The Holy Spirit: renewal, understanding and a shared life

The Sun of Truth is the Word of God, upon which dependeth the education of those who are endowed with the power of understanding and of utterance. … Its appearance in every mirror is conditioned by the colour of that mirror. For instance, when its light is cast upon the mirrors of the hearts of the wise, it bringeth forth wisdom. In like manner, when it manifesteth itself in the mirrors of the hearts of craftsmen, it unfoldeth new and unique arts, and when reflected in the hearts of those that apprehend the truth, it revealeth wondrous tokens of true knowledge and discloseth the verities of God’s utterance.

Question: What is meant by the Holy Spirit?

Answer: By the Holy Spirit is meant the outpouring grace of God and the effulgent rays that emanate from His Manifestation. Thus Christ was the focal centre of the rays of the Sun of Truth, and from this mighty centre--the reality of Christ--the grace of God shone upon the other mirrors which were the realities of the Apostles.

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles means that that glorious and divine grace cast its light and splendour upon their realities. For otherwise, egress and regress, descent and inherence are characteristics of bodies and not of spirits--that is, egress and inherence pertain only to sensible realities, not to intelligible subtleties; and intelligible realities, such as reason, love, knowledge, imagination and thought, do not enter, exit or inhere, but rather denote relationships.

For example, knowledge, which is a form acquired by the mind, is an intelligible thing, and to speak of entering into the mind or exiting from it is absurd. Rather, it is a relationship of acquisition, even as images are reflected in a mirror.

Thus, as it is evident and established that intelligible realities do not enter or inhere, it follows that it is in no wise possible for the Holy Spirit to ascend, descend, enter, exit, commingle or inhere. At most it appears as the sun appears in a mirror.

Moreover, in certain passages of the sacred scriptures where allusion is made to the Spirit, a specific person is intended, as it is conventionally said in speech and conversation that such and such a person is spirit personified or is the embodiment of mercy and generosity. In this case the focus is not upon the lamp but upon the light.

For instance, in reference to the Promised One that must come after Christ, it is said in John 16:12: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak."

Now consider carefully that the words: "for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak," clearly imply that the Spirit of truth is embodied in a Man Who has a soul, Who has ears to hear and a tongue to speak. Likewise Christ is called the "Spirit of God", in the same way that we speak of the light and yet mean both the light and the lamp.

The life of the body consists in material life, but the life of the spirit is a heavenly existence which consists in receiving the grace of the Divine Spirit and being quickened through the breath of the Holy Spirit.

… What is meant by eternal life is receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit, even as a flower partakes of the gifts and breezes of spring.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit changes the small acorn into an over-shadowing tree and the showers of the heavenly clouds of mercy transform the black soil into a delectable rose-garden.

O thou who art attracted to the fragrances of God! I pray God to send down upon thee heavenly blessings, quicken thy soul with everlasting life through the power of the Holy Spirit, and make thy heart a wellspring of spiritual susceptibilities, so that thy breath may vivify the souls, the attraction of thy soul may move the very core of the world, the intensity of thy love may attract the hearts of the people, and the abundance of thine affection may become a source of mercy to humankind in the world of being.

Question: "Do the Baha'i teachings renovate the individual, private life? Or are they only a set of principles for the adjustment of general relations between men without the necessary requirements of personal regeneration."

Answer: "The Teachings of Baha'u'llah are the Breaths of the Holy Spirit which create men anew.

The human body is in need of material force, but the spirit has need of the Holy Spirit. If it is aided by the bounty of the Holy Spirit it will attain great power; it will discover realities; it will be informed of the mysteries. The power of the Holy Spirit is here for all. The captive of the Holy Spirit is exempt from every captivity.

O thou who art seeking for the Power of the Holy Spirit!

The reality of man is like unto a sea, and the Holy Power is like unto brilliant pearls.

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So is the work of the Holy Spirit in your hearts. The earthly sun is like the Sun of Truth; the rain is the shower of the mercy of God; the seed is the word of God; the air is the fragrant waves of His Holy Spirit and the soil is the hearts of the people. Now the spiritual seeds are being scattered throughout the world and the showers of the mercy of God are falling on the hearts of the people. The result will be a great and wonderful harvest and every tree and branch and scrub will bear fruit, and you will see it.

This encompasses all these degrees, for that which encompasses all perfections is the breath of the Holy Spirit, which makes the earthly man heavenly, transforms the human into the divine, makes the dark luminous, changes the satanic into the merciful, makes the blind seeing, and brings the dead to life.

The fifth degree of spirit is the Holy Spirit, which is the mediator between God and His creation. It is like a mirror facing the sun: Just as a spotless mirror receives the rays of the sun and reflects its bounty to others, so too is the Holy Spirit the mediator of the light of holiness, which it conveys from the Sun of Truth to sanctified souls. This Spirit is adorned with all the divine perfections. Whensoever it appears the world is revived, a new cycle is ushered in, and the body of humanity is clothed in a fresh attire. It is like the spring: when it arrives it transports the world from one condition to another.

Question: What is the difference between mind, spirit, and soul?

Answer: It was already explained that, in general, spirit is divided into five categories: the vegetable spirit, the animal spirit, the human spirit, the spirit of faith, and the Holy Spirit.

Now as to what thou askest concerning the spirit and its "return" to this world of humanity and this elemental space: Know that spirit in general is divided into five sorts--the vegetable spirit, the animal spirit, the human spirit, the spirit of faith, and the divine spirit of sanctity.

The vegetable spirit is the virtue augmentative, or growing or vegetative faculty, which results from the admixture of the simple elements, with the co-operation of water, air and heat.

The animal spirit is the virtue perceptive resulting from the admixture and absorption of the vital elements generated in the heart, which apprehend sense-impressions.

The human spirit consists of the rational, or logical, reasoning faculty, which apprehends general ideas and things intelligible and perceptible.

Now these "spirits" are not reckoned as Spirit in the terminology of the Scriptures and the usage of the people of the Truth, inasmuch as the laws governing them are as the laws which govern all phenomenal being (i.e., all existences belonging to the phenomenal or material universe, called "the world of generation and corruption"), in respect to generation, corruption, production, change and reversion, as is clearly indicated in the Gospel where it says: "Let the dead bury their dead;" "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit"; inasmuch as he who would bury these dead was alive with the vegetative, animal and rational human soul, yet did Christ--to whom be glory!--declare such dead and devoid of life, in that this person was devoid of the Spirit of Faith, which is the Kingdom of God.

In brief, for these three spirits there is no restitution or "return," but they are subordinate to reversions and production and corruption.

But the Spirit of Faith which is of the Kingdom (of God) consists of the all-comprehending Grace and the perfect attainment (or salvation, fruition, achievement) and the power of sanctity and the divine effulgence from the Sun of Truth on luminous light-seeking essences from the presence of the divine Unity. And by this Spirit is the life of the spirit of man, when it is fortified thereby, as Christ saith: "That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." And this Spirit hath both restitution and return, inasmuch as it consists of the Light of God and the unconditioned Grace. So, having regard to this state and station, Christ announced that John the Baptist was Elias, who was to come before Christ (Matt. 11:14). And the likeness of this station is as that of lamps kindled (from one another): for these in respect to their glasses and oil-holders, are different, but in respect to their light, One, and in respect to their illumination, One; nay, each one is identical with the other, without imputation of plurality, or diversity or multiplicity or separateness. This is the Truth and beyond the Truth there is only error.

But as to the question of the Trinity, know, O advancer unto God, that in each one of the cycles wherein the Lights have shone forth upon the horizons (i. e., in each prophetic dispensation) and the Forgiving Lord hath revealed Himself on Mount Paran (see Habbakkuk 3:3, etc.) or Mount Sinai, or Mount Seir (see Ezekiel 35), there are necessarily three things: The Giver of Grace, and the Grace, and the Recipient of the Grace; the Source of the Effulgence, and the Effulgence, and the Recipient of the Effulgence; the Illuminator, and the Illumination, and Illuminated. Look at the Mosaic cycle: The Lord, and Moses, and the Fire (i.e., the burning bush), the Intermediary; and [at] the Messianic cycle: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost the Intermediary; and in the Mohammedan cycle: The Lord, the Apostle (or Messenger, Mohammed), and Gabriel (for, as the Mohammedans believe, Gabriel brought the Revelation from God to Mohammed). Look at the sun and its rays and the heat which results from its rays; the rays and the heat are but two effects of the sun, but inseparable from it; yet the sun is one in its essence, unique in its real identity, single in its attributes, neither is it possible that anything should resemble it. Such is the essence of the Truth concerning the Unity, the real doctrine of Singularity, the undiluted reality as to the (Divine) Sanctity.

It follows then that Christ did not attain His Messianic station and His perfections at the moment of His baptism, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove.

