Reality is revealed within it. This light sets hearts aglow with the fire
of the love of God, opens in them the doors of knowledge and unseals the
divine mysteries so that spiritual discoveries are made possible. All the
Prophets have drawn near to God through severance. We must emulate those
Holy Souls and renounce our own wishes and desires. We must purify
ourselves from the mire and soil of earthly contact until our hearts
become as mirrors in clearness and the light of the most great guidance
reveals itself in them.

Baha'u'llah proclaims in the Hidden Words that God inspires His servants
and is revealed through them. He says, "Thy heart is My home; sanctify it
for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My
manifestation." Therefore, we learn that nearness to God is possible
through devotion to Him, through entrance into the Kingdom and service to
humanity; it is attained by unity with mankind and through loving-kindness
to all; it is dependent upon investigation of truth, acquisition of
praiseworthy virtues, service in the cause of universal peace and personal
sanctification. In a word, nearness to God necessitates sacrifice of self,
severance and the giving up of all to Him. Nearness is likeness.

Behold how the sun shines upon all creation, but only surfaces that are
pure and polished can reflect its glory and light. The darkened soul has
no portion of the revelation of the glorious effulgence of reality; and
the soil of self, unable to take advantage of that light, does not produce
growth. The eyes of the blind cannot behold the rays of the sun; only pure
eyes with sound and perfect sight can receive them. Green and living trees
can absorb the bounty of the sun; dead roots and withered branches are
destroyed by it. Therefore, man must seek capacity and develop readiness.
As long as he lacks susceptibility to divine influences, he is incapable
of reflecting the light and assimilating its benefits. Sterile soil will
produce nothing, even if the cloud of mercy pours rain upon it a thousand
years. We must make the soil of our hearts receptive and fertile by
tilling in order that the rain of divine mercy may refresh them and bring
forth roses and hyacinths of heavenly planting. We must have perceiving
eyes in order to see the light of the sun. We must cleanse the nostril in
order to scent the fragrances of the divine rose garden. We must render
the ears attentive in order to hear the summons o