“Having created the world and all that liveth and moveth therein, He, through the direct operation of His unconstrained and sovereign Will, 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 the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation.... Upon the inmost reality of each and every created thing He hath shed the light of one of His names, and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His attributes. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focused the radiance of all of His names and attributes, and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty.”
The words above were written in the 1800s. On first reading them, my being acknowledged, “Yes, we humans are special; we are not simply animals driven by hormones and desires. There is nobility, godliness, purity within us.”
The words above were written in the 1800s. On first reading them, my being acknowledged, “Yes, we humans are special; we are not simply animals driven by hormones and desires. There is nobility, godliness, purity within us.”
Then my life experience called out: “But why is there adversity? Why are there struggles and hardships? Why do humans abuse other humans? How can these words describe a creature that inflicts pain and suffering?”
Do you think the words below bring an answer?
“These energies with which the Day Star of Divine bounty and Source of heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality of man lie, however, latent within him, even as the flame is hidden within the candle and the rays of light are potentially present in the lamp. The radiance of these energies may be obscured by worldly desires even as the light of the sun can be concealed beneath the dust and dross which cover the mirror. Neither the candle nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and evident that until a fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory.” (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 66) (Visit http://www.bahai.org and learn more about Baha'u'llah)
Please write to me at renett@dynamiclt.co.za and share your thoughts on these words and the questions below:
Do you think the words below bring an answer?
“These energies with which the Day Star of Divine bounty and Source of heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality of man lie, however, latent within him, even as the flame is hidden within the candle and the rays of light are potentially present in the lamp. The radiance of these energies may be obscured by worldly desires even as the light of the sun can be concealed beneath the dust and dross which cover the mirror. Neither the candle nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and evident that until a fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory.” (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 66) (Visit http://www.bahai.org and learn more about Baha'u'llah)
Please write to me at renett@dynamiclt.co.za and share your thoughts on these words and the questions below:
Are we a potential perfection?
Are we in fact perfect?
What if anything corrupted us?
What and where is the flame that can kindle what lies within our deepest being?
Where should we turn to find the means to remove the dross that covers our ability to mirror our Creator?
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