Concerning the matter of spiritual discoveries that you mentioned, the human spirit has a comprehensive power over the realities of things. … Thus it is evident that the human spirit has comprehensive power and control over the realities of things, and discovers secrets hidden in the realm of this world. But the Divine Spirit discovers divine realities and universal mysteries in the heavenly realm.

There is, however, a third reality in man, that is the spiritual reality. Through that medium come spiritual revelations. This is a celestial power which is infinite as regards the intellectual as well as the physical realms. This power is conferred upon man through the breath of the Holy Spirit. It is an eternal reality, an indestructible reality, a reality which belongs to the divine kingdom. This celestial reality, or the third reality, delivers man from the material world.

In conclusion, these few words are written, and unto everyone they will be a clear and conclusive evidence of the truth. Ponder them in thine heart. The will of every sovereign prevaileth during his reign, the will of every philosopher findeth expression in a handful of disciples during his lifetime, but the Power of the Holy Spirit shineth radiantly in the realities of the Messengers of God, and strengtheneth Their will in such wise as to influence a great nation for thousands of years and to regenerate the human soul and revive mankind.

It is the spirit that makes man heavenly; it is the spirit that makes man recipient of the Holy Spirit's breaths; it is the spirit that discovers the realities of things; it is the spirit that has produced all these effects; it is the spirit that has established all sciences; it is the spirit that bestows eternal life; it is the spirit that unites different nations; it is the spirit that brings together East and West; it is the spirit that makes the human world divine. Therefore, those souls who are recipients of the power of the spirit are the cause of life to the world.

The divine spirit is a radiance from the lights of the Sun of Reality and a manifestation of the divine realm in the human realm, an emanation of eternal bounties and everlasting life. It is a sign from among the brilliant signs and an inspiration from the merciful inspirations. The Holy Spirit is the manifestation of divine mysteries and the holy, luminous reality emanating divine perfections upon human spirits. It is a brilliant, shining light upon the horizons, dispelling all darkness occurring in contingent reality, quickening spirits, sanctified from similitudes, eternal in essence, everlasting in attributes.

The divine spirit which is from God's command refers to the holy power, divine confirmations, eternal assistance, divine knowledge and heavenly sciences with which God aids whomever He wishes among His righteous servants. Through it they attain spiritual unveilings and certain visions, and they achieve complete, precedent mercy and abundant grace. They enter the paradise of oneness and the eternal garden where they rejoice and delight in what God has given them of His bounty and thank Him for His favors and blessings.

As for the heavenly spirit, it is a holy essence, a perfect word, a complete sign, the mystery of existence, and the reality hidden from the eyes of all beings. It is the Supreme Pen, the Most Merciful Soul, and the manifestation of Truth from the dawning-place of creation and its sun at the point of invention. This is specifically for the Prophets in the worlds of creation.

It influences the essence of all things. It is that which infuses life into the soul. It is the teacher of minds. It is the creative power. It gives eternal life. It is the educator of men. It is the centre of the graces of the Merciful God. It is the pure effulgence which dissipates the darkness of the world of men.

The third power of man is the power of the Spirit. It is an emanation from the Divine Bestower. It is the effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the radiation of the celestial world. In short it is the essence of the Spirit of Faith of which His Holiness Christ speaks when He says, "Those that are born of the flesh are flesh and those that are born of the spirit are spirit." The spirit is the axis around which the eternal life revolves. It is conducive to everlasting glory; it is the cause of the exultation of the world of humanity.

As to ... whom thou hast mentioned, it behooveth him to seek only the divine bounties and subjects which lead to the real knowledge of the invisible (world of God), through the mediation of the Holy Spirit. Then he will perceive the reality of the triune powers in man, through his innate perception.

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So we can say there must be a Mediator between God and Man, and this is none other than the Holy Spirit, which brings the created earth into relation with the 'Unthinkable One', the Divine Reality.

The Divine Reality may be likened to the sun and the Holy Spirit to the rays of the sun.

… The Holy Spirit is the Light from the Sun of Truth bringing, by its infinite power, life and illumination to all mankind, flooding all souls with Divine Radiance, conveying the blessings of God's Mercy to the whole world.

O thou maid-servant of God! The aim of the theosophists is to attain to Truth, but the Truth is unattainable except through the favor of the Holy Spirit. The light hath a center and if one desire to seek it otherwise but from the center, he can never attain to it.

As there must be an intermediary to transmit to earth the life-giving power of the sun, so there must be an intermediary to bring God to man, and this is found through the ever-present efficacy of the Holy Spirit.

… So without the intermediary of the Holy Spirit man would remain dull, helpless and deprived of all attainment. But touched by that Divine Elixir he becomes tender, loving, responsive, and capable of every perfection of life.

The grace which is between the Creator and the created is Love. The intermediary of that grace of God is the Holy Spirit. If there were no love, there would be no communication between God and created beings. Were there no light, there would be no communication between the sun and the earth.

There is, however, another Spirit, which may be termed the Divine, to which Jesus Christ refers when He declares that man must be born of its quickening and baptized with its living fire. Souls deprived of that Spirit are accounted as dead, though they are possessed of the human spirit.

… This quickening spirit emanates spontaneously from the Sun of Truth, from the reality of Divinity, and is not a revelation or a manifestation. It is like the rays of the sun. The rays are emanations from the sun.

For by the Word is not meant the body of Christ but the divine perfections that were manifested in Him. Thus Christ was like a spotless mirror which was turned towards the Sun of Truth, and the perfections of that Sun, that is, its light and heat, were plainly manifest in that mirror. If we look into the mirror, we see the sun and we say it is the sun. Therefore, the Word and the Holy Spirit, which consist in the perfections of God, are the divine appearance.

The purport of our words is that the reality of Christ was a clear mirror wherein the Sun of Truth--that is, the divine Essence--appeared and shone forth with infinite perfections and attributes.

… The Holy Spirit is the outpouring grace of God which was revealed and manifested in the reality of Christ. Prophethood is the station of the heart of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the station of His spirit.

The Holy Spirit is given only to the Prophets; the people can only possess the rays of the Holy Spirit. Those who believe in God have four qualities - growth, sense, intellect, and spiritual or divine life.

The Faithful Spirit, Gabriel, the Holy Spirit, and the One mighty in power are all designations of the same Reality.

No, it is not the Spirit of God, but it is the Bounty of God. It is not a part of God, for it is His creation.

The (Holy) Spirit is encompassing and surrounding all. It is holy. It is sanctified from attachment to a special place. It is present everywhere and at every time. It exists in all places, yet is placeless.

Question: It is recorded in the Gospels that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. What was the manner and meaning of this descent?

Answer: The descent of the Holy Spirit is not like the entrance of air into the human body. It is a metaphor and an analogy rather than a literal image or account. That which is intended is like the descent of the sun into a mirror, that is, when its splendour is reflected therein.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit endowed the Apostles with the tongue of the Kingdom, and they spoke with all peoples as if in their own tongue; that is, whenever they conversed with a person of any faith or nation, it was as though they were speaking his own tongue.

'Abdu'l-Baha: "It was hidden from others, but manifest to him. The story about the dove is simply a metaphor. No dove came down. Amongst the people, John the Baptist felt that the Holy Spirit was in Christ. The Holy Spirit was always with Christ. He knew about his mission from early childhood."

Man cannot free himself from the onslaught of vain and selfish desires save through the confirming grace of the Holy Spirit. That is why it is said that baptism must be with the spirit, with water and with fire, that is, with the spirit of divine grace, the water of knowledge and life, and the fire of the love of God. It is with this spirit, this water and this fire that man must be baptized, that he may partake of everlasting grace.

In the Qur'an it is said: "And We sent Our Spirit to her, and He took before her the form of a perfect man", meaning that the Holy Spirit assumed a human form, as an image appears in a mirror, and conversed with Mary.

It is said in the Old Testament, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Observe that Adam is said to have come into being from the spirit of life. Moreover, John's utterance in regard to the Apostles proves that they also proceeded from the heavenly Father. Hence it is clear and evident that the holy reality---the true existence---of every great man proceeds from God and owes its being to the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Question: In 1 Corinthians 15:22 it is written: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." What is the meaning of these words?

Answer: Know that there are two natures in man: the material and the spiritual. The material nature is inherited from Adam, while the spiritual nature is inherited from the reality of the Word of God, which is the spirituality of Christ. The material nature is born of Adam, but the spiritual nature is born of the grace of the Holy Spirit. The material nature is the source of every imperfection and the spiritual nature is the source of all perfection.

Question: "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

Answer: The sanctified realities of the Manifestations of God have two spiritual stations: One is that of the state of divine manifestation, which can be compared to the orb of the sun, and the other is that of radiance and revelation, which may be likened to the divine light and perfections--the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is the manifold grace and perfections of God, and these divine perfections are even as the rays and heat of the sun.

