Jamál, 11 Qawl (Speech), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
The door of the knowledge of the Ancient Being hath ever been, and will continue forever to be, closed in the face of men. No man’s understanding shall ever gain access unto His holy court. As a token of His mercy, however, and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He hath manifested unto men the Daystars of His divine guidance, the Symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self. Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them, hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. Every one of them is the Way of God that connecteth this world with the realms above, and the Standard of His Truth unto every one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. They are the Manifestations of God amidst men, the evidences of His Truth, and the signs of His glory. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
Which of the following are true?
We can grow spiritually through our efforts alone.
God has given us a mind, and it is sufficient for our progress.
We will progress spiritually by recognizing the Manifestation of God and by making effort to live according to His teachings.
We can know God directly.
The human being can become just like God.
God is exalted above human comprehension.
When we listen to the words of a Manifestation of God, we are listening to the Voice of God. 2
Google Bard Response:
Based on the provided quotation from Bahá’u’lláh, the following statements are true:
- We will progress spiritually by recognizing the Manifestation of God and by making effort to live according to His teachings. Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Manifestations of God as the channels through which God’s guidance and love are revealed to humanity. By following their teachings and striving to live according to their principles, we can open ourselves up to spiritual growth and transformation.
- We can know God indirectly through His Manifestations. While direct knowledge of God’s essence is beyond human comprehension, Bahá’u’lláh asserts that we can come to know God indirectly through His Manifestations. These divine Messengers reflect God’s attributes and teachings, providing us with a glimpse into the nature of the divine.
- God is exalted above human comprehension. The quotation clearly states that God’s essence is beyond human understanding. While we can come to know God through His Manifestations, we cannot fully comprehend His nature. This emphasizes the transcendent and infinite nature of God.
- When we listen to the words of a Manifestation of God, we are listening to the Voice of God. Bahá’u’lláh equates listening to the teachings of the Manifestations with listening to the voice of God himself. This underscores the authority and authenticity of the Manifestations as divine Messengers.
The other statements are false:
- We can grow spiritually through our efforts alone. While personal effort is essential for spiritual growth, Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that true spiritual progress requires divine assistance and guidance. Recognizing and following the Manifestations of God is a crucial aspect of this process.
- God has given us a mind, and it is sufficient for our progress. While the human mind is a valuable tool for learning and understanding, Bahá’u’lláh asserts that spiritual progress requires something beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It involves developing spiritual qualities, aligning our will with God’s will, and living a life of service and love.
- The human being can become just like God. Bahá’u’lláh distinguishes between the finite and limited nature of humanity and the infinite and limitless nature of God. While humans can strive to reflect God’s attributes and embody His teachings, they cannot become God in the same sense that God is God.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 2, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#802723168. ↩
- 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, 44-45. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 