’Idál, 05 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
When the channel of the human soul is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attachments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across immeasurable distances, and will, led by its perfume, attain and enter the City of Certitude. Therein he will discern the wonders of His ancient wisdom, and will perceive all the hidden teachings from the rustling leaves of the Tree—which flourisheth in that City. With both his inner and his outer ear he will hear from its dust the hymns of glory and praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and with his inner eye will he discover the mysteries of “return” and “revival.” How unspeakably glorious are the signs, the tokens, the revelations, and splendors which He Who is the King of names and attributes hath destined for that City! The attainment of this City quencheth thirst without water, and kindleth the love of God without fire. Within every blade of grass are enshrined the mysteries of an inscrutable wisdom, and upon every rosebush a myriad nightingales pour out, in blissful rapture, their melody. Its wondrous tulips unfold the mystery of the undying Fire in the Burning Bush, and its sweet savors of holiness breathe the perfume of the Messianic Spirit. It bestoweth wealth without gold, and conferreth immortality without death. In every leaf ineffable delights are treasured, and within every chamber unnumbered mysteries lie hidden. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
The foremost degree of comprehension in the world of nature is that of the rational soul. This power and comprehension is shared in common by all men, whether they be heedless or aware, wayward or faithful. In the creation of God, the rational soul of man encompasses and is distinguished above all other created things: It is by virtue of its nobility and distinction that it encompasses them all. Through the power of the rational soul, man can discover the realities of things, comprehend their properties, and penetrate the mysteries of existence. All the sciences, branches of learning, arts, inventions, institutions, undertakings, and discoveries have resulted from the comprehension of the rational soul. These were once impenetrable secrets, hidden mysteries, and unknown realities, and the rational soul gradually discovered them and brought them out of the invisible plane into the realm of the visible. This is the greatest power of comprehension in the world of nature, and the uttermost limit of its flight is to comprehend the realities, signs, and properties of contingent things. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
Social action, of whatever size and complexity, should strive to remain free of simplistic and distorted conceptions of science and religion. To this end, an imaginary duality between reason and faith—a duality that would confine reason to the realm of empirical evidence and logical argumentation and which would associate faith with superstition and irrational thought—must be avoided. The process of development has to be rational and systematic—incorporating, for example, scientific capabilities of observing, of measuring, of rigorously testing ideas—and at the same time deeply aware of faith and spiritual convictions. In the words of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá: “faith compriseth both knowledge and the performance of good works.” Faith and reason can best be understood as attributes of the human soul through which insights and knowledge can be gained about the physical and the spiritual dimensions of existence. They make it possible to recognize the powers and capacities latent in individuals and in humanity as a whole and enable people to work for the realization of these potentialities. — Universal House of Justice 3
Each section of the third unit, “Life and Death,” in Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit opens with one to three quotations from the Bahá’í Writings followed by a few exercises. The language of the passages quoted in this unit is more demanding than in the previous two. There is no need, of course, for the group to dwell on difficult words; the tutor will want to ensure that everyone grasps the central idea addressed in each section, which is precisely what the exercises try to bring out.
Given the nature of the subject, exercises involving concrete examples are few and far between. Most tend to operate at a conceptual level. What should be noted is that some of the questions posed by the exercises cannot be answered quickly or in a clear-cut way. They are introduced to raise awareness about the subject; if participants merely think about such questions, the objective of learning will have been fulfilled. — Ruhi Institute Staff 4
Questions for Consideration
What questions for Study Circle participants about the human spirit or rational soul raise awareness about their central ideas despite an absence of clear-cut answers? Why is it important to avoid prolonged discussions about such questions? 5
Perplexity Pro Response 6
The Ruhi Institute’s approach to spiritual education emphasizes thoughtful reflection on profound concepts related to the human spirit and rational soul, encouraging participants to explore these ideas without seeking definitive answers or engaging in prolonged debates.
