This people, all of them, have pictured a god in the realm
of the mind, and worship that image which they have made for themselves. And
yet that image is comprehended, the human mind being the comprehender thereof,
and certainly the comprehender is greater than that which lieth within its
grasp; for imagination is but the branch, while mind is the root; and certainly
the root is greater than the branch. Consider then, how all the peoples of the
world are bowing the knee to a fancy of their own contriving, how they have
created a creator within their own minds, and they call it the Fashioner of all
that is -- whereas in truth it is but an illusion. Thus are the people
worshipping only an error of perception.
But that Essence of Essences, that Invisible of Invisibles,
is sanctified above all human speculation, and never to be overtaken by the
mind of man. Never shall that immemorial Reality lodge within the compass of a
contingent being. His is another realm, and of that realm no understanding can
be won. No access can be gained thereto; all entry is forbidden there. The
utmost one can say is that Its existence can be proved, but the conditions of
Its existence are unknown.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha)
