Some directed to the heart of man, others intended to guide institutions and governments, these teachings bear on the present and future needs of the entire human family, and are intended to lead humanity to its promised and long awaited age of peace. Baha'u'llah has stated that His purpose is to effect a spiritual transformation in both the individual and society. Without such a transformation, He would not have fulfilled His mission. For the Kingdom of God to be established here on earth, both the individual and society as a whole must take on the qualities of heaven, and abandon the qualities of the world (116:1)

The TRANSFORMATION of the INDIVIDUAL-
Regarding the transformation of the individual, I quote here a few selections from His writings. They by no means are intended to provide the substance of His message on this subject, but rather to convey something of its spirit. The first of the series of selections below is a prayer: (116:2)

Suffer me, O my God, to draw nigh unto Thee, and to abide within the precincts of Thy court, for remoteness from Thee hath well-nigh consumed me. Cause me to rest under the shadow of the wings of Thy grace, for the flame of my separation from Thee hath melted my heart within me. Draw me nearer unto the river that is life indeed, for my soul burneth with thirst in its ceaseless search after Thee. My sighs, O my God, proclaim the bitterness of mine anguish, and the tears I shed attest my love for Thee (116:3)

I beseech Thee, by the praise wherewith Thou praisest Thyself and the glory wherewith Thou glorifiest Thine own Essence, to grant that we may be numbered among them that have recognized Thee and acknowledged Thy sovereignty in Thy days. Help us then to quaff, O my God, from the fingers of mercy the living waters of Thy loving-kindness, that we may utterly forget all else except Thee, and be occupied only with Thy Self (116:4)

Powerful art Thou to do what Thou willest. No God is there beside Thee, the Mighty, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Prayers and Meditations, p. 30 (116:5)

O SON of SPIRIT!
My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting. Arabic Hidden Words, No. 1 (116:6)

O SON of SPIRIT!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes. Arabic Hidden Words, No. 2 (116:7)

O SON of MAN!
Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness. Arabic Hidden Words, No. 27 (116:8)

O SON of MAN!
Bestow My wealth upon My poor, that in heaven thou mayest draw from stores of unfading splendor and treasures of imperishable glory. But by My life! To offer up thy soul is a more glorious thing couldst thou but see with Mine eye. Arabic Hidden Words, No. 57 (116:9)

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