Our Very Souls

It's been said the Soul is the greatest mystery...

It's been said the Soul has a beginning but no end...

It's been said we wouldn't be alive without our Soul...

Check out these quotes and let us know what You think...

"The soul of man is the sun by which his body is illumined, and from which it draweth its sustenance, and should be so regarded."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection LXXX, p. 155

"….the various organs and members, the parts and elements, that constitute the body of man, though at variance, are yet all connected one with the other by that all-unifying agency known as the human soul, that causeth them to function in perfect harmony and with absolute regularity, thus making the continuation of life possible. The human body, however, is utterly unconscious of that all-unifying agency, and yet acteth with regularity and dischargeth its functions according to its will."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Tablet to August Forel, p. 13

"….the spirit of man is not in the body because it is freed and sanctified from entrance and exit, which are bodily conditions. The connection of the spirit with the body is like that of the sun with the mirror. Briefly, the human spirit is in one condition. It neither becomes ill from the diseases of the body nor cured by its health; it does not become sick, nor weak, nor miserable, nor poor, nor light, nor small—that is to say, it will not be injured because of the infirmities of the body, and no effect will be visible even if the body becomes weak, or if the hands and feet and tongue be cut off, or if it loses the power of hearing or sight. Therefore, it is evident and certain that the spirit is different from the body, and that its duration is independent of that of the body; on the contrary, the spirit with the utmost greatness rules in the world of the body; and its power and influence, like the bounty of the sun in the mirror, are apparent and visible. But when the mirror becomes dusty or breaks, it will cease to reflect the rays of the sun."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 61: "The Immortality of the Spirit—Session 2", p. 229

"...such influence as no force on earth can equal."

Some of you know I've been undergoing a rather severe medical treatment--feelin' real crappy most of the time plus other physical challenges.

I'm 68% through this most grueling time of my life . . .

And, yet . . .

In spite of the body weakness, I'm finding it easier to follow my spiritual disciplines!

"Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments. Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with undiminished power. In like manner, every malady afflicting the body of man is an impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might and power. When it leaveth the body, however, it will evince such ascendancy, and reveal such influence as no force on earth can equal."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection LXXX, pp. 153-154

Life 101

What's your life worth?

Which life are you thinking about:

- life in the body
or
- life in the Next World?

Seems pretty hard to value our lives in the Next World when we've only known life in the physical world.

Imagine, though, a baby deciding it doesn't want to deal with life outside the womb because they've never experienced it!

Once again, it appears God has designed things to test our Faith . . .

"Know then that 'life' has a twofold meaning. The first pertaineth to the appearance of man in an elemental body, and is as manifest to thine eminence and to others as the midday sun. This life cometh to an end with physical death, which is a God-ordained and inescapable reality. That life, however, which is mentioned in the Books of the Prophets and the Chosen Ones of God is the life of knowledge; that is to say, the servant’s recognition of the sign of the splendours wherewith He Who is the Source of all splendour hath Himself invested him, and his certitude of attaining unto the presence of God through the Manifestations of His Cause. This is that blessed and everlasting life that perisheth not: whosoever is quickened thereby shall never die, but will endure as long as His Lord and Creator will endure.

"The first life, which pertaineth to the elemental body, will come to an end, as hath been revealed by God: 'Every soul shall taste of death.' (Qur’án 3:185) But the second life, which ariseth from the knowledge of God, knoweth no death, as hath been revealed aforetime: 'Him will We surely quicken to a blessed life.' (Qur’án 16:97) And in another passage concerning the martyrs: 'Nay, they are alive and sustained by their Lord.' (Qur’án 3:169) And from the Traditions: 'He who is a true believer liveth both in this world and in the world to come.' (From a Hadíth) Numerous examples of similar words are to be found in the Books of God and of the Embodiments of His justice. For the sake of brevity, however, We have contented Ourself with the above passages."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gems of Divine Mysteries, paragraphs 64-65, pp. 47-48

"...near to the threshold of God."

The phrase "good will" is becoming more important for many as Christmas approaches.

Being "fair and just" toward our fellow members of Humanity has become a critical need in our Materialistic cultures.

Such a shame we have to have holidays or world crises to do what God Wishes for His creatures...


"If man were to care for himself only he would be nothing but an animal for only the animals are thus egoistic. If you bring a thousand sheep to a well to kill nine hundred and ninety-nine the one remaining sheep would go on grazing, not thinking of the others and worrying not at all about the lost, never bothering that its own kind had passed away, or had perished or been killed. To look after one’s self only is therefore an animal propensity. It is the animal propensity to live solitary and alone. It is the animal proclivity to look after one’s own comfort. But man was created to be a man — to be fair, to be just, to be merciful, to be kind to all his species, never to be willing that he himself be well off while others are in misery and distress—this is an attribute of the animal and not of man. Nay, rather, man should be willing to accept hardships for himself in order that others may enjoy wealth; he should enjoy trouble for himself that others may enjoy happiness and well-being. This is the attribute of man This is becoming of man. Otherwise man is not man—he is less than the animal.

"The man who thinks only of himself and is thoughtless of others is undoubtedly inferior to the animal because the animal is not possessed of the reasoning faculty. The animal is excused; but in man there is reason, the faculty of justice, the faculty of mercifulness. Possessing all these faculties he must not leave them unused. He who is so hard-hearted as to think only of his own comfort, such an one will not be called man.

"Man is he who forgets his own interests for the sake of others. His own comfort he forfeits for the well-being of all. Nay, rather, his own life must he be willing to forfeit for the life of mankind. Such a man is the honor of the world of humanity. Such a man is the glory of the world of mankind. Such a man is the one who wins eternal bliss. Such a man is near to the threshold of God. Such a man is the very manifestation of eternal happiness."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Foundations of World Unity, p. 42

"In creation there is no evil; all is good."

