LOOK AT THE WORLD EXERCISE

“Look at the world and ponder a while upon it. It unveileth the book of its own self before thine eyes, and revealeth that which the Pen of thy Lord, the Fashioner, the All-Informed hath inscribed therein. It will acquaint thee with that which is within it and upon it and will give thee such clear explanations as to make thee independent of every eloquent expounder.”

-From the Law-i-Hikmat, Tablets of Baha’u’llah

 

1. Finding substitute words that fit the intent and context of a passage can help flesh out what is being implied. Find as many substitute words as you can for the word “Look” in this phrase, “……………… at the world”.

 

1. Do the same for, “ponder a while upon it.”

 

1. Discuss what is implied by “a while.”

 

1. Imagine you are in a forest and come upon a stream. What is the story of this stream? Discuss within the group every detail you can know or can assume to know about this stream. Think of its origins, its path, its purpose, its gifts, its beauty, its past, and its future and relate each to the "world of heaven", or compose a short talk or poem titled, "I Came Upon a Stream".

 

1. How has this stream revealed the book of its own self before your eyes? Explain to the group or write a response as a short from list.

 

1. Discuss just one of the stream’s themes, like its origins or its path, and explain how a forest stream can act as a metaphor for learning, or write a short paragraph or poem, "In the Murmur of a Stream".

 

1. Look up and define the word “inscribed” and discuss its implications in the phrase, “revealeth that which thy Lord, the Fashioner, the All-Informed hath inscribed therein,” or create a brief talk explaining this verity.

 

1. Speculate on the following question in your group, or write a short poem or brief address titled, "Where Knowledge Resides". If the world is a book, and it reveals what is inscribed in it, where is knowledge?

 

1. Does this book have a final page?

 

BONUS EXERCISE

1. Discuss and explore with your group what is implied by “within it and upon it,” or write a 5 paragraph essay on the topic.

 

1. When you look at the world, ponder upon it, and it gives you clear explanations, how does this make you “independent of every eloquent expounder”? Discuss in the group forum or compose a short talk on the topic.