There are only four accepted methods of comprehension--that is to say, the realities of things are understood by these four methods.
The first method is by the senses--that is to say, all that the eye, the ear, the taste, the smell, the touch perceive is understood by this method. Today this method is considered the most perfect by all the European philosophers: they say that the principal method of gaining knowledge is through the senses; they consider it supreme, although it is imperfect, for it commits errors. For example, the greatest of the senses is the power of sight. The sight sees the mirage as water, and it sees images reflected in mirrors as real and existent; large bodies which are distant appear to be small, and a whirling point appears as a circle. The sight believes the earth to be motionless and sees the sun in motion, and in many similar cases it makes mistakes. Therefore, we cannot trust it.
The second is the method of reason, which was that of the ancient philosophers, the pillars of wisdom; this is the method of the understanding. They proved things by reason and held firmly to logical proofs; all their arguments are arguments of reason. Notwithstanding this, they differed greatly, and their opinions were contradictory. They even changed their views--that is to say, during twenty years they would prove the existence of a thing by logical arguments, and afterward they would deny it by logical arguments--so much so that Plato at first logically proved the immobility of the earth and the movement of the sun; later by logical arguments he proved that the sun was the stationary center, and that the earth was moving. Afterward the Ptolemaic theory was spread abroad, and the idea of Plato was entirely forgotten, until at last a new observer again called it to life. Thus all the mathematicians disagreed, although they relied upon arguments of reason. In the same way, by logical arguments, they would prove a problem at a certain time, then afterward by arguments of the same nature they would deny it. So one of the philosophers would firmly uphold a theory for a time with strong arguments and proofs to support it, which afterward he would retract and contradict by arguments of reason. Therefore, it is evident that the method of reason is not perfect, for the differences of the ancient philosophers, the want of stability and the variations of their opinions, prove this. For if it were perfect, all ought to be united in their ideas and agreed in their opinions.
The third method of understanding is by tradition--that is, through the text of the Holy Scriptures--for people say, "In the Old and New Testaments, God spoke thus." This method equally is not perfect, because the traditions are understood by the reason. As the reason itself is liable to err, how can it be said that in interpreting the meaning of the traditions it will not err, for it is possible for it to make mistakes, and certainty cannot be attained. This is the method of the religious leaders; whatever they understand and comprehend from the text of the books is that which their reason understands from the text, and not necessarily the real truth; for the reason is like a balance, and the meanings contained in the text of the Holy Books are like the thing which is weighed. If the balance is untrue, how can the weight be ascertained?
Know then: that which is in the hands of people, that which they believe, is liable to error. For, in proving or disproving a thing, if a proof is brought forward which is taken from the evidence of our senses, this method, as has become evident, is not perfect; if the proofs are intellectual, the same is true; or if they are traditional, such proofs also are not perfect. Therefore, there is no standard in the hands of people upon which we can rely.
But the bounty of the Holy Spirit gives the true method of comprehension which is infallible and indubitable. This is through the help of the Holy Spirit which comes to man, and this is the condition in which certainty can alone be attained.
'Abdu'l-Baha (Some Answered Questions)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Development of Society : A Personal View
It is inevitable that we as Baha'is will change in our point of view as the Faith grows. New and larger communities. More laws being brought in to guide us. More specialization which will mean that all the children will become well trained in the history and the spirituality of the faith but they will also be well educated and trained in the arts and crafts.
In total they will become prosperous in body and soul. They will take for granted, what we struggle every day with; they will be sure just by looking around them that the Faith is creating solutions for society.
That means that they will think it as child's play, what we now think is impossible. There will be for them support at every stage. We could only wish to have loving counselors that would give us useful advice at critical moments in our lives.
How can I be so scrumptious to claim to know how they will think? But when there is a problem or project they will have resources, support and the will to accomplish it quickly. Their skills at consultation and tighter link to Baha'u'llah's spirit will give them answers and solutions to be able to quickly carry through projects.
People have specific personalities that need to be addressed. Their education has to be accomplished differently. When this happens all will have a full role in society. All must be able to live comfortably, allowing Baha'is to discover how they can contribute to the evolving civilization. Basic needs will be supplied universally.
A.G.W.
