As there are four
seasons in this material world, so it is in the spiritual world. When the
divine spring is over and the heavenly bounty ceases, the trees of being lie
dormant. Lifelessness and stillness prevail over the world of man. People
become spiritless and withered. Autumn and winter set in. There exists no
flower or greenery, no cheerfulness or mirth, no happiness or joy. Then the
spiritual spring spreads its tent once more. The gardens of the hearts regain
their freshness, charm and verdure. The buds of knowledge open and the anemones
of reality appear. The world of man becomes another world. This is the divine
law and is a requirement of the world of creation. This is the cause of the
appearance of the many Manifestations of God.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 3, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
