After scaling the high summits of wonderment the wayfarer
cometh to the
Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness. This station is the dying from self and the living in God,
the being poor in self and rich in the Desired One. Poverty as here referred to
signifieth being poor in the things of the created world, rich in the things of
God’s world. For when the true lover and devoted friend reacheth to the
presence of the Beloved, the sparkling beauty of the Loved One and the fire of
the lover’s heart will kindle a blaze and burn away all veils and wrappings.
Yea, all he hath, from heart to skin, will be set aflame, so that nothing will
remain save the Friend.
When the qualities of the Ancient of
Days stood revealed,
Then the qualities of earthly things did Moses burn away. [1]
Then the qualities of earthly things did Moses burn away. [1]
He who hath attained this station is sanctified from all
that pertaineth to the world. Wherefore, if those who have come to the sea of
His presence are found to possess none of the limited things of this perishable
world, whether it be outer wealth or personal opinions, it mattereth not. For
whatever the creatures have is limited by their own limits, and whatever the
True One hath is sanctified therefrom…
(Baha’u’llah, ‘The Seven Valleys and the
Four Valleys')
1. The Mathnaví
