g principle. These souls
and symbols of detachment have provided, and will continue to provide, the
supreme moving impulse in the world of being. The world beyond is as
different from this world as this world is different from that of the
child while still in the womb of its mother. When the soul attaineth the
Presence of God, it will assume the form that best befitteth its
immortality and is worthy of its celestial habitation. Such an existence
is a contingent and not an absolute existence, inasmuch as the former is
preceded by a cause, whilst the latter is independent thereof. Absolute
existence is strictly confined to God, exalted be His glory. Well is it
with them that apprehend this truth. Wert thou to ponder in thine heart
the behavior of the Prophets of God thou wouldst assuredly and readily
testify that there must needs be other worlds besides this world. The
majority of the truly wise and learned have, throughout the ages, as it
hath been recorded by the Pen of Glory in the Tablet of Wisdom, borne
witness to the truth of that which the holy Writ of God hath revealed.
Even the materialists have testified in their writings to the wisdom of
these divinely-appointed Messengers, and have regarded the references made
by the Prophets to Paradise, to hell fire, to future reward and
punishment, to have been actuated by a desire to educate and uplift the
souls of men. Consider, therefore, how the generality of mankind, whatever
their beliefs or theories, have recognized the excellence, and admitted
the superiority, of these Prophets of God. These Gems of Detachment are
acclaimed by some as the embodiments of wisdom, while others believe them
to be the mouthpiece of God Himself. How could such Souls have consented
to surrender themselves unto their enemies if they believed all the worlds
of God to have been reduced to this earthly life? Would they have
willingly suffered such afflictions and torments as no man hath ever
experienced or witnessed?

LXXXII: THOU HAST ASKED ME CONCERNING THE...

Thou hast asked Me concerning the nature of the soul. Know, verily, that
the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned
of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can
ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare
the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave
to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If