Inspiration
We are to follow our "Inner Light", adapting our message to the capacity and ripeness of the one we are teaching[edit]
"We must look to the example of the Master and follow our "Inner Light", adapting our message as best we can to the capacity and "ripeness" of the one we are seeking to teach...."
- (From a letter dated 20 October 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believers, in Guidelines for Teaching, no. 1936)
"Teaching is an individual matter; one has to sense when it is right to go further in revealing the Source of our Message; no rules exist, really, for such things."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 5 October 1952, Unfolding Destiny, p. 461)
Illuminati were followers of the inner light, meditating to solve mysteries (but some thoughts are useless to man)[edit]
"About one thousand years ago a society was formed in Persia called the Society of the Friends, who gathered together for silent communion with the Almighty.
"They divided Divine philosophy into two parts: one kind is that of which the knowledge can be acquired through lectures and study in schools and colleges. The second kind of philosophy was that of the Illuminati, or followers of the inner light. The schools of this philosophy were held in silence. Meditating, and turning their faces to the Source of Light...
"These people, who are called `Followers of the inner light', attain to a superlative degree of power, and are entirely freed from blind dogmas and imitations. Men rely on the statements of these people: by themselves-- within themselves--they solve all mysteries..."
"This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch with God..."
"Nevertheless some thoughts are useless to man; they are like waves moving in the sea without result."
- ('Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 174)
Inspiration can be fallible[edit]
Inspiration are promptings of the heart, but these can sometimes be satanic (so, this method of knowing is fallible)[edit]
"The fourth standard is that of inspiration. In past centuries many philosophers have claimed illumination or revelation, prefacing their statements by the announcement that "this subject has been revealed through me" or "thus do I speak by inspiration." Of this class were the philosophers of the Illuminati. Inspirations are the promptings or susceptibilities of the human heart. The promptings of the heart are sometimes satanic. How are we to differentiate them? How are we to tell whether a given statement is an inspiration and prompting of the heart through the merciful assistance or through the satanic agency?"
"The fourth criterion I have named is inspiration through which it is claimed the reality of knowledge is attainable. What is inspiration? It is the influx of the human heart. But what are satanic promptings which afflict mankind? They are the influx of the heart also. How shall we differentiate between them? The question arises: How shall we know whether we are following inspiration from God or satanic promptings of the human soul? Briefly, the point is that in the human material world of phenomena these four are the only existing criteria or avenues of knowledge, and all of them are faulty and unreliable."
Many ideas arise in our mind, some of which concern truth and others untruth[edit]
"Many ideas rise up in the human mind; some of them concern truth and some untruth. Among such ideas those which owe their source to the Light of Truth will be realized in the outward world; while others of a different origin vanish, come and go like waves on the sea of imagination and find no realization in the world of existence."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, vol. 2, p. 301)
Implicit faith in our intuitive powers is unwise and always tentative, though with prayer and effort can discover some[edit]
"With regard to your question as to the value of intuition as a source of guidance for the individual; implicit faith in our intuitive powers is unwise, but through daily prayer and sustained effort one can discover, though not always and fully, God's Will intuitively. Under no circumstances, however, can a person be absolutely certain that he is recognizing God's Will, through the exercise of his intuition. It often happens that the latter results in completely misrepresenting the truth, and thus becomes a source of error rather than of guidance."
The difference between inspiration and imagination[edit]
Inspiration conforms with the Divine Texts and brings divine passion, attraction, and ecstasy[edit]
"As to the difference between inspiration and imagination: Inspiration is in conformity with the Divine Texts, but imaginations do not conform therewith. A real, spiritual connection between the True One and the servant is a luminous bounty which causeth an ecstatic (or divine) flame, passion and attraction. When this connection is secured (or realized) such an ecstasy and happiness become manifest in the heart that man doth fly away (with joy) and uttereth melody and song. Just as the soul bringeth the body in motion, so that spiritual bounty and real connection likewise moveth (or cheereth) the human soul.
"As to truthful dreams: I beg of God that thy inner eye (insight) may be so opened that thou mayest thyself differentiate between truthful and untruthful dreams."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, vol. 1, pp. 195-196)
