Love is ...

Love is the breath of the Holy Spirit in the heart of Man ('Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 30)

A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love

When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content. Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 28)

Personality, Individuality and Character of a Human Being

Personality is one of two kinds. One is the natural or God-given personality which the Western thinkers call individuality. Individuality is the inner aspect of man which is not subject to change. The second is personality. Personality is the acquired virtues and perfections, with which man is adorned.
When the individuality of man, i.e., his God-given natural virtues, is adorned with acquired virtues and perfections then we have character. When the infinite effulgences of God are revealed in the individual, then divine perfections which are invisible in all creation will become manifest in him. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from an address given on Feb. 14, 1913 at 30 rue St. Didier, Paris; Star of the West, Vol. IV, No. 2)

The Divine Reality is to man what the sun is to the earth

The Divine Reality is to man what the sun is to the earth. The sun is life, radiance, heat, energy, power. The earth is dead, inert, helpless, incapable of initiative or change. It is poor, cold, and without resources.

The sun in its remoteness could never reach the earth, and the earth, wretched indifferent clod, could never attain to the glory and splendor of the sun. In order that one may gain the other, that life and fragrance may come to the helpless earth floating alone in dim space, there must be an intermediary. In some way the life-giving power of the radiant sun must be brought to the sodden earth, and this becomes possible through the media of light and heat. Through their means the glory of the distant luminary is transmitted to the dark ball of earth, and instantly it becomes the home of fragrance and blooming life. The glory of the magnificent source of light touches our dim planet and banishes death and darkness.

As there must be an intermediary to transmit to earth the life-giving power of the sun, so there must be an intermediary to bring God to man, and this is found through the ever-present efficacy of the Holy Spirit. As the media of light and heat carry fragrance and bloom to the earth, so the intermediary of the Holy Spirit brings to man warmth, perfection and inspiration. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West, vol. II, no. 14, November 1911)

The oneness of humanity and its happiness are dependent on the equality of man and woman

And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible. For the world of humanity consists of two parts or members: one is woman; the other is man. Until these two members are equal in strength, the oneness of humanity cannot be established, and the happiness and felicity of mankind will not be a reality. God willing, this is to be so.(The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 76)

How to express our opinion when consulting

… consultation must have for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion, for the light of reality becomes apparent when two opinions coincide. A spark is produced when flint and steel come together. Man should weigh his opinions with the utmost serenity, calmness and composure. Before expressing his own views he should carefully consider the views already advanced by others. If he finds that a previously expressed opinion is more true and worthy, he should accept it immediately and not willfully hold to an opinion of his own. By this excellent method he endeavors to arrive at unity and truth. Opposition and division are deplorable. (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 72)

A person will eventually realize the love of the Creator

One day He said to me: “The child does not realize the love of the parent, but when it becomes mature, it knows.” “Can the creature,” I asked, “ever realize the love of the Creator “Yes, if not in this world, then in the next -- as a sleeping one awakens.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Juliet Thompson, Star of the West, vol. II, no.14, November 1911)

Magnetism of the Word of God is sincerity of intention

You must give up all differences among you – differences of opinion – and all work for the same aim. You must be qualified with divine attributes, so that the Word of God may assist you, so that the bounties of God may descend upon you. And know that without the help of the Holy Spirit you will not be able to do this. And the magnetism of the Word of God is sincerity of intention. And until you are entirely severed from yourself and emptied of yourself, you will never be sincere enough.

