The "reality" of man is his thought - not his
material body. Although man is part of
the animal creation, he possesses a power of thought superior to the rest of
the created beings. If his thought is
directed continually towards heavenly subjects, he becomes saintly; if, on the
other hand, his thought does not soar above things of this world, he is little
better than an animal.
Thoughts are of two kinds:
a) Thoughts that belong entirely to the world of thought.
b) Thoughts that result in action.
The thoughts of our Lord Jesus Christ belonged to a high
spiritual world, but he also brought them into the world of action.
Some men and women have exalted thoughts, but if they do not
realize them in the world of action, they are useless. The power of thought is dependent on
manifestation in the world of action.
Nevertheless in the world of progress and evolution thought
has an effect, even if it is not always expressed in action. To this class of thought the majority of
philosophers give expression; their thoughts are above their actions, too high
for them to live up to themselves. The
difference between philosophers and spiritual teachers is this: Spiritual
teachers follow their own teaching, bring down into the world of action their
spiritual conceptions and ideals, whereas mere philosophers do not. We often find philosophers emphasize the
importance of Justice, while in their private lives they are most unjust. This state is impossible with spiritual
teachers. No man can separate himself
from his thought.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha; From a compilation of ‘Discourses of
‘Abdu’l-Baha given in London and Paris’; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19,
March 2, 1912)
