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20th
Feburary 2010
The
influence of the stars
 Question.
-- Have the stars of the heavens any influence
upon the human soul, or have they not?
Answer. -- Some of the celestial
stars have a clear and apparent material effect
upon the terrestrial globe and the earthly beings,
which needs no explanation. Consider the sun,
which through the aid and the providence of
God develops the earth and all earthly beings.
Without the light and heat of the sun, all the
earthly creatures would be entirely nonexistent.
With regard to the spiritual influence of stars,
though this influence of stars in the human
world may appear strange, still, if you reflect
deeply upon this subject, you will not be so
much surprised at it. My meaning is not, however,
that the decrees which the astrologers of former
times inferred from the movements of the stars
corresponded to occurrences; for the decrees
of those former astrologers were forms of imagination
which were originated by Egyptian, Assyrian
and Chaldean priests; nay, rather, they were
due to the fancies of Hindus, to the myths of
the Greeks, Romans and other star worshipers.
But I mean that this limitless universe is like
the human body, all the members of which are
connected and linked with one another with the
greatest strength. How much the organs, the
members and the parts of the body of man are
intermingled and connected for mutual aid and
help, and how much they influence one another!
In the same way, the parts of this infinite
universe have their members and elements connected
with one another, and influence one another
spiritually and materially.
For example, the eye sees, and all the body
is affected; the ear hears, and all the members
of the body are moved. Of this there is no doubt;
and the universe is like a living person. Moreover,
the connection which exists between the members
of beings must necessarily have an effect and
impression, whether it be material or spiritual.
For those who deny spiritual influence upon
material things we mention this brief example:
wonderful sounds and tones, melodies and charming
voices, are accidents which affect the air --
for sound is the term for vibrations of the
air -- and by these vibrations the nerves of
the tympanum of the ear are affected, and hearing
results.
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Now
reflect that the vibration of the air, which
is an accident of no importance, attracts and
exhilarates the spirit of man and has great
effect upon him: it makes him weep or laugh;
perhaps it will influence him to such a degree
that he will throw himself into danger. Therefore,
see the connection which exists between the
spirit of man and the atmospheric vibration,
so that the movement of the air becomes the
cause of transporting him from one state to
another, and of entirely overpowering him; it
will deprive him of patience and tranquillity.
Consider how strange this is, for nothing comes
forth from the singer which enters into the
listener; nevertheless, a great spiritual effect
is produced. Therefore, surely so great a connection
between beings must have spiritual effect and
influence.
It has been mentioned that the members and parts
of man affect and influence one another. For
example, the eye sees; the heart is affected.
The ear hears; and the spirit is influenced.
The heart is at rest; the thoughts become serene,
and for all the members of man’s body
a pleasant condition is realized. What a connection
and what an agreement is this! Since this connection,
this spiritual effect and this influence, exists
between the members of the body of man, who
is only one of many finite beings, certainly
between these universal and infinite beings
there will also be a spiritual and material
connection. Although by existing rules and actual
science these connections cannot be discovered,
nevertheless, their existence between all beings
is certain and absolute.
To conclude: the beings, whether great or small,
are connected with one another by the perfect
wisdom of God, and affect and influence one
another. If it were not so, in the universal
system and the general arrangement of existence,
there would be disorder and imperfection. But
as beings are connected one with another with
the greatest strength, they are in order in
their places and perfect.
This subject is worthy of examination.
(Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions,
p. 246)
For further information contact:
North: 452-0335
Central: 452-4346
South: 459-3131
Discuss
Story
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