The heart must needs… be cleansed from the idle sayings of
men, and sanctified from every earthly affection, so that it may discover the
hidden meaning of divine inspiration, and become the treasury of the mysteries
of divine knowledge. Thus hath it been said: “He that treadeth the snow-white
Path, and followeth in the footsteps of the Crimson Pillar, shall never attain
unto his abode unless his hands are empty of those worldly things cherished by
men.” This is the prime requisite of whosoever treadeth this path. Ponder
thereon, that, with eyes unveiled, thou mayest perceive the truth of these
words.
(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan)
