Baha'i Faith/Symbolism/Ocean

In the Baha'i faith the ocean is a tumultuous thing. First, it represents divine knowledge. It is essential for the survival of the human spirit. But, the surging of this knowledge can lead to difficulty. The followers of God are like the fish of the ocean. If they achieve unity through truth, they will have a comfortable life. Otherwise, calamities are unavoidable.

Relation to Other Symbols
If the Sun can be likened to the word of God, the ocean can be likened "body politic, or the social unity of the human world, may be likened to an ocean, and each member, each individual, a wave upon that same ocean." The ocean is controlled by the wind. But, the wind is still controlled by the sun. Therefore, all things are still the servant of the Sun of truth.

The Bab
In the book "Selections from the Writings of The Bab" The Bab sends a message specifically to those who are "invested with the Bayán". The Bayan is one of the major writings of The Bab. But, the followers of the Bayan were in danger of imitating their Muslim persecutors. The Bab likened this to depriving themselves of the ocean of wisdom while searching aimlessly for drops of water. Of course, The Bab's ocean of wisdom was not without it's dangers. In fact, he prays that God will "Protect us through the potency of Thy might, enable us to enter Thy wondrous surging ocean". So, we actually need God to protect us as we follow the word of God.

Baha'u'llah
In a document called '"IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, THE MOST EXALTED, THE MOST HIGH!"' Baha'u'llah recommends that his followers take seven steps. The first step is to "enter the ocean of search and seek God, thy Lord, with thine inmost heart and soul." The second step is to "enter the ocean of love and make mention of God, thy Lord, in the transports of thy longing and the ecstasies of thy rapture." So, it would seem that the love of God comes from independent investigation of the truth. Later in the document Baha'u'llah implores his adherents to "drown thyself in the depths of eternity, that death may not overtake thee."

Abdu'l-Baha
Abdu'l-Baha referred to the "ocean of the Covenant" as a thing that is eternal. In a letter written to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, he addresses the issue of flattery and pride. If the ocean is eternal, that flattery and falsehood are but foam upon the waves of the ocean. The foam is temporary. It can easily be carried away by the winds.