Istiqlál, 19 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
The rational soul—the human spirit—did not descend into this body or subsist through it to begin with, that it should require some substance to depend upon after the constituent parts of the body have decomposed. On the contrary, the rational soul is the substance upon which the body depends. The rational soul is endowed from the beginning with individuality; it does not acquire it through the intermediary of the body. At most, what can be said is that the individuality and identity of the rational soul may be strengthened in this world, and that the soul may either progress and attain to the degrees of perfection or remain in the lowest abyss of ignorance and be veiled from and deprived of beholding the signs of God. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration:
Will we maintain our individuality after the death of our physical bodies? 2
Google Bard Response:
Yes, the Bahá’í teachings teach that we will maintain our individuality after the death of our physical bodies.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that the soul is “endowed from the beginning with individuality; it does not acquire it through the intermediary of the body.” This means that our individuality is a fundamental part of who we are, and it will not be lost when we die.
The soul is also described as being “the substance upon which the body depends.” This means that the soul is the primary reality, and the body is a secondary reality. The body is simply a vehicle for the soul to express itself in the physical world.
When the body dies, the soul is freed from its physical limitations and is able to continue its journey of development and growth in the spiritual world.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá also states that the individuality and identity of the soul may be strengthened in this world. This means that we can develop our individuality and identity by living a good and moral life. We can also develop our individuality and identity by pursuing our spiritual goals and aspirations.
After death, the soul continues to develop and grow in the spiritual world. The soul may progress and attain to the degrees of perfection, or it may remain in the lowest abyss of ignorance. This depends on the choices that we make in this life.
The Bahá’í teachings offer us a hopeful and inspiring vision of life after death. They teach us that we will continue to exist as individuals after we die, and that we have the opportunity to continue our journey of development and growth in the spiritual world.
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 2, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/11#528529101. ↩
- 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, 35. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 