Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha from notes taken in Haifa in 1921, b.Y ~s. Marie Watson on :-
FOURTH DIMENSIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS Quote: "Latent in the physical brain cells are numberless quantities of protoplasmic and vibratory cords, like the strings of a rlolin. These are the same compOS) tj on and substance as the intricate s.ystem of nerves in the human temple. These cords are forever Yibrating in intensity, according to the capacity of each human being-- and so are registered all things seen and heard. The essence of this is treasured in the book of the soul called memory, instinct, intuition, etc. The usefulness of the development manifested b,y human beings on the pages of reality, the mortal ex- istence, is the amount of dependence on the operating reality behind the saDses, which play upon the vibratory cords of the physical brain cells--mental organism-- referred to as 'the ganglionic cell - as varied in different personalities as the stars in the firmament are, one to each other. The cosmic adjustment of the newborn babe's brain cell is accomplished qy means of atomic force, which is composed of psychromes on the spiritual side of electronic energy. The material side of the energy is shown by the manifold phases employ-ed b.r men in the material plane of life. In the step across the border from the mater- ial side of mental states--the electrons--the material side of electric energy - are discarded as the ps.ychromes become active. The result is manifest in telepathy, clairvqyance, in vision and various phases of demonstration in the field of ps.ych- ology, spiritual and occult phenomena. The psychromes which compose the spiritual side of the mental facultj.es of the human beings are stirred up into activity qy the operating realities of all those fjtted for the experiment--for experiment it still is--and still must be. This is the day of such work; each hu~an being may have the opportunity for further development, if he will obey the spiritual laws emphasized in this cycle; This is the cycle of maturity and accelerated activity of the ps,rchromes - set in motion b.r the Manifestation, Baha1u1llah. At the Tery dawn of this cycle was divine discrimination between who can survive the strenuous vibrations of this and those who cannot with- stand its crucial test. As the c.ycle advances the vibrations increase and many egos snap the cord and pass on, or are restored if wisely guarded and protected b.Y quiet in all mental operations until the equilibrium is established in the domain of the mind. Tests~are of various kinds meeting the need of the soul. Tests are not sent as punishment, but in reality for the soul revealing itself to itself. Tests reveal strength and weakness, and provide the opportunity to remedy ailments. The soul becomes aware of its strength, former weakness overcome. A surprise awaits the soul if it realizes its growth; and so the heavy discipline is proved nutritive; and a new confidence and trust is born in the consciousness, and this leads to self- discipline, which leads to mastery of self. Mankind in general is asleep, immersed in the sea of materiality, and the brain cells in the upper chamber are inactive. The.y respond to the celestial vibrations; these cells are latent in the majority of human beings. Through service, meditation, and supplication they are awakened. This is the "upper chamber" to which the diSCiples returned when they met with Jesus. Persons whose hearts are pure are nearer to the secrets of God. They are bathed in sweet waters; and hear warnings; they are the visions of reality. Today is the Day of Days in which the inward eye may be opened to the unity and reality of life. vb en the mind of man comes into the unity with the trutp, the reality of life - it expands to its potential dimensions - according to the capaCity of the individual. -- Whe~ the ego is merged in the Octan of Divine Love, the powers of darkness have no control over it and wisdom is attained. This wisdom is the gift from God. Those who possess it are divinely appointed watchmen, and through wise adjustments they main- tain the progress and stability of the Cause of God; and assist in the growth and development of the Divine Edifice of Humanity. Great souls must and shall arise to reconstruct the affairs of the world in the new spirit of understanding. The world war has taught humanity the need for personal, social, national, and international readjustments; if the ~~rld is to become safe for humanity we must change our old standard of living; our activities must be regulated, not according to policy but to principle. This is the aim of the new hamanity, whose ambition is to still the greed and lust for power wielded only for self. These souls must al~ themselves into a nucleus, a center for the power of righteousness, in and throughout this dark hour of the glorious night of This Age, streaming in the greatest effulgence from the Heart of God. It is the law of life that man must struggle with his tools for growth until he learns to use them aright and to the best advantage. The Glory of God is kno~~ to man in that personal volition and responsibility are bestmled upon man as Godts special gift in this day of maturity •. The emancipated soul sees wjth the eye of perfect faith because he knows what vast provisions are made to enable him to gain the victory over ever,y difficulty and trial. Yet we must ever· remember that the earth is a workshop, not an art gallery for exhibits of perfect powers. This is not the plane of perfection, but the earth is the crucible for the refining and molding of character. When the soul has established commun~cation with God, it becomes the recipient of Eternal Light and is transformed into a ray of the effulgence of the Eternal Sun. The light of this new understanding - a new heaven - can never be dimmed. The New Earth will never be limited to the old superstitions and limitations. The new light 'is based upon one central truth, before which every superstitious fancy will be annihilated, consumed by the fire of the love of God. A spiritual vision is a divine key to unlock the door of facts in the outer world. Ps,ychic vibrations are mostly from below, that is, from below the mere human. In this day it is possible for the two kinds to meet; this is through purity of heart. This meeting is the Divine Ordination and Glad Tidings into the World of Mankind. Man in this age has learned the weight of the sun, the path of a star, the movement of an