Day 3 & Day 4

On the second and third day, we continued on page 13 reading the third section regarding “The continuity of Existence” and started the fourth section on “Understanding Death as a Transition to Eternal Life”

The third section (“The Continuity of Existence”) differentiates between the physical creation and the soul. The passage from ‘Abdu’l-Baha on page 13 states, “The whole physical creation is perishable. These Material bodies are composed of atoms; when these atoms begin to separate decomposition sets in, then comes what we call death.” It illustrates the similarity to a child in the womb, it is considered as a momentary phase, not designed as a permanent place for a child to live forever. The goal of child’s life is to die to the womb and to be born into this world, which constitutes, the next stage of progression. Yet with the soul is different. The Passage from ‘Abdu’l-Baha on page 13 states, “….it is not composed of many atoms, it is of one indivisible subsistence and therefore eternal. …it is immortal.” With a mystery we, as humans wish to inquire the location, and the description of the soul being non-existent, which to many of us is a complex subject to comprehend. For example, the eyes we acquire in the womb are incapable of seeing until the rays of light will bring vision to the eyes. In the same way, as Abdu’l-Baha on page 15 states “ The very existence of man’s intelligence proves his immortality; moreover, darkness proves the presence of light, for without light thee would be no shadow.” The soul and the body will always be associated with each other as long as human beings live in this world.

The fourth section (“Understanding Death as a Transition on Eternal Life”) with the concept of detachment from this world and looking forward to death can dramatize many of us due to the fear and the lack of knowledge of the next world. In this world, we base everything on the concept of time and place. Yet as Abdu’l-Baha on page 17 states “Time with us is measured by the sun. Where there is no more sunrise, and no more sunset, that kind of time does not exist for man. Those who have ascended have different attributes form those who are still on earth, yet there is no real separation.” Unfortunately, death has a bad name, particularly in many societies. What are we afraid of? Suffering is a very uncomfortable but its benefits are profound. As Abdu’l-Baha on page 19 states, “Do not feel grieved or disconsolate, therefore, at the ascension of that bird of faithfulness; nay, under all circumstances pray for that youth, supplicating for him forgiveness and the elevation of his station.” Humanity advances in knowledge and understanding in exactly the same way that a child does at school. However, instead of human teachers being responsible for this learning, divine ones are. In the Hidden Words, Baha’u’llah states “O Son of Dust, all that is in heaven and on earth I have ordained for thee except the human heart.”