Istijlál, 03 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 181 B.E
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection:
Thou hast, moreover, asked Me concerning the state of the soul after its separation from the body. Know thou, of a truth, that if the soul of man hath walked in the ways of God, it will, assuredly, return and be gathered to the glory of the Beloved. By the righteousness of God! It shall attain a station such as no pen can depict, or tongue describe. The soul that hath remained faithful to the Cause of God, and stood unwaveringly firm in His Path shall, after his ascension, be possessed of such power that all the worlds which the Almighty hath created can benefit through him. Such a soul provideth, at the bidding of the Ideal King and Divine Educator, the pure leaven that leaveneth the world of being, and furnisheth the power through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest. Consider how meal needeth leaven to be leavened with. Those souls that are the symbols of detachment are the leaven of the world. Meditate on this, and be of the thankful. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
…the rational soul, or the human spirit, does not subsist through this body by inherence—that is to say, it does not enter it; for inherence and entrance are characteristics of bodies, and the rational soul is sanctified above this. It never entered this body to begin with, that it should require, upon leaving it, some other abode. No, the connection of the spirit with the body is even as the connection of this lamp with a mirror. If the mirror is polished and perfected, the light of the lamp appears therein, and if the mirror is broken or covered with dust, the light remains concealed. —‘Abdu’l‑Bahá 2
The connection between the soul and the body is not material; the soul does not enter of leave the body and does not occupy physical space. Its association with the body is similar to that of a light with a mirror which reflects it. The light appearing in the mirror is not inside it. Similarly, the soul is not inside the body. — Ruhi Institute Staff 3
Question for Consideration
The study circle of eight youth ranging in age from 16 to 19 you convened as the tutor several weeks ago is now studying Section 3 of the third unit, “Life and Death” of Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, which discusses the relationship between the soul and the body. The introductory paragraph and quotation (see second and third quotes above) have been read aloud, and some time has been given for reflection on the ideas expressed. Now everyone is doing the exercises individually. There is silence in the room, and the atmosphere is one of serious and disciplined reflection. What have you done to help create such an atmosphere? 4
Perplexity Pro Response 5
To create an atmosphere of serious and disciplined reflection for the study circle, I have likely taken the following steps:
- Set a reverent tone from the beginning of the session by opening with a short prayer or moment of silence.
- Explained the importance of the topic being studied and encouraged participants to approach it with a spirit of thoughtful reflection.
- Read the introductory paragraph and quotation in a clear, measured voice to help focus everyone’s attention.
- Allowed a brief period of silent contemplation after the reading before moving to the exercises.
- Arranged the physical space to be conducive to individual study, with participants comfortably seated and free from distractions.
- Modeled a serious and focused demeanor myself as the tutor.
- Refrained from unnecessary talking or movement during the individual study time.
- Created an environment of mutual respect where participants feel comfortable engaging in deep reflection without fear of judgment.
- Gently redirected any off-topic conversations or distractions that may have arisen.
- Encouraged participants beforehand to come prepared with open and receptive minds.
By taking these steps, I have helped foster an atmosphere where the youth can engage seriously with the profound concepts being explored regarding the soul and its relationship to the body [3].
Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive
The Ruhi Institute’s Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, explores profound spiritual concepts, including the nature of the soul and its relationship to the body, through structured study circles designed to foster an atmosphere of serious reflection and disciplined learning among participants.
The Soul’s Journey After Death
Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings offer a profound perspective on the soul’s journey after physical death. For those who have “walked in the ways of God,” the soul is said to return to “the glory of the Beloved,” attaining a station beyond human description [3]. This faithful soul is imbued with extraordinary power, capable of benefiting all created worlds and serving as a catalyst for the manifestation of arts and wonders [3].
The metaphor of leaven is used to illustrate the soul’s transformative influence. Just as leaven is essential for bread-making, detached souls act as spiritual leaven for the world, providing the impetus for progress and enlightenment [3]. This concept emphasizes the enduring impact of righteous souls even after their physical departure, highlighting the interconnectedness of spiritual and material realms.
The Soul-Body Connection Explained
The relationship between the soul and the body is elucidated through a powerful metaphor in the Bahá’í teachings. ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá likens this connection to that of a lamp and a mirror, where the soul (represented by the lamp’s light) is not inherent within or confined by the body (the mirror) [3]. This analogy emphasizes that the soul does not physically enter or leave the body, nor does it occupy space within it. Instead, the body serves as a reflective surface for the soul’s spiritual qualities, much like a polished mirror reflects light [3].
This concept challenges materialistic views of human existence and underscores the spiritual nature of the soul. It suggests that the soul’s association with the body is temporary and non-physical, existing on a plane beyond material constraints. This understanding forms a crucial part of the Ruhi Institute’s curriculum, encouraging participants to contemplate the profound implications of their spiritual reality beyond physical existence [3] [1].
Fostering Reflection in Study Circles
To create an atmosphere conducive to serious reflection, the tutor has implemented several key strategies. Opening with a prayer or moment of silence sets a reverent tone, while explaining the importance of the topic encourages thoughtful engagement. The physical space has been arranged to minimize distractions, allowing participants to focus on their individual study [3]. By modeling a serious demeanor and refraining from unnecessary talk, the tutor has established an environment of mutual respect where deep contemplation can flourish [1]. These practices align with the Ruhi Institute’s approach to spiritual education, which emphasizes the importance of creating spaces for profound reflection on life’s essential questions [3].
Citations
[1] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[2] Book 6: Teaching the Cause (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[3] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can I create a more engaging atmosphere for study circles?
- What are some effective methods to foster deep reflection in a study group?
- How can I ensure that all participants feel comfortable and included during discussions?
- What role does the tutor play in maintaining a disciplined and serious atmosphere?
- How can I incorporate interactive exercises to enhance the learning experience?
- How can study circles effectively incorporate reflection activities?
- What are some practical methods to foster reflection in group settings?
- How does reflection in study circles impact individual learning and growth?
- What role does active listening play in fostering reflection in study circles?
- How can facilitators encourage meaningful reflection in study circles?
- 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/4#562245346. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/11#987219024. ↩
- 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, 31. 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, 105-106. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “The Soul and the Body.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 25, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/thou-hast-moreover-asked-me-co-UNNtAqBbRdiP.j.RLlML7A. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 