O Pen of the Most High! Recount unto him who hath turned
unto Thy Lord, the All-Glorious, that which shall enable him to dispense with
the sayings of men. Say: Spirit, mind, soul, and the powers of sight and
hearing are but one single reality which hath manifold expressions owing to the
diversity of its instruments. As thou dost observe, man’s power to comprehend,
move, speak, hear, and see all derive from this sign of his Lord within him. It
is single in its essence, yet manifold through the diversity of its
instruments. This, verily, is a certain truth. For example, if it directeth its
attention to the means of hearing, then hearing and its attributes become
manifest. Likewise, if it directeth itself to the means of vision, a different
effect and attribute appear. Reflect upon this subject that thou mayest
comprehend the true meaning of what hath been intended, find thyself
independent of the sayings of the people, and be of them that are well
assured. In like manner, when this sign
of God turneth towards the brain, the head, and such means, the powers of the
mind and the soul are manifested. Thy Lord, verily, is potent to do whatsoever
He pleaseth.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)
