Understanding Reality: Bahá’u’lláh’s “Four States” of Man, Seen as Tetrarchic Structure - A New Concept of Philosophy and Theology

Abstract

This presentation tries to follow `Abdu'l-Bahá's statement that we have to follow Bahá'u'lláh's new principles and forget the old patterns of thought in order to find the peace of the heavenly kingdom, not only in the world, but primarily and foremost in our hearts: "Now the new age is here and creation is reborn. Humanity hath taken on new life. ... The people, therefore, must be set completely free from their old patterns of thought, that all their attention may be focused upon these new principles, for these are the light of this time and the very spirit of this age. Unless these Teachings are effectively spread among the people, until the old ways, the old concepts, are gone and forgotten, this world of being will find no peace, nor will it reflect the perfections of the Heavenly Kingdom." (SWA 253).