BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · ÜÇÜNCÜ FASIL · Üçüncü Madde
Third Article
It declares the effects and benefits of the mass of air surrounding us upon our bodies and souls.
O Noble One! Know that the philosophers have said: It is most evident that the air, which encircles us completely by the command of the Most High God, has numerous effects, primarily upon our bodies. Because this air is an element of both our bodies and souls, it reaches them and acts as a balancing factor, influencing our health and well-being. In respect to this, the balancing effect that the air produces in our souls depends on two processes: one is relaxation (tervîh), the other purification (tenkiye).
Relaxation occurs thus: As the heat inherent to the temperament of the soul increases, it becomes constricted. As the constriction intensifies, air is drawn from the lungs to revitalize it and breath is released through the pores adjacent to the pulse. For the mass of air surrounding us is exceedingly cool according to the noble temperament of our souls.
When this air reaches the soul and the two mix, that which sustains our life becomes accepted as breath. It prevents the soul from being deprived of its capacity and transforming into fire, which would be the cause of a bad temperament. The moist jewel contained within it is saved from destruction.
As for purification, this is when the soul – through its faculty of discernment – separates the smoky vapor of the air we inhale and releases it again upon exhalation. In this state, a certain balance is achieved by the air drawn into the nose, which occurs with the air’s arrival upon the soul during inhalation. Purification occurs with the air's departure from the body during exhalation. For in order to secure the balance, the air taken must be cool at its initial arrival. If this air remains within for a long time and mixes with the soul’s temperament, becoming heated, it loses the beneficial state it had upon entry, and the soul desires to cleanse itself of such (stale and fetid) air and requires new air so that fresh air may arrive in the lungs and take the place of the previous. In this case, it is necessary to expel the previous air, so that space may be opened for the air yet to come. Along with the air expelled outwards, the soul should also cast out superfluous essences. As long as the air is moderate and pure, and strange essences do not mix with it, contrary to the soul’s temperament, its function – as described above – is to cause health and well-being by relaxing and purifying bodies and souls; to preserve them from decay and corruption. If the air becomes spoiled and fetid, then its work will be to harm bodies and souls. In truth, the Creator and Guide to the Straight Path, God Most High, is He who causes benefit and harm, yet He has linked occurrences of formation and dissolution in bodies and souls to means such as air.