In total they will become prosperous in body and soul. They will take for granted, what we struggle every day with; they will be sure just by looking around them that the Faith is creating solutions for society.
That means that they will think it as child's play, what we now think is impossible. There will be for them support at every stage. We could only wish to have loving counselors that would give us useful advice at critical moments in our lives.
How can I be so scrumptious to claim to know how they will think? But when there is a problem or project they will have resources, support and the will to accomplish it quickly. Their skills at consultation and tighter link to Baha'u'llah's spirit will give them answers and solutions to be able to quickly carry through projects.
People have specific personalities that need to be addressed. Their education has to be accomplished differently. When this happens all will have a full role in society. All must be able to live comfortably, allowing Baha'is to discover how they can contribute to the evolving civilization. Basic needs will be supplied universally.
A.G.W.
Relationships
What I write about relationships might seem obvious to some but because it is obvious we do not talk about it.
It is not just the great loves of our life that are important. In every turn of our existence we meet people who are special to us. We may never speak two words but still you know that this person will always be precious. This is a link that will last the passage of this world into the next. We will have the same close feeling the next time we have a moment together. It can be a sexual tension but more likely it is something much beyond the material.
We each have a part of the other within us. Some may think that it is better not to talk about this, with the other person. I think otherwise. If we admit that there is a link, and revel in it, our happiness will grow.
I do not know how worldly people handle this. Do they always understand this feeling as a physical attraction?
Our teachers in the path of God will often be people who invoke strong feelings in us. Spiritual investigation involves feelings on the deepest levels. We as teachers will invoke those feelings in others. There are links between us because of spiritual desires. We know that at times our soul will rise to higher realms and our way of seeing things changes.
I believe this is the true basis of society and civilization. It is spiritual links that bind us together, starting here and continuing on through.
A.G.W.
It is not just the great loves of our life that are important. In every turn of our existence we meet people who are special to us. We may never speak two words but still you know that this person will always be precious. This is a link that will last the passage of this world into the next. We will have the same close feeling the next time we have a moment together. It can be a sexual tension but more likely it is something much beyond the material.
We each have a part of the other within us. Some may think that it is better not to talk about this, with the other person. I think otherwise. If we admit that there is a link, and revel in it, our happiness will grow.
I do not know how worldly people handle this. Do they always understand this feeling as a physical attraction?
Our teachers in the path of God will often be people who invoke strong feelings in us. Spiritual investigation involves feelings on the deepest levels. We as teachers will invoke those feelings in others. There are links between us because of spiritual desires. We know that at times our soul will rise to higher realms and our way of seeing things changes.
I believe this is the true basis of society and civilization. It is spiritual links that bind us together, starting here and continuing on through.
A.G.W.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Uniqueness Of Baha'i Scripture.
This is my personal views and has no official approval.
What they teach us.
First.
Who was Christ and who was Muhammad?
Baha'u'llah says that they are part of a group of special beings. Their souls are eternal in the past and the future. They have a special station above humans and below God himself. They are human and Manifestations of God. They appear in Earth's history in order to steer mankind toward God and toward harmony with all peoples. They are created by God with free will and the purpose of revealing the will of God.
The Unknowable Essence of God, the Manifestations of God, and the Created Beings
Neither the Jews, the Christians nor the Muslims understood the importance of their Messengers. It was because of Them that history continues and civilizations are built. These prophets of our past pushed us forward at the deepest levels. Beyond our small lives and our logic. They demanded that we look forward.
Read "The Book of Certitude" as many times as you can. Read it with a group of friends and speak your mind about that flame that is growing in your heart.
God, we cannot understand but we can look to Baha'u'llah for our spark. Then we can look to Muhammad and Christ and piece together that they were giving the same message to our fathers. We as ordinary peoples can then arise and tell others.
The Baha'i scripture is the clear message spoken of by Christ. Baha'u'llah is His return as was Muhammad. They speak with the same voice, lifting us higher then ever before. Beyond logic and critics we will be the builders of a world government under the protection of God's hand.
A.G.W.
What they teach us.
First.
Who was Christ and who was Muhammad?
Baha'u'llah says that they are part of a group of special beings. Their souls are eternal in the past and the future. They have a special station above humans and below God himself. They are human and Manifestations of God. They appear in Earth's history in order to steer mankind toward God and toward harmony with all peoples. They are created by God with free will and the purpose of revealing the will of God.
