SECTION 1

The soul has its origin in the spiritual worlds of God. It is exalted above matter and the physical world. The individual has his beginning when the soul, coming from these spiritual worlds, associates itself with the embryo at the time of conception. But this association is not material; the soul does not enter or leave the body and does not occupy physical space. The soul does not belong to the material world, and its association with the body is similar to that of a light with a 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 it and the body, and together they form a human being.

Questions:

1. Decide if the following statements are true or false (T/F) according to the preceding paragraph:

a. The soul has its origin in the spiritual worlds of God.

b. The individual has his beginning when the soul associates itself with the embryo.

c. The soul belongs to the material world.

d. The soul is within the body.

e. The soul and body together make up a human being.

f. The soul is exalted above the physical world.

g. The relationship that exists between the soul and the body is like that of a light and the mirror which reflects it.

2. This paragraph implies: (True or False)

a. True life begins when the individual is born into this world.

b. Material existence continues in the other worlds of God.

c. The body is the owner of the soul.

d. Life consists of the things that happen to us every day.

3. Answer the following Questions:

a. Where does the soul originate?

b. When does an individual have his beginning?

c. What makes up a human being?

d. What worlds does the soul belong to?

SECTION 2

There is a very special relationship between the soul and the body, which together form a human being. This relationship lasts only the span of a mortal life. When this ceases, each one returns to its origin, the body to the world of dust and the soul to the spiritual worlds of God. Having emanated from the spiritual realms, created in the image and likeness of God, and capable of acquiring divine qualities and heavenly attributes, the soul, after its separation from the body progresses for all of eternity.

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. How long does the relationship between the soul and the body last?

b. Where does the body go after death?

c. Where does the soul go after death?

d. How long does the soul progress?

e. Which is more important, the soul or the body?

f. Where does the soul come from?

g. What part of man was created in the image and likeness of God?

h. How does our life change when we die?

i. When does life end?

j. What happens to the relationship between the body and the soul when we die?

2. The paragraph says or implies that (T / F):

a. Death is a punishment.

b. Our bodies were made in the image and likeness of God.

c. The relationship between the body and soul only lasts the span of a mortal life.

d. The body is capable of acquiring divine attributes.

e. The soul will progress forever.

f. Death is the end of life.

h. At death, our soul has more freedom than it had in this world.

i. Life ends with death.

j. We should fear death.

SECTION 3

Baha’u’llah says: "And now, concerning thy question regarding the soul of man and its survival after death. Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continueto progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. 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." 1

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. What is the separation of the soul and the body called?

b. How long will the soul continue to progress?

c. What are the attributes and signs that the soul will manifest in the other world?

d. What will it reveal?

e. Does the soul continue living after death?

2. The above words imply that (T/F):

a. The soul will attain the presence of God.

b. The soul's condition will be affected by the changes of this world, even after death.

c. The Kingdom of God will last forever.

d. The soul has the capacity to manifest the attributes of God, like loving kindness and generosity.

e. The state of the soul after death is more exalted than its state in this world.

SECTION 4

Baha’u’llah says: "Know thou that every hearing ear, if kept pure and undefiled, must, at all times and from every direction, hearken to the voice that uttereth these holy words: 'Verily, we areGod's, and to Him shall we return.' The mysteries of man's physical death and of his return have not been divulged, and still remain unread. By the righteousness of God! Were they to be revealed, they would evoke such fear and sorrow that some would perish, while others would be so filled with gladness as to wish for death, and beseech, with unceasing longing, the one true God - exalted be His glory - to hasten their end. "

"Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of ever-lasting life."

