Higher goals

Month, Day: 166, Speech, Perfection (Perfection)

In terms of motivation, we can know various things, such as why things are and how we are to do and with what to do. Too, there can be continual attuning of the focus as choice is always there. Actually, the accounting (HW #31) ought to be daily.

Questions may abound, but we can know that the means exist.

Aqdas #70: All that are on earth shall pass away, while good deeds alone shall endure; to the truth of My words God doth Himself bear witness.

Whence do we see this? That is, questions are of science.

Remarks:

10/02/2011 -- More on means.

12/05/2010 -- Is it not true that extreme positions on the axis of the mindful can lead to a god-like state-fulness?

12/06/2009 -- The Motivational implies goals and actions.

Modified: 10/02/2011

Injustice

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Questions (Independence)

Again, the musings related to audacity are from the view of an autodidact who relishes the independence allowed by Questions.

HW #II-64: O OPPRESSORS ON EARTH! Withdraw your hands from tyranny, for I have pledged Myself not to forgive any man’s injustice. This is My covenant which I have irrevocably decreed in the preserved tablet and sealed with My seal.

There is a lot of injustice in the world. Some people seem more unjust than others. Of course, those who have more power have a broader influence and, hence, can have acts that seem to be more reprehensible than are the acts of those who have less power.

However, we are not to judge, in a sense, except for ourselves. As, we are to bring ourselves to account each day (HW #I-31), in very many ways.

Injustice can range from being non-green, to overworking man or animal, to raking in the dough with huge bonuses for work that does not warrant such (what work does?), to criminal abuse, to much more. From an Operational sense, one can see worries, about being unjust, culminating in non-action and paralysis.

Ah, around the corner is the Motivational which will come to the rescue by helping to constrain overly abundant worry and by assisting to motivate query where needed. That is, without Questions, how can we know anything?

And, science does (ought to) play in these fields (one might even expect that, topsy-turvy, these will be considered as the proper foci) as well as in those commonly attributed to the discipline, ala material and biological sciences.

Remarks:

12/06/2009 -- The Motivational implies goals and actions. Being just.

Modified: 12/06/2009

Wide path?

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Might (Beauty)
Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Knowledge (Grace)

HW #II-17: O COMRADES! The gates that open on the Placeless stand wide and the habitation of the loved one is adorned with the lovers’ blood, yet all but a few remain bereft of this celestial city, and even of these few, none but the smallest handful hath been found with a pure heart and sanctified spirit.

There are several things to know. That there is a path; that the gates are wide open. That the path has always been (SAY: As for me, my Lord hath guided me into a straight path; a true religion, the creed of Abraham, the sound in faith; for he was not of those who join gods with God.)

But, questions abound, to boot. How wide is the path leading there? By what measure?

The way of science would match questions with what we know or can know ala the SAQ which suggests a new type of dialectic, perhaps.

Remarks:

10/27/2009 -- In Creation, a straight path is best exemplified by a ray of light, yet we know from relativity that light can bend. An allegorical reference about this would allow discussion of what is allowed. That is, characteristics, such as angle, would be apropos. That we have Abraham as the landmark for science can bring to fore many repressed ideas.

Modified: 10/27/2009

World embracing

Month, Day: 166, Will, Light (Majesty)

Earlier, in the Operational times, there was mention of our 'in situ' selves as being books that need to be read. In fact, there is some significance regarding sites and burial duties. It has been said, heard as a tradition, that the soul remains sensitive to the body's state.

Well, some things are beyond our current understanding. But, Will is not one of those. So, lots of questions come to mind. What is this? And, why do we have it?

One counsel has been to lift our minds beyond the in situ: (Tablets after Aqdas) Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self.

One way to do this by shaking off the dust and moving about between various sites, Lord knows that there are plenty of methods in the modern world for doing this. One can attain a state of perpetual motion. One problem: no matter where one goes for a new embedding, so too goes whatever the Will has collected. There may be a lag, yet there is also this: (HW #I-40) O SON OF MAN! Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face.

That is, there is no running away. From what? Again, lots to discuss.

Consider though, that as you look about your 'in situ' situation, things may look fairly normal as a consistent stage for your self and your Will. Ah, the sophisticate will say, we're on a little planet moving about. Yes, can you see that? Ever notice how seemingly eternal themes are always playing out upon some stage that carries along no matter where you go?

