were he to search the
East and the West, and traverse land, sea, mountain and plain, he would
find no trace of his own self or of any other soul.
104 Gracious God! But for fear of the Nimrod of tyranny and for the
protection of the Abraham of justice, I would reveal unto thee that which,
wert thou to abandon self and desire, would enable thee to dispense with
aught else and to draw nigh unto this city. Be patient, however, until
such time as God will have proclaimed His Cause. He, verily, rewardeth
beyond measure them that endure with patience.(64) Inhale then the sweet
savours of the spirit from the garment of hidden meanings, and say: "O ye
that are immersed in the ocean of selflessness! Hasten to enter the City
of Immortality, if ye seek to ascend its heights." And We exclaim: "Verily
we are God's, and to Him shall we return."(65)
105 From this most august and exalted station, and from this most sublime
and glorious plane, the seeker entereth the City of Immortality, therein
to abide forever. In this station he beholdeth himself established upon
the throne of independence and the seat of exaltation. Then will he
comprehend the meaning of that which hath been revealed of old concerning
the day "whereon God shall enrich all through His abundance".(66) Well is
it with them that have attained unto this station and drunk their fill
from this snow-white chalice before this Crimson Pillar.
106 Having, in this journey, immersed himself in the ocean of immortality,
rid his heart from attachment to aught save Him, and attained unto the
loftiest heights of everlasting life, the seeker will see no annihilation
either for himself or for any other soul. He will quaff from the cup of
immortality, tread in its land, soar in its atmosphere, consort with them
that are its embodiments, partake of the imperishable and incorruptible
fruits of the tree of eternity, and be forever accounted, in the lofty
heights of immortality, amongst the denizens of the everlasting realm.
107 All that existeth in this city shall indeed endure and will never
perish. Shouldst thou, by the leave of God, enter this sublime and exalted
garden, thou wouldst find its sun in its noontide glory, never to set,
never to be eclipsed. The same holdeth true of its moon, its firmament,
its stars, trees, and oceans, and of all that pertaineth thereunto or
existeth therein. By Him besides Whom there is none other God! Were I to
recount, from this day unto the end t
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