11th Chapter
Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub and becomes a wheel;
It is the space between the wheels that makes the cart useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
it is the emptiness inside that makes the vessel useful.
Open holes in the wall for doors and windows and make the room accessible,
it is the space in the room makes the room livable.
Create an instrument (material existence) that can bring benefit to life,
the space (emptiness) in an instrument is what makes the instrument function.
Implications from the Holy Books
O MAN OF TWO VISIONS!
Close one eye and open the other. Close one to the world and all that is therein, and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Beloved. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Persian 12
O SON OF DUST!
Blind thine eyes, that thou mayest behold My beauty; stop thine ears, that thou mayest hearken unto the sweet melody of My voice; empty thyself of all learning, that thou mayest partake of My knowledge; and sanctify thyself from riches, that thou mayest obtain a lasting share from the ocean of My eternal wealth. Blind thine eyes, that is, to all save My beauty; stop thine ears to all save My word; empty thyself of all learning save the knowledge of Me; that with a clear vision, a pure heart and an attentive ear thou mayest enter the court of My holiness. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Persian 11
O SON OF LIGHT! Forget all save Me and commune with My spirit. This is of the essence of My command, therefore turn unto it. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic 16
O MOVING FORM OF DUST! I desire communion with thee, but thou wouldst put no trust in Me. The sword of thy rebellion hath felled the tree of thy hope. At all times I am near unto thee, but thou art ever far from Me. Imperishable glory I have chosen for thee, yet boundless shame thou hast chosen for thyself. While there is yet time, return, and lose not thy chance. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Persian 21
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