You must entirely sacrifice yourself. You must close your eyes to all rest. You must give up even your happiness and your enjoyment so that you may be able to do this. (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, recorded by Juliet Thompson during her visit in Akka, The Diary of Juliet Thompson p, p. 35)

Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated

Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion which does not concern itself with Science is mere tradition, and that is not the essential. Therefore science, education and civilization are most important necessities for the full religious life. (Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 30)

Great causes of separation among people

The great causes of separation among the people are: Racial, political, religious, traditional, personal, and commercial. Baha’u’llah has abolished these. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, from Discourses given in London and Paris, Star of the West, vol. II, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

Wisdom of attending Baha’i events

Attendance at the gatherings of the friends is specifically to keep them alert, vigilant, loving and attracted to the divine Kingdom. (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 205)

Body & Spirit

The body is like the crystal and the spirit is like the light. Though the crystal be extremely transparent, its brilliancy and splendor belong to the brightness of the light. To be luminous, the light does not need the crystal, but the crystal to be bright needs the light. Even so the spirit does not live by the body, but the body lives by the spirit.
(From ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s address to the Alliance Spiritualiste of Paris, November 9th, 1911; Star of the West, vol. II, no. 17)

Healing comes from God

Healing comes from God. If the heavenly benediction be upon us while we are being healed, then only can we be truly healed. All depends upon God. Medicine is merely an outward form or means by which we obtain heavenly healing; without the Heavenly Benediction it is worth nothing. (From a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Paris, France, on October 19th, 1911; Star of the West, vol. II, no. 16)

Condition of Soul Before Becoming Associated with Body

Question: In what condition is the soul before entering the body?

Answer: In a state of potentiality, possessing no consciousness as we understand it.
(From a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Paris, France, October 18, 1911; Star of the West, vol. II, no. 6)

The Effect of Our Prayers on Souls in the Next Life

Question: Are we not able, through love and faith, to make those on the other side hear of the Cause who had not heard of it while on earth?

Answer: Yes, surely, sincere prayer always has its effect, and it has a great influence in the other world. We are never cut off from those there. The real and genuine influence is not in this world but in that other. (From a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Paris, France, October 18, 1911; Star of the West, vol. II, no. 6)

To Hear about the Baha’i Faith in the Next World

Question: If one refuses the Cause of Baha’u’llah during his lifetime, may he hear of it after death?

Answer: Yes, he will hear of it in his next life, but through the mercy of God alone, and not through his own ability. (From a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Paris, France, October 18, 1911; Star of the West, vol. II, no. 6)

The Relation between Thought and Action

You must not only think thoughts, but do actions. The reality of man is their thoughts and their spirits, not their material bodies. Man and animal with regard to matter are partners. The difference is that man has the power of thought.

Thoughts may be divided into two classes:

1. The world of thought alone.
2. The world of thought which expresses itself in action.

For instance, philosophers belong to the first class, for they only think heavenly thoughts and do not do heavenly deeds. Whereas spiritual teachers belong to the second class, for they express their high and noble thoughts in actions as soon they think them.
(From a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Paris, France, October 18, 1911; Star of the West, vol. II, no. 6)

We Can not Comprehend Divinity

The pictures of Divinity that come to our mind are the product of our fancy; they exist in the realm of our imagination. They are not adequate to the Truth; truth in its essence cannot be put into words.

Divinity cannot by comprehended because it is comprehending. ('Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 22)

Religions are like Branches of one Tree

The Reality of all is One. Truth is one. Religions are like the branches of one Tree. One branch is high, one is low and one in the centre, yet all draw their life from the one stem. One branch bears fruit and others are not laden so abundantly. All the Prophets are lights, they only differ in degree; they shine like brilliant heavenly bodies, each have their appointed place and time of ascension. Some are like lamps, some like the moon, some like distant stars, and a few are like the sun, shining from one end of the earth to the other. all have the same Light to give, yet they are different in degree. (Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 62)

Man is Not a Captive of Nature

... he [man] is the ruler and commander of nature. Man has intelligence; nature has not. Man has volition; nature has none. Man has memory; nature is without it. Man has the reasoning faculty; nature is deprived. Man has the perceptive faculty; nature cannot perceive. It is therefore proved and evident that man is nobler than nature.


