Kamál, 02 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
O Son of Being! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
What should we do before we are summoned to a reckoning? 2
Google Bard Response:
The quote you mentioned is a reminder from Bahá’u’lláh that we should all be accountable for our actions. We should not wait until death to reflect on our lives and make amends for our mistakes. We should do so each day, so that we can live a life of peace and fulfillment.
Here are some specific things that we can do before we are summoned to a reckoning:
- Reflect on our lives and our actions. Take some time each day to think about how we have spent our time, our words, and our resources. Are we living in a way that is consistent with our values? Are we making a positive difference in the world?
- Make amends for our mistakes. If we have wronged someone, we should take steps to make amends. This could mean apologizing, offering restitution, or simply changing our behavior.
- Seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. Even if the person we have wronged has forgiven us, it is still important to seek their forgiveness. This shows that we are truly remorseful and that we want to make things right.
- Live a life of goodness and virtue. We should strive to live a life that is based on love, kindness, and compassion. We should help others in need and make the world a better place.
- Prepare for the next life. This does not mean that we should be obsessed with death or the afterlife. However, it does mean that we should think about the kind of legacy we want to leave behind. We should live our lives in a way that will make us proud and that will help others to grow and develop.
By following these steps, we can live a life that is worthy of reckoning. We can face death with peace and confidence, knowing that we have made the most of our time on Earth.
In addition to the above, here are some other things that we can do to prepare for a reckoning:
- Spend time with loved ones. Let the people who matter most to you know how much you care about them.
- Set aside time for prayer and meditation. This can help us to connect with our inner selves and to find peace and clarity.
- Do something that you are passionate about. This could be anything from volunteering to creating art. It is important to find something that gives our lives meaning.
- Leave the world a better place than you found it. This could be something as simple as picking up litter or volunteering at a soup kitchen. Every little bit counts.
Ultimately, the best way to prepare for a reckoning is to live a good and meaningful life. When we do that, we have nothing to fear.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1954. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#746355706.
. ↩ - Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 3. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 