Template:Modes of determining truth

Use of all four modes

When all modes of learning are used together, they can be relied upon as correct

"Consequently, it has become evident that the four criteria or standards of judgment by which the human mind reaches its conclusions are faulty and inaccurate. All of them are liable to mistake and error in conclusions. But a statement presented to the mind accompanied by proofs which the senses can perceive to be correct, which the faculty of reason can accept, which is in accord with traditional authority and sanctioned by the promptings of the heart, can be adjudged and relied upon as perfectly correct, for it has been proved and tested by all the standards of judgment and found to be complete. When we apply but one test, there are possibilities of mistake. This is self-evident and manifest."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 255)

Using all modes, one can believe in God and discover the bounties of His Grace

"...man cannot grasp the Essence of Divinity, but can, by his reasoning power, by observation, by his intuitive faculties and the revealing power of his faith, believe in God, discover the bounties of His Grace. He becometh certain that though the Divine Essence is unseen of the eye, and the existence of the Deity is intangible, yet conclusive spiritual proofs assert the existence of that unseen Reality."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to August Forel, par. 17)

Senses

Senses and faculties to be devoted to service of general good (eyes for laying hold of what will further civilization, ears for hearing wisdom of scholars and philosophers (and to practice it)

"God has given us eyes, that we may look about us at the world, and lay hold of whatsoever will further civilization and the arts of living. He has given us ears, that we may hear and profit by the wisdom of scholars and philosophers and arise to promote and practice it. Senses and faculties have been bestowed upon us, to be devoted to the service of the general good; so that we, distinguished above all other forms of life for perceptiveness and reason, should labor at all times and along all lines, whether the occasion be great or small, ordinary or extraordinary, until all mankind are safely gathered into the impregnable stronghold of knowledge."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 3)

Reason

Bahá'ís should be the first to take up new and excellent methods

"The Baha'is should not always be the last to take up new and obviously excellent methods, but rather the first, as this agrees with the dynamic nature of the Faith which is not only progressive, but holds within itself the seeds of an entirely new culture and civilization."

(Shoghi Effendi, 5 May 1946 to an individual believer, Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-86, sec. 162.49, p. 313)

Baha'is to study to become up-to-date with thoughts of today, to study more general knowledge, scientific or otherwise

"Shoghi Effendi has for years urged the Bahá'ís (who asked his advice, and in general also) to study history, economics, sociology, etc., in order to be au courant with all the progressive movements and thoughts being put forth today... What he wants the Bahá'ís to do is to study more, not to study less. The more general knowledge, scientific and otherwise, they possess, the better."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 5 July 1947, in Science and Technology (compilation), no. 7)

Inspiration

We are to follow our "Inner Light", adapting our message to the capacity and ripeness of the one we are teaching

"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)

"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-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 174)

Inspiration can be fallible

Inspiration are promptings of the heart, but these can sometimes be satanic (so, this method of knowing is fallible)

"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?"

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 254)

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 22)

Many ideas arise in our mind, some of which concern truth and others untruth

"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)

The difference between inspiration and imagination

Inspiration conforms with the Divine Texts and brings divine passion, attraction, and ecstasy

"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)

Holy Spirit

The power/infallibility of

(Talks on)

• Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 248-251
• Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 320-322
• Paris Talks, pp. 163-166

Only true Explainer of the Book of God

"The only true Explainer of the Book of God is the Holy Spirit, for no two minds are alike, no two can comprehend alike, no two can speak alike. That is to say, from the mere human standpoint of interpretation there could be neither truth nor agreement."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 212)

Breath of Holy Spirit needed for spiritual quickening, enlightenment, and the Most Great Peace (racial, patriotic, political, diplomatic, concentrated opinion, or other human agencies are insufficient)