Concerning thy question about the tidings of the advent of the Beauty of Ahmad, which were mentioned in glorious accents in the garden of the Gospel, know that the appearance of that Most Great Luminary and honored Star is clearly established and recorded in the Gospel. However, since none but those souls who have attained to the pure fountain of knowledge and wisdom can comprehend the novel melodies of the Dove of Oneness, people have remained deprived of understanding the meaning of the glorious verses of the Gospel and have wandered confused and bewildered in the wilderness of fancy and desire.

Among the passages wherein mention is made of His Holiness Ahmad in the Gospel is the sixteenth chapter of John, from the seventh to the fifteenth verse, wherein He speaketh in most eloquent terms and clearest references. This is the text that is recorded and set down in the Gospel of John from the tongue of Christ, where He saith: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Until He saith: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

The essence of its translation is that He saith: My ascension to the most exalted horizon is better for you, for until I ascend to the seat of truth with the Mighty, Omnipotent Sovereign, that Comforting Spirit shall not come. When I ascend, I will send Him, and when that Pure Spirit appeareth in the world of dust, He shall convince people of three things: of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. After several verses He saith: Many matters and mysteries remain stored in the treasury of the heart, and pearls of divine wisdom remain preserved and concealed in the shell of the breast. But ye cannot bear to hear them and cannot sustain this most great Word. However, when that Spirit of truth appeareth, He shall guide you unto all truth, for whatsoever He uttereth is not from Himself, but whatsoever He heareth, that shall He speak.

This is but one melody from the melodies of the Gospel that was revealed concerning the Pride of the Messengers. However, as the Christian people have fallen into the wilderness of error and blindness, they have disregarded this explicit statement without any ambiguity, and have clung to vain interpretations, saying that what was meant by these verses was the Holy Spirit that descended upon the disciples after Christ's ascension.

This is the custom of all peoples, that they close their eyes to the clear meanings of the divine verses and cling to vain interpretations of ambiguous passages. Now observe how weak and manifestly false is this statement. First, He says "If I go not away, He will not come," which indicates that the Comforter did not exist in the time of Christ and would come later. But the Holy Spirit was ever inseparable from Christ. Therefore it has no meaning to say "If I go not away, He will not come."

Secondly, He states that there are many things which ye cannot bear to hear, but that Holy Spirit will declare them and guide unto all truth. Now consider that among Christians the Holy Spirit is the third person and the Spirit of God, Christ, is the second person. After mankind's veils of ignorance were not rent by these two most great Persons, and they did not attain complete growth and guidance through the holy breaths of these two most exalted Lights, after the ascension of that Most Great Luminary they received the hidden divine mysteries and concealed heavenly wisdom from the third Person, which is the Holy Spirit, and became capable of hearing and bearing them. Yet it is evident that if a soul is not educated under the tutelage of that Essence of essences and Spirit of spirits, with the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, even should the breaths of the Holy Spirit blow upon it for a hundred thousand years, they would have no effect. This is the evident truth.

Thus it becomes clear and proven that this blessed verse indicates that after the Beauty of Christ a glorious Spirit and Most Great Beauty would appear whose education would be greater than that of the Spirit of God.

Thirdly, He says that He speaks not of Himself but is confirmed by the hosts of divine revelation, and declares whatsoever He hears from the Kingdom of Glory. Observe how clear it is that the Comforter is a Person who is inspired by heavenly inspirations and is the source and fountainhead of divine revelation, for the Holy Spirit has no ear to hear.

In brief, in other passages also there are many clear references to the Ahmadic Manifestation, and the references which the apostles cited from the Torah regarding the appearance of the Spirit were never this explicit. This becomes clear and evident if one studies the Torah. And today the Jews also interpret those references in the Torah, and in truth the references in the Torah are allusive rather than explicit.

The Holy Spirit was always upon Jesus. At thirty years of age He was baptized and John saw the dove descend upon Him. The Holy Spirit upon the disciples was like the rays of the sun. Jesus was the Sun and His rays shone upon His disciples through His teachings. It permeates a soul or mind spiritually. The Holy Spirit in the disciples was the spirit or essence of the truth which they taught.

...it matters not what name each calls himself - The Great Work is One. Christ is ever in the world of existence. He has never disappeared out of it... Rest assured that Christ is present. The Spiritual beauty we see around us today is from the breathings of Christ.

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Every soul who is spiritually born - through the assistance of the Holy-Spirit - that soul which receives the Breath of the Holy Spirit will have an upward journey and attain to a lofty station in the spiritual world.

Those souls who are not vivified and attracted by the Holy Spirit, are accounted among the dead, because their souls are deprived of the Breath of the Holy Spirit, and these persons after physical death are in a certain condition, having feeling and discernment in their environment, but in comparison with the pure souls who have been vivified by the Holy Spirit, they are as dead and deprived.

The vegetable spirit, the animal spirit, and the human spirit---the rational soul, that is---do not return after death to this world of the "first creation". [Q56:62] As for that spirit of faith by which is meant the light of guidance, and that Holy Spirit, the reality of divine revelation, these both return, in every dispensation and cycle, to this the realm of the "first creation".

Someone present asked how it was that in prayer and meditation the heart often turns with instinctive appeal to some friend who has passed into the next life.

'Abdu'l-Baha answered: "It is a law of God's creation that the weak should lean upon the strong. Those to whom you turn may be the mediators of God's power to you, even as when on earth. But it is the One Holy Spirit that strengthens all men."

Every soul, through the grace of the Most Great Name, became the manifestation of these words: "We breathed into it a measure of Our spirit."

Were it not for the inspiration of the breath of the Holy Spirit, this life would be a farce.

That divine world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore, man has need of illumination here. That is a world of love; the love of God is essential. It is a world of perfections; virtues, or perfections, must be acquired. That world is vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; in this world we must seek them. That is the Kingdom of everlasting life; it must be attained during this vanishing existence.

The spiritual food is the principal food, ... the effect of the spiritual food is eternal. The material food, that is, the food for the body, is simply water and bread, but the food for the intellect is knowledge and the food for the spirit is the significances of the heavenly words and the bounties of the Holy Spirit.

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In brief: the people of the world are in need of eternal life, and eternal life depends on the manifestation of the Kingdom, and the manifestation of the Kingdom depends on the penetration of the Word of God and the confirmation of the Holy Spirit - that is, it depends on the divine power that brings the dead to life, makes the blind see and the deaf hear, and fulfills the second birth mentioned in the Gospel text: "That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is spirit.

There are only four accepted criteria of comprehension, that is, four criteria whereby the realities of things are understood.

The first criterion is that of the senses, that is, all that the eye, the ear, the taste, the smell, and the touch perceive is called "sensible". At present all the European philosophers hold this to be the most perfect criterion. They claim that the greatest of all criteria is that of the senses and they regard it as sacrosanct. And yet the criterion of the senses is defective, as it can err. For example, the greatest of the senses is the power of vision. The vision, however, sees a mirage as water and reckons images reflected in mirrors as real and existing; it sees large bodies as small, perceives a whirling point as a circle, imagines the earth to be stationary and the sun to be in motion, and is subject to many other errors of a similar nature. One cannot therefore rely implicitly upon it.

The second criterion is that of the intellect, which was the principal criterion of comprehension for those pillars of wisdom, the ancient philosophers. They deduced things through the power of the mind and relied on rational arguments: all their arguments are based upon reason. But despite this, they diverged greatly in their opinions. They would even change their own views: for twenty years they would deduce the existence of something through rational arguments, and then afterwards they would disprove the same, again through rational arguments. Even Plato at first proved through rational arguments the immobility of the earth and the movement of the sun, and then subsequently established, again through rational arguments, the centrality of the sun and the movement of the earth. Then the Ptolemaic theory became widespread and Plato's theory was entirely forgotten until a modern astronomer revived it. Thus have the mathematicians disagreed among themselves, even though they all relied on rational arguments.

Likewise, at one time they would establish a thing by rational arguments and disprove it at another, again by rational arguments. So a philosopher would firmly uphold a view for a time and adduce a range of proofs and arguments to support it, and afterward he would change his mind and contradict his former position by rational arguments.

It is therefore evident that the criterion of reason is imperfect, as proven by the disagreements existing between the ancient philosophers as well as by their want of consistency and their propensity to change their own views. For if the criterion of intellect were perfect, all should have been united in their thoughts and agreed in their opinions.

The third criterion is that of tradition, that is, the text of the sacred scriptures, when it is said, "God said thus in the Torah," or "God said thus in the Gospel." This criterion is not perfect either, because the traditions must be understood by the mind. As the mind itself is liable to error, how can it be said that it will attain to perfect truth and not err in comprehending and inferring the meaning of the traditions? For it is subject to error and cannot lead to certitude. This is the criterion of the leaders of religion. What they comprehend from the text of the Book, however, is that which their minds can understand and not necessarily the truth of the matter; for the mind is like a balance, and the meanings contained in the texts are like the objects to be weighed. If the balance is untrue, how can the weight be ascertained?