Cleansing the Human Soul
The process of cleansing the human soul from worldly attachments is described as a transformative journey that leads to profound spiritual insights. This purification enables the soul to perceive the “breath of the Beloved” and enter the metaphorical “City of Certitude,” where hidden teachings and divine wisdom are revealed. Within this spiritual realm, one discovers the mysteries of “return” and “revival,” experiencing a heightened state of awareness that transcends physical limitations. The attainment of this spiritual state is characterized by paradoxical qualities, such as quenching thirst without water and kindling love without fire, symbolizing the soul’s ability to fulfill deep-seated needs through spiritual means rather than material ones.
Power of the Rational Soul
The rational soul, as described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, represents the highest form of comprehension in the natural world, shared by all humans regardless of their spiritual awareness [3]. This unique power enables individuals to:
- Discover the realities of things
- Comprehend the properties of existence
- Penetrate the mysteries of the universe
- Bring hidden knowledge from the invisible realm into the visible
Through the rational soul’s capabilities, humanity has developed sciences, arts, inventions, and institutions, gradually unveiling what were once impenetrable secrets [3]. This profound capacity for understanding extends to both the physical and spiritual dimensions of existence, allowing individuals to recognize and cultivate the latent powers within themselves and humanity as a whole [3].
Faith and Reason Integration
The integration of faith and reason is essential for a holistic approach to social action and personal development. This perspective rejects the false dichotomy between scientific reasoning and spiritual conviction, recognizing both as complementary attributes of the human soul. As emphasized by the Universal House of Justice, faith encompasses both knowledge and good works, enabling individuals to gain insights into both physical and spiritual dimensions of existence [3]. This balanced approach fosters a rational and systematic process of development that incorporates scientific methods while remaining deeply aware of spiritual truths. By harmonizing faith and reason, individuals can better recognize and cultivate the latent powers within themselves and humanity, working towards the realization of human potential in both material and spiritual realms.
Ruhi Institute’s Reflective Approach
The Ruhi Institute’s approach to spiritual education emphasizes thoughtful reflection on profound concepts without seeking definitive answers. This method is particularly evident in the third unit of Book 1, “Life and Death,” where exercises operate at a conceptual level rather than providing concrete examples [3]. Tutors are encouraged to ensure participants grasp central ideas while avoiding prolonged discussions that may lead to confusion or idle speculation [3]. This approach aligns with the Institute’s goal of enhancing understanding through reflection rather than academic analysis, allowing participants to contemplate the implications of spiritual concepts in their own lives and potentially inspire practical application [1] [3].
The tutor should ensure the group grasps the central ideas addressed in each section, while avoiding prolonged discussions that may lead to confusion or idle speculation. The goal is to raise awareness and stimulate thinking about these spiritual concepts in a way that enhances understanding and potentially inspires application in one’s life [1].
Citations:
[1] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[2] Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth – Ruhi Institute
[3] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can the rational soul’s comprehension of nature be applied to modern scientific discoveries?
- What role does the rational soul play in the balance between reason and faith?
- How does the concept of the rational soul influence our understanding of human potential?
- In what ways can the rational soul help in resolving conflicts between science and religion?
- How can the rational soul’s power of comprehension be cultivated and developed in everyday life?
- How does the reflective approach of the Ruhi Institute enhance understanding?
- What are some examples of exercises used in the Ruhi Institute materials?
- How do the Ruhi Institute’s exercises differ from traditional multiple-choice questions?
- What role does the tutor play in facilitating reflection in Ruhi Institute groups?
- How can the reflective approach of the Ruhi Institute be applied in other educational settings?
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st pocket-size Ed. 1950. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1983, 196-198. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-iqan/7#260105227. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/10#184837404. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “26 November 2012 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20121126_001/1#933272744. ↩
- 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, vii. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS. ↩
- 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, 66-68. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Questions about the Human Spirit.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 20, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/when-the-channel-of-the-human-Y6jyZH9ETUmapQIMWvYV7g. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 