Jamál, 09 Qudrat (Power), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
The ultimate rewards, which consist in life everlasting, have been explicitly recorded in all the heavenly Scriptures. They are divine perfections, eternal bounty, and everlasting joy. The ultimate rewards are the gifts and perfections that man attains in the spiritual realms after his ascension from this world, while the existential rewards are those true and luminous perfections which are attained while still abiding in this world, and which are the cause of everlasting life. For the existential rewards are the advancement of existence itself and are analogous to the passage of man from the stage of the embryo to that of maturity and becoming the embodiment of the verse, “Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators!” (Qur’án 23:14). The ultimate rewards consist in spiritual bounties and bestowals, such as the manifold gifts of God that are vouchsafed after the ascension of the soul, the attainment of the heart’s desire, and reunion with Him in the everlasting realm. Similarly, ultimate retributions and punishments consist in being deprived of the special bounties and unfailing bestowals of God and sinking to the lowest degrees of existence. And whoso is deprived of these favours, though he continue to exist after death, is accounted as dead in the eyes of the people of truth. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration:
What are some of the endowments that should be obtained here for life after death? 2
Google Bard Response:
According to the quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the following endowments should be obtained here for life after death:
- Divine perfections: These include qualities such as love, compassion, wisdom, and justice.
- Eternal bounty: This includes the blessings of God, such as spiritual knowledge, guidance, and protection.
- Everlasting joy: This includes the state of happiness and contentment that comes from being close to God and living in accordance with His will.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá also distinguishes between existential rewards and ultimate rewards. Existential rewards are those that are attained in this world, such as the development of one’s potential and the contribution to the betterment of society. Ultimate rewards are those that are attained in the afterlife, such as the attainment of the heart’s desire and reunion with God.
The endowments that should be obtained here for life after death are primarily spiritual in nature. This is because the afterlife is a spiritual state of being. By developing our spiritual faculties in this world, we can prepare ourselves for the eternal bliss and joy of the next world.
Here are some specific examples of endowments that we can obtain here for life after death:
- A deep understanding of God and His teachings.
- A strong connection to the divine realm.
- A pure heart that is free from hatred, envy, and other negative qualities.
- A compassionate and generous spirit.
- A commitment to serving others and making the world a better place.
By striving to develop these endowments in this life, we can ensure that our journey in the afterlife is filled with light, love, and happiness.
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 11, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/10#485667217. ↩
- 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 