The elemental atoms which constitute all phenomenal existence and being in
this illimitable universe are in perpetual motion, undergoing continuous
degrees of progression. For instance, let us conceive of an atom in the
mineral kingdom progressing upward to the kingdom of the vegetable by
entering into the composition and fibre of a tree or plant. From thence it
is assimilated and transferred into the kingdom of the animal and finally
by the law and process of composition becomes a part of the body of man.
That is to say, it has traversed the intermediate degrees and stations of
phenomenal existence, entering into the composition of various organisms
in its journey. This motion or transference is progressive and perpetual,
for after disintegration of the human body into which it has entered, it
returns to the mineral kingdom whence it came, and will continue to
traverse the kingdoms of phenomena as before. This is an illustration
designed to show that the constituent elemental atoms of phenomena undergo
progressive transference and motion throughout the material kingdoms.
In its ceaseless progression and journeyings the atom becomes imbued with
the virtues and powers of each degree or kingdom it traverses. In the
degree of the mineral it possessed mineral affinities; in the kingdom of
the vegetable it manifested the virtue augmentative or power of growth; in
the animal organism it reflected the intelligence of that degree, and in
the kingdom of man it was qualified with human attributes or virtues.
Furthermore, the forms and organisms of phenomenal being and existence in
each of the kingdoms of the universe are myriad and numberless. The
vegetable plane or kingdom for instance has its infinite variety of types
and material structures of plant life, each distinct and different within
itself, no two exactly alike in composition and detail, for there are no
repetitions in nature, and the virtue augmentative cannot be confined to
any given image or shape. Each leaf has its own particular identity, so to
speak, its own individuality as a leaf. Therefore each atom of the
innumerable elemental atoms, during its ceaseless motion through the
kingdoms of existence as a constituent of organic composition, not only
becomes imbued with the powers and virtues of the kingdoms it traverses
but also reflects the attributes and qualities of the forms and organisms
of those kingdoms. As each of these forms has its individual and
particular virtue, therefore each elemental atom of the universe has the
opportunity of expressing an infinite variety of those individual virtues.
No atom is bereft or deprived of this opportunity or right of expression.
Nor can it be said of any given atom that it is denied equal opportunities
with other atoms; nay, all are privileged to possess the virtues existent
in these kingdoms and to reflect the attributes of their organisms. In the
various transformations or passages from kingdom to kingdom, the virtues
expressed by the atoms in each degree are peculiar to that degree. For
example, in the world of the mineral, the atom does not express the
vegetable form and organism, and when through the process of transmutation
it assumes the virtues of the vegetable degree, it does not reflect the
attributes of animal organisms, and so on.
It is evident then that each elemental atom of the universe is possessed
of a capacity to express all the virtues of the universe. This is a subtle
and abstract realization. Meditate upon it, for within it lies the true
explanation of pantheism. From this point of view and perception,
pantheism is a truth, for every atom in the universe possesses or reflects
all the virtues of life, the manifestation of which is effected through
change and transformation. Therefore the origin and outcome of phenomena
is verily the omnipresent God for the reality of all phenomenal existence
is through Him. There is neither reality nor the manifestation of reality
without the instrumentality of God. Existence is realized and possible
through the bounty of God, just as the ray or flame emanating from this
lamp is realized through the bounty of the lamp from which it originates.
Even so all phenomena are realized through the divine bounty, and the
explanation of true pantheistic statement and principle is that the
phenomena of the universe find realization through the one power animating
and dominating all things; and all things are but manifestations of its
energy and bounty. The virtue of being and existence is through no other
agency. Therefore in the words of Baha'u'llah the first teaching is the
oneness of the world of humanity....
Baha'u'llah has announced that no matter how far the world of humanity may
advance in material civilization, it is nevertheless in need of spiritual
virtues and the bounties of God. The spirit of man is not illumined and
quickened through material sources. It is not resuscitated by
investigating phenomena of the world of matter. The spirit of man is in
need of the protection of the Holy Spirit. Just as he advances by
progressive stages from the mere physical world of being into the
intellectual realm, so must he develop upward in moral attributes and
spiritual graces. In the process of this attainment he is ever in need of
the bestowals of the Holy Spirit. Material development may be likened to
the glass of a lamp whereas divine virtues and spiritual susceptibilities
are the light within the glass. The lamp chimney is worthless without the
light; likewise man in his material condition requires the radiance and
vivification of the divine graces and merciful attributes. Without the
presence of the Holy Spirit he is lifeless. Although physically and
mentally alive he is spiritually dead. His Holiness Christ announced,
"That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of spirit is
spirit," meaning that man must be born again. As the babe is born into the
light of this physical world so must the physical and intellectual man be
born into the light of the world of divinity. In the matrix of the mother
the unborn child was deprived and unconscious of the world of material
existence but after its birth it beheld the wonders and beauties of a new
realm of life and being. In the world of the matrix it was utterly
ignorant and unable to conceive of these new conditions but after its
transformation it discovers the radiant sun, trees, flowers and an
infinite range of blessings and bounties awaiting it. In the human plane
and kingdom man is a captive of nature and ignorant of the divine world
until born of the breaths of the Holy Spirit out of physical conditions of
limitation and deprivation. Then he beholds the reality of the spiritual
realm and kingdom, realizes the narrow restrictions of the mere human
world of existence and becomes conscious of the unlimited and infinite
glories of the world of God. Therefore no matter how man may advance upon
the physical and intellectual plane he is ever in need of the boundless
virtues of divinity, the protection of the Holy Spirit and the face of
God.