Jalál, 11 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
Whensoever the light of the revelation of the King of Oneness settleth upon the throne of the heart and soul, His radiance becometh visible in every limb and member. At that time, the mystery of the famed tradition gleameth out of the darkness: “A servant is drawn unto Me in prayer until I answer him, and when I have answered him, I become the ear wherewith he heareth …”(From a Ḥadíth.) For thus the Master of the house hath appeared within His home, and all the pillars of the dwelling are ashine with His light. And as the action and effect of the light are from the Light-Giver, so it is that all move through Him and arise by His will. This is that wellspring whereof the near ones drink, as it is said: “A fount whereof they who draw nigh to God shall drink”. (Qur’án 83:28.) — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
Can prayer be like a light? Where does it lead us? 2
Google Bard Response:
Yes, prayer can be like a light. It can illuminate our hearts and minds, and help us to see the world around us more clearly. It can also guide us on our spiritual journey, and help us to become closer to God.
In the passage from Bahá’u’lláh that you quoted, He says that when the light of the revelation of the King of Oneness settleth upon the throne of the heart and soul, His radiance becometh visible in every limb and member. This means that when we pray sincerely, and open our hearts to God’s love and guidance, we are transformed from within. We become more loving, compassionate, and forgiving people. We also become more aware of God’s presence in our lives, and we are better able to follow His will.
Prayer can lead us to a variety of places. It can lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and of our place in the universe. It can also lead us to a deeper understanding of God and His will for our lives. Prayer can also lead us to a state of inner peace and happiness.
Here are some specific ways in which prayer can lead us:
- To God: Prayer is a way to communicate with God and to experience His love and presence.
- To ourselves: Prayer can help us to better understand ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, and our place in the world.
- To others: Prayer can help us to develop compassion and empathy for others, and to see the world through their eyes.
- To a better world: Prayer can help us to become better people and to contribute to the creation of a more just and peaceful world.
When we pray sincerely, we are opening ourselves up to God’s transforming power. We are also inviting Him to guide us on the path to Him. It can help us to overcome our challenges and to achieve our full potential.
If you want to experience the transformative power of prayer, I encourage you to pray sincerely and regularly. Ask God to help you to open your heart and mind to His love and guidance. And be patient. It takes time to develop a deep relationship with God. But if you persevere, you will eventually find that prayer is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Call of the Divine Beloved: Selected Mystical Works of Bahá’ú’lláh.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed September 27, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/call-divine-beloved/4#085917579. ↩
- 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, 18. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 