Know, therefore, that what the people possess and believe to be true is liable to error. For if in proving or disproving a thing a proof drawn from the evidence of the senses is advanced, this criterion is clearly imperfect; if a rational proof is adduced the same holds true; and likewise if a traditional proof is given. Thus it is clear that man does not possess any criterion of knowledge that can be relied upon.

But the grace of the Holy Spirit is the true criterion regarding which there is no doubt or uncertainty. That grace consists in the confirmations of the Holy Spirit which are vouchsafed to man and through which certitude is attained.

How shall we attain the reality of knowledge? By the breaths and promptings of the Holy Spirit, which is light and knowledge itself. Through it the human mind is quickened and fortified into true conclusions and perfect knowledge. This is conclusive argument showing that all available human criteria are erroneous and defective, but the divine standard of knowledge is infallible.

Yet there is another standard which is the peculiar possession of the Chosen of God. This standard is the breathings of the Holy Spirit. By that power assurance is produced, man becomes certain, and the consciousness is satisfied.

O bondswoman of God! The human spirit possesseth wondrous powers, but it should be reinforced by the Holy Spirit. What thou hearest other than this is pure imagination. If, however, it be assisted by the bounty of the Holy Spirit, then will its strength be a thing to marvel at. Then will that human spirit uncover realities, and unravel mysteries. Turn thy heart fully to the Holy Spirit, and invite others to do the same; then shall ye witness wonderful results.

In this estate he becomes a centre for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. In this estate his spirit bears to the Holy Spirit the relation which, before, his body bore to his spirit. He becomes like a polished mirror. When he speaks, he gives forth the rays of the Sun of Reality. All the light which is reflected from this mirror is the light of the Holy Spirit.

Verily, I say unto thee, that if for the appearance of that Divine Essence thou desirest to have a definite proof, an indisputable testimony and a strong, convincing evidence, thou must prepare thyself to make thy heart empty and thine eye ready to look only toward the Kingdom of God. Then, at that time, the radiance of that widespread effulgence will descend upon thee successively, and that motion rendered thee by the Holy Spirit will make thee dispense with any other strong evidence that leadeth to the appearance of this Light, because the greatest and strongest proof for showing the abundance of the Spirit to the bodies is the very appearance of its power and influence in those bodies.

God sent His Prophets into the world to teach and enlighten man, to explain to him the mystery of the Power of the Holy Spirit, to enable him to reflect the light, and so in his turn, to be the source of guidance to others.

It is evident that a great power must rescue man from these impurities and cause him to attain higher degrees of development. This great power is that of the Holy Spirit. It is the divine power which transforms a stone into a diamond, which changes darkness into light, which saves man from the world of defects and enables him to attain the world of virtues. This is possible only through baptism by the Holy Spirit. All the manifestations of God have rescued man from the contamination of the world of darkness, and have caused him to gain the real purification through the power of the Holy Spirit.

These principles are finite and limited, but the Word of God comprehendeth all true principles, and deriveth moreover its enforcing power from the breaths of the Holy Spirit.

The spirit and intelligence of man is essential, and that is the manifestation of divine virtues, the merciful bestowals of God, the eternal life and baptism through the Holy Spirit.

O maid-servant of God! The human spirit hath an impression and effect in the world, but the divine Spirit giveth life to the souls and confereth eternal life upon those who are attracted to the fragrances of God.

O maid-servant of God, verily the Holy Spirit breathes in this day unto the hearts which are moving, beating, pure and attracted by the love of God.

O handmaiden of God! Know thou and be assured that in this glorious age the Holy Spirit teaches every pure soul who is a faithful, assured believer attracted to the Kingdom of the Great Lord.

Consider how the radiance of the light of the Holy Spirit doth illumine the court of the soul, that it bringeth about spiritual discoveries and produceth merciful attachment!

They relate their mystic connection from heart to heart and their spirits sing and carol to each other in the one universal harmony.

The most important thing is that which comes through the Spirit -- the Breath of the Holy Spirit. The soul through the Spirit can realize the Kingdom.

O maid-servant of God! Verily, the weakness of body and its strength do neither harm nor benefit; nay, rather the spirit must be strong through the breath of the Holy Spirit, at this time, so that it may apprehend the consummate wisdom which is deposited in this great age.

O servant of God! Vivify thyself with breaths of the All-Merciful and refresh thyself with the inspirations of the Holy Spirit so that thou mayest be freed from the world of self and desire and find thy way to the bright worlds of light and guidance.

Thank the Almighty that you strive to enter God's Kingdom and desire life from the Holy Spirit. I hope that your greatest wish may be realized, then loosen your eloquent tongue and speak always of God. This is eternal life. This is heavenly sustenance. This is the breathing of the Holy Spirit.

Then there is the Light of the Holy Spirit possessed by God's Chosen Ones. The minds of men cannot comprehend this Light -- thus they martyr those who come with this Light.

You must be reborn by the Spirit. A child in the matrix has eyes and ears but only learns their use when it is born. A man cannot comprehend the Spirit before he has put aside earthly things.

… The Spirit resembles a rivulet when the earth fills the soul. Put away the terrestrial and the mighty torrent of living water will rush through your freed body.

Rejoice at the sweet savours of God, and baptize thyself with the Divine Spirit, overflowing abundantly from the Kingdom of God!

During the days I lay in the prison of Tihran, though the galling weight of the chains and the stench-filled air allowed Me but little sleep, still in those infrequent moments of slumber I felt as if something flowed from the crown of My head over My breast, even as a mighty torrent that precipitateth itself upon the earth from the summit of a lofty mountain. Every limb of My body would, as a result, be set afire. At such moments My tongue recited what no man could bear to hear.

Say: The Holy Spirit Itself hath been generated through the agency of a single letter revealed by this Most Great Spirit, if ye be of them that comprehend.

The purport of these words is that whosoever in every dispensation is born of the Spirit and is quickened by the breath of the Manifestation of Holiness, he verily is of those that have attained unto "life" and "resurrection" and have entered into the "paradise" of the love of God. And whosoever is not of them, is condemned to "death" and "deprivation," to the "fire" of unbelief, and to the "wrath" of God.

39 And if a nightingale soar beyond the clay of self and dwell in the rose bower of the heart, and in Arabian melodies and sweet Persian tones recount the mysteries of God-a single word whereof quickeneth anew every lifeless form and bestoweth the spirit of holiness upon every mouldering bone-thou wilt behold a thousand claws of envy and a myriad talons of hatred hunting after Him and striving with all their power to encompass His death.

Such longing and rapture, such taste and joy have encompassed all that the breath of the Holy Spirit began to blow upon the decayed bones, and the Faithful Spirit came flying with the wing of success.

Methinks that I hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit calling from behind Me saying: Vary Thou Thy theme, and alter Thy tone, lest the heart of him who hath fixed his gaze upon Thy face be saddened.

O Spirit of God! The Most Great Spirit hath turned toward thee from the direction of the Prison and remembereth thee with that which its fragrance shall never pass away, by virtue of the eternity of My Kingdom and the permanence of My Dominion.

I speak not of Mine own self, but rather through what the Spirit uttereth within My breast, and God is witness to what I say.

Say: The Holy Spirit speaketh in this polished and burnished breast, and calleth the loved ones of God to what was ordained in the Bayan, and this is an irrevocable decree inscribed by the Finger of Power upon a preserved and mighty tablet.

The Holy Spirit is watchful and the Spirit of companionship waiting expectantly - when will the melody of light be mentioned and the drumbeat of manifestation become renowned?

Say: Verily He is the Spirit, and at this moment He is in the Most Exalted Horizon, cooing with the cooings of the Dove of the Cause, that He may raise you up to the ultimate heaven of might.

The Holy Spirit hath freely given eternal life to every pure heart, and the souls became attracted through the effulgence of the Beauty of the Glorious Kingdom and through the brilliancy of the Light of Truth over all regions.

That perchance through the grace of the King of existence, the eye and ear and heart may not remain deprived of the outpourings of the Holy Spirit.

Now is the time of eternal life, now is the hour of the appearance of the All Merciful. This is the day of God's Covenant, the moment when the Daystar of the world spreads forth its rays. The Fountain of Life is overflowing and the breeze of His bountiful munificence doth blow on every side. The candle of guidance hath been lit and the Sun of Eternity sheds forth its radiance across flower-spangled meadows. The Holy Spirit hath come to our aid and the Spirit of Faithfulness hath unsealed the significances of the Glorious Book.

Let them at all times refresh and restore themselves with the dews of heavenly grace, and with the breaths of the Holy Spirit revive and renew themselves from moment to moment.

