The Baha'i Studies Listserv Hi Hasan. My understanding of SAQ chapters 30 - 40 is imperfect. And my understanding of your questions is imperfect. If your questions can be answered in ordinary language however, I think SAQ chapters 30 - 40 and Kitab-i-Iqan part 2 is where you will find those answers.
The language 'Abdu'l-Baha uses in SAQ ch. 39 leads me to believe however that the individual human spirit/rational soul of the Manifestation becomes a holy reality when enveloped and illumined (at some point in His life) by the pre-existent Divine Beauty. At that point and forever after, it seems, the holy reality of the Manifestation's individual soul attains perfect humility and becomes capable of reflecting Divine Reality. Worship it seems may be and is directed to Jesus or Buddha or Baha'u'llah according to the sometimes misinformed inclinations of the worshipper. In every case however, the perfected humility of the Holy Manifestation serves as conducter of that worship from mortal to Divinity, and as mediator of answering blessings from Divine Reality to the worshipping human soul. But all of that is my imperfect and clumsy human attempt at comprehending heavenly matters and expressing them in worldy words. For us mere humans I think the answers must be sought in prayer and meditation rather than in the manipulation of metaphorical concepts beyond what the Manifestation and the Mystery of God have given us. Peace, Gary -----Original Message----- From: Hasan Elías <[email protected]> To: Baha'i Studies <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Aug 24, 2012 9:17 am Subject: Re: soul of Manifestations of God The Baha'i Studies Listserv Correction: The Holy Reality of Bahá'u'lláh. Is this Reality just one? or are there many Holy Realities? thanks De: Hasan Elías <[email protected]> Para: Baha'i Studies <[email protected]> Enviado: Viernes, 24 de agosto, 2012 10:52 A.M. Asunto: Re: soul of Manifestations of God The Baha'i Studies Listserv Thanks, So, the individuality (souls) of the Manifestations of God have a beginning? But the "Holy Reality" (that we direct our prayers) has no individuality, right? For example if we say "Bahá'u'lláh", is the same if we say "Jesus", because They are not individualities. So, we worship God through the Hole Reality of Bahá'u'lláh (which is the same as Jesus), we don't worship the soul (individuality) of Bahá'u'lláh? Am I correct? Thanks for answers, H. De: Gary Selchert <[email protected]> Para: Baha'i Studies <[email protected]> Enviado: Jueves, 23 de agosto, 2012 2:16 A.M. Asunto: Re: soul of Manifestations of God The Baha'i Studies Listserv Specifically, 'Abdu'l-Baha says: Then it is evident that the Manifestations possess three conditions: the physical condition, the condition of the rational soul, and the condition of the divine appearance and heavenly splendor. The physical condition will certainly become decomposed, but the condition of the rational soul, though it has a beginning, has no end: nay, it is endowed with everlasting life. But the Holy Reality, of which Christ says, "The Father is in the Son,"[1] has neither beginning nor end. (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 153) -----Original Message----- From: Don Calkins <[email protected]> To: Baha'i Studies <[email protected]> Sent: Wed, Aug 22, 2012 10:18 pm Subject: Re: soul of Manifestations of God The Baha'i Studies Listserv It is the Holy Spirit that is pre-existent, I believe, not the rational soul. Don C On Aug 22, 2012, at 9:57 45PM, Hasan Elías wrote: The Baha'i Studies Listserv Hi all, I want to ask you about the soul of the Manifestation of God. We know that They appear in a human form [human body and soul ("rational soul" or "human spirit" according to SAQ)]. My question is, if They have an human soul, how can They be pre-existent? Since any human soul has a beginning with the birth? Thanks all for answers, Best, Hasan ------------ He who believes himself spiritual proves he is not. __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[email protected] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:leave-661077-27401.54f46e81b66496c9909bcdc2f7987...@list.jccc.edu Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [email protected] Or subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[email protected] Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
