There is life beyond our earthly life

PEOPLE often wonder whether there is life beyond our lives on earth, and what happens to our loved ones after their death. Some believe that life ends with death. Others believe that death is a punishment; and yet others believe that there is life beyond our lives on earth.

In the Bahá’í view, our earthly life is a small part of a life that is eternal. The Baháí Writings state that: “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.

Although we live on earth in physical bodies, our essential identity is defined by an invisible, rational, and everlasting soul.

Our soul being a spiritual entity, it is not subject to laws of nature, as they operate in the physical world. It has no physical existence.

Therefore, we cannot observe or understand it through material means.

Our soul and our body come from different origins and their relationship lasts only for the span of the mortal life.

When this relationship ceases the body goes to the world of dust, where it had originated, and the soul goes to its origin, which is the spiritual worlds of God.

There is a special relationship between the soul and the body

Human beings, in the Bahá’í view, have their beginning when the soul associates itself with the embryo at the time of conception. But the association of the soul with the body is not material.

The soul does not enter or leave the body and does not occupy a physical space.

The soul’s association with the 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. There is a special relationship between the soul and the body and together they form a human being.

The same way that the light continues to exist whether the mirror is there to reflect it or not, the soul continues living independent of the body.

One proof that the life of the soul does not depend on the life of the body is the dreams we have when we are asleep. In the state of sleep, we see without eyes, we speak without a tongue, we walk without using our feet. When we are awake our eyes see only for a short distance, but in dreams we may be in Harare and meet our friends in another part of our country, or another part of the world.

In commenting on the immortality of the rational soul, the Baháí Writings explain that everything in creation, which is composed of elements, is subject to decomposition.

However, “The soul is not a combination of elements. It is not composed of many atoms, it is of one indivisible substance and therefore eternal.

“It is entirely out of the order of the physical creation; it is immortal!”

Our soul continues to progress after its separation from the body

Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, says: “Know thou of a truth that the soul, after bits’ separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God…. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, his sovereignty, his dominion and power will endure.

It will manifest the signs of God and his attributes, and will reveal his loving-kindness and bounty. … 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”.

Considering that our eternal part is our soul, we should not live on earth as if only our physical life and physical pleasures are all that matter.

We 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 knowledge of the holy writings revealed by divine teachers, also called: ‘Manifestations of God’.

Such a relationship is strengthened through love of God, moral self-discipline, and serving the common good.

To enjoy life on this 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.

“Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” is the first of a series of books in which one can study and enhance one’s knowledge of the life beyond our lives on earth, and how to prepare for it.

I recommend it to anyone who may want to get a deeper insight into this topic.

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