And this is clear: a power above and beyond the powers of nature must needs be brought to bear, to change this black darkness into light, and these hatreds and resentments, grudges and spites, these endless wrangles and wars, into fellowship and love amongst all the peoples of the earth. This power is none other than the breathings of the Holy Spirit and the mighty inflow of the Word of God.

In this age, Baha'u'llah has breathed the Holy Spirit into the dead body of the world. Consequently every weak soul is strengthened by these fresh divine outbreathings.

O noble friends, seekers after God, praise be to God!

To-day the light of truth is shining upon the world in its abundance. The breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions. The call of the kingdom is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving life eternal.

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Glad tidings, glad tidings, that the breaths of the Holy Spirit are giving life and the world of humanity is reborn!

He has breathed into you the breath of the Holy Spirit.

He has baptized you with the water of life, with the fire of the love of God, and with the spirit of His knowledge.

This age is the age of the extension of the sphere of thought. This age is the greatest divine age. This age is the age of everlasting life. This age is the age of the breaths of the Holy Spirit. This age is the age of the flowering of all the hidden virtues of the world of humanity.

When the Lord Christ came He spread the light of the Holy Spirit on all around Him, and His disciples and all who received His illumination became enlightened, spiritual beings.

I am spending this New Yearis day in Paris. I hope for considerable results from this fact. May a powerful influence remain in your hearts, signs of eternal joy and happiness that will illumine the kingdom in this city. May the breezes of the Holy Spirit waft upon you, that your intelligence may progress and your souls rejoice in your lord. Thus will you become eternal beings shining in the divine kingdom.

Now you must render thanks for these divine bestowals, for praise be to God, you have received a portion from the Sun of Truth and a share of heavenly bestowals. You have heard the divine call and have been quickened by the breathings of the Holy Spirit. Ye have entered the eternal world and attained everlasting grace.

For the Holy Spirit is like unto the life in the human body, which blends all differences of parts and members in unity and agreement. Consider how numerous are these parts and members, but the oneness of the animating spirit of life unites them all in perfect combination. It establishes such a unity in the bodily organism that if any part is subjected to injury or becomes diseased, all the other parts and functions sympathetically respond and suffer, owing to the perfect oneness existing. Just as the human spirit of life is the cause of coordination among the various parts of the human organism, the Holy Spirit is the controlling cause of the unity and coordination of mankind.

Therefore, the Lord of mankind has caused His holy, divine Manifestations to come into the world. He has revealed His heavenly Books in order to establish spiritual brotherhood and through the power of the Holy Spirit has made it practicable for perfect fraternity to be realized among mankind. And when through the breaths of the Holy Spirit this perfect fraternity and agreement are established amongst men--this brotherhood and love being spiritual in character, this loving-kindness being heavenly, these constraining bonds being divine--a unity appears which is indissoluble, unchanging and never subject to transformation.

There is another brotherhood -- the spiritual -- which is higher, holier and superior to all others. It is heavenly; it emanates from the breaths of the Holy Spirit and the effulgence of merciful attributes; it is founded upon spiritual susceptibilities.

May spiritual brotherhood cause rebirth and regeneration, for its creative quickening emanates from the breaths of the Holy Spirit and is founded by the power of God.

Another unity is the spiritual unity which emanates from the breaths of the Holy Spirit. This is greater than the unity of mankind.

It is the Holy Spirit of God which insures the safety of humanity, for human thoughts differ, human susceptibilities differ. You cannot make the susceptibilities of all humanity one except through the common channel of the Holy Spirit.

Through the Power of the Holy Spirit all mankind will be ushered under the Tent of Sacrifice. That Tent is the Word of God and the protection and refuge of humanity.

The great unselfish love for humanity is bounded by none of these imperfect, semi-selfish bonds; this is the one perfect love, possible to all mankind, and can only be achieved by the power of the Divine Spirit. No worldly power can accomplish the universal love.

… The power of the Holy Spirit, enlightening man's intelligence, has enabled him to discover means of bending many natural laws to his will.

Without doubt this is the power of the Holy Spirit, for this is the cause of unity that gathers all humanity under the shelter of one Word. … Therefore we must all strive so that divine illumination may appear among humanity, the breaths of the Holy Spirit may take effect, and heavenly radiance may shine forth, so that human hearts may attain complete connection with each other.

There is only one love which is infinite and unlimited and divine, and that is the love which comes with the Breath of the Holy Spirit - the Love of God - which breaks all barriers and sweeps all before it.

Therefore there must be divine love and spiritual brotherhood, which are produced by the breaths of the Holy Spirit. Its results are unlimited and eternal, and it never changes. As long as this brotherhood and love exist in a people, their spiritual and physical progress is unlimited.

The breaths of the Holy Spirit so transform humans that their character is completely changed, they experience a second birth, and they are baptized by the fire of the love of God--which is love for all creation--and by the water of eternal life and the Holy Spirit. The ancient philosophers who devoted their utmost effort to improving morals and strived with heart and soul could only improve their own morals, not universal morals. Consult history and this will become clear and evident.

But the power of the Holy Spirit improves universal morals, illumines the human world, bestows true exaltation, and educates all humanity.

The unity of black and white was impossible and unattainable, but the breaths of the Holy Spirit brings them together.

Therefore, it is evidenced that the promotion of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity, which is the essence of the teachings of all the Manifestations of God, is impossible except through the divine power and breaths of the Holy Spirit. Other powers are too weak and are incapable of accomplishing this.

It has thus been made evident that the world of mankind is in need of the breaths of the Holy Spirit. Without the spirit the world of mankind is lifeless, and without this light the world of mankind is in utter darkness.

Universal peace is an impossibility through human and material agencies; it must be through spiritual power. There is need of a universal impelling force which will establish the oneness of humanity and destroy the foundations of war and strife. None other than the divine power can do this; therefore, it will be accomplished through the breath of the Holy Spirit.

The capacity for achieving extraordinary and praiseworthy progress is bestowed by Them through the breaths of the Holy Spirit, and heavenly civilization is not possible of attainment or accomplishment otherwise.

His eighth teaching is that no matter how much humanity progresses materially, it still needs the breaths of the Holy Spirit. The ancients strived greatly to establish means of education through the power of reason, but although they educated themselves and a few souls, but they could not provide universal education. Every power is incapable of providing extraordinary universal education except the power of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, the world of humanity must be confirmed by the breath of the Holy Spirit in order to receive universal education. Through the infusion of divine power all nations and peoples become quickened, and universal happiness is possible.

The body of man is in need of physical and mental energy, but his spirit requires the life and fortification of the Holy Spirit. Without its protection and quickening the human world would be extinguished.

Ninthly: Baha'u'llah taught that hearts must receive the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that Spiritual civilization may be established. … Material civilization is like the body and spiritual civilization is like the soul. Body without soul cannot live.

It is only by the breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual development can come about. No matter how the material world may progress, no matter how splendidly it may adorn itself, it can never be anything but a lifeless body unless the soul is within, for it is the soul that animates the body; the body alone has no real significance. Deprived of the blessings of the Holy Spirit the material body would be inert.

This spiritual education is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. As long as the breath of the Holy Spirit does not display any influence, spiritual education is not obtained; whereas if a soul is inspired by the Holy Spirit, he will be enabled to educate a nation.

He must also impart spiritual education, so that minds may apprehend the metaphysical world, breathe the sanctified breaths of the Holy Spirit, and enter into relationship with the Concourse on high, and that human realities may become the manifestations of divine blessings, that perchance all the names and attributes of God may be reflected in the mirror of the human reality, and the meaning of the blessed verse, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" may be realized.

The limited is ever in need of the unlimited. The material must be correlated with the spiritual. The material may be likened to the body, but divine virtues are the breathings of the Holy Spirit itself.

… This general, universal development is not possible through the power of philosophy. It is only attainable through the pervading influence of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, no matter how far the world of humanity advances, it fails to attain the highest degree unless quickened by the education and divine bestowals of the Holy Spirit.

The spirit of man is in need of the protection of the Holy Spirit. … Material development may be likened to the glass of a lamp, whereas divine virtues and spiritual susceptibilities are the light within the glass. The lamp chimney is worthless without the light; likewise, man in his material condition requires the radiance and vivification of the divine graces and merciful attributes. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit he is lifeless.

Deprived of the Holy Spirit and its bounties, man is spiritually dead.

Children, for instance, no matter how good and pure, no matter how healthy their bodies, are, nevertheless, considered imperfect because the power of intellect is not fully manifest in them. When the intellectual power fully displays its influences and they attain to the age of maturity, they are considered as perfect. Likewise, man, no matter how much he may advance in worldly affairs and make progress in material civilization, is imperfect unless he is quickened by the bounties of the Holy Spirit; for it is evident that until he receives that divine impetus he is ignorant and deprived.

