Kamál, 19 Qawl (Speech), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
He should forgive the sinful, and never despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often hath a sinner attained, at the hour of death, to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the Concourse on high! And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul’s ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire! — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Questions for Consideration:
Do we know beforehand how and when our earthly life will end?
What can we do now to attain the eternal life destined for us? 2
Google Bard Response:
According to the quote by Bahá’u’lláh, we do not know beforehand how and when our earthly life will end. He uses the example of a sinner attaining faith at the hour of death and a devout believer losing faith at the same moment to illustrate the unpredictable nature of our spiritual journey.
While the timing and manner of our passing are beyond our control, Bahá’u’lláh offers guidance on how we can prepare ourselves for the afterlife and attain the eternal life destined for us:
1. Forgive the sinful: This practice cultivates compassion and understanding and releases us from negative emotions like anger and resentment, which can hinder spiritual progress.
2. Avoid despising anyone: Judging others based on their perceived shortcomings can create distance and prevent us from recognizing the potential for spiritual growth within everyone.
3. Focus on your own shortcomings: Instead of looking outwards, introspection allows us to identify and address our own flaws and imperfections, facilitating self-improvement and spiritual development.
4. Strive for continuous self-improvement: This involves actively seeking knowledge, practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer and meditation, and aligning our lives with the teachings of the Manifestation of God for our time.
5. Serve humanity: Engaging in acts of service, such as helping others, contributing to society, and promoting the welfare of all, is considered a form of worshipping God and contributes to our spiritual growth.
6. Develop a pure and loving heart: Cultivating qualities like love, compassion, generosity, and humility are essential for attaining spiritual maturity and entering the heavenly realms.
7. Seek guidance from the Manifestations of God: Studying the teachings of Prophets and Messengers like Bahá’u’lláh provides us with a framework for understanding our spiritual purpose and navigating the path towards eternal life.
By dedicating ourselves to these practices, we can cultivate the necessary qualities and prepare our souls for the journey after death. While we may not know the specifics of what awaits us, we can find solace in the promise of eternal life and strive to make the most of our time on Earth.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 10, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#568533901. ↩
- 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, 47-48. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 