The stages that mark the wayfarer's journey
from the abode of dust to the heavenly abode
are said to be seven.
- Baha'u'llah -
from the abode of dust to the heavenly abode
are said to be seven.
- Baha'u'llah -
Dear Ones,It was reported once that "While referring to the Worlds of God one day, the query was put to Abdu'l-Baha about what was required to qualify for their merciful gifts and powers. A precise answer followed:
- First, through the knowledge of God
- Second, through the love of God
- Third, through faith
- Fourth, through philanthropic deeds
- Fifth, through self-sacrifice
- Sixth, through severance from this world
- Seventh, through sanctity and holiness"A wonderful answer for the following reason.
You will certainly recall the coming excerpts from The Seven Valleys of Baha'u'llah. Their remarkable aspect is that when we merge these with the brief response provided earlier, we gain a much clearer insight into The Seven Valleys and the necessary steps to receive God's approval for reaching each of His Worlds, which are often numbered as described as four or five, yet are truly limitless.
So, let's begin the combination of the seven conditions mentioned earlier, versus The Seven Valleys?1. KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (Valley of SEARCH)
« The true seeker hunteth naught but the object of this quest, and the lover hath no desire save union with his beloved. Nor shall the seeker reach his goal unless he sacrifice all things. »
2. LOVE OF GOD (Valley of LOVE)
« ...he shall straightway step into The Valley of Love and be dissolved in the fire of love. »
« Kindle the fire of love and burn away all things... »
3. FAITH (The Valley of KNOWLEDGE and The Valley of UNITY)
« He in this station is content with the decree of God... »
« ...with a pure heart apprehendeth the divine wisdom in the endless Manifestations of God. »
« ...and come out of doubt into certitude... »
4. PHILANTHROPIC DEEDS (all the upper Valleys probably, since it is said elsewhere that such wayfarers...):
« distinguish themselves in their deeds from all the dwellers of the earth... »
5. SELF-SACRIFICE (The Valley of CONTENTMENT)
« ...throw thy life down in His path, and cast thy soul away. »
6. SEVERANCE FROM THIS WORLD (The Valley of WONDERMENT)
« ...waste not the treasure of thy precious life in employment with this swiftly passing world. »
7. SANCTITY AND HOLINESS (The Valley of TRUE POVERTY AND ABSOLUTE NOTHINGNESS)
« He who hath attained this station is sanctified from all that pertaineth to the world... »
There is still a wealth of insight to uncover in the Baha'í Writings about our spiritual growth. The key takeaway is that, right up until our final breath, we should relentlessly pursue, fueled by the LOVE OF GOD, the enhancement of these seven fundamental states of being. The reason is, they embody the fundamental virtues essential for our joyful growth across all GOD'S INFINITE REALMS, just as our five senses, developed before birth, are paramount to our well-being in this physical universe.
The Bab distilled the essence of this entire spiritual journey into a single phrase, or rather, a single word: allegiance!Seek ye refuge in God from whatsoever might lead you astray from the Source of His Revelation and hold fast unto His Cord, for whoso holdeth fast unto His allegiance, he hath attained and will attain salvation in all the worlds.Beloved companions, doesn't the thought of this greatest challenge bring a rush of exhilaration when we envision the priceless reward that lies ahead?
Be wonderfully blessed !
Loesha
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