’Idál, 11 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
“O CHILDREN OF ADAM!
Holy words and pure and goodly deeds ascend unto the heaven of celestial glory. Strive that your deeds may be cleansed from the dust of self and hypocrisy and find favor at the court of glory; for ere long the assayers of mankind shall, in the holy presence of the Adored One, accept naught but absolute virtue and deeds of stainless purity. This is the daystar of wisdom and of divine mystery that hath shone above the horizon of the divine will. Blessed are they that turn thereunto.” — Bahá’u’lláh 1 2
Question for Consideration:
In the above quote, what does the phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” mean? 3
Google Bard Response:
In the quote, the phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” refers to the spiritual realm where good deeds and pure thoughts are rewarded. It is a place of peace, harmony, and love, where the soul can find true happiness.
The Bahá’í writings often use the image of heaven to represent the spiritual realm. This is because heaven is often seen as a place of great beauty and perfection, which is similar to the spiritual realm.
The Bahá’í writings also teach that our actions in this life have a direct impact on our spiritual progress. When we do good deeds and think pure thoughts, we are raising our spiritual level and preparing ourselves for the heaven of celestial glory.
The phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” is a reminder that there is a spiritual dimension to our lives and that our actions in this life have a lasting impact on our eternal destiny.
In the quote, Bahá’u’lláh is calling on us to strive to do good deeds and think pure thoughts so that our souls can ascend to the heaven of celestial glory. He is also warning us that our actions will be judged by God, and that only those who have lived a life of virtue and purity will be rewarded.
The phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” is a hopeful and optimistic vision of the afterlife. It teaches us that we can all achieve eternal happiness by following the path of goodness and righteousness.
Quote for Reflection:
KNOW thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation. 4 5
Question for Consideration:
Given the above quote, what could the phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” mean?
Google Bard Response:
In the quote, the phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” could refer to the spiritual realm where love is the supreme law and power. It is a place of peace, harmony, and unity, where all beings are united in love.
The Bahá’í writings often use the image of heaven to represent the spiritual realm. This is because heaven is often seen as a place of great beauty and perfection, which is similar to the spiritual realm.
The Bahá’í writings also teach that love is the essential quality of the spiritual realm. It is the force that binds together all creation and that brings about unity and harmony.
The phrase “the heaven of celestial glory” is a reminder that love is the key to spiritual progress and that we can all achieve eternal happiness by living a life of love.
In the quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, love is described as the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. It is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next.
If love is the heaven of celestial glory, then it is a place where we can experience true happiness and fulfillment. It is a place where we are united with God and with all creation in perfect love. It is a place where we can find peace, harmony, and unity.
The Bahá’í teachings offer a hopeful and optimistic view of the afterlife. They teach that we can all achieve eternal happiness by living a life of love.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh. Project Gutenberg Ebook. Project Gutenberg, 2005, 44. https://archive.org/details/thehiddenwordsof16941gut/page/n59/mode/2up. ↩
- 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/3#810818726. ↩
- 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, 5. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. Internet Archive | Project Gutenberg, 2006, 39-40. https://archive.org/details/thehiddenwordsof16941gut/page/n59/mode/2up. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/3#407306067. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 