"As to those that have tasted of the fruit of man's earthly existence, which is the recognition of the one true God, exalted be His glory, their life hereafter is such as We are unable to describe. The knowledge thereof is with God, alone, the Lord of all worlds." 2

Questions:

1. Mark true or false:

a. The soul of man comes from God and will return to Him.

b. Man's physical death is a mystery.

c. If the mysteries of death were revealed, everyone would be filled with fear.

d. If they were revealed, everyone would long for death.

e. For the true believer, death is life.

f. All the knowledge of life after death is with God.

g. Death is the bearer of gladness.

h. The mysteries of death have been revealed and are read by all.

i. It is important for us to know about life after death.

2. Fill in the blank spaces:

a. The mysteries of death have not been _________

b. If they were revealed, they would evoke _________

c. Those that have not been firm in the Covenant would feel _________

d. Those that have been firm in the Covenant would be filled with so much _____________ that they would ____________ for death.

In the Bible, it says: “Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 3

"Those who remember Me at the time of death will come to Me. Do not doubt this. Whatever occupies the mind at the time of death determines the destiny of the dying; always they tend toward the state of being. Therefore remember Me at all times. "4

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. In what should we train ourselves?

b. How is training ourselves in godliness valuable?

c. What does it hold promise for?

d. Who will go to God after death?

e. What determines the destiny of the dying?

SECTION 5

Baha’u’llah says: "The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. To this most excellent aim, this supreme objective, all the heavenly Books and the divinely-revealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocally bear witness. Whoso hath recognized the Day Spring of Divine guidance and entered His holy court hath drawn nigh unto God and attained His Presence,a Presence which is the real Paradise, and of which the loftiest mansions of heaven are but a symbol . . . Whoso hath failed to recognize Him will have condemned himself to the misery of remoteness, a remoteness which is naught but utter nothingness and the essence of the nethermost fire. Such will be his fate, though to outward seeming he may occupy the earth's loftiest seats and be established upon its most exalted throne." 5

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart be also.” 6

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. What was God's purpose in creating man?

b. Does this purpose change from age to age?

c. Which books confirm this purpose?

d. Who are the "Day Springs of Divine guidance"?

e. To whom are we drawing near when we recognize the "Day Spring of Divine guidance"?

f. What is "real Paradise"?

g. What condition do "utter nothingness" and "nethermost fire" refer to?

2. Fill in the blank spaces:

Do not lay up for yourselves ____________, where moth and rust __________ and where ___________ break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in ___________, where moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, __________.

SECTION 6

Abdu’l-Baha says: "In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the matrix. There he received capacity and endowment for the reality of human existence. The forces and powers necessary for this world were bestowed upon him in that limited condition. In this world he needed eyes; he received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them there in readiness and preparation for his new existence. The powersrequisite in this world were conferred upon him in the world of the matrix.”

"Therefore in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. Just as he prepared himself in the world of the matrix by acquiring forces necessary in this sphere of existence, so likewise the indispensable forces of the divine existence must be potentially obtained in this world.” 7

"Yellow leaves hang on your tree of life. The messengers of death are waiting. You are going to travel far away. Have you any provision for the journey?” 8

Questions:

1. Mark true or false:

a. We received the capacities and endowments we need for this world in the world of the matrix.

b. Our condition in the matrix was not limited.

c. All forces and powers necessary for this world were bestowed upon us in the world of the matrix.

d. There is no need to prepare oneself for the next life.

e. What we need in the world of the Kingdom can be obtained there.

f. My purpose of this life is to acquire the forces and powers necessary for the next life.

g. True life begins when one dies and goes to the divine Kingdom.

h. True life is the life of the soul.

i. True life begins in this world and continues after physical death.

2. Answer the following questions:

a. How does man begin his life?

b. Where does he receive his capacities and endowments?

c. What are some of the things that man needs in this life that are given to him in the world of the matrix?

d. Which endowments should be obtained here for life after death?

3. Fill in the blank spaces:

Yellow leaves hang on ___________. The messengers of death are ___________. You are going to travel far away. Have you any ___________ for the journey?

