A pilgrim may hear the sound in his body, nay, in the minerals, plants, and animals. But if he hears from them the same Zikr (i. e., the sacred formula) as practised by him, it is but an echo of his practice—an imaginary phenomenon, not a real one: whereas, if he hears from them the Zikr peculiar to them, the phenomenon is real.... The universe being endless, the phenomena are endless.—Ibid, Letter 15.
Powers and phenomena are trials for a pilgrim. Regard them as obstacles, and never care for them.... It is a rare boon to pass from the Name to the Named.... The Vision of the Prophet Khezar foretells your success on the Path.... The odours, sacred and unearthly, experienced by you, pertain to the Malakût: how can you find their likeness on earth?—Ibid, Letter 16.
Illumination.
There is a difference between Divine illumination and Soul-illumination. When the mirror of the heart is cleansed of all impurities, and has become thoroughly clear, it may serve to focus the rays of the Divine Sun and so reflect the Divinity and all His Attributes. But this boon is not enjoyed by every clean heart. Every runner does not catch the game (lit., the antelope), but only he who runs can catch it....
A clean heart reflects some of the qualities of the Soul. If thoroughly clean, it may at times reflect all the qualities. Sometimes the Essence of the Soul—the Divine Viceroy—may display its nature, and assert "I am the True One" by virtue of its viceroyalty. Sometimes the whole universe may be seen making obeisance at the viceregal throne, and the soul may mistake the Divine Viceroy for God.... Such mistakes are common, and cannot be avoided without the Divine Grace and the help of the Teacher. Now to come to the difference:
(1) Soul-illumination conquers the lower nature temporarily, i. e., so long as the illumination continues;—Divine illumination conquers it permanently.
(2) Soul-illumination is not inconsistent with the foulness of the heart, does not solve all doubts, nor does it impart the bliss of Divine Knowledge;—Divine illumination is the reverse of this.
(3)—Soul-illumination may induce pride, self-conceit, and egoism.... Divine illumination does away with all these, and increases the fervour of Seeking.