Re: Is there free will in the next world?

[Gata]

Dear Friends:   Although the following is not specifically from the Writings, but instead from Hand of the Cause George Townshend who wrote an introduction to "The Hidden Words" first English edition published in by the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles in 1932.  He writes the following, which makes very good sense to me.  Perhaps others on this list may find more pertinent quotations from the Writings on this subject, but  I thought that some of you might be interested in Mr. Townshend's explanation of free will and its purpose in this world of existence.   Mr. Townshend states on page viii of the U.S. 1954 edition, in speaking about freedom of will:   "The quelling of this ego, the severance from selfish desires is indeed the essential task that confronts the aspiring soul.  The final challenge to the faithful with which Baha'u'llah closes this ethical word is:  'Let it now be seen what your endeavors in the path of detachment will reveal.'"  The Creator has left this imperfection in man's constitution and given him freedom of will to strive against it in order that man may, through his own endeavor, 'become worthy to meet Me (God) and to mirror forth My beauty.'  Were not the ego there man could not earn praise and reward; he might be spared test and trial but he would be a mere automaton.  This demand for effort, this privilege of choice, may make this planet a place of torment but it makes earth-life a field of possible victory, an area where moral attainment is really a man's own deed, won under the beneficient law of justice by his own knowledge, determination, and action.  In the 'next world' this opportunity of achieving worthiness is not given.  Man, for his advancement there depends not on self-effort and justice but on God's mercy.  Therefore Baha'u'llah counsels man to seize the opportunity here and now, for it will come to him no more.  The fires of hell, it is explained elsewhere, are the sense of priceless opportunities thrown away and now lost forever."   Hoping that this is helpful to some.   Shirley Macias       In a message dated 6/6/2006 12:02:50 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I would say that it is limited because it is exercised by a being that is subject to limitations.       The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you.     __________________________________________________   You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu