CHINVAT QUARTERLY
FALL 2009 ISSUE
166 BE
The Path of Positive Knowledge
Dear All,
Allah’u’Abha!
Special holiday greetings from everyone here at the World Teaching Center in the Rockies. This year has been a high mark in the expansion of the Cause and the public teaching effort. The online fireside project is still underway and the first fireside “Why Life?” (The Purpose of Life) can be viewed at:
The second fireside “Qualifying the Criteria” (The Proofs of Jesus) is scheduled to be online in the next couple of weeks. Notice will be sent out when ready.
In Memoriam, the mother of Charles VanPelt passed on this year, as has the nephew of Dr. Jensen, Leland Jensen, Jr., known affectionately as “Little Lee”.
Due to the tremendous amount of writing, responses, and other important and essential work in the teaching effort, the Chinvat has updated its format as a Quarterly Publication in harmony with the seasons of the year, but will send out “supplements” for announcements and special occasions as need be. This is the fall 2009 issue.
The theme of each Chinvat will be to cull out the most important of the issues covered each quarter in the Cause, and thereby choose to highlight those essential issues and points. As always the issue of the pending world war and the escalation of troops surrounding Iran (in Afghanistan and Iraq) is the central current event of this time period. A unilateral strike on Iran from Israel would obviously divide the nations in a single instant: a war to be fought of religion and oil.
These calamities of current events are the forces of God propelling the world closer and closer to the time of the Most Great Justice; and the Most Great Peace that shall be laid down upon that foundation. Dr. Leland Jensen has said “Peace on earth without Justice is tyranny”. Therefore the establishment of the Most Great Justice is the paramount forerunner for this universal and international peace.
Part of the problem regarding this issue is the lack of understanding amongst the people of the key issues involved. These issues are divided into the religious and political realms.
These are the two topics: politics and religion that are not to be discussed in polite society here in the United States. Yet these two issues are the most important fundamental social issues that should be discussed by the people. Thus there exists an oppression upon the American people in particular and the people of the world in general forbidding them to discuss either politics or religion – and that is discuss these things where cool head prevail and with critical thinking, intellectual investigation and the agreement of the facts. Instead these twin issues have been obfuscated by high emotionality, opinion, speculation and propaganda and antics. Thus the people have been deprived of the Forum for this venue.
This is the theme this quarter.
The first letter, therefore, addresses the issue of the Baha’i Faith as a truly all INCLUSIVE UNORGANIZED RELIGION, and the matter of the Kingdom as the government from God that is respectful for all the diversity of mankind. This is a difficult and abstruse issue to understanding and should be meditated upon profoundly by all the people. This is the subject that God has revealed an “unorganized religion” for His Kingdom which in effect separates “spiritual matters” which are NOT to be organized from matters of State. Why would God do this?
The second letter is the diametric opposite subject of the first letter and addresses the questions of personal religion, spirituality, mysticism and other esoteric concepts, which form part and parcel to this Highly Perspicuous Revelation of the Most Great Name of God.
“A world federal system, ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengeable authority over its unimaginably vast resources, blending and embodying the ideals of both the East and the West, liberated from the curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet, a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one God and by its allegiance to one common Revelation--such is the goal towards which humanity, impelled by the unifying forces of life, is moving.” (Shoghi Effendi, “World Unity the Goal”, cf. World Order of Baha’u’llah, pp. 202-206)
“The continent of America, is in the eyes of the one true God the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith [throne of King David established in the Rocky Mountains: www.UHJ.net] shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide and the free assemble.”
“May this American democracy be the first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement. May it be the first nation to proclaim the unity of mankind. May it be the first to unfurl the standard of the ‘Most Great Peace’... The American people are indeed worthy of being the first to build the tabernacle of the great peace and proclaim the oneness of mankind... May America become the distributing center of spiritual enlightenment and all the world receive this heavenly blessing. For America has developed powers and capacities greater and more wonderful than other nations... May the inhabitants of this country become like angels of heaven with faces turned continually toward God. May all of them become servants of the omnipotent One. May they rise from their present material attainments to such a height that heavenly illumination may stream from this center to all the peoples of the world... This American nation is equipped and empowered to accomplish that which will adorn the pages of history, to become the envy of the world and be blest in both the East and the West for the triumph of its people... The American continent gives signs and evidences of very great advancement. Its future is even more promising, for its influence and illumination are far-reaching. It will lead all nations spiritually.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, “Amercia and the Most Great Peace”, cf. World Order of Baha’u’llah, pp. 68-94)
The purpose of publishing these two letters at the same time is to allow for the people to contrast these two issues – of the “World Federal System” and “One Common Revelation” (the unorganized religion) in their own minds and try to understand the new society of the near future, one in which the individuals are highly religious, spiritual and autonomous in their relationship with God, the Creator, yet are able to cooperate interdependently with one another in forming the International government of the “Supreme Tribunal” (W&T, p. 13; see also ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablet to the Hague) that shall emerge from the common catastrophe of this War and establish the Inernational Peace founded on the Most Great Justice.
To everyone, throughout the Baha’i world and to all the friends of the faith, we wish everyone a happy holiday season and new year on the common calendar. This years celebration and commemoration of the Twin Birthdays of the Bab and Baha’u’llah on the lunar calendar falls upon Dec. 18 and 19th, 2009, which are 1 and 2 Muharram or New Years Day on the lunar reckoning.
“O my God, aid Thou Thy servant to raise up the Word, and to refute what is vain and false, to establish the truth, to spread the sacred verses abroad, reveal the splendors, and make the morning's light to dawn in the hearts of the righteous.
“Thou art, verily, the Generous, the Forgiving.”
In service of the Council of the 24 elders of the Universal House of Justice of Baha’u’llah,
Your servant,
//Neal Chase//
Neal,
Guardian/President.
I. AN OPEN LETTER
“All matters of State should be referred to the House of Justice,
but acts of worship must be observed according to that
which God hath revealed in His Book.” (Baha'u'llah, 8th Ishraqat)
Dear Adam,
Thank you for your inquiry. Your question is probably the most important question that can be asked at this time. In order to answer it fully, yet succinctly, first we must establish the authority of the UHJ and its constitution from the writings themselves and then secondly we need to look at the meaning of “infallibility” which has caused so much division in thought. After those two aspects are established then the answer to your question and its essential reality will be made clear to you as bright as the sun at high noon.
Now as everyone must be true to their own God-given understanding, perspective and capacity it is not the intention of this letter to foist some other concept upon you or the people. But the purpose of this letter is to attempt to come to an open understanding of the issue of the question you have asked. This is an Open Letter, and so you may share it with whomsoever you wish. Also, as the purpose of this letter is to attempt to arrive at an understanding of the truth, and some concepts here expressed may be different from what the people may hold near and dear to them, it is NOT the purpose of this letter is to attack those different beliefs, and is certainly not the purpose of this letter to attack them, but again to address the important issue raised for the benefit of all.
You wrote:
I am attempting to obtain clarification on a question for which I have received numerous contradictory answers from various members of the Bahai faith. This seems to perhaps be the most controversial and divisive question, about which I rather think the UHJ should make some sort of public declaration.
My question is essentially in regards to the authority of the Universal House of Justice.
Personally, my understanding is that the UHJ is the highest and most supreme authority in existence today, but it is not God, and it is not Bahaullah, and therefore although it might approach perfection, it is not absolutely perfect and never could be. I am convinced that every member of the UHJ would agree with me, but perhaps I am wrong?
I am not trying to criticize the UHJ, and I have yet to see any statements by the UHJ with which I disagree. My point is merely that the UHJ could conceivably at some point be wrong in some way, and therefore Bahai should treat the UHJ with utmost respect, but should nevertheless remember that every institution is conceivably capable of error.
I would like clarification on this issue, either in a public statement or a private message. Does the UHJ view itself as the literal mouth of God, channeling divine wisdom with ultimate accuracy? Or does the UHJ view itself as a council of wise elders, which is normally correct but which may theoretically make a mistake at some future date?
I can understand any hesitance on your behalf to answer this question, but I do think it is a question which needs a definitive and explicit answer. I will be happy to explain my thoughts further if asked, but I suspect the reader already has strong opinions on this matter, and that I will receive some sort of explanation.
Thank you,
Adam
To begin, there a currently Nine main groups that claim to be “Baha’i”, seven that accept the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and two that probate it (see 7 Rites of the Baha’i’ Faith for more http://www.uhj.net/bahai-faith-history.html). Within this overall picture there are still smaller groups as well as individual vocal scholars with their own views and perspectives.
Now the reason for this type of “diversity” is precisely because of the difference in opinion concerning the question you have raised – and at this time it is probably the most important question free thinking critical seekers should ask!
Starting with the groups that accept Baha’u’llah but reject either ‘Abdu’l-Baha or Shoghi Effendi, they are only willing to allow statements made by the official Pen of Baha’u’llah to be used to answer this question. This is good thing, because the writings of either ‘Abdu’l-Baha or Shoghi Effendi are dependant upon those of Baha’u’llah and can only be taken within the context of what Baha’u’llah has already revealed and not separated out from it. Now both ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, have stated in their own writings that they do NOT have the Authority to change or alter what Baha’u’llah has given. They can only delineate it or implement it in their respective roles. Thus ‘Abdu’l-Baha has delineated this in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and Shoghi Effendi has implemented this in his Four-Stage Constitution, given on January 9, 1951. Other documents of theirs are in the position of supporting role or peripheral to further clarify and define the delineation and implementation of this single point.
That said the first and clearest writing to see is the 8th Ishraqat of Baha’u’llah in which He restricts, limits and confines the function of the UHJ to matters of State ONLY and absolutely forbids it to be over “spiritual matters”. This fundamental lack of understanding the dichotomy of material and spiritual matters is what has caused the many divisions on this point.
Baha’u’llah writes:
“The eighth Ishraq: This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted as part of the Most Holy Book [AQDAS]: The men of God's House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of the people… All matters of State should be referred to the House of Justice, but acts of worship must be observed according to that which God hath revealed in His Book.” (Baha'u'llah, Tablets, pp. 128, 129)
Therefore in the first place, the true UHJ of Baha’u’llah is to be over material matters – matters of State – and NOT over “spiritual matters”. Anyone, or any group that see this different, is not in congruence with what Baha’u’llah Himself is stating on this all-important point. Anyone who interprets either ‘Abdu’l-Baha or Shoghi Effendi, as being against Baha’u’llah on this point, or attempts to use the writings of either ‘Abdu’l-Baha or Shoghi Effendi to insert themselves or some sort of “UHJ” as being over spiritual matters is also off the mark on this point. I don’t say this to put those people down, but to guide them back to the Reality of the 8th Ishraqat, that is the AQDAS, that no UHJ and no one after the Manifestation of God, Baha’u’llah, and the single appointed Center of the Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, is to be over “spiritual matters” – the Manifestation that reveals it, and the Center, and Perfect Exemplar that delineates it.
In this light, Baha’u’llah has stated of Himself in regard to the “spiritual matters” that he considered Himself “coarser than clay” (World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. 113), and ‘Abdu’l-Baha reckoned himself personally as the “first of sinners” and stated that we should “all be equal”. Thus even these two personages do not exult themselves, even as humble Jesus walked amongst the peoples, had nowhere to lay his head, and allowed them to so cruelly put him death, even stating: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:25-28 RSV)
Thus even these, the Manifestations of God, are obedient and submissive unto God, humble servants, how much more the ministers of State that we will elect to serve us, the free people. Therefore anyone who would in this day after the ascension of the Bab, Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha DELIBERATELY and KNOWINGLY vaunt themselves or their “UHJ” as over “spiritual matters” is an anathema in the face of God and in the presence of the people that are the lovers of God seeking His pleasure and reunion with him. In the United States, for example, they have given this “inalienable right” of which we are “endowed by our Creator” therefore as priority one in the first amendment, and the State’s role is to protect, guard and defend those rights of the people, not infringe upon them or remove them. Thus should a fanatical and militant group seeking to overthrow the first amendment, organize the spiritual and subdue the people with weapons arise within this country, that is now a matter of State, and the government has every right to protect the people and their rights and freedoms from those militant fanatics using proportionate force and any means necessary. See ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s “Tablet on Leadership” for more.
Now obviously the people who are the members of the militant force that seeks to overthrow the government will see this as “tyranny” of their “rights”. Again ‘Abdu’l-Baha clears up this difficult matter in the Tablet of Leadership, and also writes to this point in the Secret of Divine Civilization:
“A conquest can be a praiseworthy thing, and there are times when war becomes the powerful basis of peace, and ruin the very means of reconstruction. If, for example, a high-minded sovereign marshals his troops to block the onset of the insurgent and the aggressor, or again, if he takes the field and distinguishes himself in a struggle to unify a divided state and people, if, in brief, he is waging war for a righteous purpose, then this seeming wrath is mercy itself, and this apparent tyranny the very substance of justice and this warfare the cornerstone of peace. Today, the task befitting great rulers is to establish universal peace, for in this lies the freedom of all peoples.”(`Abdu'l-Baha, Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 70-71)
The point is, that mankind has fought long and hard for the freedom to be able to live in a truly open society, and express their individual spirituality, in the form of art, science and profession, as well as form their own business and livelihood free from oppressive forms. In the name of these “rights” are they now to allow some other fanatic group, or false ideology to arise to subvert this very same system? Thus the world is faced with a powerful battle and great dilemma at this time, with the proliferation of nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and this entire conundrum, which the Revelation that God gave through Baha’u’llah, contains the medicine that this sick world so desperately needs, but of which they have been deprived from recognizing at this time, for lack of being able to recognize the true College of Physicians, that is the true UHJ of Baha’u’llah.
To be brief: the idea of someone, or some institution, or some group, being over “spiritual matters” is precisely what has ruined and destroyed all the religions and revelations and civilizations of the past. This is the very falsehood that allowed the dark ages in Europe under Popery for 200 years, the hijacking of Christianity by the various clergy class; and the abomination of oppression under the lands hijacked by the Sunni shade and black Shi’i night of Islam. In fact for the free thinking rugged spiritual individualist – that is to be the real citizen of this Kingdom (Davidic) from God, whom Shoghi Effendi terms, the “warrior Baha’i” (ADJ, p. 41 ff) – (so much for pacifism), heirs to the Babi martyrs, this is the very root and offspring of falsehood that the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha used in the right hands is the all-powerful infallible instrument to extricate out of the earth one and for all time.
The fact that in this dispensation no one is to be over the spiritual is further clarified by the fact that Baha’u’llah has outlawed a clergy class in this dispensation.
Baha’u’llah has completely done away with the clergy class and Popery. There is absolutely no one that is to interpret or explain the “Spiritual teachings”. Each person by himself and for himself is to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears, and to understand with his own mind. No one! Absolutely no one is to impose their understanding of the “spiritual teachings” on anyone else. Besides there is absolutely positively and certainly no institution—Baha’u’llah’s House of Justice or otherwise that is over spiritual matters.
Thus no person, no individual, no institution, no Pope, no Hands, and, as Shoghi Effendi excluded himself, even no Guardian, and certainly no Universal House of Justice (as Baha’u’llah Himself wrote in the 8th Ishraqat) is to be over the spiritual matters. This is best explained by John Esslemont in this passage from Baha’u’llah in the Era:
“No Professional Priesthood
“One other feature of the Baha’i organization must be specially mentioned, and that is the absence of a professional priesthood. Voluntary contributions toward the expenses of teachers are permitted and many devote their whole time to work for the Cause, but all Baha’is are expected to share in the work of teaching, et cetera, according to their opportunity and ability, and there is no special class distinguished from their fellow believers by the exclusive exercise of priestly functions and prerogatives.
“In former ages priesthoods were necessary, because people were illiterate and uneducated and were dependent on priests for their religious instruction, for the conduct of religious rites and ceremonies, for the administration of justice, et cetera. Now, however, times have changed. Education is fast becoming universal, and if the commands of Baha'u'llah are carried out, every boy and girl in the world will receive a sound education. Each individual will then be able to study the Scriptures for himself, to draw the Water of Life for himself, direct from the Fountainhead. Elaborate rites and ceremonies, requiring the services of a special profession or caste, have no place in the Baha’i system; and the administration of justice is entrusted to the authorities instituted for that purpose.
“For a child a teacher is necessary, but the aim of the true teacher is to fit his pupil to do without a teacher; to see things with his own eyes, hear with his own ears, and understand with his own mind. Just so, in the childhood of the race, the priest is necessary, but his real work is to enable men to do without him: to see things divine with their own eyes, hear them with their own ears and understand them with their own minds. Now the priest's work is all but accomplished, and the aim of the Bahá'í teaching is to complete that work, to make men independent of all save God, so that they can turn directly to Him, that is, to His Manifestation. When all turn to one Center, then there can be no cross-purposes or confusion and the nearer all draw to the Center, the nearer they will draw to each other.”
Thus the first mistake made is when either the people assume that the UHJ is over spiritual matters or the members of the UHJ assume that they are to be over spiritual matters, they are not. AS the UHJ is be under the “protection of God” and as ‘Abdu’l-Baha has written it is to be “freed from all error” (W&T, p. 14) this is the first ERROR that its members, its hands, its president, and its citizens are to be free from. If the people that compose the membership of the “UHJ” are NOT first “freed from this error” than the UHJ that they elect will not be free from this error either. Therefore, God, who is our Ideal King, over spiritual matters, has so set up the Covenant in the form of a test, that “nothing unclean shall enter it” (Rev 21:27) as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. Thus “the wisdom of every command is to be tested” (Tablet of Ahmad) and God has allowed the violation of each and every single provision of His Charter (World Order of Baha’u’llah(WOB), p. 144: the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha) to take place in every way, shape and form, that through the contrast of what is wrong, the people would be able to see with their own eyes what is right. Thus Baha’u’llah tells us on page 31 of the Iqan (Book of Certitude): This “oppression” is the essential feature of very Revelation. Unless and until it cometh to pass, the truth can not be distinguished form falsehood”.
Therefore it is God himself who wishes the diversity of opinion, the violations of his own Covenant, even as Jesus picked Judas to betray him, so that through the massive violation and misunderstanding of His Covenant, only the true rugged spiritual individualist that thinks for himself would be able to arise, and winning their own personal spiritual stations, first realizing that no one is to come between them and God, that is no one is over spiritual matters, they shall then arise and qualify. This is the resurrection from the dead (spiritually dead – death being firstly letting someone else think for you, and secondly failing to recognize the Manifestation of your day) and this is the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. For no citizen of this true Kingdom shall ever allow anything to arrogate itself between their own heart, their own mind and their own soul and the Truth which emanates form the Presence of the Reality of God Himself.
In fact this is given in the first commandment of Moses upon Sinai:
“I am the Lord thy God [the One true Invisible God] thou shalt have no other gods before Me [not Jesus, Buddha, Baha’u’llah, etc., or some phony UHJ…”
“Thou shalt make no graven images [such as the State] nor bow down to worship them…”
Thus the Personal Reality of God, the Divine and Supreme Being, wishes to have direct access and intercourse with the people that He created to know him and love him. On this point it is revealed that He is a jealous God, and wishes the people, as any parent wishes quality time with his children, to be free to come into His Presence and be reunited with Him.
Thus the authority of the UHJ must first be considered in light of this Reality. Then and only then, will the provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and the writings of Shoghi Effendi make perfect sense to the mind of the perfect person, that is the rugged spiritual individualist, i.e. the true believer.
Thus we come to the second point of confusion, which is the meaning and nature of “infallibility”. The second ERROR, therefore, is not understanding “infallibility.” This lack of understanding “infallibility” is yet another of the greatest mistakes that has caused division amongst the people, and a failure to comprehend the real meaning of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. It is the second foremost great ERROR, that the true UHJ of Baha’u’llah is to be freed from (W&T, p. 14) –“freed from all error”.
“And now, concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error… By this House is MEANT the Universal House of Justice…and the guardian of the Cause of God it its scared head and the distinguished [irremovable] member for life of that body”. (Will and Testament, p. 14).
The reason that ‘Abdu’l-Baha writes “what is MEANT” is that many people may have different interpretations of Baha’u’llah’s “House of Justice”, how it is to be formed, what its powers and parameters are to be, who its members are or are not, whether it is to be over spiritual or material affairs, how it should be constituted etc., – BUT as ‘Abdu’l-Baha alone is the appointed Center of the Covenant (See Kitab-i-Ahd and AQDAS), he alone has the authoritative POWER to interpret and delineate his fathers House of Justice. Thus ‘Abdu’l-Baha interprets this Universal House of Justice firstly, as “freed from all error” that is, infallible. Therefore the next question that is to be raised is what is MEANT by “freed from all error”? What is meant by “infallible”?
Again we first turn to ‘Abdu’l-Baha for his own interpretation and explanation of this matter which you can find in Some Answered Questions (SAQ) in the chapter XLV entitled: Explanation of the verse of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, ‘There is no association for the dawning place of command in the supreme sinlessness’:
“Know that sinlessness [i.e infallibility] is of two kinds: essential sinlessness and acquired sinlessness. In like manner there is essential knowledge and acquired knowledge; and so it is with other names and attributes.”
“How often it has occurred, when an act has been performed by a wise, perfect, intelligent man, that others incapable of comprehending its wisdom have objected to it and been amazed that this wise man could say or do such a thing. This opposition comes from their ignorance, and the wisdom of the sage is pure and exempt from error. In the same way, the skilled doctor in treating the patient does what he wishes, and the patient has no right to object; whatever the doctor says and does is right; all ought to consider him the manifestation of these words, "He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and commandeth whatever He desireth." It is certain that the doctor will use some medicine contrary to the ideas of other people; now opposition is not permitted to those who have not the advantage of science and the medical art. No, in the name of God! on the contrary, all ought to be submissive and to perform whatever the skilled doctor says. Therefore, the skilled doctor does what he wishes, and the patients have no share in this right. The skill of the doctor must be first ascertained; but when the skill of the doctor is once established, he does what he wishes.
“So also, when the head of the army is unrivaled in the art of war, in what he says and commands he does what he wishes. When the captain of a ship is proficient in the art of navigation, in whatever he says and commands he does what he wishes. And as the real educator is the Perfect Man, in whatever He says and commands He does what He wishes.”
Therefore in demystifying “infallibility” or “sinlessness”, ‘Abdu’l-Baha tells us the auto mechanic, the ship’s captain, or a doctor may be infallible within his own profession. Many people have seen this type of acquired infallibility or acquired perfection in athletics and sports as well, as arts, music and sciences. Infallibility therefore is a quality and attribute of God, which ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains anyone may acquire. It is not essential for them to acquire or possess it, but for example should one work in the field of academic critical thinking and review for many years and learn this science, they may become infallible in that art, as may a doctor or dentist or ships captain etc., each in their field, specialty, true genius or profession. This therefore, according to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s explanation of the World of Perfections, and our own individual entrance into it, while still in this world, and our role in transforming this darksome world into the world of Perfection, necessitate a complete and total conversion over to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s way of thinking, an entire paradigm shift in understanding what it means to be spiritual, and what it means to be a spiritual individual while still in this world. This point needs to mediated upon profoundly by all the people, who must read the writings of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha directly for themselves on these points, wherefore there is no clergy class involved. Then and only then, with the spiritual eye truly opened to this Vision, will the person be able to apprehend the true nature of this letter which addresses the issue you have raised.
Now turning back to the Universal House of Justice, this is an Institution which is therefore abstract. The formation of it on earth, is that its membership is made up of people, who are fallible, and are its fallible members. As individual people, they may acquire infallibility in their respective arts and sciences, and they may even acquire infallibility in their role as “members”, or not. The first aspect of this is knowing that they are 1) NOT OVER SPIRITUAL MATTERS; and 2) THAT THEY ARE NOT INFALLIBLE AT ALL! The third point is that they MUST go by its constituted membership for the “Executive” (W&T, p. 15) and Legislative braches as defined in the Will and Testament by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and by Shoghi Effendis’ Four Stage Plan. Those that have NO “EXECUTIVE” (W&T, p. 15) are in VIOLATION of this CHARTER of the Will and Testament and are outside the parameters of this discussion.
Should they breach this sacred trust on these two points: that they are 1) NOT OVER SPIRITUAL MATTERS; and 2) THAT THEY ARE NOT INFALLIBLE AT ALL! – then they have breached that first trust of the State (in America it is in the form of the first Amendment) and thus having gone against the Constitution or Charter in that regard, then they should be expelled from the UHJ IMMEDIATELY, as they have violated the first principle of this Cause of the Separation of the Spiritual from the State, that is the Cause of the rugged spiritual individual “made in the image of God” – the rugged spiritual SINGLE God concept.
Now the only way to expel corrupt members from the body of the UHJ is given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, for even the UHJ itself, in full legislative and judicial capacity, with all members convening as a trial and finding the so offending members of the Council guilty with or without a confession, does not have the POWER to expel them from the UHJ. ‘Abdu’l-Baha has written:
“Should any of the members [of the UHJ] commit a sin, injurious to the common weal, the guardian of the Cause of God [the Executive branch] hath at his own discretion the right to expel him, whereupon the people must elect another in his stead.” (W&T, p. 14)
Therefore in 1957 upon the passing of Shoghi Effendi, and by 1960, when all the members of that first UHJ in its appointed phase as the first IBC went against ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s aghsan-son, and separated themselves from him, they were able to “organize” the “faith” and as Ruhiyyih Khanum bragged about it “seize the reigns” in order to do so.
Separated from the president of the UHJ – that is the Executive branch and irremovable member for life of the Council – their community became overrun with all the problems we see today, and the most totalitarian, authoritarian, repressive, regime in the history of all mankind, diminishing the Pope and dark ages of Europe, and the despotism of a hijacked Islam, eclipsing the ideological based actions of Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, has been unleashed upon all the world! So terrible in its oppressions and machination, that GOD FORBID it should ever become an actual State power with the reigns of police, armies, militaries, prisons and other powers and sanctions within its horrible possession! Misconstruing the strong language in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha on page 11 in a satanic switcheroo, to get souls to bow down and conform to its abomination of desolation, it has become as “modern marvel” the greatest enemy of the human spirit, the greatest enemy of the Cause of God in this day. With no “Executive” (W&T, p. 15) at its head, the trapped and repressed people have no way to expel those usurpers who have ensconced themselves and violated all the principles, let alone its outer constitution of head and body both, from those seats of power. Thus they have hamstrung the white she camel, so to speak, and remain either repressed within that abominable organization or outcast into the dregs of marginality of society. Ironically they remained strapped in this thinking spiritually as well. Thus they are unable to recognize that the aghsan-son of ‘Abdu’l-Baha was the appointed the first president of the first UHJ, and now his son and grandson, the great grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Baha is the president of the current UHJ now active and functioning within the world. In fact, the duped followers of this group, even if they have managed to remove themselves from it, have en masse still been unable to unite around the real living point of unity in the world today, the living Davidic king, an aghsan, and thus overthrow the violation of the enemy, and so constitute and promote the true UHJ and again issue forth to promulgate the real meaning of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
This is why views and opinions have sorely differed. Some in seeking to rid their own personal lives of the violation have converted to other religions. Others have attacked Shoghi Effendi, or rejected, ironically, the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, which Itself has the power to free them. Others still yet wishing to remain in that community, are reinterpreting that obviously, as all the headless monster “UHJ” in Haifa does is make one mistake after the next, maybe, therefore, it is supposed to make them and not be “infallible” at all, the way they have interpreted that term.
Thus the prophecy of ’Abdu’l-Baha has been fulfilled: “Behold the confusion that has befallen the tribes of the defeated.” It would be laughable really if it wasn’t so tragic!
“He who sits in heaven laughs, for all the world is in derision…” (Psalm 2)
Only those currently educated and apprised of the truth of this understanding by the true UHJ (body and head both) at this time (www.UHJ.net) are freed from all this error!
Returning to the “Infallibility” of the UHJ, ‘Abdu’l-Baha further clarifies this matter in that same chapter of SAQ, ‘There is no association for the dawning place of command in the supreme sinlessness’:
“Know that infallibility is of two kinds: essential infallibility and acquired infallibility…
Essential infallibility is peculiar to the supreme Manifestation, for it is His essential requirement, and an essential requirement cannot be separated from the thing itself. The rays are the essential necessity of the sun and are inseparable from it. Knowledge is an essential necessity of God and is inseparable from Him. Power is an essential necessity of God and is inseparable from Him. If it could be separated from Him, He would not be God. If the rays could be separated from the sun, it would not be the sun. Therefore, if one imagines separation of the Most Great Infallibility from the supreme Manifestation, He would not be the supreme Manifestation, and He would lack the essential perfections.
“But acquired infallibility is not a natural necessity; on the contrary, it is a ray of the bounty of infallibility which shines from the Sun of Reality upon hearts, and grants a share and portion of itself to souls. Although these souls have not essential infallibility, still they are under the protection of God - that is to say, God preserves them from error. Thus many of the holy beings who were not dawning-points of the Most Great Infallibility, were yet kept and preserved from error under the shadow of the protection and guardianship of God, for they were the mediators of grace between God and men. If God did not protect them from error, their error would cause believing souls to fall into error, and thus the foundation of the Religion of God would be overturned, which would not be fitting nor worthy of God.
“To epitomize: essential infallibility belongs especially to the supreme Manifestations, and acquired infallibility is granted to every holy soul. For instance, the Universal House of Justice, if it be established under the necessary conditions [with the Davidic King as its president; and according to the Four Stage Plan of Shoghi Effendi leading up to the election of it body, the head is to remain appointed] - with members elected from all the people - that House of Justice will be under the protection and the unerring guidance of God. If that House of Justice shall decide unanimously, or by a majority, upon any question not mentioned in the Book, that decision and command will be guarded from mistake. Now the members of the House of Justice have not, individually, essential infallibility; but the body of the House of Justice is under the protection and unerring guidance of God: this is called conferred infallibility.” (`Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, pp. 171-173)
Thus the Conferred Infallibility upon the House of Justice [body and head both] – but individually any of its members including the head – prevents it from making a mistake and thus ensures that Justice will be maintained within alls itself acts and decisions. Through education the people will see the truth of the matter.
The strong language in the Will (see W& T, p. 11-12) is there to guide the people to the truth as well as fortify the State’s sacred obligation to protect the inalienable rights of its own citizens that they elect to represent themselves. If the State – the true UHJ – in fulfilling this obligation stands up, through the executive branch of the living Davidic King, and makes the powerful statement that women shall be members of the UHJ authoritatively as revealed in the Explicit Texts of the Aqdas, and states that the people have gone against God on this matter and so need to be corrected, then this is proper functioning.
If the chief executive stands up and declares that “no one is to be over the spiritual” and that enemies of this Cause are amassing a huge army with possible thermonuclear weapons at our borders, claiming they are over the “spiritual matters” and that we all must conform to their corrupt, ignorant and mind numbing “shariah” and that we must DEFEND ourselves at all means against such an atrocity that the West has fought for freedom from for thousands of years, and instead the people switch sides and league themselves with the enemy on this point, then these people have committed treason against this state, and the state has the power to take action against them.
Spiritually, which is unorganized, the truth is that these people have gone against God on these points. But as these issues become matters of state, through treason, attacks on rights of citizens (women for example, or academic freedom, etc.) then these are material matters of State. Surely they have spiritual overtones, but nevertheless they are matters of State.
Therefore the answer to your question will make no sense except to the mind of the rugged spiritual individualist, whom Shoghi Effendi termed the “warrior Baha’i” who has re-dedicated himself to every single provision of the Master’s sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Shoghi writes:
“In the conduct of this twofold crusade the valiant warriors struggling in the name and for the Cause of Baha'u'llah must, of necessity, encounter stiff resistance, and suffer many a setback…. “Because of Abdu'l-Baha,” [loyalty to every single provision of His Will and Testament], the beloved Master has prophesied, “many a test will be visited upon you. Troubles will befall you, and suffering afflict you.”
“Reflections such as these should steel the resolve of the entire Baha'i community, should dissipate their forebodings, and arouse them to rededicate themselves to every single provision of that Divine Charter whose outline has been delineated for them by the pen of Abdu'l-Baha.” (Shoghi Effendi, Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 41, 42, 73)
Within that framework, the framework of the Will and Testament, even a rugged spiritual individualist, can see the simple truth of the material interdependence of all the people, and so agree to enter into a Covenant, contract, social contract, etc., to form and elect their own representatives, form of government over matters of state, and agree that majority rules, within the context of this democratic monarchy where the Guardian of the Cause of God, i.e. the living Davidic king is the president and chairman for life of the UHJ. And even if he, the president, cannot or will not function within the framework of the Will and Testament, which confers this true UHJ as being “freed from all error” and to being not over “spiritual matters” then the true UHJ can function without him and they can have – as both ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi have provided – the VP or PM chair the meetings.
Now the reason that we accept that the true UHJ is “freed from error” is that this perspective in this letter is not another opinion but shows us the Reality; and as all people come to their own personal understanding of this reality they will be able to elect the body of the true UHJ with the Davidic King at its head. As problems arise and people see how these problems are worked out, they will gain confidence through experience that in fact the true UHJ is nothing but the manifestation of Justice and mercy over all its own affairs which are the important matters of State.
The conferred infallibility upon the true UHJ [body and head both] is because were it to make a mistake, even the slightest one, then we would have injustice. Therefore it is set up, so that the methods, procedures and constitution are followed correctly by the citizens and its own wise members, that there shall never be any mistake over matters of State or any issue before it. The process of consultation therefore is a process of testing through procedure to root out error, and therefore follows the scientific method of positive knowledge that Baha’u’llah gives in the Iqan:
“These are among the attributes of the exalted, and constitute the hall-mark of the spiritually-minded. They have already been mentioned in connection with the requirements of the wayfarers that tread the Path of Positive Knowledge.”(Iqan, p. 195)
Furthermore, matters of state pertain to academic and scientific freedom, civil and human rights, agriculture and economic concerns, etc., the setting of curriculum for proper education, and many other important matters. In fact there is almost no aspect of human life that is not covered. Even the spiritual matters of human affairs are included. As no one is to be over these, the only possible State Religion of Sovereign Powers (WOB, p. 7) therefore is the unorganized one, where the government does not interfere in matter of individual consciousness but protects those individual rights. In making these decisions the UHJ, being universal, has the power to call upon expert witnesses from all around the world who, as ‘Abdu’l-Baha has explains, have ACQUIRED INFALLIBILITY within their own professions and expertise. The truth is that God has hidden as treasure within all people a true genius, which flows forth spiritually from the soul of man in the form of an infallible gift from God. This does not equate the individual with identical authority with the Supreme Manifestation, it does not make them the authority on matters of State, and it does not place them spiritually over me and you, but like Einstein, Mozart, M. Adler, Popper and others, it is an expression of their relationship with the divine unfettered and unalloyed. Baha’u’llah has further explained these degrees of “infallibility” in the Table of Ishraqat which you should read in its entirety for deepening.
This Kingdom is great. First we shall see the lesser peace, and later the Most Great Peace. The Lesser Peace and the Most Great Peace shall be established upon this earth AFTER the Most Great Justice takes place (see Shoghi Effendi Advent of Divine Justice), but the Kingdom has already been established as of 2001 AD. This letter is a slight glimpse into the Most Great Peace, but the lesser peace itself will focalize on the preservation of “unity within diversity”, defense of the inalienable rights of the citizens, and forming a true curriculum to so educate the people of the world, such as no one being over the spiritual – and other essential rights and freedoms of the people that they have been so endowed by their Creator.
Thus God has sent us a State, the Kingdom, a real government with laws subjects and King, the government of God ruling from the throne of King David which is the executive branch of the UHJ to free us from obstructions (including itself) to allow for all people to be able to come unto Him and enter His Presence if we so wish. In the meanwhile war, poverty, disease, cruelty and injustice will all come to end as crude things and mistakes and errors of the past.
There is so much more to say about all this, perhaps for another time in the future, which includes some of the symbolic language of “Some Answered Questions”, the Book of the Revelation and imagery such as the New Jerusalem, Temple and Ark of Salvation or Ark of the Covenant, because outward forms and symbols must be used to convey abstract concepts. Thus the revealed writings give a symbolic systems approach and new language or “new song” for believing souls to be able to discuss these important issues in groups. At this time the most important act is the setting up of real schools for education on these matters. As this Kingdom or government from God is not established by the sword, force or coercion, but is founded upon education of the individual to see the truth with his own eyes and not the eyes of his neighbor.
In the meantime, for further clarification on the matter of the sucessorship to Baha’u’llah and the infallibility issue, we have enclosed the “Tablet of the Dichotomy” to help the people pass their test on the succession from Baha’u’llah to ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Shoghi Effendi, to the true UHJ that operates within these parameters of the Charter as a democratic and constitutional monarchy (Davidic), much like the government of the United Kingdom, England (W&T, p. 20; 14th Glad Tiding).
Your servant,
Neal Chase,
President of the UHJ,
Great-grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
Guardian.
II. ESOTERIC MYSTICISM AND ANCIENT SCIENCE OF MIND
“These are among the attributes of the exalted, and constitute the hall-mark
of the spiritually-minded…. the requirements of the wayfarers
that tread the Path of Positive Knowledge.”(Baha’u’llah, Iqan, p. 195)
Dear True Seeker,
Your letter has been received, read in the assembly of the Council and considered in the light of the truth of this most glorious Cause:
The core essence of self-empowerment and the linking of the personal soul with the Divine Mind is through the power of the Covenant. This is given in the essence of Jesus’ words upon the Mount of Olives in the garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, O Lord, but Thine!” This is a personal commitment between the individual soul and the Creator forming the Covenant of will alignment. This alignment of will with that of the expressly revealed will of God (as given today in the seven sealed scroll of the Kitab-i-Ahd and sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Rev. ch. 5)) causes a sympathetic link between the soul of man and the divine mind. Activity upon the earthly plane creates a draw by which the influence of the holy breezes are attracted to the individual soul and the soul therefore becomes empowered by God to overcome any and all obstacles that may be encountered in its path of reunion with the Divine.
In the Book of Certitude Baha’u’llah explains that if there be any other ulterior motive within the soul other than to enter the Presence of God for the sake of being in the Presence of God whereby the knowledge of God is united with the love of God in the presence of God, then that soul will be thwarted and utterly cast out of the Kingdom in both this world and the world to come.
Those who have known about the power of the true teaching of God given by the Divine Revelators have sought ulterior means for assaying the Divine Mind in order to control the minds of people. Thus like the wicked priests of Christendom that hijacked the pure Revelation of Jesus, or the “Hands” and Ruhiyyih Khanum that have usurped the seats of the holy shrines and Baha’i world properties in Haifa and Carmel, the language of the spirit has been skewed and thwarted in such a way that the people remain lost without guidance and entrance into the benediction of the Divine Presence which is vouchsafed and safeguarded upon this earth at this time. In opposition to this, the true believers and the center of the sucessorship have become the oppressed victims of these tyrannical enemies of God and His everlasting Cause. Whereas the Great Being, God Himself, hidden in the ancient eternity of His essence, has ever sought to unite each and every soul in direct communion with Him through the Revelation of His ever abiding spirit accomplished through the purifying test of the advent of the person of the living promised one of each and every day and age. Through the recognition of the living “sign of God” (W&T, p. 11), and the activity of living the life, teaching the faith and firmness of the covenant, the veils may be lifted from upon the minds of certain souls and as they enter into the Presence of God, they shall see this world transformed into another world. In order to distinguish between hallucination, fantasy and vain imagination, drugs and alcohol are strictly prohibited in the explicit holy text and to this end Baha’u’llah has revealed:
“If the travelers seek after the goal of the Intended One (maqsúd), this station appertaineth to the self—but that self which is "The Self of God standing within Him with LAWS.”
“In all these journeys the traveler must stray not the breadth of a hair from the "LAW," for this is indeed the secret of the "Path" and the fruit of the Tree of "Truth"; and in all these stages he must cling to the robe of OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDMENTS, and hold fast to the cord of SHUNNING ALL FORBIDDEN THINGS, that he may be nourished from the cup of the Law and informed of the mysteries of Truth.” (Baha’u’llah, Four Valley and Seven Valleys)
Thus as the soul arises in fulfillment of these holy words “Whoso maketh efforts for Us in Our ways we shall assuredly guide him” in certain special cases this individual may be allowed to see this creation and world with the eye of God, and the living transformation shall be complete.
“Such is to be the restraint you should exercise that if you be made to quaff from the well-springs of faith and certitude all the rivers of knowledge, your lips must never be allowed to betray, to either friend or stranger, the wonder of the draught of which you have partaken. Though your heart be aflame with His love, take heed lest any eye discover your inner agitation, and though your soul be surging like an ocean, suffer not the serenity of your countenance to be disturbed, not the manner of your behavior to reveal the intensity of your emotions.” (Baha’u’llah, January 9th Tablet)
This esoteric concept is inexpressible in words, but only those of the same station and condition share a knowing bond of the reality of emergence into the Will of God. Thus an esoteric language and hidden science has been given in which this reality is enshrined as a secret teaching of all ages – misconstrued by the people of malice and hate.
For this reason an ancient and esoteric science of mind and arcane language of mysticism was created and sent out amongst the people through a special divine Revelation from God by which some of these ideas may be expressed and intimated from one soul unto another, even as ‘Abdu’l-Baha saith: “Outward forms and symbols must needs be used to express abstract concepts”. The purpose of this teaching is to align the will of the individual with the will of God as expressed in the dual book of science and revelation – that is God as manifested in the general revelation throughout all things in creation and the specific revelation of the appearance of the divine and supreme manifestation of God, which has appeared progressively through the mechanism of real historical time. In this process of spiritual and transcendental individuation, the individual shall arise in the spiritual form and behold all the mysteries of creation laid out bare before him even as an open book and “He shall reveal unto them all His signs and wonders within all the world and even within their very own selves”. Yet this science and language – to some extent known amongst the people – but muddled in superstition, fantasy and childish fairytales – is quiet different than the actual language of the Spirit. ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains for example that the language of the spirit is as different and advanced from our own languages, as the human languages are different and advanced from the grunts and groans of the animals.
Nevertheless these symbolic systems have been proliferated amongst the people and retain a true tradition and framework in the Western Esoteric Tradition – though it has remained impossible for anyone outside this faith to either comprehend or manifest, due to the fact that they are deprived of the point of unity and lack the ability and mechanism to align themselves in true orientation as they stand in opposition to the “man whose name is the Branch” (Zech. Ch. 6) of whom it is written: “For behold I WILL BRING MY SERVANT THE ORIENT” (Zacharias chapter 3 verse 8, Catholic Douay Version). This verse has two primary meanings, the first is the “Most Great Branch” meaning the acceptance of every single provision of the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha which is the 7 sealed scroll spoken of in the book of Revelation chapter 5 through which all divine activity emanates. The second is the acceptance of the Branch (Aghsan) in every day and age which is in particular succession and descent from the appearance of the “man whose name is the Branch (Aghsan)” – the great grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Baha – that fulfills prophecy in the Greater Covenant of God in the year Mustaghath (2001 AD) and by which recognition of him who is the living “sign of God” (W&T, p. 11) the outpouring of the branch of the holy spirit through fulfillment of firmness in the Covenant is complete.
The western faiths are Abrahamic in origin and owe their arcane root back to the ancient lords of Sumeria, Babylon, Egypt, India and other lands forgotten through the mists of time. Shining brightly above the sordid corruption of these ancient faiths remains a pristine monotheism of the Great Light of the One True Invisible God that illuminated the minds of primordial men out of the darkness of the abyss. The excitation of the central nervous system and the delicate attuning of the mind disciplined in sustained concentration upon the Great Name to approach God with fear and trembling was elevated to a spiritual station that no mortal tongue can decry. The All-powerful overseeing Spirit of the One True Invisible God radiates a glory vastly superior to the idle thoughts of mortal men and especially the shallow conceptions of those earthly usurpers who have sought to hijack God’s revelation in every day and age. For this reason both the Bab in his writings and Baha’u’llah expressly warn against these false conceptions as “fairytales” “vain and discarded learnings” and “so-called learning is and hath ever been, rejected by Him Who is the one true God” that have lead the people to spiritual downfall and destruction. The Bab both forbids and condemns this perversion of supposed “esoteric sciences” that crept into the teachings of Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kazim as “fairytales” leading the people away from the truth:
“O people of the Remembrance and the Bayan: we have prohibited unto you this day, even as we prohibited unto you the reading of the fairytales of Ahmad and Kazim and the jurists, that you should sit down in the company of those who have followed them in the decree, lest they may lead you astray and cause you to become unbelievers.” (The Bab cf. Kirmani, Risala dar Radd-i Bab, p. 45)
This corruption was established usurping the truth of Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kazim by Karim Kahn of which Baha’u’llah explains:
“We noticed that he had enumerated some twenty or more sciences… Among the specified sciences were the science of metaphysical abstractions, [such as numerology, astrology, etc.], of alchemy, and natural magic. Such vain and discarded learnings, this man hath regarded as the pre-requisites of the understanding of the sacred and abiding mysteries of divine Knowledge.
“Gracious God! Such is the measure of his understanding. And yet, behold what cavils and calumnies he hath heaped upon those Embodiments of God's infinite knowledge! How well and true is the saying: "Flingest thou thy calumnies unto the face of Them Whom the one true God hath made the Trustees of the treasures of His seventh sphere?" Not one understanding heart or mind, not one among the wise and learned, hath taken notice of these preposterous statements. And yet, how clear and evident it is to every discerning heart that this so-called learning is and hath ever been, rejected by Him Who is the one true God. How can the knowledge of these sciences, which are so contemptible in the eyes of the truly learned, be regarded as essential to the apprehension of the mysteries … How truly hath he said: "All human attainment moveth upon a lame ass, whilst Truth, riding upon the wind, darteth across space."
“In this day they that are submerged beneath the ocean of ancient Knowledge, and dwell within the ark of divine wisdom, forbid the people such idle pursuits. Their shining breasts are, praise be to God, sanctified from every trace of such learning, and are exalted above such grievous veils.” (The Kitab-i-Iqan, pp. 86-187).
Now, this established, the underlying mystery of the truth of these assertations that have been transmitted down through the ages from ancient of days until now, are able to be translated into reality in a way and manner far beyond the comprehension of the people. In regards to alchemy for example, in the same book Baha’u’llah writes:
“Among the sciences which this pretender [Kairm Kahn] hath professed is that of alchemy. We cherish the hope that either a king or a man of preeminent power may call upon him to translate this science from the realm of fancy to the domain of fact and from the plane of mere pretension to that of actual achievement. Would that this unlearned and humble Servant, who never laid any pretension to such things, nor even regarded them as the criterion of true knowledge, might undertake the same task, that thereby the truth might be known and distinguished from falsehood. But of what avail! All this generation could offer Us were wounds from its darts, and the only cup it proffered to Our lips was the cup of its venom. On our neck We still bear the scar of chains, and upon Our body are imprinted the evidences of an unyielding cruelty. (Iqan, pp. 189-190)”
Thus the truth underlying these traditions is a teaching within the core of the power of the Covenant. It is an outward system that pertains to this world, this planet, the solar system, to the human form, the perfection of man that organizes and unifies these conceptions, illuminates the metaphysical foundations of modern science, enabling an individual soul to holistically ascend into the heights of the divine mysteries, by dispensing with all the things of this world in an orderly fashion, even as Muhammad ascended into the heavens in the Night Journey of the Miraj. However, far from being the prerequisite to accepting the reality of the Universal Manifestation of God, and the living promised one of the day, the acceptance of that Universal reality and its understanding in the Power of the Covenant is the first prerequisite of attaining unto the knowledge of the mysteries of creation. Through the recognition of the living promised one of the day - Baha’u’llah tells us in that same book of the Iqan - even as God has brought forth “the Branch” seated upon the throne of King David in the appointed year of Mustaghath (2001 AD), so God has simultaneously brought forth the Branch of the Holy Spirit through the power of the Covenant as a divine outpouring upon all the peoples of the world - should they so choose to accept it. Through the receipt of our rays of the holy spirit or branch of the holy spirit, through fulfilling three things: 1) living the life, 2) teaching the faith and 3) firmness in the covenant (conscious recognition of the successorship to the throne-line), we have been gifted with the ability to ascend to this station of man “made in the image of God” as promised in the Book of Genesis and fulfilled in the Book of Revelation in the Holy Bible.
The point of unity empowers, attracts, governs and divides, thus distinguishing truth from falsity and illuminating every dull book.
Specifically we have a deepening in our school in the Rockies that gets into these esoteric subjects and shows the underlying unity and truth of these topics. The prerequisites are going through 7 fireside courses which is the straight path.
At this moment, few and exceptional are the people who wish to find themselves in the Presence of God, yet alone wish to see this otherworldly power manifested in physical reality, though Jesus promised it as the herald, the Bab opened its gate, and the Glory of the Lord, the Light of God has entered within through the power of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and now abideth upon this earth for ever, as long as the sun and moon shall endure, and as long as the throne King David shall last (Psalms 89; Ez. Ch. 40-49).
May this letter find you in peace and love and light,
On behalf of the UHJ,
Neal Chase ben Joseph Aghsan,
Guardian, President.