The third kind of education is that of the spirit. Through the breaths of the Holy Spirit man is uplifted into the world of moralities and illumined by the lights of divine bestowals. The moral world is only attained through the effulgence of the Sun of Reality and the quickening life of the divine spirit. For this reason the holy Manifestations of God appear in the human world.

Man cannot attain to the highest summit of human progress without the assistance of the Breaths of the Holy-Spirit. A man intellectually may become enabled to educate a few, but general education is imparted to the world of humanity through the prophets of God, because they are the real Instructors of the human race.

You have the example in Peter who was assisted by the Holy Spirit, as have been all those who have enlightened humanity -- for universal education can be accomplished only through the Holy Spirit.

Thus it became evident that those souls who are assisted by the Holy Spirit have perfect influence, to such a degree that they renew the world, bestow eternal life, illumine East and West, and their power and influence is unlimited--indeed, two thousand years pass and it still endures. But if a person is not assisted by the Holy Spirit, no matter how learned they may be or how much they may have founded schools of philosophy, their movement remains limited.

Progress is of two kinds: material and spiritual. The former is attained through observation of the surrounding existence and constitutes the foundation of civilization. Spiritual progress is through the breaths of the Holy Spirit and is the awakening of the conscious soul of man to perceive the reality of Divinity. … The spiritual brotherhood which is enkindled and established through the breaths of the Holy Spirit unites nations and removes the cause of warfare and strife.

We understand that the Holy Spirit is the energizing factor in the life of man. Whosoever receives this power is able to influence all with whom he comes into contact.

The greatest philosophers without this Spirit are powerless, their souls lifeless, their hearts dead! Unless the Holy Spirit breathes into their souls, they can do no good work.

Today the dynamic energy of the Holy Spirit has poured in such volume through the Messenger of God that even the masses of men have received it, and that was not possible before. Always in the past specially sensitized souls received the influence and acted upon it. But today for the first time the minds of all people have been touched by the spirit, and the result is that the designs of labor saving machines have been clearly revealed to them.

This is a fundamental truth; when you breathe forth the breath of the Holy Spirit from your hearts into the world, commerce and politics will take care of themselves in perfect harmony. All arts and sciences will become revealed and the knowledge of God will be manifested.

The Holy Spirit is the only power which will ultimately unite and harmonize the races and nations of the world.

… But the divine power unites nations and peoples and cements together in the bond of brotherhood and peace for ages and cycles. His Holiness Christ was one person, without any worldly assistance and help, but through the effect of the Holy Spirit he was enabled to unite many nations and religions under the standard of Christianity.

Therefore, it is evident that no means but an ideal means, a spiritual power, divine bestowals and the breaths of the Holy Spirit will heal this world sickness of war, dissension and discord. Nothing else is possible; nothing can be conceived of.

But the Breath of the Holy Spirit is the collective force which brings together the friends of God. This is like unto a firmly rooted tree. The fruit is not for one month or one year, it is eternal. That is the real collective force.

The world is like the human body and the Cause of God is like the spirit. Until the body has capacity, the spirit will not be manifested. The very appearance of the spirit is proof of the body's capacity.

The point is this: that to gain control over physical bodies is an extremely easy matter, but to bring spirits within the bonds of serenity is a most arduous undertaking. This is not the work of everybody. It necessitates a divine and holy potency, the potency of inspiration, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Know thou that all the powers combined have not the power to establish universal peace, nor to withstand the overmastering dominion, at every time and season, of these endless wars. Erelong, however, shall the power of heaven, the dominion of the Holy Spirit, hoist on the high summits the banners of love and peace, and there above the castles of majesty and might shall those banners wave in the rushing winds that blow out of the tender mercy of God.

The teachings of Baha'u'llah will give to the hearts the necessary impulse for bestowing eternal life and will cause the breeze of the Holy Spirit to waft upon you, so that with a single heart you will turn toward God.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit He proclaimed unity. He endured hardships in this path. Now praise be to God the results of that are evident.

But when spiritual power emerged and the light of prophethood shone forth, a mighty resurrection occurred and an intense stirring appeared in veins and nerves. Thus in a brief period it raised those dull people from the lowest depths of abasement to the heights of glory. Iran and Turan were conquered, and the Roman Empire was humiliated and overthrown.

It is thus evident that religion and faith will soon be swept away and forgotten, even as it hath already happened in Europe, unless the hearts are vivified and the souls freed from the world through the breaths of the Holy Spirit and a new Dispensation is inaugurated.

Especially in these countries which are exceedingly prosperous - in truth it is like a beehive. All are immersed in materialism.

… All are bereft of the outpourings of the Holy Spirit and are heedless and deprived of eternal life.

One should be alive, inhaling the fragrances of the Holy Spirit. Therefore Christ said, 'Let the dead bury the dead.' 'The one who is born of the flesh is flesh, but he who is born of the spirit is spirit.'

Unless the mirror reflects the sunlight, it is only dark, inanimate matter. Likewise, the hearts and spirits of mankind, when deprived and without their portion of the bounties of the Holy Spirit, linger in the abyss of darkness and ignorance.

From time immemorial the divine teachings have been successively revealed, and the bounties of the Holy Spirit have ever been emanating.

If all the powers of earth should seek to bring about this love between East and West, they would prove incapable. … But Baha'u'llah has accomplished both through the power of the Holy Spirit, and this bond of unity through love is indissoluble.

Should they endeavor to fulfill these conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them, and that assembly shall become the center of the Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall come to their aid, and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of Spirit.

Rise up in unity and accord to exalt the Cause of the Lord of creation, for divine confirmations are with you and the power of the Holy Spirit sustains you.

Verily will the consummate power of the Divine Reality breathe into you the bounties of the Holy Spirit, and aid you to perform an exploit whose like the eye of creation hath never looked upon.

… Hold ye fast to the hem of God's garment, and direct all your efforts toward furthering His Covenant, and burning ever more brightly with the fire of His love, that your hearts may leap for joy in the breathings of servitude which well out from the breast of Abdu'l-Baha. Rally your hearts, make firm your steps, trust in the everlasting bounties that will be shed upon you, one following another from the Kingdom of Abha.

My hope is that the breathings of the Holy Spirit will be wafted over them, and that each one present shall, in great assemblies, with an eloquent tongue and a heart flooded with the love of God, set himself to acclaiming the rise of the Sun of Truth, the dawn of the Day-Star that lighteth all the World....

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If you want them to grow up and become strong trees you must water them by the Bounty of God, and let the Sun of His Holy Spirit shine upon them.

It is my ardent hope that the power of the Holy Spirit may turn that country into a paradise and that the effulgent rays of the Sun of Truth may illumine that territory, so that it may move forward in every aspect of spiritual development, that the light of divine guidance may shine forth, the reviving fragrance of the rose-garden of God may waft over it and the clouds of His gracious favour may rain down, thus bestowing freshness and beauty to those territories and regions.

This neighborliness makes one an inheritor of the Kingdom, gathers one beneath the Tree of Life, and bestows the confirmations of the Holy Spirit.

Thank thou God for having enabled thee to enter into His Kingdom of might. Erelong will thy Lordis bounties descend upon thee, one following the other, and He will make of thee a sign for every seeker after truth.

O leaf attracted to the Abha Kingdom!

The Sunday school for the children in which the Tablets and Teachings of Baha'u'llah are read, and the Word of God is recited for the children is indeed a blessed thing. Thou must certainly continue this organized activity without cessation, and attach importance to it, so that day by day it may grow and be quickened with the breaths of the Holy Spirit.

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O maid-servant of God! Be filled with joy, so that thine eyes may be overflowing with tears of happiness and beatitude, and beseech thou God to remove the veil from the face of your sons so that they may find a spiritual understanding of the existence of God and may know how the human soul can receive bounty from the divine Spirit.

It is the path of corresponding religion with science, and it is the path of the Manifestation of the protection of the Holy Spirit. It is the road toward the life eternal. It is the road of being born from the world of materiality into the World Divine; and it is the world of baptism with the Holy Spirit.

It is my hope that the breaths of the Holy Spirit will so be breathed into your hearts that your tongues will disclose the mysteries, and set forth and expound the inner meanings of the Holy Books; that the friends will become physicians, and will, through the potent medicine of the heavenly Teachings, heal the long-standing diseases that afflict the body of this world; that they will make the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dead to come alive; that they will awaken those who are sound asleep.

Through divine guidance thou shouldst transform the wicked dispositions to become virtuous and every lowly character to become sublime. Thou shouldst refresh the withered hearts and quicken the souls who are dead. The one who from time immemorial hath been blind should be endowed with everlasting discernment and the one who is sore-sick come to receive a speedy remedy.

All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures.

These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God.

"Thou are very welcome. I am happy to see thee. All true art is a gift of the Holy Spirit."

"What is the Holy Spirit?"

"It is the Sun of Truth, O Artist."

"Where, where, is the Sun of Truth?"

"The Sun of Truth is everywhere. It is shining on the whole world."

Therefore, O disciplined versifier, turn your attention to the invisible Kingdom of the Most Glorious, take up your pen, envision pure servitude, derive inspiration from its ocean, and adorn the pages with whatever the Holy Spirit may inspire.

Convey my utmost kindness and praise to the maidservant of God Fuyo Mochizuki, that she may write with divine power, heavenly purpose and merciful intention, and that the breaths of the Holy Spirit may confirm her pen.

The Holy Spirit speaketh through the innermost essence of the human tongue, God's Spirit which desireth communion with the human soul unfoldeth the truths, the Faithful Spirit writeth down and the Spirit of the Ancient of Days confirmeth.

Whoever opens their tongue to teach with firm steps, steadfast resolve, spiritual attraction and ecstasy, and heavenly attention and devotion, the Holy Spirit will confirm them.

O thou who seekest the lights of guidance!

In this divine Cause where the Holy Spirit is the first servant and helper, strive thou to perform excellent service and manifest lofty endeavors, that thou mayest become the object of attention of the Concourse on High and be encompassed by the grace and favor of the Abha Kingdom, and become the manifestation of the confirmation of "He who calls people in My name is of Me, and there shall appear from him that which all on earth are powerless to show."

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We must explain the Teachings orally so that the hearts may become like unto the pure fountains, the invisible inspirations may descend, the Bounties of the Holy Spirit may be revealed, the rays of the Sun of Reality may shine, the Breezes of the Paradise of Abha may waft and the Glad-tidings of the Kingdom of Abha may be announced.

The confirmations of the Holy Spirit are obtained by attractions of the heart. Without these attractions, the former is unobtainable.

… It has often occurred in Persia that an illiterate man (a Bahai) has taught the most scholastic men among the Divines. For teaching is dependent upon attraction. The teacher himself must be set aglow, attracted and zealous. If he possess these states, surely will he thereby attract the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.

It has often been observed that a learned and wise man has gone into a town but could not teach the Cause of God. On the other hand a simple man, attracted, holy, spiritual, divine is enabled to teach many souls.

There must needs be a gardener to plant the seed in a pure ground, to water it, to take care of it till it reaches to the stages of fruition. There must needs be the power of the Holy Spirit to put into practice the divine principles.

But Baha'u'llah's teachings were spread through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now these teachings are spread in your treatise, but the teachings of Baha'u'llah were spread through the power of the Holy Spirit, not merely through utterance.

Now in this day the Baha'is are teaching the people with the same divine Power. They are baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit, have forgotten ego and are soaring toward the Kingdom of sanctity.

But now it is not like that and without the breaths of the Holy Spirit the Cause does not advance.

"The believers in the Central States must through this all-conquering power, free the inhabitants from the claws of self, negligence, lust and imagination. The attraction of the power of the Holy Spirit is so effective that it keeps men ever on the path of upward ascension. The malevolent forces of no enemy will touch those sanctified souls who have made this universal power their guide.

Certain spiritual attraction is requisite in order that hearts may willingly take the step forward in the divine Cause. We must become attracted to God. The breaths of the Holy Spirit must take effect. Unless this is so, it is impossible for the teachings of God to accomplish in us. An ideal power is necessary.

When the spirit is confirmed and assisted by the confirmation of the Holy Spirit then it will show its effect in every condition of the world of existence.

This second set of circumstances occur through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus it is that this Divine Cause can break the laws of this contingent world. It creates conditions that transcend the realm of materiality and are sanctified above the needs of this world.

Then Christ said 'I am flying away from a fool.' They were astonished at this declaration. 'Art thou not the Christ? Breathe with the Power of the Holy Spirit over this man and he will be freed from his foolishness.'

Christ healed by the power of his word, because the word of the Messiah was the Holy Spirit purified from all else.

The healing that is by the power of the Holy Spirit needs no special concentration or contact. It is through the wish or desire, and the prayer of the Holy Person. The one who is sick may be in the East, and the healer in the West, and they may not have been acquainted with each other - but as soon as that Holy Person turns his heart to God and begins to pray the sick one is healed.

This is a gift belonging to the Holy Manifestations and those who are in the highest station - it is very rare.

But the fourth kind is when healing is brought about through the power of the Holy Spirit. This depends neither upon physical contact, nor upon sight, nor even upon presence: it is not dependent upon any condition. Whether the disease be mild or severe, whether there be contact between the bodies or not, whether a connection be established between patient and physician or not, whether the patient be present or not, this healing takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now, O handmaiden of the Merciful, ask God that you may be reinforced by the breaths of the Holy Spirit, so that you become independent of all these indicators, evidence and powers, for those breaths are a force that has control over the reality of things and has such influence that it brings the dead to life, makes the blind see and the deaf hear - meaning it causes ignorant souls to enter the divine stream of knowledge, grants existence to absolute nothingness, guides the destitute to endless wealth, makes the dark night manifest light, and places the crown of knowledge on the head of absolute ignorance.

Some souls who were outwardly ignorant, through this gift become learned ones. The weakest souls become the strongest. Many times a woman has surpassed a thousand men, or, rather, through this help could withstand all the people of the world.

… Likewise, the disciples were the weakest souls, but through the Breath of the Holy Spirit and the assistance of the Kingdom of God, they became the strongest ones.

The disciples of Christ were apparently abased, yet they achieved something which Napoleon never did: they changed the whole aspect of the world.

The power of the Holy Spirit makes every weak one strong. Observe how it exalted the abased people of Israel! It is this power which made a humble fisherman famed throughout the world, and turned the primitive tribes of the Arabian desert into the caliphs of the earth.

You are the conquerors, because the power of the Holy Spirit is your assistant. Above and over physical forces, phenomenal forces, the Holy Spirit itself shall aid you.

Day and night I entreat and supplicate to the Kingdom of God and beg for you infinite assistance and confirmation. Do not take into consideration your own aptitudes and capacities, but fix your gaze on the consummate bounty, the divine bestowal and the power of the Holy Spiritâ€"the power that converteth the drop into a sea and the star into a sun.

The Almighty will no doubt grant you the help of His grace, will invest you with the tokens of His might, and will endue your souls with the sustaining power of His holy Spirit.

O thou maidservant of God! Thank God that thou art assisted in the favored services of the Kingdom of Abha and art confirmed in the promotion of the religion of God. Rest thou assured that the Holy Spirit is thy protector and thy Guardian. I have accepted your invitation. I shall pray in behalf of thy son.

Pay no attention to the fact that the people of London are caught in heedlessness - indeed all the world is afflicted with self-interest and selfish desires and is occupied day and night with worldly pursuits - for the breathings of the Holy Spirit will ultimately have their effect and will raise up souls in London who will become the lit candles of the human world and the bright stars in the horizon of reality.

Hasten, hasten,

O ye steadfast! Abandon the heedless, set aside every ignorant, take hold of the strong rope, be firm in this Great Cause, draw light from this Evident Light, be patient and be steadfast in this wise Religion! Ye shall see the hosts of inspiration descending successively from the Supreme World, the procession of attraction falling incessantly from the heights of heaven, the abundance of the Kingdom of ABHA outpouring continually and the teachings of God penetrating with the utmost power, while the heedless are indeed in evident loss.

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But a servant of God who found eternal life through the breaths of the Holy Spirit established an everlasting sovereignty in the divine Kingdom.

Verily I say unto thee that if thou be steadfast in this Cause, and arise with all thy power to promote the Word of God in those regions, and exert thine utmost effort to breathe the spirit of life into the hearts of the righteous, thou wilt find thyself assisted by the angels of heaven and the hosts of the Concourse on high.

It is not a political movement, it is not an industrial movement, it is not a scientific movement, -- but it is the influence of the Word of God, it is the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Verily, the people are veiled from comprehending the meanings of the Gospel, the Bible and the Koran and know not the interpretation of the scriptures of God, except those whose eyes are opened by the outpouring of the Spirit of God. Thou shalt behold men-servants and maid-servants of Baha' in those far-distant lands and wide countries, speaking the secrets of the Gospel and the mysteries of the Bible and the allusions of the Koran and the explanation of the Words of the Merciful One. Those are the servants to whomsoever God hath assigned His mercy which overfloweth the existence.

In this day should anyone unloose his tongue to teach the Faith of God and spread abroad its fragrances, the Holy Spirit shall undoubtedly assist him.

At first when I arrived at the church I was in no condition to speak, but when I stood before this great gathering I found the atmosphere of the church filled with the Holy Spirit and so a state of wonderful happiness and joy came over me.

