Jalál, 05 Masá’il (Questions), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
Decide which of the following are true:
We should be filled with sorrow when things are not the way we want them to be.
All, be it good or bad, is ordained by God.
Days of blissful joy are awaiting all of us.
We are sure to see worlds that are holy and spiritually glorious.
It is our destiny to partake of the benefits of worlds that are holy and spiritually glorious, both in this life and in the life hereafter. 2
Google Bard Response:
Based on the provided quote from Bahá’u’lláh, the following statements are true:
- Days of blissful joy are awaiting all of us: The quote emphasizes that despite current challenges, we can look forward to a future filled with joy and delight in the spiritual realms. This message of hope encourages us to maintain perspective and trust in God’s ultimate plan.
- We are sure to see worlds that are holy and spiritually glorious: The quote promises that we will be exposed to worlds beyond our current understanding, filled with spiritual beauty and wonder. This adds to the message of hope and encourages us to strive for spiritual growth.
- It is our destiny to partake of the benefits of worlds that are holy and spiritually glorious, both in this life and in the life hereafter: The quote emphasizes that our potential for spiritual fulfillment extends beyond this earthly plane. It assures us that we can experience the blessings and benefits of these holy worlds both in this life and the next.
The following statements are false:
- We should be filled with sorrow when things are not the way we want them to be: While the quote acknowledges that we may experience challenges and things may not always go as planned, it encourages acceptance and trust in God’s wisdom. Sorrow is not the intended response but a perspective of faith and hope.
- All, be it good or bad, is ordained by God: The quote doesn’t explicitly address the concept of good and bad. It focuses on God’s ultimate plan and assures us that even challenging experiences can contribute to our spiritual growth. Therefore, a more nuanced understanding of God’s role in human experience is presented, rather than a simple binary of good and bad ordained by Him.
In conclusion, the quote from Bahá’u’lláh offers hope and reassurance when facing challenges. It emphasizes that despite present difficulties, we can look forward to a future filled with joy and spiritual fulfillment, both in this life and the hereafter. It encourages us to maintain perspective, trust God’s plan, and strive for spiritual growth.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/8#572973655. ↩
- 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, 50-51. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 