Even as the sun, bright hath He shined,
    But alas, He hath come to the town of the blind!(70)

In this Valley, the wayfarer leaveth behind him the stages of the “oneness of Being and Manifestation"(71) and reacheth a oneness that is sanctified above these two stations.  Ecstasy alone can encompass this theme, not utterance nor argument; and whosoever hath dwelt at this stage of the journey, or caught a breath from this garden land, knoweth whereof We speak.

In all these journeys the traveler must stray not the breadth of a hair from the “Law,” for this is indeed the secret of the “Path” and the fruit of the Tree of “Truth”; and in all these stages he must cling to the robe of obedience to the commandments, and hold fast to the cord of shunning all forbidden things, that he may be nourished from the cup of the Law and informed of the mysteries of Truth.(72)

If any of the utterances of this Servant may not be comprehended, or may lead to perturbation, the same must be inquired of again, that no doubt may linger, and the meaning be clear as the Face of the Beloved One shining from the “Glorious Station."(73)

These journeys have no visible ending in the world of time, but the severed wayfarer—­if invisible confirmation descend upon him and the Guardian of the Cause assist him—­may cross these seven stages in seven steps, nay rather in seven breaths, nay rather in a single breath, if God will and desire it.  And this is of “His grace on such of His servants as He pleaseth."(74)

They who soar in the heaven of singleness and reach to the sea of the Absolute, reckon this city—­which is the station of life in God—­as the furthermost state of mystic knowers, and the farthest homeland of the lovers.  But to this evanescent One of the mystic ocean, this station is the first gate of the heart’s citadel, that is, man’s first entrance to the city of the heart; and the heart is endowed with four stages, which would be recounted should a kindred soul be found.

    When the pen set to picturing this station,
    It broke in pieces and the page was torn.(75)

Salam!(76)

O My friend!  Many a hound pursueth this gazelle of the desert of oneness; many a talon claweth at this thrush of the eternal garden.  Pitiless ravens do lie in wait for this bird of the heavens of God, and the huntsman of envy stalketh this deer of the meadow of love.

O Shaykh!  Make of thine effort a glass, perchance it may shelter this flame from the contrary winds; albeit this light doth long to be kindled in the lamp of the Lord, and to shine in the globe of the spirit.  For the head raised up in the love of God will certainly fall by the sword, and the life that is kindled with longing will surely be sacrificed, and the heart which remembereth the Loved One will surely brim with blood.  How well is it said: 

    Live free of love, for its very peace is anguish;
    Its beginning is pain, its end is death.(77)