30 Dec | a.m

The hands of bounty have borne round the cup of everlasting life. Approach, and quaff your fill. Drink with healthy relish, O ye that are the very incarnations of longing, ye who are the embodiments of vehement desire!

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 32

O maid-servant of God! verily, I long for that cup, which is overflowing with the bounty of God, as a patient desiring to be healed, as a thirsty soul seeking water, as the poor in quest of wealth, and as one in separation yearning after the meeting of the beloved one night and day.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá v2, p. 314

29 Dec | p.m

This is the day on which the Bird of Utterance hath warbled its melody upon the branches, in the name of its Lord, the God of Mercy. Blessed is the man that hath, on the wings of longing, soared towards God, the Lord of the Judgment Day.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 94

29 Dec | a.m

The sincere soul longeth for nearness to God even as the suckling babe yearneth for its mother's breast, nay more ardent is his longing, could ye but know it! Again, his longing is even as the panting of one sore athirst after the living waters of grace, or the yearning of the sinner for forgiveness and mercy.

- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 204

The companions of all who adore Thee are the tears they shed, and the comforters of such as seek Thee are the groans they utter, and the food of them who haste to meet Thee is the fragments of their broken hearts. How sweet to my taste is the bitterness of death suffered in Thy path, and how precious in my estimation are the shafts of Thine enemies when encountered for the sake of the exaltation of Thy Word!

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 95

28 Dec | p.m

Thus do We expound unto you the mysteries of the Cause, and impart unto you what shall render you independent of all that hath so far occupied you, that perchance ye may enter the Court of Holiness within this exalted Paradise. I swear by God! Whoso entereth therein shall never abandon its precincts, and whoso gazeth thereon shall never turn away therefrom, even should the swords of infidels and deniers rain blows upon him.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 205

28 Dec | a.m

Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker's heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 266

Whenever this longing and desire is attained, that maid-servant of God [i.e., thyself] will become a lighted candle in the assemblage of the world, receiving the lights of the Kingdom and reflecting them in turn upon the souls.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá v3, p. 623

27 Dec | p.m

Should there be ignited in thy heart the burning brand of the love of God, thou wouldst seek neither rest nor composure, neither laughter nor repose, but wouldst hasten to scale the highest summits in the realms of divine nearness, sanctity, and beauty. Thou wouldst lament as a soul bereaved and weep as a heart filled with longing.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 14

27 Dec | a.m

Should the greatness of this Day be revealed in its fullness, every man would forsake a myriad lives in his longing to partake, though it be for one moment, of its great glory - how much more this world and its corruptible treasures!

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 197

The souls of the well-favored among the concourse on high, the sacred dwellers of the most exalted Paradise, are in this day filled with burning desire to return unto this world, that they may render such service as lieth in their power to the threshold of the Abhá Beauty.

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 110

26 Dec | p.m

Verily, I say, so fierce is the blaze of the Bush of love, burning in the Sinai of the heart, that the streaming waters of holy utterance can never quench its flame. Oceans can never allay this Leviathan's burning thirst, and this Phoenix of the undying fire can abide nowhere save in the glow of the countenance of the Well-Beloved. Therefore, O brother! kindle with the oil of wisdom the lamp of the spirit within the innermost chamber of thy heart, and guard it with the globe of understanding, that the breath of the infidel may extinguish not its flame nor dim its brightness.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 60

26 Dec | a.m

Until thou enter the Egypt of love, thou shalt never come to the Joseph of the Beauty of the Friend; and until, like Jacob, thou forsake thine outward eyes, thou shalt never open the eye of thine inward being; and until thou burn with the fire of love, thou shalt never commune with the Lover of Longing.

 

A lover feareth nothing and no harm can come nigh him: Thou seest him chill in the fire and dry in the sea.

- Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 9

Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 15

25 Dec | p.m

By My life! Couldst thou but know the things sent down by My Pen, and discover the treasures of My Cause, and the pearls of My mysteries which lie hid in the seas of My names and in the goblets of My words, thou wouldst for longing after His glorious and sublime Kingdom, lay down thy life in the path of God.

