Istijlál, 09 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
ALL praise and glory be to God Who, through the power of His might, hath delivered His creation from the nakedness of nonexistence, and clothed it with the mantle of life. From among all created things He hath singled out for His special favor the pure, the gem-like reality of man, and invested it with a unique capacity of knowing Him and of reflecting the greatness of His glory. This twofold distinction conferred upon him hath cleansed away from his heart the rust of every vain desire, and made him worthy of the vesture with which his Creator hath deigned to clothe him. It hath served to rescue his soul from the wretchedness of ignorance. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
The Sun of Truth is the Word of God, upon which dependeth the education of those who are endowed with the power of understanding and of utterance. It is the true spirit and the heavenly water, through whose aid and gracious providence all things have been and will be quickened. Its appearance in every mirror is conditioned by the colour of that mirror. For instance, when its light is cast upon the mirrors of the hearts of the wise, it bringeth forth wisdom. In like manner, when it manifesteth itself in the mirrors of the hearts of craftsmen, it unfoldeth new and unique arts, and when reflected in the hearts of those that apprehend the truth, it revealeth wondrous tokens of true knowledge and discloseth the verities of God’s utterance. — Bahá’u’lláh 2
The most important thing is to polish the mirrors of hearts in order that they may become illumined and receptive of the divine light. One heart may possess the capacity of the polished mirror; another, be covered and obscured by the dust and dross of this world. Although the same Sun is shining upon both, in the mirror which is polished, pure and sanctified you may behold the Sun in all its fullness, glory and power, revealing its majesty and effulgence; but in the mirror which is rusted and obscured there is no capacity for reflection, although so far as the Sun itself is concerned it is shining thereon and is neither lessened nor deprived. Therefore, our duty lies in seeking to polish the mirrors of our hearts in order that we shall become reflectors of that light and recipients of the divine bounties which may be fully revealed through them. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
In closing, we now address the youth: The future is in your hands. Make no mistake, you are raising an edifice that will be a haven for your peoples upon the foundations your mothers and your fathers have laid. Continued progress will depend on your dedication to building true unity and on the extent to which you strengthen your practice of those spiritual disciplines enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh that help you polish the mirrors of your hearts to reflect the attributes of God. We hope that you will foster among yourselves enduring spiritual bonds that resist the forces of prejudice. Let the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá be your guide—how He lived His life as a daily sacrifice to the cause of the oneness of humanity, how He embraced with selfless love all people who crossed His path, how He saw reflected in each soul the image of a loving God. — Universal House of Justice 4
Question for Consideration
How can one “polish the mirrors” of one’s heart from the “dust and dross” of this world so the “Sun of Truth” can better reflect God’s attributes in it? 5
Perplexity Pro Response 6
The Bahá’í Faith offers a profound metaphor of polishing the mirror of one’s heart to better reflect divine attributes, emphasizing spiritual practices, selfless service, and personal transformation as means to cleanse the soul from worldly attachments and align oneself more closely with God’s qualities.
Spiritual Discipline
Daily prayer and meditation serve as foundational practices for polishing the heart’s mirror in Bahá’í teachings. These spiritual disciplines help cleanse the soul and attune it to divine realities, fostering a heightened awareness of God’s presence [2]. Equally important is the regular study of sacred writings, which deepens one’s understanding of God’s attributes and aligns thoughts and actions with divine guidance. By immersing oneself in these practices, individuals can gradually remove the “dust and dross” of worldly attachments, allowing the “Sun of Truth” to shine more brightly through their being [1] [4].
Cultivating Divine Qualities
Fostering love and unity with all humanity is a key aspect of purifying the heart in Bahá’í teachings. This practice involves recognizing the divine light within every soul and treating all individuals with kindness and respect, regardless of their background [2]. Equally important is the cultivation of detachment from material possessions and vain desires, which helps remove the obscuring elements that prevent the heart’s mirror from fully reflecting divine attributes. By consciously developing these qualities, individuals can create a more receptive environment for the “Sun of Truth” to illuminate their being, allowing God’s attributes to shine through more clearly in their thoughts and actions.
Service and Action
Engaging in selfless service to others without expectation of reward is a powerful way to polish the heart’s mirror, reflecting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example of living as a “daily sacrifice to the cause of the oneness of humanity” [3]. This practice, combined with the application of Bahá’í principles in daily life, helps transform one’s character and align it more closely with divine attributes. By consistently putting spiritual teachings into action, individuals can gradually remove the obscuring effects of worldly attachments, allowing the “Sun of Truth” to reflect God’s qualities more fully through them [2]. This ongoing journey of spiritual growth and transformation requires dedication and a willingness to embrace challenges as opportunities for development.
Holistic Spiritual Well-being
The Bahá’í teachings emphasize a holistic approach to spiritual well-being, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health in one’s journey towards reflecting divine attributes. This comprehensive view encourages individuals to maintain both their spiritual and physical well-being, ensuring that their entire being is receptive to the divine light [6]. By fostering a balance between these aspects, one creates an optimal environment for the heart’s mirror to be polished and become more reflective of God’s qualities. The process of spiritual growth is viewed as an ongoing journey, requiring consistent effort and dedication to gradually transform one’s character and align it more closely with divine attributes [8].
Citations
[1] The Beauty of God Reflected in the Soul – BahaiTeachings.org
[2] Bahá’í Perspective – Bahá’í Community of Parksville
[3] The Oneness of God – Bahá’ís of the United States
[4] The Promulgation of Universal Peace – ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
[5] I HAVE COME WITH THIS MISSION – Bahá’í World Faith
[6] The Bahá’í View of Health & Well-being (1/2): Complications and Caveats – Everybody Means Something
[7] The Bahá’í Concept of God – Uplifting Words
[8] Walking a Spiritual Path – Bahá’í Center of Washtenaw County
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can I practice radiant acquiescence in my daily life?
- What are some practical steps to cleanse my heart with the burnish of love?
- How does Baha’u’llah’s concept of the heart as a mirror compare to other spiritual traditions?
- What role does love play in reflecting God’s attributes according to Baha’u’llah?
- How can I develop the eye of oneness to see God’s beauty in others?
- How can we foster enduring spiritual bonds with others?
- What role does selfless love play in spiritual growth?
- How can we overcome the rust of vain desires in our hearts?
- What are the key spiritual disciplines mentioned by Bahá’u’lláh?
- How can we build true unity in our communities?
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/3#552134740. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed December 17, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/additional-tablets-extracts-from-tablets-revealed-bahaullah/104505081/1#485472535. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 196. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#397153357. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “1 November 2022 – To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 16, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20221101_001/1#960802230. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 3-5. Download PDF. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “How can one “polish the mirrors” of one’s heart from the “dust and dross” of this world so the “Sun of Truth” can better reflect God’s attributes in it?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 17, 2024. https://www.perplexity.ai/page/how-can-one-polish-the-mirrors-LhrEWCdeQr69U9V0mATXLg. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 