Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
The realm of Divinity is an indivisible oneness, wholly sanctified above
human comprehension; for intellectual knowledge of creation is finite,
whereas comprehension of Divinity is infinite. How can the finite
comprehend the infinite? We are utter poverty, whereas the reality of
Divinity is absolute wealth. How can utter poverty understand absolute
wealth? We are utter weakness, whereas the reality of Divinity is absolute
power. Utter weakness can never attain nor apprehend absolute power. The
phenomenal beings, which are captives of limitations, are ever subject to
transformation and change in condition. How can such phenomenal beings
ever grasp the heavenly, eternal, unchanging reality? Assuredly this is an
absolute impossibility, for when we study the creational world, we see
that the difference of degree is a barrier to such knowing. An inferior
degree can never comprehend a higher degree or kingdom. The mineral, no
matter how far it may advance, can never attain knowledge of the
vegetable. No matter how the plant or vegetable may progress, it cannot
perceive the reality of the animal kingdom—in other words, it cannot grasp
a world of life that is endowed with the power of the senses. The animal
may develop a wonderful degree of intelligence, but it can never attain
the powers of ideation and conscious reflection which belong to man. It is
evident, therefore, that difference in degree is ever an obstacle to
comprehension of the higher by the lower, the superior by the inferior.
This flower, so beautiful, fresh, fragrant and delicately scented,
although it may have attained perfection in its own kingdom, nevertheless
cannot comprehend the human reality, cannot possess sight and hearing;
therefore, it exists unaware of the world of man, although man and itself
are both accidental or conditional beings. The difference is difference of
degree. The limitation of an inferior degree is the barrier to
comprehension.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account