The Baha'i concept of God is that of a Supreme Being - of
course, the language of man is inadequate to describe this great reality that
we call God. All that we can speak concerning God is of the Manifestations of
God's attributes; but as to the inner nature of God, Rumi, the mystic poet of
Persia, 800 years ago, said: "How can you, O Philosopher, dare fathom this
fathomless ocean? This is a Path that none could travel by meditation or
contemplation. Man can no more fathom the essence of that divine Reality than a
slip of straw could sink to the depths of the sea."
This shows the impossibility for the mind of man to
comprehend the Invisible Essence, as for a wisp of straw to reach the bottom of
the sea. Well, then, how are we to recognize and to know God?
The answer is that man can know God only through the Manifestations
of His Names end Attributes in this visible world. For example you find the
skies and the seas and of the earth, and the passing of the seasons, - phenomena
manifesting forth life's various phases. Life finally ends in what seems to be
a state of death; and then again, when the first season of the New Year comes
around, you see life anew emerging from what appeared to be extinction, manifesting
itself anew as does nature pregnant with blossoms, beauty, and delicious
fruits.