For instance, the building that you're in, most likely, has been there for more than a moment. That framework that we all get used to is really persistent. Just what is this thing that grabs so much of our attention, provides an endless stream of characters playing roles, and seems so real? Actually, we know that it is real (SAQ #79).

As said before, here we're building some type of stature implying that the Operational deals with far more than day to day issues with the in situ's unfolding. Science plays along this line, to boot. And, there may actually be things that are local to a site. What?

Remarks:

02/24/2010 -- Ascendant to Transcendent.

12/06/2009 -- The Motivational implies goals and actions.

10/03/2009 -- Another sense, domineering types and those who want to conquer the world. Yes, we're to love our afferent connection to Creation. And, probably more exhibit traits of the autodidact rather than of those who know everything which can result from several sides including certificates that indicate accomplishment of note in one area of thought or endeavor. Will applies to how we filter the afferent, yet it applies more to the efferent activity following the choices made. Or, to the mode, and the motive, of choice.

10/02/2009 -- There's several ways to take 'world-embracing' in terms of meaning. The most common, probably, is that we think and act globally. In a sense, this mode recognizes that everything is connected (SAQ #69) and inter-related (the butterfly argument of the complex systems people, for instance). Trouble is, this sense has been used by those who exploit, and colonize, very effectively thereby wrecking general havoc. Now, another sense, is that we need to embrace the world (physical reality) as it is as much a part of the Kingdom as is the spiritual (SAQ #79). Yes, one example would be a creation-based science.

Modified: 02/24/2010

Motivational

Month, Day: Splendour, Speech (Independence)
Month, Day: Splendour, Questions (Glory)
Month, Day: Splendour, Honour (Beauty)

Add Power to the above to complete the group. These follow the Operational (Names, Might, Will, Knowledge).

Regards purpose, focus, limits and much more.

HW #I-40: O SON OF MAN! Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face.

HW #I-69: O YE SONS OF SPIRIT! Ye are My treasury, for in you I have treasured the pearls of My mysteries and the gems of My knowledge. Guard them from the strangers amidst My servants and from the ungodly amongst My people.
Remarks:

11/24/2009 -- What motivates?

11/20/2009 -- This group is approaching.

10/15/2009 --Power, Speech, Questions, Honour

4V: There needeth none but thyself to make out an account against thee this day ... The Self of God standing within Him with laws ... "Hereafter We will show them Our signs in the regions of the earth, and in themselves, until it become manifest unto them that it is the truth"

Modified: 11/24/2009

The Teleological

Month, Day: Splendour, Words (Independence)
Month, Day: Splendour, Perfection (Glory)

In the context of audacity, there is much to this group (Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection). Particulars related to mathematics also pertain to the Operational (Names, Might, Will, Knowledge) group, starting with Names.

Perfection allows that we always have, and can know, ideals.

HW #76: Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds.

SAQ #54: Now the writing emanates from the writer, and the discourse emanates from the speaker, and in the same way the human spirit emanates from God.
7V4V Knowledge: The wayfarer in this Valley seeth in the fashionings of the True One nothing save clear providence, and at every moment saith: “No defect canst thou see in the creation of the God of Mercy: Repeat the gaze: Seest thou a single flaw?”
Remarks:

11/23/2009 -- Motivational thoughts.

08/13/2009 -- Return applies under the Teleological.

05/29/2009 -- The Transcendent baffles.

Modified: 11/23/2009

We know

Month, Day: Questions, Questions (Independence)

Not only do we know, if we wish to accept it as so, there is an operational aspect that is unerring. One might even say that applied science, in the sense of engineering, uses this all the time. And, notions like dampening and centralizing are part of the knowledge.

On the other hand, even if we do not wish to accept it, it is. That is, the brights may have some limited or temporal influence; lastingness, though, is not impacted.

So, as said before, we know more than one way. And, the continued presence of Writings adds to the basis.

The Hidden Words summarizes what was said to that time: This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the Prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity, as a token of grace unto the righteous, that they may stand faithful unto the Covenant of God, may fulfill in their lives His trust, and in the realm of spirit obtain the gem of Divine virtue.

The 7V4V combination addresses a lot about phylogeny of ourselves and knowledge.

Collectively, everything else in the Writings is vast, yet kernels are there for our use. How this is so is part of why we have Questions.

Remarks:

05/17/2011 -- Stephen gets press.

05/09/2011 -- We need a constructive re-look.

10/11/2009 -- Will, an operational imperative for science.