The Unknowable Essence of God, the Manifestations of God, and the Created Beings
Neither the Jews, the Christians nor the Muslims understood the importance of their Messengers. It was because of Them that history continues and civilizations are built. These prophets of our past pushed us forward at the deepest levels. Beyond our small lives and our logic. They demanded that we look forward.
Read "The Book of Certitude" as many times as you can. Read it with a group of friends and speak your mind about that flame that is growing in your heart.
God, we cannot understand but we can look to Baha'u'llah for our spark. Then we can look to Muhammad and Christ and piece together that they were giving the same message to our fathers. We as ordinary peoples can then arise and tell others.
The Baha'i scripture is the clear message spoken of by Christ. Baha'u'llah is His return as was Muhammad. They speak with the same voice, lifting us higher then ever before. Beyond logic and critics we will be the builders of a world government under the protection of God's hand.
A.G.W.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Something has Popped Up
As a Baha'i I like to think that my universal tolerance of others is in good shape. What I have found is that I am not able to manage my feelings against the Christian ministry (two thousand years of bad management and wayward interpretation of Christ's purpose).
So why is this? Maybe I have been waiting for this group to wake up. The writings of the Baha'i Faith are so powerful and clear that I did not comprehend others not coming on side in droves. It was a friend from high school that brought my feelings out. So far we have had only one conversation on Skype and a few emails. I blew it or up.
I can now admire those that are involved in Interfaith groups. I know that these people (Baha'is) have a Christian background.
Frustration at others, lack of insight has in the past caused me to strike out. If I was the old person, that I was (silent observer) nothing would have happened. But here we are and the damage is done.
Should I crawl back into my shell? Wait another 40 years? Obviously the young people will surge forward and present the Faith to anyone who will listen. And
growth will continue.
A.G.W.
So why is this? Maybe I have been waiting for this group to wake up. The writings of the Baha'i Faith are so powerful and clear that I did not comprehend others not coming on side in droves. It was a friend from high school that brought my feelings out. So far we have had only one conversation on Skype and a few emails. I blew it or up.
I can now admire those that are involved in Interfaith groups. I know that these people (Baha'is) have a Christian background.
Frustration at others, lack of insight has in the past caused me to strike out. If I was the old person, that I was (silent observer) nothing would have happened. But here we are and the damage is done.
Should I crawl back into my shell? Wait another 40 years? Obviously the young people will surge forward and present the Faith to anyone who will listen. And
growth will continue.
A.G.W.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Some Basic Ground Rules
All praise be to God Who hath, through the power of Truth, sent down this Book unto His servant, that it may serve as a shining light for all mankind... Verily this is none other than the sovereign Truth; it is the Path which God hath laid out for all that are in heaven and on earth. Let him then who will, take for himself the right path unto his Lord. Verily this is the true Faith of God, and sufficient witness are God and such as are endowed with the knowledge of the Book. This is indeed the eternal Truth which God, the Ancient of Days, hath revealed unto His omnipotent Word—He Who hath been raised up from the midst of the Burning Bush. This is the Mystery which hath been hidden from all that are in heaven and on earth, and in this wondrous Revelation it hath, in very truth, been set forth in the Mother Book by the hand of God, the Exalted... - The Bab
Messengers bring about Judgment Day. When Christ gave his message, that was the Day of the Jews. When Muhammad brought his Qur'an to the Arabs that was their Day. The Bab brought a Day to the Muslims. Baha'u'llah brought a Day to the world.
Short Obligatory Prayer
To Be Recited Once In Twenty-Four Hours, At Noon
I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
This is one of the three obligatory prayers that Baha'is can choose between to say daily. The words "to know Thee and to worship Thee" The purpose of a man is first: to know God.
I usually speak about the investigation of reality as being a primary duty for Baha'is.
Of course there is also obedience to the covenant which includes the instructions of the Universal House of Justice.
This investigation is similar to the search for truth. Our physical reality involves both scientific and instinctual approaches. I believe that the physical world is a reflection or a shadow of the kingdom of God. The building of the Baha'i administration is like the polishing of the physical mirror.
A.G.W.