SECTION 7

Baha’u’llah says: "The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him. Let none, therefore, consider the largeness or smallness of the receptacle. The portion of some might lie in the palm of a man's hand, the portion of others might fill a cup, and others even a gallon-measure." 9

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. Mention some of the blessings you have received from God.

b. Give examples of how man keeps himself from receiving his portion of God's grace.

c. Why should we not consider "the largeness or smallness" of our receptacle?

2. Mark true or false:

a. Only the great philosophers have the capacity to know God.

b. To serve God, we need to forget our weaknesses and trust in Him.

d. If in this world we do not develop what God has given us, our souls will be weak when we arrive in the next world.

"O people! Fear God, and whatever you do, do it anticipating death. Try to attain everlasting blessing in return for transitory and perishable wealth, power and pleasures of this world. Be prepared for a fast passage for you are destined for a short stay. Always be ready for death, for you are living under its shadow…” 10

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. Who should we fear?

b. What should we try to attain in return for perishable wealth, power and pleasures

of this world?

c. What are we destined for?

SECTION 8

"Thou hast asked Me concerning the nature of the soul. Know, verily, that 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, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If it be faithful to God, it will reflect His light, and will, eventually, return unto Him. If it fails, however, in its allegiance to its Creator, it will become a victim to self and passion, and will, in the end, sink in their depths." 11

Questions:

1. Fill in the blank spaces:

a. The soul is a __________ of God.

b. ____________is a heavenly gem.

c. ____________is the first to declare the excellence of its Creator.

d. The soul will return to God if it is ______________.

e. The soul will become a victim of self and passion if_______________.

f. If it becomes a victim of self, the soul will sink in the depths of _______________.

g. A soul reflects the light of God if it is ________________.

2. Mark true or false:

a. ”To unravel" means to find out.

b. Among all created things, the first to recognize God is the mind.

c. ”Acute" means sharp.

d. A learned person understands the mystery of the soul.

e. It is not necessary to meditate about the soul because we will never be able to understand it.

“Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells within you? …For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.” 12

Questions:

1. Fill in the blank spaces:

a. You are God’s ___________ and God’s____________ dwells within you.

b. For God’s temple is _____________ and that ______________.

SECTION 9

"Ye are even as the bird which soareth, with the full force of its mighty wings and with complete and joyous confidence, through the immensity of the heavens, until, impelled to satisfy its hunger, it turneth longingly to the water and clay of the earth below it, and having been entrapped in the mesh of its desire, findeth itself impotent to resume its flight to the realms whence it came. Powerless to shake off the burden weighing on its sullied wings, that bird, hitherto an inmate of the heavens, is now forced to seek a dwelling-place upon the dust. Wherefore, O My servants, defile not your wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, and suffer them not to be stained with the dust of envy and hate, that ye may not be hindered from soaring in the heavens of My divine knowledge."13

"You prefer this life, although the life to come is better and more enduring.” 14

Questions:

1. Fill in the blank spaces:

a. The bird referred to in this quotation is the _____________of man.

b. This bird is an inhabitant of the _______________.

c. This bird is now forced to seek its home in the_______________.

2. Answer the following questions:

a. How could the "wings" of the soul become "sullied"?

b. Describe some burdens that are like "the water and clay of the earth."

c. Give some examples of things that impede our soaring to the heavens of divine knowledge.

d. Why would a soul exchange its heavenly home for the dust of this world?

3. Fill in the blank space:

a. The life to come is ______________.

SECTION 10

"Having created the world and all that liveth and moveth therein, He, through the direct operation of His unconstrained and sovereign Will, chose to confer upon man the unique distinction and capacity to know Him and to love Him-a capacity that must needs be regarded as the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation. Upon the inmost reality of each and every created thing He hath shed the light of one of His names, and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His attributes. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focused the radiance of all of His names and attributes, and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favour, so enduring a bounty." 15

Questions:

1. Respond to the following questions and fill in the blank spaces:

a. What special distinction has God conferred upon man?

b. Mention some of the attributes of God.

c. God has shed upon the reality of each thing the light of one of His____________.

d. Upon the reality of man He has focused the radiance of _______________ and made it a mirror of _______________.

e. Mention some of the attributes of God reflected in man's soul.

f. How can these attributes be manifested?

g. For what special favour has man been singled out?