eclipse. The advanced step now is to l~arn the expansion of the inflexible laws of matter into the subtle kingdom of the spirit, which contains a finer gravitation, which holds the balance of power from age to age, unbroken. Blessed is that soul who knows that against all appearances, the nature of this works for truth and right forever. As to the treatment you have given the patient you mention it is of the utmost value, in reality, it is, so to speak, a compress of spiritual substance, soothing and healing b,y spiritual means. This is the real healing, because understanding and dlagnosis of the patient is in the realm of reality. A really enlightened soul will not censure or condemn any irregularities in the expression of life qy an entity at this most critical stage in the evolutionary period. The crop is to be a multitude of redeemed souls, redeemed from animal existence, and these represent all grad~s and degrees - and need sympathy and love, and help and to be taught the realities as required. Science and religion are but two aspects of the truth of being. Superstitions are the manifold heritage from the ignorant cycles of the past dark- ness because the realities behind science could not 'torork faster with the material entities until th~ were ripe for the change. The time is now, after cycles of labor, that the "fit" will survive the cataclysmic ordeal soon to be focused on the objective world. There is nothing to fear for the cataclysms are going on in each individual life along the path, but a landslide is due, which in various ways egos will experience according to their station in
the cycle of progress. (This is an advanced occult teaching which because thou art fit and dost receive and understand the underlying principle of reality.) The life and marals of a spiritual man are in themselves an education to those who know him. Think not of your own limitations - dwell on~ on the welfare of the Kingdom of Glory. Simple men are enabled b.Y the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the Glad Tidings. May you all receive Divine assistance. No capacity is limited when led b,y the spirit of God. The earth itself has no properties of life - it is barren and dr,y until fertilized by the sun and the rain. Still the earth need not bewail its own limitations. Turn your faces from the contemplation of your own finite selves and fix your eyes upon the EVFRLASTING RADIANCE. If you keep yourselves in readiness you will become to the world of humanity a burning flame, asstar of guidance and a fruitful tree changing all its darkness and woe into light and jqy b,y the shining of the Sun of Mer~ and the infinite bless- ings of the Glad Tidings. This is the meaning of the Power of the Hol;;r Spirit. The heart is not only a physical organ, it is a stepdown transformer of heat, energy and light. In the heart are little pippilla, somewhat similar to those on the tip of the tongue which recej.ve spiritual vibratj.ons and send them along through the sympathetic nervous system. Thus the heart becomes the mysterious link between the world of spirit and of matter, which science is beginning to recognize. There are invisible threads which connect us with every object which makes up our environment. Vibrations are ever passing over these connections, backward and fo~~rd, and it is for us to control their purpose and quality. We receive in turn the kind we send out. Love for love, antagonism for antoganism. Love gilds every object upon which we project it. Its sheen is reflected back in rays of golden light. Love thinketh no evil. B.y projecting good thought we create a harmonious environment. Faith is absolutely essential. rle must believe or we shall never move. Doubts and unbelief end in stagnation and death. Positive belief, even if mixed with error, leads by degrees toward truth. If we rise we help to lift; up all those about us. If we fall we drag others down. Humanity is one. We must live and love, not for ourselves but for the race. Our highest privilege and office is to be CHANNELS THROUGH NHICH DIVINE LIFE SHALL FLOW - OUT TO INVIGORATE AND INSPIRE. If the soul currents do not course from within outward, they sink into a deadly vortex. ~ving out or ministering is the highest and greatest law. LOVE .SENT OU T NEVER RETURNS VOID. Every hour of positive high affirmation of the ideal perfections of mind and body tends directly to actualize such conditions. There is no more uncertainty about its trend than there is a bout our nearing an object if we walk towards it. Science is systpmitized truth. The laws of spiritual science are as exact as those of mathematics. The more obstacles one has to overcome the more difficulties one meets successfully, the stronger one will be. Never become discouraged. To be weak is not necessarily to be unwilling to be strong. Rejoice and be glad if j.n the Cause of God you are made to suffer. To be misunderstood for the sake of God is of no consequence. All sincere followers of God are misjudged and always have been. Retrogression is a possibility--through egotistic importance. Pride is t.he greatest sin--perhaps the only sin. It leads to ever,y other evil and warps the jUdgment.
Cruelty is the opposite of compassion that rules over the ego. It is a dis- tructive force and is headed downward to its own disintegration in time. This is the occul.t meaning of "every head shall bow and knee shall bend, n not to any entity, visible or invisible, but to the Law of Life, which is Love and Compassion. He ,mo fails to embody these is a lost soul. Plant a seed in your mind. If your hp.art approves it, it will become a tree and bear fruit. One should listen to the response to the Spirit and receive the answer to perplexing problems.
Discerning, conscious souls, who comprehend the reality of the Divine Teaching are few :in every age. Unity of the p~art between the friends of God attracts the outpourings of the Holy Spirit and capable souls receive the Bounty of Divine M,ysteries and become distributors of the Light. Inharmony destra.ys the magnet that attracts the Divine Elixir and all become deprived. This is a great loss; therefore, one most stud,y to promote this unity ~Thich is essential to the life of believers. This is an advanced and occult teaching ~ivpn to thee because thou are "fiti' dost receive and understand the underlying principles of Reality in the Highest Breath of all the Redeemed. This.t as thou knowest, is only for such who are fitted for these truths - for the new Humanity. others will rend you in their ignorance.