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Paris Talks
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Pages 62-64
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MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
November 2nd
`Abdu'l-Bahá said:
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1 |
How beautiful the weather is today, the sky is
clear, the sun shines, and the heart of man is made
glad thereby!
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2 |
Such bright and beautiful weather gives new life and
strength to man, and if he has been sick, he feels once
more in his heart the joyous hope of health renewed.
All these gifts of nature concern the physical side of
man, for it is only his body that can receive material
benefits.
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3 |
If a man is successful in his business, art, or profession
he is thereby enabled to increase his physical
wellbeing and to give his body the amount of ease and
comfort in which it delights. All around us today we
see how man surrounds himself with every modern
convenience and luxury, and denies nothing to the
physical and material side of his nature. But, take heed,
lest in thinking too earnestly of the things of the body
you forget the things of the soul: for material advantages
do not elevate the spirit of a man. Perfection in
worldly things is a joy to the body of a man but in no
wise does it glorify his soul.
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It may be that a man who has every material benefit,
and who lives surrounded by all the greatest comfort
modern civilization can give him, is denied the all important
gift of the Holy Spirit.
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It is indeed a good and praiseworthy thing to progress
materially, but in so doing, let us not neglect the more
important spiritual progress, and close our eyes to the
Divine light shining in our midst.
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Only by improving spiritually as well as materially
can we make any real progress, and become perfect
beings. It was in order to bring this spiritual life and
light into the world that all the great Teachers have
appeared. They came so that the Sun of Truth might
be manifested, and shine in the hearts of men, and that
through its wondrous power men might attain unto
Everlasting Light.
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When the Lord Christ came He spread the light of
the Holy Spirit on all around Him, and His disciples
and all who received His illumination became enlightened,
spiritual beings.
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It was to manifest this light that Bahá'u'lláh was
born, and came into the world. He taught Eternal
Truth to men, and shed the rays of Divine Light in all
lands.
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Alas! behold how man disregards this Light. He
still goes on his way of darkness, and disunity, and
quarrels and fierce war are still rife.
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10 |
He uses material progress to gratify his lust for war,
and he makes destructive implements and appliances
to destroy his brother man.
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But let us rather exert ourselves for the attainment of
spiritual advantages, for this is the only way of true
progress, that which cometh from God and is alone
Godly.
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I pray for you one and all that you may receive the
Bounties of the Holy Spirit; so will you become in
truth enlightened, and progress ever onward and upward
to the Kingdom of God. Then shall your hearts
be prepared to receive the glad tidings, your eyes shall
be opened and you will see the Glory of God; your
ears shall be unstopped and you will hear the call of
the Kingdom, and with tongue made eloquent shall
you call men to the realization of the Divine Power
and Love of God!
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