Man has two
aspects or natures - merciful or divine and an animal aspect. The merciful
aspect is peace, happiness, love and faithfulness. But the animal aspect is
strife, discord, war and battle. If the animal aspect dominates in man, he
becomes lower than an animal. If the divine aspect dominates, he becomes an
angel of the Lord. The teachings of the Prophets were for this: that the animal
aspect may be conquered, so that the souls that are captives of nature may be
saved and the heavenly aspect may dominate. That divine aspect consists of the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It consists of 'the second birth.' He who
possesses that aspect is a well-wisher of all; he is kind to all the creatures;
he has no bitterness toward any creed, and he shuns no religion.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (from a talk given at the Universalist Church in Washington DC, April 21, 1912;
Star of the West, vol.19, no. 3, June 1928)
