Istiqlál, 07 Qudrat (Power), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
In the beginning of his life man was in the world of the womb, wherein he developed the capacity and worthiness to advance to this world. The powers necessary for this world he acquired in that world. He needed eyes in this world; he obtained them in the world of the womb. He needed ears in this world; he obtained them there. All the powers that were needed in this world he acquired in the world of the womb. In that world he became prepared for this world, and when he entered this world he saw that he possessed all the requisite powers and had acquired all the limbs and organs necessary for this life, in that world. It followeth that in this world too he must prepare for the world beyond. That which he needeth in the world of the Kingdom he must obtain and prepare here. Just as he acquired the powers necessary for this world in the world of the womb, so, likewise, he must obtain that which he will need in the world of the Kingdom—that is to say, all the heavenly powers—in this world. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration:
Decide whether or not the following are true:
All the powers necessary for this world are acquired in the world of the womb.
There is no need to prepare oneself for life in the next world.
What we need in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained there.
The purpose of this life is to acquire the powers necessary for life in the next world.
True life begins when one dies and goes to the divine Kingdom.
True life begins in this world and continues after physical death. 2
Google Bard Response:
Based on the quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the following statements are true:
- All the powers necessary for this world are acquired in the world of the womb.
- The purpose of this life is to acquire the powers necessary for life in the next world.
- True life begins in this world and continues after physical death.
The other statements are not true.
The quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá teaches us that this life is a preparation for the next world. Just as we acquire the physical powers we need for this world in the womb, we must also acquire the spiritual powers we need for the next world in this world.
True life, in the Bahá’í teachings, is a continuous journey that begins in this world and continues after physical death. We can begin to experience true life now by developing our spiritual qualities, such as love, compassion, and wisdom.
As we prepare for the next world, we are not only ensuring our happiness and well-being, but we are also contributing to the betterment of all humanity. When we become more spiritually evolved, we are better able to serve others and create a more just and compassionate world.
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/additional-tablets-extracts-talks/647998761/1#755619432. ↩
- 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, 38. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 