New video up on the Windflower Readings YouTube channel: Book of the Tigris, by Baha’u’llah.
Book of the Tigris (or Book of the River) is a letter Baha’u’llah wrote for a believer who asked him about the truth of reports attributing miracles to Baha’u’llah and other Babis. The letter is, for the most part, a discussion on the subject of miracles and, in particular, the miraculous effect a new divine revelation has on the world, which Baha’u’llah illustrates by likening it to the effect the Tigris flood waters have on the river’s hinterland.
Towards the end of the letter, Baha’u’llah recommends to his correspondent a saying from the life-giving waters, which will help him gain spiritual self-sufficiency and attain eternal life. The saying Baha’u’llah offers is the first Arabic Hidden Word, which he extols as “a light that is not extinguished, a treasure that is not exhausted, a raiment that does not wear out, and a splendor over which no curtain is drawn”. He describes it as the greatest counsel he could give, and explains that it is the path that will lead to “the possessor of the throne”.
Baha’u’llah’s first Arabic hidden word says: “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.”