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 Angels,It was reported 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 marvelous answer for the following reason. You will certainly remember the following passages from the Seven Valleys of Baha'u'llah. The wonder is that by combining them with the above short answer, we understand much better the Seven Valleys in regard to what one must do to obtain God's sanction for the attainment of each of His Worlds (said to be four, but infinite in reality).
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. »
« ...he shall straightway step into The Valley of Love and be dissolved in the fire of love. »2. LOVE OF GOD (Valley of LOVE)
« Kindle the fire of love and burn away all things... »
3. FAITH (Valley of KNOWLEDGE and 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 (Valley of CONTENTMENT)
« ...throw thy life down in His path, and cast thy soul away. »
6. SEVERANCE FROM THIS WORLD (Valley of WONDERMENT)
« ...waste not the treasure of thy precious life in employment with this swiftly passing world. »
7. SANCTITY AND HOLINESS (Valley of TRUE POVERTY AND ABSOLUTE NOTHINGNESS)
« He who hath attained this station is sanctified from all that pertaineth to the world... »Yet there is much more to decipher in the Baha'í Writings regarding our spiritual fulfillment. The most significant is that, until the moment of death, we must strive, more and more, through the LOVE OF GOD, to develop as much as possible these seven primordial conditions.
The reason is, they represent the basic virtues for our continued and happy evolution in each of GOD'S INFINITE WORLDS, as the five senses, developed before birth, were paramount to our well-being in this physical world. The Bab condensed the whole spiritual enterprise into one phrase, even one 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, isn't this ultimate challenge exhilarating in light of the prize?
Be wonderfully blessed !
Loesha
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