’Idál, 12 Qudrat (Power), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
PRAISE be to Thee, O Lord my God! I implore Thee, by Thy Name which none hath befittingly recognized, and whose import no soul hath fathomed; I beseech Thee, by Him Who is the Fountainhead of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thy signs, to make my heart to be a receptacle of Thy love and of remembrance of Thee. Knit it, then, to Thy most great Ocean, that from it may flow out the living waters of Thy wisdom and the crystal streams of Thy glorification and praise. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
To what does the word “receptacle” refer in the above quotation? 2
Google Bard Response:
In the above quotation from Bahá’u’lláh, the word “receptacle” refers to the soul. The author is imploring God to make the soul a vessel capable of receiving and holding the love and remembrance of God.
The soul is often described in religious and spiritual texts as a receptacle for divine light, love, and wisdom. In this context, the soul is seen as a passive vessel that is filled with divine attributes.
However, the Baháʼí teachings emphasize the active role of the soul in its own spiritual development. The soul is not simply a passive vessel, but rather a dynamic entity that is capable of seeking and receiving divine knowledge and love.
In the above quotation, the author is asking God to make the soul a receptacle, but they are also asking God to “knit it” to God’s “most great Ocean”. This suggests that the soul is not simply a passive vessel, but rather a part of the divine itself.
The soul’s connection to God is essential for its spiritual development. When the soul is connected to God, it is able to receive the divine attributes and to grow in love, wisdom, and compassion.
The author’s prayer is a beautiful expression of the desire for spiritual connection and growth. By asking God to make the soul a receptacle of divine love and remembrance, the author is opening themselves up to the possibility of a closer and more intimate relationship with God.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Prayers and Meditations by Baháʼuʼlláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1938. Reprint, Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974, 56. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/prayers-meditations/2#256329391
. ↩ - 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, 39. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 