Messengers bring about Judgment Day. When Christ gave his message, that was the Day of the Jews. When Muhammad brought his Qur'an to the Arabs that was their Day. The Bab brought a Day to the Muslims. Baha'u'llah brought a Day to the world.
Short Obligatory Prayer
To Be Recited Once In Twenty-Four Hours, At Noon
I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
This is one of the three obligatory prayers that Baha'is can choose between to say daily. The words "to know Thee and to worship Thee" The purpose of a man is first: to know God.
I usually speak about the investigation of reality as being a primary duty for Baha'is.
Of course there is also obedience to the covenant which includes the instructions of the Universal House of Justice.
This investigation is similar to the search for truth. Our physical reality involves both scientific and instinctual approaches. I believe that the physical world is a reflection or a shadow of the kingdom of God. The building of the Baha'i administration is like the polishing of the physical mirror.
A.G.W.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
New Plan
It seems now that this Five Year Plan is coming to a successful end.
In May another plan will begin, the first of two.
I will continue this blog in the new year, God willing.
Love Arthur
In May another plan will begin, the first of two.
I will continue this blog in the new year, God willing.
Love Arthur
Saturday, July 24, 2010
About Love in a Marraige by E. Swedenborg
In the attaining of the message of Baha'u'llah all the books have been openned and we can discern truth coming in from all directions. Here are some thoughts on true marriage.
(I have seen how each day in a true spiritual pairing new secrets are revealed. Never a day goes by that something surprising and delightful doesn't happen. It is not possible to share these secrets with others as they will not be believed. A.G.W. I don't contain that pure spirituality that Swedenborg talks about but I aspire to it. What must truly spiritual people be experiencing?)
That true marriage love contains in itself ineffable delights that can neither be numbered nor described can be seen from the fact that this is the fundamental love of all celestial and spiritual loves, since through that love man becomes love; for from it each of the married pair loves the other as good loves truth and truth loves good, thus representatively as the Lord loves heaven and the church. Such a love can come forth only through a marriage in which the man is truth and the wife is good. When a man through marriage has become such a love he is also in love to the Lord and in love toward the neighbor, and thus in a love for all good and in a love for all truth. For from man as a love loves of every kind must proceed; therefore marriage love is the fundamental love of all the loves of heaven. And as it is the fundamental love of all the loves of heaven it is also the foundation of all the delights and joys of heaven, since every delight and joy is of love. From this it follows that heavenly joys, in their order and in their degrees, have their origins and their causes in marriage love.
From the felicities of marriages a conclusion may be drawn respecting the infelicities of adulteries, namely, that the love of adultery is the fundamental love of all infernal loves, which are in themselves not loves, but hatreds, consequently from the love of adultery hatreds of every kind gush forth, both against God and against the neighbor, and in general against every good and truth of heaven and the church; therefore to it all infelicities belong, for, as has been said before, from adulteries man becomes a form of hell, and from the love of adulteries he becomes an image of the devil. That from the marriages in which there is true marriage love all delights and felicities increase even till they become the delights and felicities of the inmost heaven, and that all that is undelightful and unhappy in the marriages in which love of adultery reigns increases in direfulness even to the lowest hell, can
be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell.
True marriage love is from the Lord alone. It is from the Lord alone because it descends from the Lord's love for heaven and the church, and thus from the love of good and truth; for good is from the Lord, and truth is in heaven and the church; and from this it follows that true marriage love in its first essence is love to the Lord. And from this it is that no one can be in true marriage love and in its pleasantnesses, delights, blessings, and joys, unless he acknowledges the Lord alone, that is, that the trinity is in Him. One who approaches the Father as a person by Himself, or the Holy Spirit as a person by Himself, and not these as in the Lord, can have no marriage love.
The genuine conjugal principle is given especially in the third heaven, because the angels there are in love to the Lord and acknowledge Him alone as God, and do His commandments. To them doing the commandments is loving the Lord. To them the Lord's commandments are the truths in which they receive Him. There is conjunction of the Lord with them, and of them with the Lord; for they are in the Lord because they are in good, and the Lord is in them because they are in truths. This is the heavenly marriage, from which true marriage love descends.
(now from Baha'u'llah)
He is God!