2. Mark true or false:

a. Worldly attachments impede our spiritual progress.

b. Our passions and desires are not barriers that impede our flight towards the Kingdom of God.

c. We can be rid of the burdens that prevent us from ascending to God by detaching ourselves from the things of this world.

d. The soul's home is the dust.

e. Envy, hatred, and malice are not a burden for the soul's progress.

f. Nothing can impede the Will of God.

g. Man is equal to the rest of creation.

h. Knowledge of God is the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole creation.

i. The reality of every created thing manifests one of the attributes of God.

"Every child is born of the nature of purity and submission to God." 16

Question:

1. How is every child born?

“The kingdom of God is not coming with the signs to be observed, nor will they say, “Lo, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” 17

Questions:

1. Fill in the blanks and answer the following question:

a. The kingdom of God is not _____________.

b. Where is the kingdom of God?

SECTION 11

"These energies with which the Day Star of Divine bounty and Source of heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality of man lie, however, latent within him, even as the flame is hidden within the candle and the rays of light are potentially present in the lamp. The radiance of these energies may be obscured by worldly desires even as the light of the sun can be concealed beneath the dust and dross which cover the mirror. Neither the candle nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and evident that until a fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory." 18

Questions:

1. Respond to the following questions:

a. What does the word "latent" mean?

b. What capacities are latent in the soul of man?

c. What potential does a lamp have?

d. What potential does a mirror have?

e. What do you have to do to a lamp so that it may give light?

f. What do you have to do to a mirror so it will reflect light?

g. Can the lamp and the mirror manifest their potentials by themselves?

h. How can we relate these two examples to the condition of the human soul?

i. Who can make the soul of man manifest its potentials?

SECTION 12

"The door of the knowledge of the Ancient Being hath ever been, and will continue forever to be, closed in the face of men. No man's understanding shall ever gain access unto His holy court. As a token of His mercy, however, and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He hath manifested unto men the Day Stars of His divine guidance, the Symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self. Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. Every one of them is the Way of God that connecteth this world with the realms above, and the Standard of His Truth unto every one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. They are the Manifestations of God amidst men, the evidences of His Truth, and the signs of His glory." 19

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. We know that only God can cause the soul of man to manifest its capacities, but is it possible for man to know God directly?

b. How, then, can we know God?

c. Name some of the Day Stars of divine guidance.

d. What knowledge is identical to the knowledge of God?

e. What voice have those who have listened to the Manifestations of God hearkened to?

f. Who are we turning away from when we do not heed the call of the Manifestations of God?

2. Complete the following phrases:

a. The door of the knowledge of the Ancient of Days hath ever been, and will continue forever to be _____________.

b. No man's understanding shall ever gain access unto _______________.

c. God sent His Manifestations as a token of His ______________.

d. The knowledge of the Manifestations of God is identical to _______________.

e. Whoso recognizeth Them has _______________.

f. Whoso hearkeneth to Their call has _______________.

g. Every one of Them is the Way of God that _______________.

SECTION 13

"Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess. Through a word proceeding out of the mouth of God he was called into being; by one word more he was guided to recognize the Source of his education; by yet another word his station and destiny were safeguarded. The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit there from. If any man were to meditate on that which the Scriptures, sent down from the heaven of God's holy Will, have revealed, he would readily recognize that their purpose is that all men shall be regarded as one soul, so that the seal bearing the words 'The Kingdom shall be God's' may be stamped on every heart, and the light of Divine bounty, of grace, and mercy may envelop all mankind." 20

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. What does "talisman" mean?

b. What effects have lack of education had on man?

c. What can a proper education cause?

d. What is the Source of man's education?

e. What is man's destiny?

f. What are some of the gems education reveals in man?

g. What is the purpose of God's Revelation?

h. What words will be stamped on the hearts of men?

