Man has two aspects or natures - merciful or divine and an animal
aspect. The merciful aspect is peace, happiness, love and faithfulness. But the
animal aspect is strife, discord, war and battle. If the animal aspect dominates
in man, he becomes lower than an animal. If the divine aspect dominates, he
becomes an angel of the Lord. The teachings of the Prophets were for this: that
the animal aspect may be conquered, so that the souls that are captives of
nature may be saved and the heavenly aspect may dominate. That divine aspect
consists of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It consists of 'the second birth.'
He who possesses that aspect is a well-wisher of all; he is kind to all the
creatures; he has no bitterness toward any creed, and he shuns no religion.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk given at the Universalist Church in Washington DC, April 21, 1912;
Star of the West, vol.19, no. 3, June 1928)
