We should become “the expressions of the Merciful”

The Prophets have appeared in this world with the mission that human souls may become the expressions of the Merciful, that they may be educated and developed, attain to love and amity and establish peace and agreement. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from a talk given on 21 April 1912 in Washington D.C.; Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 38) (To read the entire talk please visits Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)

“prejudices arising from adherence to religious forms and imitation of ancestral beliefs” are like “mirage of imitations”

It is evident that prejudices arising from adherence to religious forms and imitation of ancestral beliefs have hindered the progress of humanity thousands of years. How many wars and battles have been fought, how much division, discord and hatred have been caused by this form of prejudice! But inasmuch as this century is a century of the revelation of reality -- praise be to God! -- the thoughts of men are being directed toward the welfare and unity of humanity. Daily the mirage of imitations is passing away, and the ocean of truth is surging more tumultuously. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from a talk given on 21 April 1912 in Washington D.C.) (To read the entire talk please visits Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)

Our “minds and spirits” need to “come into the knowledge of the verities of God” so that “the realities of the Kingdom be made manifest in human hearts.”

Just as human intellects have revealed the secrets of matter and have brought forth from the realm of the invisible the mysteries of nature, may minds and spirits, likewise, come into the knowledge of the verities of God, and the realities of the Kingdom be made manifest in human hearts. Then the world will be the paradise of Abha, the standard of the Most Great Peace will be borne aloft, and the oneness of the world of humanity in all its beauty, glory and significance will become apparent. (Abdu'l-Baha, excerpt from a talk; The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 36-38) (To read the entire talk please visit Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)

How to view each other: “The only real difference that exists between people is that they are at various stages of development.”

Consort together in brotherly love, be ready to lay down your lives one for the other, and not only for those who are dear to you, but for all humanity. Look upon the whole human race as members of one family, all children of God; and, in so doing, you will see no difference between them.

Humanity may be likened to a tree. This tree has branches, leaves, buds and fruit. Think of all men as being flowers, leaves or buds of this tree, and try to help each and all to realize and enjoy God's blessings. God neglects none: He loves all.

The only real difference that exists between people is that they are at various stages of development. Some are imperfect -- these must be brought to perfection. Some are asleep -- they must be awakened; some are negligent -- they must be roused; but one and all are the children of God. Love them all with your whole heart; no one is a stranger to the other, all are friends. (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, pp. 170-171)

Our human mind cannot comprehend God -- Man's concept of God is his own creation

"All the people have formed a God in the world of thought and they worship that form of their own imagination, while the act is that the imagined concept is comprehended by the mind Which is comprehensive. Surely that which comprehends is greater than the comprehended, for imagination is accidental (non-essential) while the mind is essential. Surely the essential is greater than the accidental.

"Therefore consider-all the sects and peoples worship their own thought. They create a God in their own minds and acknowledge him to be the creator of all things, while that form is a superstition. Thus people adore and worship imagination (or illusion).

"That Essence of the Divine Reality and Unseen of the Unseen is holy above the imagination, and is beyond thought. Consciousness does not reach it. In the capacity of every produced (created) reality that Ancient Reality cannot be contained. That is a different world; from it there is no information; arrival thereat is impossible; attainment thereto is prohibited and inaccessible. This much is known--that it exists, and its existence is certain and proved, but the condition is unknown.

“When man is attached to the Love of God, music has a great effect upon him.”

… musical melodies form an important role in the associations, or outward and inward characteristics, or qualities of man, for it is the inspirer or motive power of both the material and spiritual susceptibilities. What a motive power it is in all feelings of love! When man is attached to the Love of God, music has a great effect upon him. (From a “Table Talk” by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Acca, July 1909, quoted in “Herald of the South”, January 13, 1933, pp. 2-3; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 2. pp. 76-78) (To see the entire talk please visit Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)