’Idál, 02 Masá’il (Questions), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
Consider how a being, in the world of the womb, was deaf of ear and blind of eye, and mute of tongue; how he was bereft of any perceptions at all. But once, out of that world of darkness, he passed into this world of light, then his eye saw, his ear heard, his tongue spoke. In the same way, once he hath hastened away from this mortal place into the Kingdom of God, then he will be born in the spirit; then the eye of his perception will open, the ear of his soul will hearken, and all the truths of which he was ignorant before will be made plain and clear. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration:
Decide whether the following statements are true:
When we are in the world of the womb, we know about this world.
Our condition after death is a truth hidden to us in this life.
Horizons, entirely new, will open before us after death.
When we die, we return to this world to be born again. 2
Google Bard Response:
Based on the provided quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the following statements are true:
- Our condition after death is a truth hidden to us in this life. The quote uses the analogy of a fetus not knowing about the outside world to illustrate that our understanding of the afterlife is limited in our present state. We can speculate and believe, but the full experience remains a mystery until we pass on.
- Horizons, entirely new, will open before us after death. The quote describes the experience of entering the “Kingdom of God” after death as being born in the spirit and gaining new perceptions and understanding. This suggests a level of knowledge and awareness beyond what we can currently comprehend.
The following statements are false:
- When we are in the world of the womb, we know about this world. The quote describes the fetus as “deaf, blind, and mute,” highlighting its lack of awareness of the outside world. This analogy suggests that our understanding in the womb is limited, similar to how our understanding of the afterlife is limited in this life.
- When we die, we return to this world to be born again. The quote emphasizes the concept of “hastening away from this mortal place” and “entering the Kingdom of God.” This suggests a one-way journey, not a return to this life. Reincarnation is not a concept explicitly supported by the quote.
It’s important to remember that the quote offers a metaphorical perspective on the afterlife. It encourages us to embrace the mystery and trust the process of spiritual evolution, even if the specifics remain unclear.
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 177. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/7#954600239. ↩
- 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, 49. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 