7/30/2010

The soul of the unbeliever and the spiritually defective

Question: "You have made it clear to us that the soul is immortal, but what will become of the soul of the wicked and the unbeliever in the next world?

‘Abdu'l Baha: realities and souls or spirits are immortal. Even the soul of the unbeliever and the spiritually defective are immortal. But when these are compared with holy souls and sanctified spirits, they are not worth mentioning. It is just like this wood, which has an existence, but in comparison to the existence of man, it is as if nonexistent. (Quoted by Dr. Zia Baghdadi, one of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s translators during His visit to the West; Star of the West, Vol. 19, no. 12, March 1929)

7/23/2010

The mind is superior to the soul – the soul being “that power which is the mover of this physical body”

… By soul we mean that power which is the mover of this physical body which is entirely under its control and lives in accordance with its dictates. The soul that lives in the material world is dark for in the material world there is aggression, struggles greed, vice and transgression. If the soul remains in this station, and moves along these paths it will receive no uplift, but if it becomes the recipient of the world of mind, its darkness will be transformed into light; its tyranny into justice, its ignorance into wisdom and its aggression into loving kindness. There will be no more struggle for existence and man will become free from egotism. He will be released from the material world and become the embodiment of justice, the personification of the virtues. He will become a sanctified soul and be the means of the illumination of the world of humanity and an honor to human kind. He will confer life upon the children of men so that all nations will attain to the station of perfection. To such a person we may apply the name of "a holy soul."
The soul in itself cannot unravel the mysteries; but the mind is superior to the soul. The mind is a power whereby man can investigate the reality of every object. It unfolds to his vision the secrets of existence and leads him on and on to the station of divine sublimity. It frees man from the fetters of self and causes him to ascend to the pure heaven of sanctity. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, a talk given on January 30, 1913, at 30 rue St. Didier Paris; from Persian notes, translated by Ahmad Sohrab; Star of the West, vol. IV, no. 2, April 9, 1913)

7/22/2010

Criteria to use to check the validity of a Prophet of God

… the proofs of the validity and inspiration of a Prophet of God are the deeds of beneficent accomplishment and greatness emanating from Him. If He proves to be instrumental in the elevation and betterment of mankind, He is undoubtedly a valid and heavenly Messenger. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 366)

7/17/2010

Proof of nobility

Anybody can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, it is the proof of nobility. (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 263)

7/07/2010

Divine Manifestation represents God, but not in Essence

Question: Is the Divine Manifestation, God?

'Abdu'l-Baha: Yes, and yet not in Essence. A Divine Manifestation is as a mirror reflecting the light of the Sun. The light is the same and yet the mirror is not the Sun. All the Manifestations of God bring the same Light; they only differ in degree, not in reality. The Truth is one. The light is the same though the lamps may be different; we must look at the Light not at the Lamp. If we accept the Light in one, we must accept the Light in all; all agree, because all are the same. The teaching is ever the same, it is only the outward forms that change. ('Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 66)