06/11/2009 -- Science and Religion.

12/27/2008 - Though we know, it may not appear so to others. That is a conundrum, to say the least. And, we all know that we all do, or can, err.

Also, we are alone in being judged, yet we are expected to team and collaborate. As mentioned, the 7V4V can be used to understand this.

Modified: 05/17/2011

7 Valleys: Knowledge, Unity

Month, Day: Speech, Glory (Perfection)

Continuing with the series on the 7 Valleys that has these four entries.

• Search, Love
• Knowledge, Unity
• Contentment, Wonderment
• True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness
  

The original is a meditation from about 12 years ago. Comments are found in italics.

---

Knowledge --

• “And thus did we show Abraham the Kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth, that He might be established in knowledge.”

Unity --

Unity is where the heart, lungs, and the solar plexus have established themselves. Also as we get to the 7th and talk of camphor, consider how spiritually unified must be the infant/mother link (Hidden Words #29, Persian).

• Both of the genders have the opportunity to partake of such a sacramental union.

What else does Unity give us? Well, intellectually, it is full of ideas for the modern mind. We see some inklings about topology, for instance; and there is an emphasis on 4.

• First/last is just ripe with significances related to the arguments of "intuitionism" in the philosophy of mathematics.
  
• Seen/hidden has much to do with views that can come out of category theory. This is further seen as an important issue in computer science.

Yet, such associations being mentioned by no means should be taken as leave to put trivial bounds on these 4. Putting words to concepts, and linking them to known phenomenon, somehow begins to put bounds on usage and makes us begin to filter out what could be very important aspects. Soon, these filtered out things are denied.

• Is this not what happens with any socialization, e.g. the attainment of scientific knowledge?
• Look at the message on how our perceptions can differ (paragraphs 2-7).

Valley accounts for a whole lot of Words from the Bahá’u’lláh. We see '' [], (], [), and () ", for instance. We see the 4 Loves, as another example. And, finally, "build thou a fire and burn all thoughts and words entire." As you ponder this, think about how the quantitative (to date, that is, as this is going to change) basis of mathematics pulls one down to fewer, more dense words.

• What we need is to get back up to those more ethereal regions, with audacity.
• How can this be done without the Writings?

---

Modified: 12/03/2008

Words and more

Month, Day: Words, Sovereignty (Justice)

The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys

Pg 29: The tongue faileth in describing these three Valleys, and speech falleth short. The pen steppeth not into this region, the ink leaveth only a blot. In these planes, the nightingale of the heart hath other songs and secrets, which make the heart to stir and the soul to clamor, but this mystery of inner meaning may be whispered only from heart to heart, confided only from breast to breast.

Pg 50: The story is told of a mystic knower, who went on a journey with a learned grammarian as his companion. They came to the shore of the Sea of Grandeur. The knower straightway flung himself into the waves, but the grammarian stood lost in his reasonings, which were as words that are written on water.

Pg 54: The denizens of this plane speak no words -- but they gallop their chargers. They see but the inner reality of the Beloved. To them all words of sense are meaningless, and senseless words are full of meaning.

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh Part II -- From the Persian

#69: O CHILDREN OF ADAM! Holy words and pure and goodly deeds ascend unto the heaven of celestial glory.

#76: O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds.

Remarks:

Meditation on Words, and all related aspects, during this month has been fruitful in terms of how blogging can be used to support truth. Yet, the blog is never sufficient, not unlike prayer needing action.

Modified: 07/31/2008

Days of the week

Month, Day: Light, Mercy (Grace)

Glory, Jalal (Saturday)

"I entreat Thee by Thy footsteps in this wilderness, and by the words
'Here am I. Here am I.' which Thy chosen Ones have uttered in this immensity ..." Aqdas

it is only right that the Name has this day,
so much is involved, that we could never say;

Beauty, Jamal (Sunday)

"O Thou the Desire of the world and the Beloved of the nations" Aqdas

please, let not this day ever come to an end,
so much to ponder, not enough time to spend;

Perfection, Kamal (Monday)

"Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee, for his face
is My face; be then abashed before Me. " HW #I-30

out of my face, you opportunistic crowd!
your tongues, lolling in anticipation of obtaining your spoils,
make it difficult to contemplate the Name of this day.

"Work is worship"
please! do not desecrate it!