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 58

25 Dec | a.m

Let the flame of search burn with such fierceness within your hearts as to enable you to attain your supreme and most exalted goal - the station at which ye can draw nigh unto, and be united with, your Best-Beloved.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 323

Thus may your hearts be set aglow with the fire of the love of God and [may it] burn away the self-life.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá v3, p. 509

23 Dec | a.m

Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments. Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with undiminished power.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 152

…the tests and trials of God take place in this world, not in the world of the Kingdom.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 194

The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look - to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to God, no matter what our human minds and bodies go through.

- Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 67

22 Dec | p.m

Verily I say, the human soul is exalted above all egress and regress. It is still, and yet it soareth; it moveth, and yet it is still. It is, in itself, a testimony that beareth witness to the existence of a world that is contingent, as well as to the reality of a world that hath neither beginning nor end.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 160

22 Dec | a.m

Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. It will manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and will reveal His loving kindness and bounty.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 154

Know that, although the human soul has existed on the earth for prolonged times and ages, yet it is phenomenal. As it is a divine sign, when once it has come into existence, it is eternal. The spirit of man has a beginning, but it has no end; it continues eternally.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 151

21 Dec | p.m

Know also that the soul is endowed with two wings: should it soar in the atmosphere of love and contentment, then it will be related to the All-Merciful. And should it fly in the atmosphere of self and desire, then it will pertain to the Evil One; may God shield and protect us and protect you therefrom, O ye who perceive! Should the soul become ignited with the fire of the love of God, it is called benevolent and pleasing unto God, but should it be consumed with the fire of passion, it is known as the concupiscent soul. Thus have We expounded this subject for thee that thou mayest obtain a clear understanding.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 154

21 Dec | a.m

Say: Spirit, mind, soul, and the powers of sight and hearing are but one single reality which hath manifold expressions owing to the diversity of its instruments. As thou dost observe, man's power to comprehend, move, speak, hear, and see all derive from this sign of his Lord within him. It is single in its essence, yet manifold through the diversity of its instruments. This, verily, is a certain truth. For example, if it directeth its attention to the means of hearing, then hearing and its attributes become manifest... In like manner, when this sign of God turneth towards the brain, the head, and such means, the powers of the mind and the soul are manifested. Thy Lord, verily, is potent to do whatsoever He pleaseth.

- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 154

 … the various organs and members, the parts and elements, that constitute the body of man, though at variance, are yet all connected one with the other by that all-unifying agency known as the human soul, that causeth them to function in perfect harmony and with absolute regularity, thus making the continuation of life possible. The human body, however, is utterly unconscious of that all-unifying agency, and yet acteth with regularity and dischargeth its functions according to its will.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Bahá Section, p. 340

20 Dec | p.m

Know thou, of a truth, that if the soul of man hath walked in the ways of God, it will, assuredly, return and be gathered to the glory of the Beloved. By the righteousness of God! It shall attain a station such as no pen can depict, or tongue describe. The soul that hath remained faithful to the Cause of God, and stood unwaveringly firm in His Path shall, after his ascension, be possessed of such power that all the worlds which the Almighty hath created can benefit through him. Such a soul provideth, at the bidding of the Ideal King and Divine Educator, the pure leaven that leaveneth the world of being, and furnisheth the power through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 161

20 Dec | a.m

The Maids of Heaven, inmates of the loftiest mansions, will circle around it[the soul], and the Prophets of God and His chosen ones will seek its companionship. With them that soul will freely converse, and will recount unto them that which it hath been made to endure in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. If any man be told that which hath been ordained for such a soul in the worlds of God, the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, his whole being will instantly blaze out in his great longing to attain that most exalted, that sanctified and resplendent station.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 154

19 Dec | p.m

The movement of My Pen is stilled when it attempteth to befittingly describe the loftiness and glory of so exalted a station. The honor with which the Hand of Mercy will invest the soul is such as no tongue can adequately reveal, nor any other earthly agency describe. Blessed is the soul which, at the hour of its separation from the body, is sanctified from the vain imaginings of the peoples of the world. Such a soul liveth and moveth in accordance with the Will of its Creator, and entereth the all-highest Paradise.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 154

19 Dec | a.m

Know, furthermore, that the life of man proceedeth from the spirit, and the spirit turneth to wheresoever the soul directeth it. Ponder upon that which We have revealed unto thee that thou mayest recognize the Soul of God which hath appeared above the Dayspring of bounty invested with manifest sovereignty.

- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 154

It is through the power of the soul that the mind comprehendeth, imagineth and exerteth its influence, whilst the soul is a power that is free. The mind comprehendeth the abstract by the aid of the concrete, but the soul hath limitless manifestations of its own. The mind is circumscribed, the soul limitless. It is by the aid of such senses as those of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch, that the mind comprehendeth, whereas the soul is free from all agencies. The soul as thou observest, whether it be in sleep or waking, is in motion and ever active.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to August Forel, p. 7

16 Dec | a.m

Likewise, reflect upon the perfection of man's creation, and that all these planes and states are folded up and hidden away within him.

 

Dost thou reckon thyself only a puny form

When within thee the universe is folded? [Ali]

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 32

Even as He hath revealed: "We will surely show them Our signs in the world and within themselves."[Qur'án 41:53] Again He saith: "And also in your own selves: will ye not then behold the signs of God?"[ Qur'án 51:21]

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 99

15 Dec | a.m

If the veil were lifted, and the full glory of the station of those that have turned wholly towards God, and have, in their love for Him, renounced the world, were made manifest, the entire creation would be dumbfounded.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 190

God has created such a conscious spirit within him [man] that he is the most wonderful of all contingent beings. In ignoring these virtues he descends to the material plane, considers matter the ruler of existence and denies that which lies beyond. Is this virtue?

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Bahá Section, p. 237

14 Dec | p.m

[God]… revealeth: "And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He hath therefore caused to forget their own selves."[ Qur'án 59:19] In this connection, He Who is the eternal King - may the souls of all that dwell within the mystic Tabernacle be a sacrifice unto Him - hath spoken: "He hath known God who hath known himself."

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 99

14 Dec | a.m

… Man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or to baseness, to shame or to honor, to affluence or to poverty.

- Baha'u'llah, Compilations, Baha'i World Faith, p. 167

The object of God's teaching to man is that man may know himself in order to comprehend the greatness of God.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Abdu'l-Bahá in London, p. 79

13 Dec | p.m

Great and blessed is this Day - the Day in which all that lay latent in man hath been and will be made manifest. Lofty is the station of man, were he to hold fast to righteousness and truth and to remain firm and steadfast in the Cause. In the eyes of the All-Merciful a true man appeareth even as a firmament; its sun and moon are his sight and hearing, and his shining and resplendent character its stars. His is the loftiest station, and his influence educateth the world of being.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 219

13 Dec | a.m

Great is the station of man. Great must also be his endeavours for the rehabilitation of the world and the well-being of nations. I beseech the One true God to graciously confirm thee in that which beseemeth man's station.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 174

We must strive unceasingly and without rest to accomplish the development of the spiritual nature in man, and endeavor with tireless energy to advance humanity toward the nobility of its true and intended station.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 60

12 Dec | p.m

Consider, moreover, how frequently doth man become forgetful of his own self, whilst God remaineth, through His all-encompassing knowledge, aware of His creature, and continueth to shed upon him the manifest radiance of His glory. It is evident, therefore, that, in such circumstances, He is closer to him than his own self.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 186

12 Dec | a.m

O servants! If ye be informed of the wonders of My generosity and grace which I have deposited in yourselves, ye will certainly be cut from all directions, and, seeking to know your own selves, which is identical with knowing Myself, will find yourselves independent of all else save Me, and will see the ocean of My providence and the deep of My beneficence in yourselves, with your outward and inward eye, as manifest and clear as the sun shining from the name of Abhá.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 222

