By lessan | Published:
August 11, 2008
Here’s a little gem from the book The Arc of Ascent (read it yourself for the full picture).
These words were spoken by God to Daniel:
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4
“Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:9
In the Quran, Muhammad states that in this day the righteous will be rewarded:
“Choice sealed wine shall be given them to quaff, The seal of musk.” Sura 42-114
Shoghi Effendi describes the Kitab-i-Iqan:
it proffered to mankind the “Choice Sealed Wine,” whose seal is of “musk,” and broke the “seals” of the “Book” referred to by Daniel God Passes By, p. 139
So we have this Choice Wine, but it is still sealed, albeit with an attractive perfume (musk) as a seal.
“Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power.” Kitab-i-Aqdas no. 5
Thus the relation between spiritual guidance (the wine, which is sealed) and the laws and institutions through which this guidance can be applied (the wineskin which holds the wine).
Posted in Bahá'í | Tagged Bahá'í, wine |
By lessan | Published:
June 25, 2008
The spiritual world is like unto the phenomenal world. They are the exact counterpart of each other. Whatever objects appear in this world of existence are the outer pictures of the world of heaven.
(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 9)
Reading the book: The Arc of Ascent by John S. Hatcher. Highly recommended – I am starting to understand better the statement of human purpose in the short obligatory prayer: “I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee”. In very brief, to ‘know’ God means practicing reflecting the attributes of God (as instructed by the Manifestations), and to ‘worship’ refers to the actions performed in service. There is so much more to it – and I hope to be able to understand better what the Arc of Descent and Ascent mean by the end of the book.
By lessan | Published:
April 20, 2008
Justice is, in this day, bewailing its plight…
O OPPRESSORS ON EARTH! Withdraw your hands from tyranny, for I have pledged Myself not to forgive any man’s injustice. This is My covenant which I have irrevocably decreed in the preserved tablet and sealed with My seal.
O ye friends of God! Show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world, even the enemies, put their trust, assurance and hope in you; that if a person falls into errors for a hundred-thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent. This is the conduct and the manner of the people of Baha’. This is the foundation of the most high pathway! Ye should conform your conduct and manners with the advices of Abdul-Baha.
By lessan | Published:
April 1, 2008
The following is a story from The Heroic Female Spirit: A Collection of Tales, by Phyllis K. Peterson. The stories are inspired by teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, and reinforce spiritual qualities. They also provide positive examples of girls and women who learn to see their own capacity to create change. Grab a copy and read it, if you get a chance!
THE GIRL WHO COULD OPEN DOORS WITH HER HEART
King Shevon, like so many rulers before him, was unsatisfied with his rule. He desired complete obedience from his subjects and wished that the very sound of his voice would compel them to obey his wishes. He was not a cruel man, but he craved more power, unlike queen Raisa, who was wisely less controlling and more beneficent toward the people. Little did King Shevon know that the wind was listening to him and, hearing his desire to command, decided to carry his wishes far and wide, though not in the way that he hoped.
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