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Selections From the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
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Pages 179-180
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153: O thou handmaid of God! In this day, to thank ...
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O thou handmaid of God! In this day, to thank God for His bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant
heart, and a soul open to the promptings of the spirit. This is
the essence of thanksgiving.
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As for offering thanks by speaking out or writing, although
this is indeed acceptable, yet when compared with
that other thanksgiving, it is only a semblance and unreal;
for the essential thing is these intimations of the spirit, these
emanations from the deep recess of the heart. It is my hope
that thou wilt be favoured therewith.
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Regarding one's lack of capacity and one's undeserving
on the Day of Resurrection, this does not cause one to be
shut out from gifts and bounties; for this is not the Day of
Justice but the Day of Grace, while justice is allotting to each
whatever is his due. Then look thou not at the degree of thy
capacity, look thou at the boundless favour of Bahá'u'lláh;
all-encompassing is His bounty, and consummate His grace.
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I ask of God that with His assistance and strong support
thou mayest teach the inner meanings of the Torah with
eloquence, understanding, vigour and skill. Turn thy face
toward the Kingdom of God, ask for the bestowals of the
Holy Spirit, speak, and the confirmations of the Spirit will
come.
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As for that mighty solar orb which thou didst behold in
thy dream, that was the Promised One, and its spreading rays
were His bounties, and the translucent surface of the mass of
water signifieth hearts that are undefiled and pure, while
the surging waves denote the great excitement of those
hearts and the fact that they were shaken and deeply moved,
that is, the waves are the stirrings of the spirit and holy
intimations of the soul. Praise thou God that in the world of
the dream thou hast witnessed such disclosures.
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With reference to what is meant by an individual
becoming entirely forgetful of self: the intent is that he
should rise up and sacrifice himself in the true sense, that is,
he should obliterate the promptings of the human condition,
and rid himself of such characteristics as are worthy of
blame and constitute the gloomy darkness of this life on
earth--not that he should allow his physical health to
deteriorate and his body to become infirm.
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I do earnestly and humbly supplicate at the Holy Threshold
that heavenly blessings and divine forgiveness will
encompass thy dear mother, as well as thy loving sisters and
relatives. Especially do I pray on behalf of thy betrothed,
who hath suddenly hastened away from this world into the
next.
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