GOD'S INFINITE WORLDS

...that every man may thereby win his way to the summit of realities, until none shall contemplate anything whatsoever
but that he shall see God therein.

- Baha'u'llah -

Dear Ones,

While we now explore the human soul's quest in God's infinite worlds, if you kept up with our earlier exploration of the realms available to THE ASCENDING SOUL, a natural question arises: How many divine worlds exist, and are they easily accessible in this physical realm or only after we pass away?

Baha'u'llah offers valuable insights into the initial question in His masterpiece, The Seven Valleys, where He unveils:

The answer to the first question is given by Baha'u'llah in His Seven Valleys, Who states:

Although the divine worlds be never ending, yet some refer to them as four: the world of time (zaman)... the world of duration (dahr)... the world of perpetuity (sarmad), the world of eternity (azal)...

Others have called these the worlds of the Heavenly Court (Lahut), of the Empyrean Heaven (Jabarut), of the Kingdom of Angels (Malakut), and of the mortal world (Nasut).

I believe the entire idea can be summarized in this way, incorporating the specific insights provided by Abdu'l-Baha regarding THE STAGES OF THE SOUL, while omitting references to the other "endless worlds."

The negative World of ZAQQUM encompasses the Commanding soul and the Blaming soul.

The World of NASUT (Zaman) comprises: the Earthly human soul, the Inspired soul (Valley of Search, Valley of Knowledge), the Assured soul (Valley of Love, Valley of Unity), the Accepting soul (Valley of Contentment), the Accepted soul (Valley of Wonderment), the Perfect soul (Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness).

The World of MALAKUT (Dahr) represents the Angelic soul (First and Second Valleys).

The World of JABARUT (Sarmad) means the Soul of the Realm of Command (Third and Fourth Valley).

The World of LAHUT (Azal) is unattainable by the human soul.

The response to the second question is therefore twofold. The attainment of these degrees and stations in this world is contingent upon divine will. Otherwise, as the adage suggests, certain fruits only ripen once they have been harvested from the tree, while some fortunate individuals may achieve their aspirations almost instantaneously.

These journeys have no visible ending in the world of time, but the severed wayfarer - if invisible confirmation descend upon him and the Guardian of the Cause assist him - may cross these seven stages in seven steps, nay rather in seven breaths, nay rather in a single breath, if God will and desire it. And this is of "His grace on such of His servants as He pleaseth."

It’s fascinating to observe how each of these valleys is navigated at unique paces and through various paths, shaped by the divine plan that God, in His boundless wisdom, has crafted for each individual, a plan He chooses to keep hidden.

The tongue faileth in describing these three Valleys, and speech falleth short... but this mystery of inner meaning may be whispered only from heart to heart, confided only from breast to breast.

The affirmation from the Master, detailed below, brings both solace and insight to those who believe. The Sun will illuminate everyone, yet the intensity of its rays will reflect each individual's own merit.

...that the believers will go directly to God, but that all will not be in the same condition, each one will have his degree in accordance with his spiritual progress.

Understanding this concept is vital: while these realms can indeed be reached during our physical existence, they can only be approached by "the traveler," the individual "who walks in the Straight Path!" In the words of Baha'u'llah, this signifies that:

In all these journeys the traveller must stray not the breadth of a hair from the "Law," for this is indeed the secret of the "Path" and the fruit of the Tree of "Truth."

Is it not a definitive conclusion that these divine laws should be well understood by us, as articulated in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book?

The final segment of our inquiry delves into a profound secret that Baha'u'llah reveals to His correspondent, shedding light on the culmination of the soul's extraordinary journey as described in the Four Valleys.

...this station is the first gate of the heart's citadel, that is, man's first entrance to the city of the heart; and the heart is endowed with four stages, which would be recounted should a kindred soul be found.

When we delve into the extraordinary abilities granted in the Fourth Valley, a realm ""sanctified above the jewels of explanation,"" this declaration fills us with wonder.

O My Servant! Obey Me and I shall make thee like unto Myself. I Say 'Be' and it is, and thou shalt say 'Be,' and it shall be.

Finally, it is essential to understand that these Valleys appear repeatedly across different Worlds. Yet, it is the soul that harmonizes completely with the divine will that will be quickly elevated to those lofty realms, propelled by the magnetic force of its infinite LOVE for God.

Blessed are they who, on the wings of certitude, have flown in the heavens which the Pen of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, hath spread.

The journey laid out by the Divine for the passionate spirit is indeed a challenging one. Let us encourage one another with heartfelt wishes as we scale each peak in pursuit of our dreams.

 

Be wonderfully blessed !

Loesha

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