Istiqlál, 02 Qawl (Speech), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
From that which hath been said it becometh evident that all things, in their inmost reality, testify to the revelation of the names and attributes of God within them. Each according to its capacity, indicateth, and is expressive of, the knowledge of God. So potent and universal is this revelation, that it hath encompassed all things, visible and invisible. Thus hath He revealed: “Hath aught else save Thee a power of revelation which is not possessed by Thee, that it could have manifested Thee? Blind is the eye which doth not perceive Thee.” Likewise, hath the eternal King spoken: “No thing have I perceived, except that I perceived God within it, God before it, or God after it.” Also in the tradition of Kumayl it is written: “Behold, a light hath shone forth out of the Morn of eternity, and lo! its waves have penetrated the inmost reality of all men.” Man, the noblest and most perfect of all created things, excelleth them all in the intensity of this revelation, and is a fuller expression of its glory. And of all men, the most accomplished, the most distinguished and the most excellent are the Manifestations of the Sun of Truth. Nay, all else besides these Manifestations live by the operation of their Will, and move and have their being through the outpourings of their grace. “But for Thee, I would have not created the heavens.” Nay, all in their holy presence fade into utter nothingness, and are a thing forgotten. Human tongue can never befittingly sing their praise, and human speech can never unfold their mystery. These Tabernacles of holiness, these primal Mirrors which reflect the light of unfading glory, are but expressions of Him Who is the Invisible of the Invisibles. By the revelation of these gems of divine virtue all the names and attributes of God, such as knowledge and power, sovereignty and dominion, mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty and grace, are made manifest. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
What are some of the attributes of God that the human soul can reflect? 2
Google Bard Response:
Bahá’u’lláh’s writings emphasize the inherent capacity of the human soul to reflect the attributes of God. According to Bahá’u’lláh, the human soul is the “noblest and most perfect of all created things” and possesses the potential to manifest the divine qualities that are inherent in all creation.
Some of the attributes of God that the human soul can reflect include:
- Knowledge: The human soul has the capacity to acquire knowledge and understanding, not only of the physical world but also of the spiritual realm. By seeking knowledge and wisdom, we can come closer to comprehending the nature of God and our own place in the universe.
- Power: The human soul has the power to act and create, to make a positive impact on the world around us. By using our power for good, we can reflect the divine power that is manifest in all creation.
- Sovereignty: The human soul has the ability to make choices and determine its own destiny. By exercising our free will in a responsible and ethical manner, we can reflect the sovereignty of God.
- Dominion: The human soul has the potential to master its own passions and desires, to achieve self-mastery and spiritual growth. By cultivating self-discipline and inner strength, we can reflect the dominion of God over all creation.
- Mercy: The human soul has the capacity for compassion and empathy, to feel and understand the suffering of others. By extending our mercy to those in need, we can reflect the boundless mercy of God.
- Wisdom: The human soul has the ability to discern right from wrong, to make wise decisions based on sound judgment and understanding. By seeking wisdom and applying it in our lives, we can reflect the divine wisdom that governs the universe.
- Glory: The human soul has the potential to manifest the glory of God, to radiate beauty, goodness, and love. By living a life of integrity and virtue, we can reflect the glory of God that is inherent in all creation.
- Bounty: The human soul has the ability to share its blessings with others, to be a source of generosity and kindness. By giving freely of our time, resources, and talents, we can reflect the bounty of God.
- Grace: The human soul has the capacity to receive and express divine grace, to experience the transformative power of God’s love. By opening our hearts to God’s grace, we can allow it to shine through us and touch the lives of others.
In essence, the human soul is a mirror that reflects the attributes of God. By striving to cultivate these divine qualities within ourselves, we can become more fully human and fulfill our potential as reflections of the divine.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st pocket-size Ed. 1950. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1983, 102-103. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-iqan/5#146847552.
. ↩ - 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, 42. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 