of mankind." (Bne 6) (34:17)

"Although material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind, yet until it becomes combined with divine civilization, the desired result, which is the felicity of mankind, will not be attained." (Bwf 289) (34:18)

"I testify that Thou has created Thy servants to aid Thy Cause." (Esw 37) (34:19)

"The soul or spirit of the individual comes into being with the conception of the physical body." (ltr of Shoghi Effendi) (34:20)

"The soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God... It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure." (Gl 155- 6) (34:21)

The beloved Guardian wrote, "To strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Baha'u'llah's stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each one of its loyal adherents.", a statement which places the obligation of deepening in the Cause firmly on every believer. It is therefore upon the nature of deepening, rather than upon the desirability of pursuing it, that we wish to comment. (Ridvan Msg 1967) (34:22)

A detailed and exact knowledge of the present structure of Baha'i administration, or of the By- laws of National and Local Spiritual Assemblies, or of the many and varied applications of Baha'i law under the diverse conditions prevailing around the world, while valuable in itself, cannot be regarded as the sort of knowledge primarily intended by deepening. Rather is suggested a clearer apprehension of the purpose of God for man, and particularly of His immediate purpose as revealed and directed by Baha'u'llah, a purpose as far removed from current concepts of human well- being and happiness as is possible. We should constantly be on our guard lest the glitter and tinsel of an affluent society should lead us to think that such superficial adjustments to the modern world as are envisioned by humanitarian movements or are publicly proclaimed as the policy of enlightened statesmanship-- such as an extension to all members of the human race of the benefits of a high standard of living, of education, medical care, technical knowledge-- will of themselves fulfill the glorious mission of Baha'u'llah. Far otherwise. These are the things which shall be added unto us once we seek the Kingdom of God, and are not themselves the objectives for which the Bab gave His life, Baha'u'llah endured such sufferings as none before Him had ever endured, the Master and after Him the Guardian bore their trials and afflictions with such superhuman fortitude. Far deeper and more fundamental was their vision, penetrating to the very purpose of human life. (Ridvan Msg 1967) (34:23)

Get Next Page

  The Worlds of God
  Citation Source List
: see