Istiqlál, 12 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
The rational soul, or the human spirit, does not subsist through this body by inherence—that is to say, it does not enter it; for inherence and entrance are characteristics of bodies, and the rational soul is sanctified above this. It never entered this body to begin with, that it should require, upon leaving it, some other abode. No, the connection of the spirit with the body is even as the connection of this lamp with a mirror. If the mirror is polished and perfected, the light of the lamp appears therein, and if the mirror is broken or covered with dust, the light remains concealed. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration:
Use the image of a light and mirror to describe the relationship between the soul and the body. 2
Google Bard Response:
The image of a light and mirror can be used to describe the relationship between the soul and the body in the following way:
The light represents the soul, which is a pure and radiant being. The mirror represents the body, a physical vessel the soul inhabits.
When the mirror is polished and perfected, the light of the soul shines through it brightly. This is when we are living by our spiritual nature and our true potential.
However, when the mirror is broken or covered with dust, the light of the soul is obscured. This can happen when we make mistakes, engage in harmful behaviors, or allow our negative thoughts and emotions to cloud our judgment.
Just as the light of the lamp does not disappear when the mirror is broken or covered with dust, the soul does not cease to exist when the body dies. The soul is immortal and it continues to exist after death.
The following analogy from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá further illustrates the relationship between the soul and the body:
“While asleep, this physical body is as dead: It neither sees, nor hears, nor feels, and it has neither consciousness nor perception—its powers are suspended. Yet the spirit is not only alive and enduring but also exerts a greater influence, soars to loftier heights, and possesses a deeper understanding. To hold that the spirit is annihilated upon the death of the body is to imagine that a bird imprisoned in a cage would perish if the cage were to be broken, though the bird has nothing to fear from the breaking of the cage. This body is even as the cage and the spirit is like the bird: We observe that this bird, unencumbered by its cage, soars freely in the world of sleep. Therefore, should the cage be broken, the bird would continue to exist its senses would be heightened, its perception would be expanded, and its joy would grow more intense. In reality, it would be leaving a place of torment for a delightsome paradise; for there is no greater paradise for the grateful birds than to be freed from their cage. So it is that the martyrs hasten to the field of sacrifice with the utmost joy and elation.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
In the same way, the soul is free to soar to great heights, but it is limited by the body. When the body dies, the soul is free to return to its spiritual home.
We should strive to keep our mirrors polished and perfected so that the light of our souls can shine through brightly. We can do this by living a moral and ethical life, cultivating our spiritual qualities, and serving humanity.
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/11#987219024. ↩
- 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, 33. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/10#321264860. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 