If you read today's quote and agree with it, odds are you'll also agree you found a way to cancel out early "spiritual brainwashing".

If you can't quite agree with the quote, please consider that a "spiritual falsehood" is clouding your thinking...

"In creation there is no evil; all is good. Certain qualities and natures innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the signs of greed, of anger and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that greed which is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it is used suitably. So if a man is greedy to acquire science and knowledge, or to become compassionate, generous and just, it is most praiseworthy. If he exercises his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty tyrants who are like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy; but if he does not use these qualities in a right way, they are blameworthy."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 57: "The Causes of the Differences in the Characters of Men", p. 215

"...love and trust will pitch their tents on the summits of the world."

If God is the All-Powerful Creator...

If He's sent Manifestations Who have brought Divine Instructions...

If most of the World is suffering in the depths of Heedlessness...

We really do need to get our Act together...

"Act in accordance with the counsels of the Lord: that is, rise up in such wise, and with such qualities, as to endow the body of this world with a living soul, and to bring this young child, humanity, to the stage of adulthood. So far as ye are able, ignite a candle of love in every meeting, and with tenderness rejoice and cheer ye every heart. Care for the stranger as for one of your own; show to alien souls the same loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful friends. Should any come to blows with you, seek to be friends with him; should any stab you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his sores; should any taunt and mock at you, meet him with love. Should any heap his blame upon you, praise ye him; should he offer you a deadly poison, give him the choicest honey in exchange; and should he threaten your life, grant him a remedy that will heal him evermore. Should he be pain itself, be ye his medicine; should he be thorns, be ye his roses and sweet herbs. Perchance such ways and words from you will make this darksome world turn bright at last; will make this dusty earth turn heavenly, this devilish prison place become a royal palace of the Lord—so that war and strife will pass and be no more, and love and trust will pitch their tents on the summits of the world."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selection #16, p. 34

Infinite Perfections

It's one thing to say there's always tomorrow--to start again, or clean up, or seek forgiveness--more time to acquire virtues on this earth.

'Course, we all do leave these bodies behind one day...

To imagine an infinity of opportunities to perfect ourselves...

Amazing !

You may want to read the "Disclaimer concerning the word, "Man"....

"There is no other being higher than a perfect man. But man when he has reached this state can still make progress in perfections but not in state because there is no state higher than that of a perfect man to which he can transfer himself. He only progresses in the state of humanity, for the human perfections are infinite. Thus, however learned a man may be, we can imagine one more learned. Hence, as the perfections of humanity are endless, man can also make progress in perfections after leaving this world."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 64: "The State of Man and His Progress after Death", p. 237

"...the appearance of the spirit in the body..."

If we can agree that God is the All-Powerful Creator, then it would seem to undoubtedly follow that He is All-Knowing.

So there must be good Reasons for the processes on Earth...

good Reasons for so many different plants...

good Reasons for animals that eat each other...

good Reasons for human infants staying with their mothers longer than other creatures...

good Reasons for our soul to hang out with a body...

"The wisdom of the appearance of the spirit in the body is this: the human spirit is a Divine Trust, and it must traverse all conditions, for its passage and movement through the conditions of existence will be the means of its acquiring perfections. So when a man travels and passes through different regions and numerous countries with system and method, it is certainly a means of his acquiring perfection, for he will see places, scenes and countries, from which he will discover the conditions and states of other nations. He will thus become acquainted with the geography of countries and their wonders and arts; he will familiarize himself with the habits, customs and usages of peoples; he will see the civilization and progress of the epoch; he will become aware of the policy of governments and the power and capacity of each country.

"It is the same when the human spirit passes through the conditions of existence: it will become the possessor of each degree and station. Even in the condition of the body it will surely acquire perfections."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 52: "The Appearing of the Spirit in the Body", p. 200

Our Perfections

No doubt, when it comes to my daughter, I'm lovingly biased.

Still, it's objectively true that she recently attained a new level of perfection when she gave birth to Nathanael William Kee:

We all have various stations to reach, in our Journey toward never-ending perfections:

"No created thing shall ever attain its paradise unless it appeareth in its highest prescribed degree of perfection. For instance, this crystal representeth the paradise of the stone whereof its substance is composed. Likewise there are various stages in the paradise for the crystal itself... So long as it was stone it was worthless, but if it attaineth the excellence of ruby — a potentiality which is latent in it— how much a carat will it be worth? Consider likewise every created thing.

"Man’s highest station, however, is attained through faith in God in every Dispensation and by acceptance of what hath been revealed by Him, and not through learning; inasmuch as in every nation there are learned men who are versed in divers sciences. Nor is it attainable through wealth; for it is similarly evident that among the various classes in every nation there are those possessed of riches. Likewise are other transitory things.

"True knowledge, therefore, is the knowledge of God, and this is none other than the recognition of His Manifestation in each Dispensation. Nor is there any wealth save in poverty in all save God and sanctity from aught else but Him—a state that can be realized only when demonstrated towards Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation. This doth not mean, however, that one ought not to yield praise unto former Revelations. On no account is this acceptable, inasmuch as it behooveth man, upon reaching the age of nineteen, to render thanksgiving for the day of his conception as an embryo. For had the embryo not existed, how could he have reached his present state?"

The Báb: Selections from the Writings of the Báb, "Excerpts from
the Persian Bayán", pp. 88-89, citing Váhid V, Chapter 4)