2. Mark true or false:

a. Man will become a spiritual being by his own efforts.

b. God gave man his mind and it is sufficient for his progress.

c. Man will progress spiritually by recognizing the Manifestation of God and will not have to put forth more effort.

d. Man can only progress spiritually by recognizing the Manifestation of God and then putting forth effort to live according to His teachings.

e. Man can directly know God.

f. Man can become like God.

g. God is exalted above the comprehension of men.

h. When we listen to the Word of a Manifestation of God, we are listening to the Voice of God.

i. Only through the Manifestations of God is man able to reflect the attributes of God.

SECTION 14

"Blessed is the soul which, at the hour of its separation from the body, is sanctified from the vain imaginings of the peoples of the world. Such a soul liveth and moveth in accordance with the Will of its Creator, and entereth the all-highest Paradise. The Maids of Heaven, inmates of the loftiest mansions, will circle around it, and the Prophets of God and His chosen ones will seek its companionship. With them that soul will freely converse, and will recount unto them that which it hath been made to endure in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds." 21

"The souls of the infidels, however, shall-and to this 1 bear witness-when breathing their last be made aware of the good things that have escaped them, and shall bemoan their plight, and shall humble themselves before God. They shall continue doing so after the separation of their souls from their bodies." 22

"He should forgive the sinful, and never despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often hath a sinner attained, at the hour of death, to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the Concourse on high! And how often hath a devout believer at the hour of his soul's ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire!" 23

"And every man’s augury have We fastened to his own neck, and We shall bring forth from him on the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find wide open. “Read your book!” Your soul suffices as a reckoner against you in this day. " 24

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. What should the condition of the soul be when it separates from the body?

b. What are some vain imaginings?

e. Where do the souls sanctified from vain imaginings go?

d. With whom will these souls find themselves?

e. Will these souls be able to converse with the Prophets of God?

f. Does this position seem great? Do you want to attain it?

g. Who are the infidels?

h. What do the souls of the unbelievers recognize when breathing their last breath?

i. What will they do once they recognize their condition?

j. Do we know beforehand how and when our life will end?

k. What can we do now to assure our eternal life?

l. What spiritual qualities do we associate with attaining eternal life?

m. What is fastened to the necks of men?

n. What shall be served as a reckoner against you?

SECTION 15

"The mysteries of which man is heedless in this earthly world, those will he discover in the heavenly world, and there will he informed of the secret of truth; how much more will he recognize or discover persons with whom he hath been associated. Undoubtedly, the holy souls who find a pure eye and are favoured with insight will, in the kingdom of lights, be acquainted with all mysteries, and will seek the bounty of witnessing the reality of every great soul. Even they will manifestly behold the Beauty of God in that world. Likewise will they find all the friends of God, both those of former and recent times, present in the heavenly assemblage." 25

"The difference and distinction will naturally become realized between all men after their departure from this mortal world. But this (distinction) is not in respect to place, but it is in respect to the soul and conscience. For the Kingdom of God is sanctified (or free) from time and place; it is another world and another universe. But the holy souls are promised the gift of intercession. And know thou for certainty, that in the divine worlds the spiritual beloved one (believers) will recognize each other, and will seek union (with each other), but a spiritual union. Likewise a love that one may have entertained for anyone will not be forgotten in the world of the Kingdom. Likewise thou wilt not forget (there) the life that thou hast had in the material world." 26

Questions:

1. Answer the following questions:

a. What mysteries will man discover in the heavenly world?

b. Will we recognize people we have known in this world?

c. Which souls will be acquainted with all mysteries?

d. Will there be differences and distinctions among the souls?

e. From what is the Kingdom of God free?

f. What will remain of the bonds of love that unite two people in this world?