Here I am in Mrs. Krug's home, have left the great prison and am allowed to raise my voice in churches and public places, and no one has opposed it, This is extraordinary. No one can think how wonderful it is. It is by the Confirmation of the Spirit. Think of an Oriental permitted to speak with utmost power in the churches, and his speech against the established doctrines, and allowed to demonstrate the validity of Baha'u'llah, the validity of Mohammed, in the center of the churches, and no opposition! This is a miracle.

The flower needs light that it may achieve its fruitage; man needs the light of the Holy Spirit, and the measure of illumination throughout creation is proportionate to the different kingdoms.

The breath of the Holy Spirit shall confirm you, and although many will arise against you, they shall not prevail!

The former established his mortal kingdom with bloodshed and the sword while Christ established the Kingdom of God with the life-giving breaths of the Holy Spirit.

Every soul that enters under the shadow of Baha'u'llah, day by day their capacity increases, like a tree that is under the care of a perfect gardener - it will surely grow and develop and achieve perfect cultivation. Observe what blessed souls were raised up under the shadow of Christ - poor people and fishermen reached such stations! When divine gifts appear and the Holy Spirit confirms, capacity is not a condition.

But the essential thing is that the heart is associated with your remembrance and filled with sweetness, and this comes from the musk-laden breath of the Holy Spirit.

I ask God that thou wilt be so animated by the breaths of the Holy Spirit that thou wilt cause that region to become an Eden of Paradise and illumine many souls with the brilliant Light.

As to the "white dove," it is the Holy Spirit. It shall flutter over thee and over the head of the beloved of God.

And these divine physicians must occasionally travel to different regions so that, through the power of the Holy Spirit and divine confirmation, they may heal the sick, the blind and the deaf in those areas.

That food is the divine advices and exhortations revealed in the Tablets and the spiritual outpourings of the breath of the Holy Spirit.

I supplicate for thee from the favors of the Lord of this glorious Age, and of this new Century, abundant confirmations so that thou mayest find at every moment a new spirit and be the recipient of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Even so do the souls of men need the Sun of Truth to shed its rays upon their souls, to develop them, to educate and encourage them. As the sun is to the body of a man so is the Sun of Truth to his soul.

May you receive the clear vision of the Holy Spirit so that your hearts may be illumined and see the Sun of Truth shining through all material clouds.

Ye have found your place in the world that dieth not; the breaths of the Holy Spirit have blown upon you; ye have taken on another life, ye have gained access to the Threshold of God.

O handmaids of the All-Merciful! Through the favors and bounties of the Ancient Beauty, may my spirit be sacrificed for Him, it is hoped that each one of those handmaids of the All-Merciful will be so enkindled with the divine fire that she will illumine the world with the heat of the love of God, and will, through eloquent speech and fluent tongue and the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, expound the essence of divine explanation in such wise that the learned ones, the wise ones and the mystics of the earth will be amazed.

Convey my respectful greeting to Mrs... and say: "We hope that day by day thou mayest take higher flights, attain to greater spiritual attraction, thy word become more penetrative through the power of the Spirit and through the confirmations of the Kingdom of ABHA become more illumined. This is the path of salvation and prosperity. This is the attractive power of the Holy Spirit from the Supreme Concourse."

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But if thou desirest to teach the Truth of God and sleekest to promulgate the Word of God; that reqires the confirmation of the Holy Spirit and not the means of sustenance.

If Thou wishest me to live,

Through me blow Thy holy breath.

The touch of Jesus Thou wilt give

To me, who've lain an age in death.

Thou, both End and Origin,

Thou without and Thou within--

From every eye Thou hidest well,

And yet in every eye dost dwell.

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Let us pray to God that the breath of the Holy Spirit may again give hope and refreshment to the people, awakening in them a desire to do the Will of God.

There were many holy messengers sent into the world; they came one after another, and all diffused the breath of the Holy Spirit.

O Thou kind and beloved Lord! They are as the body, and Thou art the Spirit of life. The body is dependent for its freshness and beauty upon the grace of the spirit. They stand, therefore, in need of Thy confirmations and yearn for the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit in this new Revelation.

...O Lord! Help this daughter of the Kingdom to be exalted in both worlds; cause her to turn away from this mortal world of dust and from those who have set their hearts thereon and enable her to have communion and close association with the world of immortality. Give her heavenly power and strengthen her through the breaths of the Holy Spirit that she may arise to serve Thee. Thou art the Mighty One.

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A few souls have been resurrected from the graves of the world of nature, which is eternal death, and have been revived by the breaths of the Holy Spirit and have arisen to serve Thy Threshold.

In the bondage of passion, desire and temptation are we: release us from these chains and fetters.

Humble and lowly are we: make dear to us the kingdom of Thy Glory.

Deprived are we: make us the confidants of mystery. Faded are we: refresh and rejoice us by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Dead are we: quicken us by the life eternal, so that in this age of Lights we may obtain an abundant share from the bounties of the forgiving Lord, enter the Kingdom of God, seek after the unending Outpouring, and attain unto the Everlasting Gift.

Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the Merciful; and Thou art the Forgiver, the Glorious, the Helper!

O Thou Kind God! We are Thy humble servants; endear us in Thy Kingdom! We are poor; enrich us through Thy heavenly Treasury! We are ignorant; suffer us to become informed with Thy Mysteries. We are dead; quicken us with the Breaths of Thy Holy-Spirit. We are extinct; enkindle us with the Fire of Thy Love, O God! Do not look upon our capabilities, but deal with us according to Thy infinite Mercy! O Lord! Cause the drop to become an ocean, and the seed the harvest!

Enlighten these eyes by beholding the splendours of Thy Sun! Make these ears hearing by hearkening Thy Most Glorious Call! Suffer them to enter in the Kingdom of Thy Holiness! Resuscitate them through the Breaths of Thy Holy Spirit! Grant them eternal life! Bestow upon them heavenly perfections!

O God! Sacrifice our lives for Thyself! Give us a new spirit! Clear our vision with Thy spiritual Power!

If thou wouldst attain life everlasting, commune always with the Holy Spirit, and if thou wouldst be honoured in the worlds of God, dedicate thyself with the utmost humility to serving the righteous.

O God, give me a new life at every instant and bestow upon me the breaths of the Holy Spirit at every moment, in order that I may remain steadfast in Thy love, attain unto great felicity, perceive the manifest light and be in the state of utmost tranquillity and submissiveness.

As to your question concerning the Holy Spirit and its relationship to Baha'u'llah; the Holy Spirit may well be compared to the rays of the sun, and Baha'u'llah to a perfect mirror reflecting these rays which radiate from the sun. Briefly stated the comparison is this: God is the sun; the Holy Spirit is the rays of the sun; and Baha'u'llah is the mirror reflecting the rays of the sun.

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...at so critical an hour and under such appalling circumstances the 'Most Great Spirit', as designated by Himself, and symbolized in the Zoroastrian, the Mosaic, the Christian, and Muhammadan Dispensations by the Sacred Fire, the Burning Bush, the Dove and the Angel Gabriel respectively, descended upon, and revealed itself, personated by a 'Maiden', to the agonized soul of Baha'u'llah.

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Such a firm foundation cannot be impregnated into human consciousness save by one universal and all-pervasive power, for every other power is helpless except for the power of the Holy Spirit. The outpourings of the Holy Spirit are such that they can transform man, imbuing him with all the virtues, bestowing upon him the second birth, baptizing him with the fire of the love of God, which is love for all created things, and quickening him with the water of eternal life, and the Holy Spirit itself.

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Unity amongst the friends brings the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, whereas inharmony kills the spirit and destroys all opportunities for successful work.

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Close association and loving service affects the hearts; and when the heart is affected, the the spirit can enter. It is the Holy Spirit that quickens, and the Friends must become channels for its diffusion.

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What is needed to achieve success in the teaching field is a complete dedication on the part of the individual, consecration to the glorious task of spreading the Faith, and the living of the Baha'i life, because that creates the magnet for the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit which quickens the new soul. Thus, the individual should be as a reed, through which the Holy Spirit may flow, to give new life to the seeking soul.

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The Friends must realize the Power of the Holy Spirit which is manifest and quickening them at this time through the appearance of Baha'u'llah. There is no force of heaven or earth which can affect them if they place themselves wholly under the influence of the Holy Spirit and under its guidance.

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The power of the Holy Spirit is decending in torrents, and it only remains for the individual Baha'i to arise and serve and teach, in order to receive the confirmations from on High.

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The greatest glory and honor which can come to an individual is to bring the light of guidance to some new soul. The quickening power of the Holy Spirit, which has come into the world through Baha'u'llah, is the source of immortal life; and those who are quickened by this spirit in this world will find themselves in great honor and glory in the next world. The most meritorious service which anyone could render is to bring the light of divine guidance and the quickening power of the spirit to an entirely new area.

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