O peerless Lord! In Thine almighty wisdom Thou hast enjoined marriage upon the peoples, that the generations of men may succeed one another in this contingent world, and that ever, so long as the world shall last, they may busy themselves at the Threshold of Thy oneness with servitude and worship, with salutation, adoration and praise. "I have not created spirits and men, but that they should worship me." Wherefore, wed Thou in the heaven of Thy mercy these two birds of the nest of Thy love, and make them the means of attracting perpetual grace; that from the union of these two seas of love a wave of tenderness may surge and cast the pearls of pure and goodly issue on the shore of life. "He hath let loose the two seas, that they meet each other: Between them is a barrier which they overpass not. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will ye deny? From each He bringeth up greater and lesser pearls." (Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 103)
(I have seen how each day in a true spiritual pairing new secrets are revealed. Never a day goes by that something surprising and delightful doesn't happen. It is not possible to share these secrets with others as they will not be believed. A.G.W. I don't contain that pure spirituality that Swedenborg talks about but I aspire to it. What must truly spiritual people be experiencing?)
That true marriage love contains in itself ineffable delights that can neither be numbered nor described can be seen from the fact that this is the fundamental love of all celestial and spiritual loves, since through that love man becomes love; for from it each of the married pair loves the other as good loves truth and truth loves good, thus representatively as the Lord loves heaven and the church. Such a love can come forth only through a marriage in which the man is truth and the wife is good. When a man through marriage has become such a love he is also in love to the Lord and in love toward the neighbor, and thus in a love for all good and in a love for all truth. For from man as a love loves of every kind must proceed; therefore marriage love is the fundamental love of all the loves of heaven. And as it is the fundamental love of all the loves of heaven it is also the foundation of all the delights and joys of heaven, since every delight and joy is of love. From this it follows that heavenly joys, in their order and in their degrees, have their origins and their causes in marriage love.
From the felicities of marriages a conclusion may be drawn respecting the infelicities of adulteries, namely, that the love of adultery is the fundamental love of all infernal loves, which are in themselves not loves, but hatreds, consequently from the love of adultery hatreds of every kind gush forth, both against God and against the neighbor, and in general against every good and truth of heaven and the church; therefore to it all infelicities belong, for, as has been said before, from adulteries man becomes a form of hell, and from the love of adulteries he becomes an image of the devil. That from the marriages in which there is true marriage love all delights and felicities increase even till they become the delights and felicities of the inmost heaven, and that all that is undelightful and unhappy in the marriages in which love of adultery reigns increases in direfulness even to the lowest hell, can
be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell.
True marriage love is from the Lord alone. It is from the Lord alone because it descends from the Lord's love for heaven and the church, and thus from the love of good and truth; for good is from the Lord, and truth is in heaven and the church; and from this it follows that true marriage love in its first essence is love to the Lord. And from this it is that no one can be in true marriage love and in its pleasantnesses, delights, blessings, and joys, unless he acknowledges the Lord alone, that is, that the trinity is in Him. One who approaches the Father as a person by Himself, or the Holy Spirit as a person by Himself, and not these as in the Lord, can have no marriage love.
The genuine conjugal principle is given especially in the third heaven, because the angels there are in love to the Lord and acknowledge Him alone as God, and do His commandments. To them doing the commandments is loving the Lord. To them the Lord's commandments are the truths in which they receive Him. There is conjunction of the Lord with them, and of them with the Lord; for they are in the Lord because they are in good, and the Lord is in them because they are in truths. This is the heavenly marriage, from which true marriage love descends.
(now from Baha'u'llah)
He is God!
O peerless Lord! In Thine almighty wisdom Thou hast enjoined marriage upon the peoples, that the generations of men may succeed one another in this contingent world, and that ever, so long as the world shall last, they may busy themselves at the Threshold of Thy oneness with servitude and worship, with salutation, adoration and praise. "I have not created spirits and men, but that they should worship me." Wherefore, wed Thou in the heaven of Thy mercy these two birds of the nest of Thy love, and make them the means of attracting perpetual grace; that from the union of these two seas of love a wave of tenderness may surge and cast the pearls of pure and goodly issue on the shore of life. "He hath let loose the two seas, that they meet each other: Between them is a barrier which they overpass not. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will ye deny? From each He bringeth up greater and lesser pearls." (Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 103)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
