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PRESCRIPTIONS
FOR THE DISEASES OF THE CARNAL SELF
This
consists of Five Paragraphs which contain prescriptions for
truth to which the rebellious, and arrogant carnal self has to
yield.
First
paragraph
Since
things exist and have been made with skill, then a Supreme Maker
must exist. If the existence of everything is ascribed to One
Being only, then the creation of everything is as easy as the
creation of one thing alone, which would not be the case if we
imagine other creators. When we confess the creation of the
earth and the heavens to be the work of a sole Creator, we
cannot help concluding that a Wise and Skilful Creator would not
allow disorder to arise by allowing others to administer living
beings. He would not reduce to absurdity His Divine purpose in
causing the existence of all creation by allowing that power to
any other than Himself, and He would not allow creation to
worship and be thankful to someone else.
Second
paragraph
O my
haughty carnal soul! You are like a grape vine. Someone else,
not yourself, has made you wear bunches of grapes like a
garment, do not be boastful.
Third
paragraph
O
arrogant carnal soul! Do not be proud of your services to God’s
religion. As has been stated in a Prophetic tradition, Surely
God may also strengthen this religion by means of a dissolute
man. You are not pure, so you should regard yourself as that
dissolute man. Purge yourself of self-admiration and pride by
considering your service and worship as thanksgiving for God’s
past favors to you, and a duty required by your humanity, and a
consequence of your being God’s work of art.
Fourth
paragraph
If you
desire to acquire knowledge of the truth and true wisdom, try to
attain the knowledge of God and know that the realities of
creation consist in the rays of the Divine Name of Truth and the
manifestations of His Names and Attributes. The reality of each
human being, and of every existence, whether material or
spiritual, substantial or accidental, originates in the light of
one of His Names.
O my
carnal soul, if you are attached to this temporary worldly life,
and you want to flee from death, know that life is the moment of
‘now’, while you are living. All preceding time, together
with the things which existed therein, have all passed away, and
future time together with what is to come is non-existent. This
means that your material life upon which you rely is of
momentary duration, moreover, some scholars who know the truth
say it has the term of an instant only. Some saints have
concluded in consequence that the world does not exist by itself
at all. Now, this is the reality, so abandon the materialistic
life and try to live on a spiritual level, and discover how
complete life can be.
Although
the past and the future are dead for you, they are living for
the people of sainthood who lead their life in the realm of the
spirit. Now that this is the true reality, shed tears with all
your heart, O my carnal soul, and cry out in pain:
I
am mortal but I do not want the mortal.
I
am impotent so I do not desire the impotent.
I
surrendered my spirit to the All-Merciful One, so I desire
no one else.
I
want someone who will remain my friend forever.
I
am but an insignificant particle, but I desire an
Everlasting Sun.
I
am nothing in essence but I wish for the whole of
creation.
A
SUPPLICATION
O
God! You are my Lord; I am a slave.
You
are the Creator; I am the one created.
You
are the Provider; I am the one provided.
You
are the Owner; I am the one owned.
You
are the Mighty and Glorious; I am the one abased and
wretched.
Your
are the Absolutely Rich One; I am the one absolutely poor.
You
are the All-Living; I am the one dead,
You
are the All-Permanent; I am the one mortal.
You
are the All-Munificent; I am the one miserly.
You
are the All-Benevolent; I am the one doing ill.
You
are the All-Forgiving; I am the one sinful.
You
are the Grand One; I am the one despicable.
You
are the All-Strong; I am the one weak.
You
are the Giver; I am the one begging.
You
are the One Giving Security; I am the one in fear.
You
are the All-Generous; I am the one in utmost need.
You
are the One Answering pleas; I am the one pleading.
You
are the All-Healing One; I am the one sick.
So
forgive me my sins and spare me and heal my ills, O God! O
All-Sufficing One! O Lord! O Faithful One! O Most
Compassionate One! O Healer! O Munificent One! O Restorer
to Health! Pardon all my sins, and restore me to health
from all illnesses, and be pleased with me for all
eternity! Through Your Mercy, O Most Merciful of the
Merciful!
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Last Updated on November 14, 2000
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