11 Dec | p.m

How resplendent the luminaries of knowledge that shine in an atom, and how vast the oceans of wisdom that surge within a drop! To a supreme degree is this true of man, who, among all created things, hath been invested with the robe of such gifts, and hath been singled out for the glory of such distinction. For in him are potentially revealed all the attributes and names of God to a degree that no other created being hath excelled or surpassed.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 100

11 Dec | a.m

The All-Merciful hath conferred upon man the faculty of vision, and endowed him with the power of hearing. Some have described him as the "lesser world," when, in reality, he should be regarded as the "greater world." The potentialities inherent in the station of man, the full measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 340

Praise be to God! man is always turned toward the heights, and his aspiration is lofty; he always desires to reach a greater world than the world in which he is, and to mount to a higher sphere than that in which he is. The love of exaltation is one of the characteristics of man.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 188

9 Dec | a.m

For man's knowledge of God cannot develop fully and adequately save by observing whatsoever hath been ordained by Him and is set forth in His heavenly Book.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 267

The root of all knowledge is the knowledge of God: Glory be to Him! And this knowledge is impossible save through His Manifestation.

- Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 158

8 Dec | a.m

… all things, in their inmost reality, testify to the revelation of the names and attributes of God within them. Each according to its capacity, indicateth, and is expressive of, the knowledge of God.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 178

Each divine revelation is divided into two parts. The first part is essential and belongs to the eternal world. It is the expression of the love of God, the knowledge of God. This is one in all the religions, unchangeable and immutable. The second part is not eternal; it deals with practical life, transactions and business and changes according to the evolution of man and the requirements of the time of each prophet.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 150

7 Dec | p.m

Behold, how many are the mysteries that lie as yet unravelled within the tabernacle of the knowledge of God, and how numerous the gems of His wisdom that are still concealed in His inviolable treasuries! Shouldest thou ponder this in thine heart, thou wouldst realize that His handiwork knoweth neither beginning nor end.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 166

7 Dec | a.m

The first life, which pertaineth to the elemental body, will come to an end, as hath been revealed by God: "Every soul shall taste of death." But the second life, which ariseth from the knowledge of God, knoweth no death, as hath been revealed aforetime: "Him will We surely quicken to a blessed life."

- Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 46

6 Dec | p.m

The first Tajalli which hath dawned from the Day-Star of Truth is the knowledge of God -exalted be His glory. And the knowledge of the King of everlasting days can in no wise be attained save by recognizing Him Who is the Bearer of the Most Great Name. He is, in truth, the Speaker on Sinai Who is now seated upon the throne of Revelation.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 49

5 Dec | p.m

The spirit that animateth the human heart is the knowledge of God, and its truest adorning is the recognition of the truth that "He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth that which He pleaseth." Its raiment is the fear of God, and its perfection steadfastness in His Faith. Thus God instructeth whosoever seeketh Him.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 290

5 Dec | a.m

The source of all learning is the knowledge of God, exalted be His Glory, and this cannot be attained save through the knowledge of His Divine Manifestation.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 156

The knowledge of the Reality of the Divinity is impossible and unattainable, but the knowledge of the Manifestations of God is the knowledge of God, for the bounties, splendors, and divine attributes are apparent in them. Therefore if man attains to the knowledge of the Manifestations of God, he will attain to the knowledge of God; and if he be neglectful of the knowledge of the Holy Manifestation, he will be bereft of the knowledge of God. It is then ascertained and proved that the Holy Manifestations are the center of the bounty, signs, and perfections of God.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Bahá Section, p. 323

4 Dec | p.m

In the treasuries of the knowledge of God there lieth concealed a knowledge which, when applied, will largely, though not wholly, eliminate fear. This knowledge, however, should be taught from childhood, as it will greatly aid in its elimination.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 32

4 Dec | a.m

The Divine Messengers have been sent down, and their Books were revealed, for the purpose of promoting the knowledge of God, and of furthering unity and fellowship amongst men.

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 12

Why is man so hard of heart? It is because he does not yet know God. If he had knowledge of God he could not act in direct opposition to His laws; if he were spiritually minded such a line of conduct would be impossible to him. If only the laws and precepts of the prophets of God had been believed, understood and followed, wars would no longer darken the face of the earth.

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 115