What is inspiration?

What is inspiration? It is the influx of the human heart.
But what are satanic promptings which afflict mankind?
They are the influx of the heart also. How shall we differentiate between them? The question arises: How shall we know whether we are following inspiration from God or satanic promptings of the human soul?
Briefly, the point is that in the human material world of phenomena these four are the only existing criteria or avenues of knowledge, and all of them are faulty and unreliable.
What then remains? How shall we attain the reality of knowledge?
By the breaths and promptings of the Holy Spirit, which is light and knowledge itself. Through it the human mind is quickened and fortified into true conclusions and perfect knowledge. This is conclusive argument showing that all available human criteria are erroneous and defective, but the divine standard of knowledge is infallible. Therefore, man is not justified in saying, “I know because I perceive through my senses,” or “I know because it is proved through my faculty of reason,” or “I know because it is according to tradition and interpretation of the Holy Book,” or “I know because I am inspired.” All human standards of judgment are faulty, finite."

`Abdu'l-Bahá:The Promulgation of Universal Peace

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security,...

The One true God beareth Me witness, and His creatures will testify, that not for a moment did I allow Myself to be hidden from the eyes of men, nor did I consent to shield My person from their injury.
Before the face of all men I have arisen, and bidden them fulfil My pleasure. My object is none other than the betterment of the world and the tranquillity of its peoples.
The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded.

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Knowledge, volition and action.

All the heavenly Books, divine Prophets, sages and philosophers agree that warfare is destructive to human development, and peace constructive. They agree that war and strife strike at the foundations of humanity. Therefore, a power is needed to prevent war and to proclaim and establish the oneness of humanity.
But knowledge of the need of this power is not sufficient. Realizing that wealth is desirable is not becoming wealthy. The admission that scientific attainment is praiseworthy does not confer scientific knowledge. Acknowledgment of the excellence of honor does not make a man honorable ...
The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming, there is no execution or accomplishment.

`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace

His purpose, however, is to ...

 "He Who is the Day Spring of Truth is, no doubt, fully capable of rescuing from such remoteness wayward souls and of causing them to draw nigh unto His court and attain His Presence. “If God had pleased He had surely made all men one people.”

His purpose, however, is to enable the pure in spirit and the detached in heart to ascend, by virtue of their own innate powers, unto the shores of the Most Great Ocean, that thereby they who seek the Beauty of the All-Glorious may be distinguished and separated from the wayward and perverse. Thus hath it been ordained by the all-glorious and resplendent Pen…."

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

love humanity with all your heart and soul

"My admonition and exhortation to you is this:
Be kind to all people, love humanity, consider all mankind as your relations and servants of the most high God. Strive day and night that animosity and contention may pass away from the hearts of men, that all religions shall become reconciled and the nations love each other so that no racial, religious or political prejudice may remain and the world of humanity behold God as the beginning and end of all existence. God has created all, and all return to God. Therefore, love humanity with all your heart and soul. If you meet a poor man, assist him; if you see the sick, heal him; reassure the affrighted one, render the cowardly noble and courageous, educate the ignorant, associate with the stranger.


`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace P.291

show forth righteousness and piety

Ye have been forbidden in the Book of God to engage in contention and conflict, to strike another, or to commit similar acts whereby hearts and souls may be saddened.

A fine of nineteen mithqáls of gold had formerly been prescribed by Him Who is the Lord of all mankind for anyone who was the cause of sadness to another; in this Dispensation, however, He hath absolved you thereof and exhorteth you to show forth righteousness and piety.
Such is the commandment which He hath enjoined upon you in this resplendent Tablet.
Wish not for others what ye wish not for yourselves; fear God, and be not of the prideful. Ye are all created out of water, and unto dust shall ye return. Reflect upon the end that awaiteth you, and walk not in the ways of the oppressor.

Bahá'u'lláh :The Kitáb-i-Aqdas P.73

May the love of God be spread ...

"May the love of God be spread from this city, from this meeting to all the
surrounding countries. Nay, may America become the distributing center of spiritual enlightenment, and all the world receive this heavenly blessing!
 For America has developed powers and capacities greater and more wonderful than other nations. While it is true that its people have  attained a marvelous material civilization, I hope that spiritual forces may animate this great body and a corresponding spiritual civilization be established.
May the inhabitants of this country become like angels of heaven with faces turned continually toward God.
May all of them become the servants of the Omnipotent One.
May they rise from present material attainments to such a height that heavenly illumination may stream from this center to all the peoples of the world."

`Abdu'l-Bahá:The Promulgation of Universal Peace

Lack of love and absence of altruism

The disease which afflicts the body politic is lack of love and absence of altruism* ....
Love and unity are the needs of the body politic today. Without these there can be no progress or prosperity attained. Therefore, the friends of God must adhere to the power which will create this love and unity in the hearts of the sons of men. Science cannot cure the illness of the body politic. Science cannot create amity and fellowship in human hearts. Neither can patriotism nor racial allegiance effect a remedy. It must be accomplished solely through the divine bounties and spiritual bestowals which have descended from God in this day for that purpose.

`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace

*the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism )