“There Can Be No Doubt”

The following is a great confirmation.

This passage from the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf written by Baha’u’llah may tell why American Indians among all the peoples of the world “should they be educated and guided … will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world”:

“Every man of discernment, while walking upon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed, inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing which is the source of his prosperity, his wealth, his might, his exaltation, his advancement and power is, as ordained by God, the very earth which is trodden beneath the feet of all men. There can be no doubt that whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory.”

The above passage appears to perfectly describe the heartfelt belief and the underlying character of the indigenous people of the Americas – the great majority of who in spite of the circumstances given to them by the Creator of All Things are still in touch with their inner most selves, yet suffer from an inability to fit into the value system of the dominant culture – throughout the Americas. And, if you read the last sentence of the above quote, it seems to foreshadow and give prophetic power to this quote from the Tablets of the Divine Plan written by Abdu’l-Baha:

“Attach great importance to the indigenous population of America. For these souls may be likened unto the ancient inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, who, prior to the Mission of Muhammad, were like unto savages. When the light of Muhammad shone forth in their midst, however, they became so radiant as to illumine the world. Likewise, these Indians, should they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.”

Note the words “there can be no doubt” in both of the above quoted passages.

The Destiny of “these souls”

It appears “these souls” the indigenous peoples of the Americas, for example, American Indians have been bequeathed a great destiny by Abdu’l-Baha, the Master and the Interpreter of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, the Promised One of All Ages, because if “… they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.” Why? Perhaps it is because they embody what Baha’u’llah says and are fit to serve Him because “… whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory.”

The encouragement and the affirming Baha’i education of the indigenous peoples of the Americas may be the great hope of the world. Rise is a component of what will become Rosa University. The epic and heroic work of Rise students, for example, Alaska Natives and young American Indian Baha’is will provide the means to build a Baha’i inspired self-funded university system that will enable American Indian Baha’is throughout the Americas to uplift and educate themselves wherein they will be transformed into spiritual giants and servant leaders, because the Creator of All Things can change a “gnat into an eagle” and a “drop of water into rivers and seas” and “… whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory.”

We may argue all day what Abdu’l-Baha meant by “For these souls may be likened unto the ancient inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, who, prior to the Mission of Muhammad, were like unto savages.” But, we cannot argue with “Attach great importance to the indigenous population of America. …these Indians, should they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.”

God Fully Manifest in All Things

On the first day in the Garden of Ridvan Baha’u’llah declared all the names of God were fully manifest in all things. In a Tablet revealed during this time Baha’u’llah says that God proclaims that today only His face can be seen in creation. American Indians live in world in which God is manifest in all things. American Indians live in a world surrounded by mystical symbolism which may be said to be the world in which Baha’u’llah dwells, the land of Nur, the Land of Light.

History is like a great circle. Sometime what happened before reappears and happens again. In the book How the Irish Saved Civilization, the author, Thomas Cahill, a proud Irishman, said that the tribal Irish people were the savages of the European world before they took on Christianity and then in their religious conviction they sent devoted missionaries to Europe in great numbers to reconvert the peoples of the European continent who were in the throes of the Dark Ages and falling away from their Christian belief. Today, as never before, people are falling away from belief in God everywhere, and, nevertheless, Abdu’l-Baha, the Exemplar of the Cause and Interpreter of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, and himself the prophetic and perfect Master, writes in the soul stirring Tablets of the Divine Plan “… these Indians, should they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.”