NEW REALITIES: EXPRESSIONS OF BEAUTY

Humanity, in our day, is undergoing a turbulent transition, gradually approaching new stages of maturity. Our task is to keep the “bridges to reality” safe and properly oriented. How should we find the right source of inspiration to more fully express our rich diversity and, through it, take the human condition to new heights?

“From the exalted source, and out of the essence of His favor and bounty He hath entrusted every created thing with a sign of His knowledge, so that none of His creatures may be deprived of its share in expressing, each according to its capacity and rank, this knowledge. This sign is the mirror of His beauty in the world of creation” 

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 261).

Simply by making use of our senses, each one of us can perceive beauty, in varying degrees. Beauty is part of our sensory realm; be it a unique panorama or a simple image, a delightful melody or a heartwarming voice, an exquisite fragrance or a delicate texture – each instance of beauty nurtures our physical faculties. Likewise, our inner perceptions, whether originating in our imagination, thought, comprehension, or memory, allow us to explore the intrinsic qualities of these expressions and penetrate their innermost meanings, discovering beauty in diverse forms.

This diversity indicates that our world is full of signs “of His knowledge.” These signs can be turned into new realities and even greater expressions of beauty through the refinement of language, arts, architecture, science, and craftsmanship, and, in the natural world, through the growth of gardens and landscapes.

However, for the signs of beauty to become more meaningful elevated, both the source and purpose of artistic endeavors must fulfill certain conditions. If beauty is a sign of divine knowledge, then art becomes the greatest glory of mankind:

“O thou true friend! Read, in the school of God, the lessons of the spirit, and learn from love’s Teacher the innermost truths. Seek out the secrets of Heaven, and tell of the overflowing grace and favor of God.

Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of mankind, this is so only on condition that man’s river flow into the mighty sea, and draw from God’s ancient source His inspiration. When this cometh to pass, then every teacher is as a shoreless ocean, every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge. If, then, the pursuit of knowledge leads to the beauty of Him Who is the Object of all Knowledge, how excellent is that goal; but if not, a mere drop will perhaps shut a man off from flooding grace, for with learning cometh arrogance and pride, and it bringeth on error and indifference to God.

The sciences of today are bridges to reality; if then they lead not to reality, naught remains but fruitless illusion.”

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, #72)

Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of mankind, this is so only on condition that man’s river flow into the mighty sea, and draw from God’s ancient source His inspiration. When this cometh to pass, then every teacher is as a shoreless ocean, every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge.

Humanity, in our day, is undergoing a turbulent transition, gradually approaching new stages of maturity. Our task is to keep the “bridges to reality” safe and properly oriented. How should we find the right source of inspiration to more fully express our rich diversity and, through it, take the human condition to new heights?

The Bahá'i tradition guides us to open our eyes and acquire the capacity to react to the beauty of our world and recognize the harmony that transcends diversity:

“O friends!  Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die, and set not your affections on this mortal world of dust.”

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, Persian #14)