Grace, Fidal (Tuesday)

"Thou seest, O my Lord, this wretched creature knocking at the door of Thy grace ..." Aqdas

all the while as we were (are?) climbing
from out of our start (place?) in the slime,
Grace has been there hoping for us (and helping)
that we speed our rush to the sublime;

Justice, Idal (Wednesday)

"The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom
if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee." HW #I-2

do not cb (no, not citizens' band) could be our cry,
and you need not wonder nor ask whence or why;
... let's just say that we have an 11th Commandment!
... besides, the group view is real;

some call this the "hump" day,
though it really lags by 24;

Majesty, Istijlal (Thursday)

"Thou seest, O my Lord, this stranger hastening to his most exalted home
beneath the canopy of Thy majesty" Aqdas

by this time we are almost done
with another of the cycles of the sun;
and the Glory day is coming with benefit and gain
let's get through Independence without causing more pain;

Independence, Istiqlal (Friday)

"Exalted art Thou above the description of anyone save Thyself, and the
comprehension of aught else except Thee." Aqdas

TGII, it seems, would be a better refrain,
if we only knew, and had half the brain,
needed to bring about the views the world is looking for;

... isn't it rightfully just for the individual to get a day?
... the winding down of one cycle allows another to get on its way.

It's interesting that the days of the week and the Valleys are of the same cardinality. Makes one think about cycles.

Remarks:

04/09/2016 -- We had a triple day, earlier, due to the new definitions.

12/05/2010 -- Need to add that, for some views, the cycles ended. This site will be used for the main Islamic information source, for awhile.

08/16/2009 -- The Operational group is approaching, and ontology is primal. One area of focus, as suggested by this post, will be mind-body studies. Somehow, insights from the Writings ought to have importance, teleological and operational.

Modified: 04/09/2016

7V and 4V

Month, Day: Beauty, Honour (Grace)

Posts have looked briefly at how we know, what we can know, and why we want to know.

A Baha'i ontology can be established upon the Writings. We can do well to start with the 7V, 4V, and the Hidden Words, though these are only a few items in whole ocean.

This image suggests ways to begin the exploration using the 7 Valleys. Being factors highly in those beyond the bridge of Unity.

The 4 Valleys can be used to demonstrate a type of progression that can map to developmental states of a worldview or cosmology (a ‘kind’ so to speak). We will be looking at each in more detail.
1- Trust yourself ("Read thy Book: There needeth none but thyself to make out an account against thee this day"). The basic foundation is that standing within is the “The Self of God standing within Him with laws” ("Hereafter We will show them Our signs in the regions of the earth, and in themselves, until it become manifest unto them that it is the truth") that can be queried (see below). That is, we can know; but, decisions and actions are required too (be not like the grammarian lost in his ponderings). The goal is to have a “self that is well-pleasing unto God ... be ye not like those who forget God.”

2 - Reason ("this is the station of primal reason"). Given that we can know (a kind of axiomatic/assumptive basis), then reason is necessary. The prime metaphor is the Surah of the Cave (implying space, motion - perhaps even a Principle vector).

3 - Imagine ("This realm is not to be pictured in words"). (Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert E). This brings into play all sorts of questions about being (phenomenalism, Hegel, etc.). Other concepts are “Love, chargers, His musky hair, the cyclic scheme,…” It is said that this realm involves the ‘bright stream of fellowship” (teams, peer reviews, etc.). The structure for knowing must be shared to be effective. "On this plane, neither the reign of reason is sufficient nor the authority of self."

4 - Be Humble ("Herein the high heavens are in no conflict with the lowly earth, nor do they seek to excel it, for this is the land of mercy, not the realm of distinction"). Yet, eventually those in the realm have to deal with a “bottomless sea” and the “blackest of night” yet balance the state of “full awareness’ and of “utter self-effacement.” The key: Obey Me and I will make you like unto Myself. I say Be and it Is. You will say Be and it will be. So, we don't really know our limits in terms of knowledge or what we can create. That is, there are limits, but they're infinite (albeit a lesser infinite than the Tree beyond which there is no passing).

Remarks:

04/09/2016 -- We had a triple day, earlier, due to the new definitions.

07/27/2009 -- These themes are important to audacity's work.

Modified: 04/09/2016

BASIS and sufficiency

Month, Day: Loftiness, Power (Independence)

The Writings, such as the Hidden Words and the Valleys (both the 7 and 4), are sufficient to found a strong operational basis for both science and spirituality. Getting to where 'science' and 'spirituality' are not mutually exclusive concepts will be one step that is necessary.

