"   In the world of existence man has traversed sucessive degrees until he has attained the human kingdom. In each degree of his progression he has developed capacity for advancement to the next station and condition. While in the kingdom of the mineral he was attaining the capacity for promotion into the degree of the vegetable. In the kingdom of the vegetable he underwent preparation for the world of the animal and from thence he has come onward to the human degree or kingdom.Thoughout this journey of progression he has ever and always been potentially man.
    In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the matrix. Thence he received capacity and endowment for the reality of the human existence. The forces and powers necessary for this world were bestowed upon him in that limited condition. In this world he needed eyes; he received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them there in readiness and preparation for his new existence. The powers requisite in this world were conferred upon him in the world of the matrix, so that when he entered this realm of real existence he not only posessed all necessary functions and powers but found provision for his material sustenance awaiting him.
    Therefore in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. Just as he prepared himself in the world of the matrix by acquiring forces necessary in this sphere of existence, so likewise the indispensable forces of the divine existence must be potentially attained in this world.
   What is he in need of in the Kingdom which transcends the life and limitation of this mortal sphere? That world beyond is a world of sanctity and radiance; therefore it is necessary that in this world he should acquire these divine attributes. In that world there is need of spirituality, faith, assurance, the knowledge and love of God. These he must attain in this world so that after his ascension from the earthly to the heavenly Kingdom he shall find all that is needful in that life eternal ready for him.
  That divine world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore man has need of illumination here. That is a world of love; the love of God is essential. It is a world of perfections; virtues or perfections must be acquired. That world is vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; in this world we must seek them. That is the Kingdom of life everlasting; it must be attained during this vanishing existence.
   By what means can man acquire these things? How shall he obtain these merciful gifts and powers? First through the knowledge of God. Second, through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through philantrophic deeds. Fifth, through  self-sacrifice. Sixth, through severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness. Unless he acquires these forces and attains to these requirements he will surely be deprived of the life that is eternal. But if he posesses the knowledge of God, becomes ignited through the fire of the love of God, witnesses the great and mighty signs of the Kingdom, becomes the cause of love among mankind, and lives in the utmost state of sanctity and  holiness, he shall surely attain to second birth, be baptized by the Holy Spirit and enjoy everlasting existence.
   Is it not astonishing that although man has been created for the knowledge and love of God, for the virtues of the human world, for spirituality, heavenly illimination and life eternal, nevertheless he continues ignorant and negligent of all this? Consider how he seeks knowledge of everything except knowledge of God. For instance , his utmost desire is to penetrate the mysteries of the lowest strata of the earth...He puts forth ardous labours to fathom terrestrial mysteries, but is not at all concerned about knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom, traversing the illimitable fields of the eternal world, becoming informed of the divine realities, discovering the secrets of God, attaining the knowledge of God, witnessing the splendours of the Sun of Truth and realizing the glories of eternal life. He is unmindful and thoughtless of these.....How conducive to his degradation! It is as if a kind and loving father has provided a library of wonderful books for his son in order  that he might be informed of the mysteries of creation, at the same time surrounding him with every means of comfort and enjoyment; but the son amuses himself with pebbles and playthings,neglectful...

Praise be to God! you have heard the call of the Kingdom. Your eyes are opened; you have turned to God....Day and night you must strive that you may attain to the significances of the heavenly Kingdom, perceive the signs of divinity, acquire certainty of knowledge and realize that this world has a Creator, a vivifier, a provider, an architect,-knowing this through proofs and evidences  and not through susceptibilities, nay rather through descisive arguments and real vision; that is to say, visualizing it as clearly as the outer eye beholds the sun. In this way may you  behold the presence of God and attain to the knowledge of the holy, divine Manifestations."

                 Abdu'l-Bahá, excerpt from Foundations of World Unity, -selections of public addresses delivered by Him during His journey through Europe and America immediately before the world war 1

Regards from
Laila Falck