must reflect how limitless and infinite are the
spiritual worlds, which are the essential foundation. "Take heed ye who
are endued with discernment."(169)

But let us return to our subject. In the Divine Scriptures and Holy Books
"return" is spoken of, but the ignorant have not understood the meaning,
and those who believed in reincarnation have made conjectures on the
subject. For what the divine Prophets meant by "return" is not the return
of the essence, but that of the qualities; it is not the return of the
Manifestation, but that of the perfections. In the Gospel it says that
John, the son of Zacharias, is Elias. These words do not mean the return
of the rational soul and personality of Elias in the body of John, but
rather that the perfections and qualities of Elias were manifested and
appeared in John.

A lamp shone in this room last night, and when tonight another lamp
shines, we say the light of last night is again shining. Water flows from
a fountain; then it ceases; and when it begins to flow a second time, we
say this water is the same water flowing again; or we say this light is
identical with the former light. It is the same with the spring of last
year, when blossoms, flowers and sweet-scented herbs bloomed, and
delicious fruits were brought forth; next year we say that those delicious
fruits have come back, and those blossoms, flowers and blooms have
returned and come again. This does not mean that exactly the same
particles composing the flowers of last year have, after decomposition,
been again combined and have then come back and returned. On the contrary,
the meaning is that the delicacy, freshness, delicious perfume and
wonderful color of the flowers of last year are visible and apparent in
exactly the same manner in the flowers of this year. Briefly, this
expression refers only to the resemblance and likeness which exist between
the former and latter flowers. The "return" which is mentioned in the
Divine Scriptures is this: it is fully explained by the Supreme Pen(170)
in the Kitab-i-Iqan. Refer to it, so that you may be informed of the truth
of the divine mysteries.

Upon you be greetings and praise.

82: PANTHEISM

Question.--How do the Theosophists and the Sufis understand the question of
pantheism?(171) What does it mean, and how nearly does it approximate to
the truth?

Answer.--Know that the subject of pantheism is ancient. It is a belief not
restricted to the Theosophists and