"Bahá'u'lláh teaches that the world of humanity is in need of the breath of the Holy Spirit, for in spiritual quickening and enlightenment true oneness is attained with God and man. The Most Great Peace cannot be assured through racial force and effort; it cannot be established by patriotic devotion and sacrifice; for nations differ widely and local patriotism has limitations. Furthermore, it is evident that political power and diplomatic ability are not conducive to universal agreement, for the interests of governments are varied and selfish; nor will international harmony and reconciliation be an outcome of human opinions concentrated upon it, for opinions are faulty and intrinsically diverse. Universal peace is an impossibility through human and material agencies; it must be through spiritual power. There is need of a universal impelling force which will establish the oneness of humanity and destroy the foundations of war and strife. None other than the divine power can do this; therefore, it will be accomplished through the breath of the Holy Spirit."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 108-109)

Only by the breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual development can come about (not the material)

"The eleventh principle of Bahá'u'lláh is:

"The Power of the Holy Spirit, by which alone Spiritual Development is achieved

"It is only by the breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual development can come about. No matter how the material world may progress, no matter how splendidly it may adorn itself, it can never be anything but a lifeless body unless the soul is within, for it is the soul that animates the body; the body alone has no real significance. Deprived of the blessings of the Holy Spirit the material body would be inert."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 133)

The susceptibilities of humanity can only be made one through the Holy Spirit, not through human philosophers

"The eighth principle of Bahá'u'lláh is that philosophy sufficeth not and is not conducive to the absolute happiness of mankind. Great philosophers have been capable of educating themselves, or a few who followed them, but generally education, ethical education, they could not endow. Therefore, the world of humanity is evermore in need of the breadth of the Holy Spirit. The greatest peace will not be realized without the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit of God which insures the safety of humanity, for human thoughts differ, human susceptibilities differ. You cannot make the susceptibilities of all humanity one except through the common channel of the Holy Spirit."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Oneness of the Reality of Humankind, Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration)

Identification thereof in the Manifestation of God

Greatest power of the Holy Spirit exists in the Divine Manifestations

"The greatest power of the Holy Spirit exists in the Divine Manifestations of the Truth. Through the power of the Spirit the Heavenly Teaching has been brought into the World of Humanity. Through the power of the Spirit life everlasting has come to the children of men. Through the power of the Spirit the Divine Glory has shone from East to West, and through the power of the same Spirit will the divine virtues of humanity become manifest."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 87)

The (infallible) power of the Holy Spirit is limited to Bahá’u’lláh and the interpretation thereof to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

"The Blessed Beauty entered into this Covenant for obedience and not for opposition. I say this merely for the protection of the Cause of God and for the purpose of safeguarding unity among the friends. Were it not for the removal of vain imaginings and the eradication of differences, I should not have asserted that I am `the Center of the Covenant'. We must obey the Blessed Beauty. We must never forget His favors and exhortations. If even a breath of egotism is found in us, we shall perish at once. The friends must be alert. Everyone who expresses a word not from the texts sows discord among the believers. The Blessed Beauty entered into this Covenant for obedience; that is, that no one should utter a word from his own self or cause any conflict. If it were not so, everyone would open a way for himself and expound the Words of God in his own manner. One would say, for instance, `As I have the power of the Holy Spirit, I have a greater capacity for understanding.' Others, even these old ladies, would at once retort, `We, too, have the power of the Holy Spirit.'

"The power of the Holy Spirit is limited to the Blessed Beauty and the interpretation thereof to none but me. If it is so, then there will be no differences. We must occupy ourselves with thoughts of spreading the Cause. Know that whoever has any thought other than this will become the cause of discord among the friends."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Mahmúd's Diary, July 7, 1912)

The Holy Spirit can be found today in rich abundance in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh; to study, meditate, and associate mind and heart with its atmosphere

"The Guardian will pray for the quickening of your souls, the unfolding of the divine mysteries, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that gives new life, and this can today be found in rich abundance, in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. His Words and Teachings are the Water of Life, and the sustenance of spiritual growth. Therefore you should study the Word carefully, meditate on its import and, having been touched by its spirit, associate your mind and heart with its atmosphere, then the way will become clear, and the doors be opened."

(From a letter dated 11 June 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Bahá’í Study Group in Columbus, Ohio; in Prayer and Devotional Life, sel. 105)

How to attract the blessings of

Gifts of Holy Spirit received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God

"When a person becomes a Bahá'í, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 6, 1954: Living the Life, pp. 18-19, in Lights of Guidance, no. 247)