Online Reporter
Flora Teckie
Bahá’í Perspective
Even though we live on earth in physical bodies, our essential identity is defined by an invisible, rational, and everlasting soul.
Our soul is a spiritual entity. It is not subject to laws of nature as they operate in the physical world. It has no physical existence. Thus, we cannot observe or understand it through material means.
According to the Bahá’í Writings, “The soul of man is the sun by which his body is illumined, and from which it draweth its sustenance…” that “…We have three aspects of our humanness, so to speak, a body, a mind and an immortal identity—soul or spirit.”
And that, “The endowments which distinguish the human race from all other forms of life are summed up in what is known as the human spirit; the mind is its essential quality” “…the mind forms a link between the soul and the body”.
It is through the exercise of the powers of the soul that humanity progresses.
According to the Bahá’í Writings, “The power of the rational soul can discover the realities of things, comprehend the peculiarities of beings, and penetrate the mysteries of existence. All sciences, knowledge, arts, wonders, institutions, discoveries and enterprises come from the exercised intelligence of the rational soul”.
The soul has its origin in the spiritual worlds of God. It is exalted above matter and the physical world. The human being has its beginning when the soul, coming from these spiritual worlds, associates itself with the embryo at the time of conception.
There is a special relationship between the body and soul, and together they form a human being. The association of the soul and body is like the association of light with the mirror which reflects it.
The light which appears in the mirror is not inside it, it comes from an external source. Similarly, the soul is not inside the body. The same way that the light continues existing whether the mirror is there to reflect it or not, the soul continues living independent of the body.
The human soul is a heavenly gem
We cannot understand the exact nature of the soul. Bahá’u’lláh says “the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind … can ever hope to unravel”.
Our soul does not die: it endures everlastingly.
The Bahá’í Writings explain: “When the body dies the soul lives on” and “as at the time of death, the real and eternal self of man, his soul, abandons its physical garment to soar in the realms of God. We may compare the body to a vehicle which has been used for the journey through earthly life and no longer needed once the destination has been reached”.
The human body serves a temporary purpose in the development of the soul and, when that purpose has been served, is laid aside. Just as the eggshell serves a temporary purpose in the development of the chick, and, when that purpose has been served, is broken and discarded.
Since our eternal part is our soul, therefore, we should not live on earth as if only our physical life and physical pleasures are all that matter. There is a need to maintain a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of our lives while allowing our spiritual nature to take control.
Our souls grow and develop through our relationship with God. This relationship is fostered through prayer, and study and application of the Holy Writings. Such a relationship is strengthened through love of God, moral self-discipline, and serving the common good.
Dreams are one of the proofs that the life of the soul does not depend on the life of the body. For example, in the state of sleep we see without eyes, we speak without a tongue, we run without using our feet. When we are awake the eye sees only for a short distance, but in dreams we may be in Harare and meet our friends in Bulawayo or in another part of the country.
To enjoy life on earth fully the child needs to develop its limbs and organs before it is born. To be close to God and happy in the next world we need to acquire spiritual qualities while we are in this world.
Our soul is our essential identity, and our earthly life is only a small part of life that is everlasting.
This knowledge motivates us to prepare ourselves purposefully and perseveringly for eternal life.
Development of the innate qualities that lie at the foundation of human happiness and social progress, such as trustworthiness, love, kindness, generosity, to be just towards all, and serving humanity, help us grow closer to God and prepare us for the life beyond.
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