From The Four Valleys: 7V4V 1) "The Self of God standing within Him with laws", 7V4V 2) “Men whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of God….”, 7V4V 3) "On this plane, neither the reign of reason is sufficient nor the authority of self.", 7V4V 4) "... bottomless sea ... blackest of nights" BUT "O My Servant! Obey Me and I shall make thee like unto Myself. I say ‘Be,’ and it is, and thou shalt say ‘Be,’ and it shall be." ; ...,

Remarks:

08/31/2012 -- Names, Knowledge, Independence.

10/11/2009 -- Will, an operational imperative for science.

03/19/2009 -- Science and knowing are key.

Modified: 08/31/2012

Dust to dust

Month, Day: Sovereignty, Mercy (Majesty)

We may continue with a few questions and commentary, based upon the Hidden Words, for awhile.

Hidden Word #74 says: " O CHILDREN OF VAINGLORY! For a fleeting sovereignty ye have abandoned My imperishable dominion, and have adorned yourselves with the gay livery of the world and made of it your boast. By My beauty! All will I gather beneath the one-colored covering of the dust and efface all these diverse colors save them that choose My own, and that is purging from every color."

This applies to many things about our choices, including economy, and money, which we know is essential to any advancing civilization. The 20th century saw us remove money from any attachment to things material, supposedly as a step of advancement. One question is whether this may have gone too far and opened up the door to recent, and past, shenanigans.

Taking that further, money would have spirit that is tied to the material; nowadays, we're talking mostly ephemeral bits flowing via electro-magnetic properties through the ether (in the proper sense - to be defined) and through circuity; not far from being rather illusory.

How do we measure ourselves and our assets (including good works, products, etc.), which we are to do daily? Of course, such measures would include those related to economics, especially in terms of taking care of ourselves, family, and community.

Is it that we're not to fear an accumulation of wealth if we have the right perspective? So many questions?

Remarks:

10/04/2010 -- Friction can beget progress. Too, though, as excessive weight is not good for the physical health, too much moolah can be (is) detrimental to a proper spiritual view. Ah, some will argue not; yet, with hugh accumulations, how does one escape the psychetheral aspects? Not!! As well, the concept of 'simple living' (no, not vow of poverty - per se) needs some attention as a means to argue for just economics.

09/13/2009 -- Economics requires additional attention.

Modified: 10/04/2010

Economics

Month, Day: Honour, Sovereignty (Justice)

There are several watchwords, such as moderation. HW #I-82 says it, too: " O MY SERVANT! The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds."

So an economy is essential to human affairs. How that economy needs to look needs some discussion. But, the current gaming attitude of the capitalists' market strategy, especially those related to modern instruments that are valued by myth, are suspect.

As does any matter, money has spirit. Yet, that part of money solely encapsulated in bits that come and go through circuity and the ether is not of the same ilk.

Remarks:

10/04/2010 -- Friction can beget progress.

10/30/2009 -- Much injustice is economic in nature.

09/12/2009 -- Economics requires additional attention.

08/20/2008 -- As mentioned in Names on, modern methods rush things forward, but they can go awry easily to boot. Fortunately, for any mainstream gush, there are those who see better as they're away from the froth which can help, for one thing, to get things back on track when the time comes. That money ought to have some physical foundation, beyond just paper/ink or coin, needs to be shown - one necessity will be the proper mathematical framework (which will include but not be driven by gaming [oops, game theory]).

Modified: 10/04/2010

Some seeds

Month, Day: Honour, Power (Glory) Topics that could be discussed here are many; therefore some attempt at an initial list might be in order. Partial list (will grow):

• The groups: Transcendent, Teleological, Operational, Motivational, Ascendant
• Meaning of life - in total, for the individual and the group
• Reincarnation versus return
• Science, dismal and otherwise - and scientism
• Cognitive science and processes
• Religion - its role, plus
• Cosmology, ontology
• Epistemology
• Writings and Reality
• Poesy and prose

Hidden Words #59P: O HEEDLESS ONES! Think not the secrets of hearts are hidden, nay, know ye of a certainty that in clear characters they are engraved and are openly manifest in the holy Presence.

Remarks: 09/13/2009 -- Economics requires additional attention. 05/29/2009 -- The Transcendent baffles. Modified: 09/13/2009