Richard wrote:
> Suzanne, your quotation from "Some Answered Questions" does not resolve
th~ =EF
e
> issue of "volition" to me. The reason is that on this plane one may
asser
t
> self or ego. I suspect that in the next world, that is impossible.
Thus
> the power of which Abdu'l-Baha speaks is something entirely different
from
> what we experience her as "volition".
Hi Richard,
I've never heard of ego being needed for volition. How are you
defining the word "volition"? The dictionary defines it;
vo=B7li=B7tion (v-lshn)
n.
1. The act or an instance of making a conscious choice or decision.
2. A conscious choice or decision.
3. The power or faculty of choosing; the will.
In the quote I cited, it says that the soul can progress in the next
world through its supplications, entreaties and prayers. It would
seem they have chosen to pray. According to my reading of the above
definiton, this is volition. I'm certain that everything in the next
world will be utterly different from what we experience in this world,
and we can't really even imagine it, and yet there are also
similarities. For one thing, as 'Abdul-Baha says in the passage
immediately preceding the quote I cited:
"Are not all the people in that world the creatures of God?
Therefore, in that world also they can make progress."
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, Page: 232)
And His point was that they can initiate their progress through
prayers. Another similarity between this world and the next is that
they are both world's of God. As we know, God's essence can't be
known, but we do know that some of the attributes of God are Love,
Compassion, Mercy and Forgiveness -- all to a supreme degree. We can
count on the fact that that will be operant in the next world as
well.
> I have also heard the story regarding Mirza Yahya. As I have not seen
the
> Tablet or an authenticated Writing regarding it, I cannot use it as
> authority.
I wasn't using it as authority. However a covenant breaker can be
reinstated "if they sincerely repent."
"In their capacity as protectors of the Faith, the Hands will continue
to take action to expel Covenant-breakers and to reinstate those who
sincerely repent, subject in each instance to the approval of the
Universal House of Justice."
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the
Followers of
Baha'u'llah throughout the World, October 1963: Wellspring
of
Guidance, pp. 13-14)
If their soul is lost forever, why would we want them back in the fold
again?
> On Ocean, I find no phrase "lost soul". However, I find this verse from
> Baha'u'llah startling.
Which verse is that? I don't see what you've quoted.
Best wishes,
Suzanne
|