If we accept the supposition that man is but a part of nature, we are confronted by an illogical statement, for this is equivalent to claiming that a part may be endowed with qualities which are absent in the whole. For man who is a part of nature has perception, intelligence, memory, conscious reflection and susceptibility, while nature itself is quite bereft of them. How is it possible for the part to be possessed of qualities or faculties which are absent in the whole? The truth is that God has given to man certain powers which are supernatural. How then can man be considered a captive of nature?
(The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 17)

Secret to happiness

“Human happiness is founded upon spiritual behaviour …”
(Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, p. 127)

The Reality of Man is His Thought

The reality of man is his thought, not his material body. The thought force and the animal force are partners. .... If a man's thought is constantly aspiring towards heavenly subjects then does he become saintly; if on the other hand his thought does not soar, but is directed downwards to centre itself upon the things of this world, he grows more and more material until he arrives at a state little better than that of a mere animal. (Paris Talks, p.16)

Prophets are Like Perfect Mirrors Reflecting the Perfections of God

… the perfect man, the Prophet, is one who is transfigured, one who has the purity and clearness of a perfect mirror -- one who reflects the Sun of Truth. Of such a one -- of such a Prophet and Messenger -- we can say that the Light of Divinity with the heavenly Perfections dwells in him.

If we claim that the sun is seen in the mirror, we do not mean that the sun itself has descended from the holy heights of his heaven and entered into the mirror! This is impossible. The Divine Nature is seen in the Manifestations and its Light and Splendor are visible in extreme glory. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 23)

Need to Possess Divine Susceptibilities

... let your faces be more radiant with hope and heavenly determination to serve the Cause of God, to spread the pure fragrances of the divine rose garden of unity, to awaken spiritual susceptibilities in the hearts of mankind, to kindle anew the spirit of humanity with divine fires and to reflect the glory of heaven to this gloomy world of materialism. When you possess these divine susceptibilities, you will be able to awaken and develop them in others. We cannot give of our wealth to the poor unless we possess it. How can the poor give to the poor? How can the soul that is deprived of the heavenly bounties develop in other souls capacity to receive those bounties? Array yourselves in the perfection of divine virtues.
(The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 7)

The spiritual world is the counterpart of the material world

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  (From a talk; The Promulgation of Universal Peace)

The power that is bringing peoples from the East and West together

The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh over sixty years ago proclaimed the glad tidings of universal peace. The Báb was martyred in the Cause of God. Bahá'u'lláh suffered forty years as a prisoner and exile in order that the Kingdom of love might be established in the East and West. He has made it possible for us to meet here in love and unity. Because He suffered imprisonment, we are free to proclaim the oneness of the world of humanity for which He stood so long and faithfully. He was chained in dungeons, He was without food, His companions were thieves and criminals, He was subjected to every kind of abuse and infliction, but throughout it all He never ceased to proclaim the reality of the Word of God and the oneness of humanity. We have been brought together here by the power of His Word -- you from America, I from Persia -- all in love and unity of spirit. Was this possible in former centuries? If it is possible now after fifty years of sacrifice and teaching, what shall we expect in the wonderful centuries coming?
- Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; The Promulgation of Universal Peace)

One's faith embodies three degrees

"In reality, faith embodies three degrees: to confess with the tongue; to believe in the heart; to give evidence in our actions." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (quoted in The Baha'i World vol.6 1934-1936)

Purpose of Religion

Religion should be the means of good fellowship and love. It must upraise the standard of harmony and solidarity. If religion is conducive to hatred and enmity, its existence is harmful to the welfare of the community. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Divine Philosophy)

Mission of All Divine Prophets

The divine Prophets came to establish the unity of the Kingdom in human hearts. All of them proclaimed the glad tidings of the divine bestowals to the world of mankind. All brought the same message of divine love to the world. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk; The Promulgation of Universal Peace)

How a Meeting can Attract Divine Bounties

… the affinity and love manifest in this meeting, the divine susceptibilities witnessed here are not of this world but of the world of the Kingdom. When the souls become separated and selfish, the divine bounties do not descend, and the lights of the Supreme Concourse are no longer reflected even though the bodies meet together. A mirror with its back turned to the sun has no power to reflect the sun's effulgence.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; The Promulgation of Universal Peace)