…in moments in which these Essences of Being [1] were deep
immersed beneath the oceans of ancient and everlasting holiness, or when they
soared to the loftiest summits of Divine mysteries, they claimed their
utterances to be the Voice of Divinity, the Call of God Himself.
Were the eye of discernment to be opened, it would recognize
that in this very state, they have considered themselves utterly effaced and
non-existent in the face of Him Who is the All-Pervading, the Incorruptible.
Methinks, they have regarded themselves as utter nothingness, and deemed their
mention in that Court an act of blasphemy. For the slightest whispering of self
within such a Court is an evidence of self-assertion and independent existence.
In the eyes of them that have attained unto that Court, such a suggestion is
itself a grievous transgression. How much more grievous would it be, were aught
else to be mentioned in that Presence, were man’s heart, his tongue, his mind,
or his soul, to be busied with any one but the Well-Beloved, were his eyes to
behold any countenance other than His beauty, were his ear to be inclined to
any melody but His Voice, and were his feet to tread any way but His way....
(Baha’u’llah,
‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
[1] “...the all-embracing Manifestations of God”
