Istiqlál, 06 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 does the phrase “ere thou art summoned to a reckoning” mean? 2
Google Bard Response:
The quote you mentioned is from Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. It reminds us that we should always be mindful of our actions and words, and that we will one day be called to account for them.
Here are some things we can do before we are summoned to a reckoning:
- Bring ourselves to account each day. This means taking a moment each day to reflect on our thoughts, words, and actions, and to ask ourselves whether we are living in a way that is consistent with our values.
- Be mindful of death. This does not mean dwelling on death or being afraid of it, but rather recognizing that it is a natural part of life and that we should make the most of the time we have.
- Prepare for the day of reckoning. This means living a good and righteous life, making amends for our mistakes, and seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged.
- Live a good and righteous life. This means doing what is right and just, even when it is difficult. It means being kind and compassionate to others, and helping those in need.
- Make amends for our mistakes. If we have wronged someone, we should take steps to make amends. This may involve apologizing, offering restitution, or simply changing our behavior.
- Seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. If we have hurt someone, we should ask for their forgiveness. This does not mean that we are absolved of our wrongdoing, but it is an important step in the healing process.
- Leave the world a better place than we found it. We can all make a difference in the world, no matter how small. We can volunteer our time, donate to charity, or simply be kind and helpful to others.
By following these suggestions, we can live a life that is worthy of reckoning.
- 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, 4. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 