‘Idál, 18 Mashíyyat (Will), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
The forces of materialism promote a quite contrary line of thinking: that happiness comes from constant acquisition, that the more one has the better, that worry for the environment is for another day. These seductive messages fuel an increasingly entrenched sense of personal entitlement, which uses the language of justice and rights to disguise self-interest. Indifference to the hardship experienced by others becomes commonplace while entertainment and distracting amusements are voraciously consumed. The enervating influence of materialism seeps into every culture, and all Bahá’ís recognize that, unless they strive to remain conscious of its effects, they may to one degree or another unwittingly adopt its ways of seeing the world. Parents must be acutely aware that, even when very young, children absorb the norms of their surroundings. The junior youth spiritual empowerment programme encourages thoughtful discernment at an age when the call of materialism grows more insistent. With the approach of adulthood comes a responsibility, shared by one’s generation, not to allow worldly pursuits to blind one’s eyes to injustice and privation. Over time, the qualities and attitudes nurtured by the courses of the training institute, through exposure to the Word of God, help individuals to see past the illusions that, at every stage of life, the world uses to pull attention away from service and towards the self. And ultimately, the systematic study of the Word of God and the exploration of its implications raises consciousness of the need to manage one’s material affairs in keeping with the divine teachings. — Universal House of Justice [1]
Question for Consideration
How is the world an illusion? [2] [3]
Gemini Notebook Response:
In Bahá’í writings, the description of the material world as an “illusion” or “shadow” is a central spiritual concept. Rather than teaching that the physical universe is pure non-existence or a complete figment of perception, the writings explain the illusory nature of the world through several distinct spiritual and philosophical perspectives:
Relative Existence vs. Absolute Existence
The Bahá’í writings reject the view of extreme sophistry, which claims that created things have no reality whatsoever. [4] In its own degree—the contingent realm—the physical world is real and established. [4] [5] However, compared to the absolute, independent existence of God, the material world is mere illusion and non-existence. [4] [5]
‘Abdu’l-Bahá likens the material world to an image reflected in a mirror or a shadow stretching out: [5] [6] [7]
- A shadow or reflected image appears to have form, but it has no independent life or reality of its own. [6] [7]
- Just as the existence of a mineral is as “non-existence” when compared to the higher degree of human existence, the whole contingent universe is as “non-existence” when compared to the Divine Reality. [4] [8] [9]
Be the Voice of…
Therefore, all souls should consider it incumbent upon them to investigate reality. Reality is one; and when found, it will unify all mankind. Reality is the love of God. Reality is the knowledge of God. Reality is justice. Reality is the oneness or solidarity of mankind. Reality is international peace. Reality is the knowledge of verities. Reality unifies humanity. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. [10]
Footnotes
[1] Universal House of Justice. “1 March 2017 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/963073955
[2] Gemini Notebook. “World as Shadow: Relative Existence vs. Absolute Existence.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. October 13, 2026. The World as an Illusion
[3] Transformative Leadership Education Staff. “Unite, Decide, Thrive: Using Consultation to Improve Decisions” (Free Online Course). Transformative Leadership Education. https://tinyurl.com/courseconsultation
[4] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/243845750
[5] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/953437277
[6] Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. BAHÁ’Í SACRED WRITINGS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/534931300
[7] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/895544601
[8] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/497405267
[9] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/617380741
[10] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/628985716
