2007-03-19 18:19:32 · 21 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"O My eminent friend! Those who progress in mystic wayfaring are of four kinds. I shall describe them in brief, that the grades and qualities of each kind may become plain to thee.
THE FIRST VALLEY
If the travelers seek after the goal of the Intended One (maqsud), this station appertaineth to the self -- but that self which is "The Self of God standing within Him with laws." [1]
[1 Hadith.]
On this plane, the self is not rejected but beloved; it is well-pleasing and not to be shunned. Although at the beginning, this plane is the realm of conflict, yet it endeth in attainment to the throne of splendor. As they have said: "O Abraham of this day, O Friend Abraham of the Spirit! Kill these four birds of prey," [1] that after death the riddle of life may be unraveled.
[1 The Mathnavi. Here Rumi tells a story of four evil birds which, when put to death, changed into four birds of goodness. The allegory refers to subduing evil qualities and replacing them with good.]"
(Baha'u'llah, The Four Valleys, p. 49)
"THE SECOND VALLEY
If the wayfarer's goal be the dwelling of the Praiseworthy One (Mahmud), [1] this is the station of primal reason which is known as the Prophet and the Most Great Pillar. [2] Here reason signifieth the divine, universal mind, whose sovereignty enlighteneth all created things -- nor doth it refer to every feeble brain; for it is as the wise Sana'i hath written:
[1 An attribute of God and one of the titles of Muhammad.]
[2 Maqam-i-Mahmud -- Praiseworthy Station -- is the rank of Prophets endowed with constancy.]
How can feeble reason encompass the Qur'án,
Or the spider snare a phoenix in his web?
Wouldst thou that the mind should not entrap thee?
Teach it the science of the love of God! "
(Baha'u'llah, The Four Valleys, p. 51)
"THE THIRD VALLEY
If the loving seekers wish to live within the precincts of the Attracting One (Majdhub), [1] no soul may dwell on this Kingly Throne save the beauty of love. This realm is not to be pictured in words.
[1 That attribute of God which draws all creatures to Him.]
Love shunneth this world and that world too,
In him are lunacies seventy-and-two. The minstrel of love harpeth this lay:
Servitude enslaveth, kingship doth betray. [1]
[1 The Mathnavi.]
This plane requireth pure affection and the bright stream of fellowship. In telling of these companions of the Cave He saith: "They speak not till He hath spoken; and they do His bidding."[1]
[1 Qur'án 21:27.]
On this plane, neither the reign of reason is sufficient nor the authority of self. Hence, one of the Prophets of God hath asked: "O my Lord, how shall we reach unto Thee?" And the answer came, "Leave thyself behind, and then approach Me.""
(Baha'u'llah, The Four Valleys, p. 54)
"THE FOURTH VALLEY
If the mystic knowers be of those who have reached to the beauty of the Beloved One (Mahbub), this station is the apex of consciousness and the secret of divine guidance.
This is the center of the mystery: "He doth what He willeth, ordaineth what He pleaseth." [1]
[1 Qur'án 2:254; 5:1, etc.]
Were all the denizens of earth and heaven to unravel this shining allusion, this darksome riddle, until the Day when the Trumpet soundeth, yet would they fail to comprehend even a letter thereof, for this is the station of God's immutable decree, His foreordained mystery. Hence, when searchers inquired of this, He made reply, "This is a bottomless sea which none shall ever fathom." [1] And they asked again, and He answered, "It is the blackest of nights through which none can find his way."
[1 Statement attributed to Ali.]
Whoso knoweth this secret will assuredly hide it, and were he to reveal but its faintest trace they would nail him to the cross. Yet, by the Living God, were there any true seeker, I would divulge it to him; for they have said: "Love is a light that never dwelleth in a heart possessed by fear."
Verily, the wayfarer who journeyeth unto God, unto the Crimson Pillar in the snow-white path, will never reach unto his heavenly goal unless he abandoneth all that men possess: "And if he feareth not God, God will make him to fear all things; whereas all things fear him who feareth God.""
(Baha'u'llah, The Four Valleys, p. 57)
2007-03-19 18:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by Gravitar or not... 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We were all created in the image of Christ. What I see in the mirror is not God (that's that new age stuff). What I see is the creation of God's love, with the Holy Spirit living in my heart!
2007-03-20 01:27:13 · answer #2 · answered by connie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, we are created in the invisible image of a Higher Power, but it wasn't by looking into a literal mirror that I saw my own divinity. We are each of us, a reflection of each other. A social mirror of sorts. My wife
is the 'mirror' in which I first saw the reflection of God. After that,
I saw him/her everywhere.
2007-03-20 01:51:12 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We are created in the spiritual image of God, as no one has ever seen God physically and lived.
2007-03-20 01:33:00 · answer #4 · answered by Debbie R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
...if you "believe"... you see an "image"... God is way to awesome to look on... that's why He sent Himself in the form of His Son...so we could see Him... Jesus clearly says... "If you see me, you see the Father"... (but it's a matter of Faith and acceptance in His teaching...I can't convince you, His Holy Spirit will do that if you will allow Him to teach you). It's all your choice... The Apostle Paul tell us that "we" see only as thru a dull-glass right now... but in time... when we step into eternity, "we" will see clearly... When I look into the mirror I see "me"... His creation but an image of His workmanship.
Shalom....
2007-03-20 01:32:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I look in the mirror, I see God's creation. When I look into my heart, I see God.
2007-03-20 01:23:41 · answer #6 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
When I look into the mirror, I see spots. It is what I think I see dissolving and then resolving into what is really there, which, incidentally, is different every time.
2007-03-20 13:16:10 · answer #7 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
#1 Yes
#2 No
2007-03-20 01:36:40 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not in the reflection in the mirror but in the seeing.
2007-03-20 01:37:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but mostly I see Him in the eyes of my fellow humans. Humans can love. Humans can forgive. Humans get angry at injustice. Humans can commit to giving unconditional love to our children. It is all these things which make us in God"s image. I look for and find all these things in myself and in others in spite of all our faults.
2007-03-20 02:00:05 · answer #10 · answered by out of the grey 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