"Shouldst thou behold the mystic knowledge of the mystics . . ."

[Ahanu]

I am attracted to the practicality of Baha'u'llah's worldview and his emphasis on improving the human condition:

"Shouldst thou behold the mystic knowledge of the mystics, thou wilt know that, by My Life, all rove distraught in the wilderness of vain imaginations and are drowned in the sea of idle fancies. Should any one, for example, study geometry in this day, such a pursuit is exalted in the sight of God above memorizing all the books written by the mystics inasmuch as the former yieldeth fruit, but the latter doth not."
-Baha'u'llah

Why does memorizing the books of the mystics not produce fruit? The goal is not merely to accumulate knowledge but to use it to improve oneself and one's community. Mystical texts often dig deep into profound spiritual truths or pure imagination, but without practical application, they remain abstract concepts. Baha'u'llah emphasizes action, service, and the transformation of society.

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

It would be interesting as to the source of the current trend of memorising the writings as to give them in the pure form. Most likely each individual has to find the balance between immersion in the writings and service, which is the fruit of all they have been immersed in.

The acquisition of knowledge in God's Word, may be different than those of the words of the mystics! Yet there is writings that can balance our immersion in the Word of God.

"Take heed lest excessive reading and too many acts of piety in the daytime and in the night season make you vainglorious. Should a person recite but a single verse from the Holy Writings in a spirit of joy and radiance, this would be better for him than reciting wearily all the Scriptures of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Recite ye the verses of God in such measure that ye be not overtaken with fatigue or boredom. Burden not your souls so as to cause exhaustion and weigh them down, but rather endeavour to lighten them, that they may soar on the wings of revealed Verses unto the dawning-place of His signs. This is conducive to nearer access unto God, were ye to comprehend." Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 225

Weighed against advice such as this

"Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone". Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26

"Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen -- a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light." Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 39

"Study the Holy Words, read your Bible, read the Holy Books, especially study the Holy Utterances of Baha'u'llah; Prayer and Meditation, take much time for these two. Then will you know this Great Thirst, and then only can you begin to Live the Life!" – Abdu'l-Baha, Star of the West, Volume 9, p. 86.

Regards Tony