Selected Mystical Works of Lord Bahá’u’lláh (vegetarian) – Living in God, Part 2 of 2

“In this valley the wayfarer passes beyond the stages of the ‘unity of existence’ and the ‘unity of appearance’ and reaches a unity that is sanctified above both of these stations. Ecstasy alone can encompass this theme, not utterance nor argument; and whosoever has dwelt at this stage of the journey, or caught a breath from this garden, knows whereof We speak. […]

They who soar in the Heaven of Divine Unity and attain the depths of the sea of detachment reckon this city – which is the station of life in God – as the loftiest state of the mystic knowers and the furthermost homeland of the faithful lovers. But to this evanescent One of the mystic ocean, this station is the first gate of the heart’s citadel, that is, man’s first entrance to the city of the heart; and the heart is endowed with four stages, which would be recounted should a kindred soul be found. Shattered was the pen at once, Rent and torn in twain the page, When the pen did reach the point Of depicting such a stage. […]

The novel thoughts thou have expressed as to the symbolism contained in the word “sparrow” were considered. [The meaning of each of the five letters comprising the word “sparrow” (gunjishk) in Persian]. Thou appear to be well grounded in mystic truth. However, in each realm, to every letter a meaning is allotted which pertains to that realm. Indeed, the wayfarer finds a secret in every name and a mystery in every letter.

In one sense, these letters refer to the states of holiness. The first means ‘Free thyself from the promptings of self, then approach thy Lord.’ The second means ‘Purify thyself from all save Him, that thou may offer up thy life for His sake.’ The third means ‘Draw back from the threshold of the one true God if thou are still possessed of earthly attributes.’ The fourth means ‘Render thanks unto thy Lord on His earth, that He may bless thee in His Heaven, albeit in the realm of His unity His Heaven is the same as His earth.’ The fifth means ‘Remove from thine eyes the veils of limitation, that thou may learn that which thou knew not of the stations of holiness.’

Were thou to hearken unto the melodies of this mortal Bird, then would thou seek out the eternal and undying chalice and renounce every fleeting and perishable cup. Peace be upon him who follows the way of guidance!”