Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
Furthermore, all phenomena are subject to changes from one condition to
another, and the revolution caused by this transformation produces a form
of nonexistence. For instance, when a man is transformed from the human
kingdom to the mineral, we say that he is dead, for he has relinquished
the physical form of man and assumed the condition of the mineral
substances. This transformation or transmutation is called death.
Therefore, it follows that no phenomenal organism can be possessed of two
forms at the same time. If an object or phenomenon presents a triangular
shape, it cannot simultaneously possess the shape of a square. If it is
spherical, it cannot at the same time be pentagonal or hexagonal. In order
to assume any given figure or form it must relinquish its previous shape
or dimension. Thus the triangular must be abandoned to assume the square;
the square must change to become a pentagon. These transformations or
changes from one condition to another are equivalent to death. But the
reality of man, the human spirit, is simultaneously possessed of all forms
and figures without being bereft of any of them. It does not require
transformation from one concept to another. Were it to be bereft of one or
all figures, we would then say it has been transferred to another, and
this would be equivalent to death. But as the human spirit possesses all
the figures simultaneously, it has no transformation or death.
Again, according to natural philosophy it is an assured fact that single
or simple elements are indestructible. As nature is indestructible, every
simple element of nature is lasting and permanent. Death and annihilation
affect only compounds and compositions. That is to say, compositions are
destructible. When decomposition takes place, death occurs. For example,
certain single elements have combined to make this flower. When this
combination is disintegrated, this composition decomposed, the flower dies
as an organism of the vegetable kingdom. But the single elements of which
this flower is composed do not suffer death, for all single elements are
permanent, everlasting and not subject to destruction. They are
indestructible because they are single and not compound. Thus they cannot
disintegrate nor become separated in their component atoms but are single,
simple and, therefore, everlasting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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