2. Mark True or False:

a. Souls will not recognize one another in the heavenly worlds.

b. The holy souls will seek the grace of the presence of every great soul.

c. The celestial concourse includes pure souls of past times.

f. Naturally, differences and distinctions will not manifest themselves after the souls leave this world.

SECTION 16

"Thou hast, moreover, asked Me concerning the state of the soul after its separation from the body. Know thou, of a truth, that 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. The soul that hath remained faithful to the Cause of God, and stood unwaveringly firm in His Path shall, after his ascension, he possessed of such power that all the worlds which the Almighty hath created can benefit through him." 27

Questions:

1. Complete the following phrases:

a. If the soul of man has walked in the ways of God, it will, assuredly _____________.

b. It will attain a station such as _____________.

c. The ___________ that has remained ____________ to the ____________ of ____________, and has _____________ unwaveringly ___________ in ____________ shall, after ____________ be possessed of such _____________ that all the worlds which the ___________ hath ____________ can ___________ through him.

SECTION 17

"My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain." 28

Questions:

1. Mark true or false:

a. We should be sad when things are not the way we want them to be.

b. All, be it good or bad, is ordained by God.

c. We are assured of days of happiness.

d. The other worlds of God are holy and spiritually glorious.

g. It is our destiny to partake of the benefits of these worlds, in this life and the life hereafter.

2. Complete the following phrases:

a. We should not _______________ if things contrary to our wishes occur.

b. Days of ________________ and _________________ are in store for us.

c. We will see worlds ______________ and ________________.

d. God assures us a portion of their sustaining grace in ______________ world and _______________.

e. In these worlds, we will partake of their ________________ share in their ________________, and obtain a portion of their ________________.

3. Answer the following question:

a. Why should we not be saddened when things contrary to our wishes occur?

Section 18

In this course, you have studied and meditated on the true meaning of human life.

You have learned a great deal about the nature of the soul, the purpose of life, and the need for developing spiritual qualities in this world. To end this session, it would seem appropriate to think about the effect this new understanding will have on your life. How will you live now, knowing as you do, that your earthly life is but a small part of a life that is eternal, a life for which you must prepare purposefully and perseveringly. To help you think about the decisions that you will have to make in your life, a few topics for reflection and discussion are mentioned here. Perhaps you would like to discuss them with your friends.

Now that I understand that my life begins here on earth, but leads me towards God for all eternity, how important are the following aspects of my life for me?

1. My contribution to the well-being of the human race

2. My service to my family, my community, and humanity.

3. My relationship with God, my Creator.

References

1. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, LXXXI, p.155-56

2. Ibid., CLXIV, p. 345-46

3. The Holy Bible, 1 Timothy 4.7 – 8

4. The Bhagavad Gita, 8.5-7

5. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, XXIX, pp. 70-71

6. The Holy Bible, Matthew 6.19-21

7. Abdu’l-Baha, The Divine Art of Living, pp. 18-19

8. Dhammapage (Buddhist Scriptures)

9. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, V, p.8

10. Nahjul Balagha Sermon 67

11. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, LXXXII, pp.158-9

12. The Holy Bible, 1 Corinthians 3.16-17

13. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, CLIII, p. 327

14. Qur’an 87.16 – 17

15. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, XXVII, p. 65

16. Hadith of Bukhari

17. The Holy Bible, Luke 17.20 –21

18. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, XXVII, p. 65-66

19. Ibid., XXI, pp. 49-50

20. Ibid., CXXII, pp. 259-60

21. Ibid., LXXXI p. 156

22. Ibid., LXXXVI, pp. 170-71

23. Ibid., CXXV, p. 266

24. Qur’an, 17.13-14

25. Abdu’l Baha, The Divine Art of Living, p. 124

26. Ibid., pp. 124-25

27. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’ullah, LXXXII, p. 161

28. Ibid., CLIII, p. 329