The foundation underlying all the divine precepts is one reality…. and reality is one. Therefore the foundation of the divine religions is one. But we can see that certain forms and ceremonies have crept in. They are heretical, they are accidental, because they differ, hence they cause differences among religions. If we set aside all superstitions and see the reality of the foundation we shall all agree, because religion is one and not multiple. –
Therefore did Baha’u’llah cry, “O God, deliver us from the sea of names!” Man must turn to the light and not think that the form of the lamp is essential, for the lamp may be changed; but he who longs for light welcomes it from whatever source it comes. –
I posted a couple of snippets from a Baha'i book called - Divine Philosophy.
Baha'is claim there has only ever been one religion and it comes in various adapted forms to give meaning to peoples in differing cultural, social and intellectual states. Muhammad was then the Seal of the Prophets, the end of these adapted religious forms and that humanity from Muhammad on would receive only universal Messengers.
As for enlightenment, mysticism and the mystical experience, the religious experience, I have mixed with a great many people on the edges of this stuff. We all tried the drugs, tried the fasting, float tanks, gathered with those who claimed some etherial knowledge we all needed, etc, etc and of all those I travelled with I think I can say that I got the closest to what we were all aiming for.
The mystical experience passes, feeling deeply spiritual passes and more often than not when a journey is about the self, self improvement, self enlightenment, freeing one's self of the ego, and this is not to say we should not engage with such undertakings, because such is life, but it can lead to a great sense of disappointment and disillusionment, because people expect quick fixes, a hit, being happy and fulfilled without the really hard yards. Even these great philosophical journeys the taken by the likes of Huxley are challenging in the extreme.
I can claim one true mystical experience, it was beautiful and it was the moment of my epiphany, which just means I stopped being a complete ass-hole. I have mentioned it on HC before and it resonates with me to this day. I think life is a mystical experience. The greatest mystical experience is to live honestly, caring and completely invested in the humans with which you share your life.
A vow of silence, years of semi-isolation contemplating ones navel, hallucinogenics, do not come close to the mystical experience of ordinary life, so long as ordinary life is not ordinary and is full of love and loving acts for those you share it with.
