Last week I heard Abida Parveen singing Sufi poetry for the first time, and my SO translated the lyrics. I was amazed. I had not really known much about Sufism, but I found her words compelling to me. I came upon your blog as you know through grace in a 'serendipitous' manifestation, an alchemy of energy! Thanks for be-friending me! :)

Lovely and true!

Salaam Tailor, Thank you for the blog comment. You asked a question about the relative status of the Manifestations of God as seen by Baha'is. First, Baha'is are more of a heterodoxy than an orthodoxy. You will find them coming from all backgrounds and progressing on lots of different paths. Not so unlike Sufis, no? To become a Baha'i (in the U.S. at least) one signs a card declaring Baha'u'llah to be the Manifestation of God. That is just about the only required belief. Because the writings are so large and everyone sees them through veils people have differing beliefs on where Baha'u'llah stands compared to the others. When I read the writings I note two specific types of statements. There is the statement that all Manifestations are the same. They are like the sun which rises on different points in the horizon during different seasons. It is a different sun and a different season, but it is the same sun. Each one has special names or attributes like the seasons too. Then there is a second type of statement that while they are the same, Baha'u'llah is the beginning of a new era. The old Adamic cycle is over and a new one begins. This is the cycle of peace. It is why you and I start our letters that way. He is the one foretold of all religions. Without His coming there would be no point in sending the others. Because you wear so few veils Tailor, you will see many things in the writings that are hidden to other Baha'is. Inshallah it makes you stronger in which ever path you follow. I am so pleased to know you. wasalaam,