SOUL AND SPIRIT:
There are five kinds of spirit: first, the vegetable spirit, which is the power that causes growth; second, the animal spirit, which is the power that bestows sensibility; third, the human spirit, which is the rational soul; fourth, the spirit of faith, which is the power of the grace of God; and fifth, the Holy Spirit, which is the power that makes the manifestations of God distinct from other beings.”— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 143
"The soul and the spirit are the same thing. The soul is that which is the essence of human beings, the spirit that which moves the soul. The soul has its beginning in this world, and in the next world, it continues its journey."
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 213
"The spirit of man, which is the rational soul, is the light which illuminates the body and makes it capable of understanding and acquiring knowledge. It is through the spirit that man can come to understand the mysteries of the universe and the reality of his own soul."
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 207
The spirit, by its very nature, is inclined toward the light of divine knowledge. The soul, however, is the receptacle of the spirit’s light, and it is through the soul’s connection to the spirit that one becomes aware of truth."
Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys
"We are all in need of the spirit of life, for the breath of the spirit sustains the soul. It is the spirit which gives life to the body and brings light to the heart of man."
— Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic No. 22
“The soul is as the sun, and the spirit is as the rays which emanate from it. Just as the rays are inseparable from the sun, so too is the spirit inseparable from the soul.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 208
“Through the power of the spirit, man is able to discover the realities of things. The spirit gives life to the body, and in turn, the spirit receives its sustenance from the breath of the Holy Spirit.”
— Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 126
“The spirit and the soul of man continue to exist after departing from the body… It progresses in perfections and attains to greater powers, greater understanding, and greater joy.”
— Some Answered Questions, p. 233
LAMP AND LIGHT:
Spirit is the lamp; mind is the light which shines from the lamp. The mind is the power of the human spirit. Mind is the perfection of the spirit and is its essential quality, as the sun’s rays are the essential necessity of the sun.
LIGHT: Knowledge, wisdom, divine presence, truth.
FIRE VERSUS LIGHT
Light of Fire: In some ways, the symbolism of fire can be connected to light, where the light represents the knowledge and guidance of God. Just as fire provides light in the darkness, the divine light helps illuminate the path for humanity.
Light as a Spiritual Symbol: Light, on the other hand, is often used as a symbol of divine guidance, knowledge, and the illumination of the soul. Spiritual light represents the truth of God's teachings, the "light of the heart," and the spiritual awakening that comes when a person turns toward God and seeks enlightenment. Bahá'u'lláh often speaks of the "light of His Revelation" as something that brings clarity and understanding to those who seek it.
This distinction between fire and light aligns with the broader duality in many religious traditions where material and spiritual forces are often represented by opposites. Fire (the earthly, material) is something that can consume and destroy, whereas light (the spiritual) is something that nourishes and enlightens.
Purification, divine love, judgment, trials.
Fire of Love and Devotion: The "fire of love" is a powerful symbol in Bahá'í writings, representing a deep, burning love for God, which leads to spiritual transformation. It is often seen as a force that purifies and refines the soul, just as fire refines gold. This fire can burn away the ego and selfish desires, allowing a person to grow closer to God.
Fire of Ignorance: On the opposite end, the "fire of ignorance" is used to symbolise the destructive and consuming nature of ignorance, particularly ignorance of spiritual truths. This fire leads people to suffer and can distort their understanding, much like how fire can burn and destroy if not controlled.
Desire: In some of Bahá'u'lláh's writings, fire is used to symbolise the intense material desires and passions that bind humans to the earthly plane. These physical desires, driven by the ego and the self, can be seen as a "fire" that burns the soul, keeping it in a state of attachment to the material world and far from spiritual truth.
Purification and Transformation: In the Bahá'í context, fire is also used symbolically in relation to purification. Just as fire purifies physical substances, it symbolises the spiritual purification of the soul. It can be seen as a transformative force, burning away impurities and revealing the essential purity of the spirit.
The Fire of God's Wrath: There is also the idea of a "fire of God's wrath," but this is not in the vengeful sense often depicted in older religious texts. In the Bahá'í Faith, God's wrath is more about the consequences of turning away from the Divine, leading to the burning anguish of spiritual separation.
SUN, MOON AND STARS:
Sun: Divine illumination, God’s guidance, truth, Manifestation of God.
The terms “sun,” “moon,” and “stars” primarily signify the Prophets of God, the saints, and their companions, those Luminaries, the light of Whose knowledge hath shed illumination upon the worlds of the visible and the invisible. These beings have a lofty position. In another sense, by the terms “sun,” “moon,” and “stars” are meant such laws and teachings as have been established and proclaimed in every Dispensation, such as the laws of prayer and fasting. Inasmuch as fasting cause the heat of the body to increase, it hath therefore been likened unto the light of the sun; and as the prayer of the night-season refresh man, it hath been compared unto the radiance of the moon. By the words “the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven” is intended the waywardness of the divines, and the annulment of laws firmly established by divine Revelation.
"When the heaven shall be cloven asunder.”:By “heaven” is meant the heaven of divine Revelation, which is elevated with every Manifestation, and rent asunder with every subsequent one. By “cloven asunder” is meant that the former Dispensation is superseded and annulled.
His Sun giveth Light continually, and the Clouds of His Mercy are full of the Waters of Compassion with which He waters the hearts of all who trust in Him. His refreshing Breeze ever carries healing in its wings to the parched souls of men!
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. By these words it is meant that when the sun of the heavenly teachings hath been eclipsed, the stars of the divinely established laws have fallen, and the moon of true knowledge—the educator of mankind—hath been obscured; when the standards of guidance and felicity have been reversed, and the morn of truth and righteousness hath sunk in night, then shall the sign of the Son of man appear in heaven. By “heaven” is meant the visible heaven, inasmuch as when the hour draweth nigh on which the Daystar of the heaven of justice shall be made manifest, and the Ark of divine guidance shall sail upon the sea of glory, a star will appear in the heaven, heralding unto its people the advent of that most great light. In like manner, in the invisible heaven a star shall be made manifest who, unto the peoples of the earth, shall act as a harbinger of the break of that true and exalted Morn. These twofold signs, in the visible and the invisible heaven, have announced the Revelation of each of the Prophets of God, as is commonly believed.
“God announceth Yaḥyá to thee, who shall bear witness unto the Word from God, and a great one and chaste.” By the term “Word” is meant Jesus, Whose coming Yaḥyá foretold. Moreover, in the heavenly Scriptures it is written: “John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” By John is meant Yaḥyá.
RAYS OF THE SUN:
Mind is the perfection of the spirit and is its essential quality, as the sun’s rays are the essential necessity of the sun.
Just as the rays of the sun bring light and warmth to the world, divine revelation from God’s Messengers brings spiritual illumination to humanity. The rays symbolize how God's guidance reaches and nourishes souls.
While the sun has many rays, they all come from the same source. This illustrates the unity of divine truth and the oneness of all religions.
Just as sunlight gives life to plants and allows them to grow, God’s attributes (love, mercy, wisdom) reach humanity and help the soul develop.
Also deeds, divine revelation and deep understanding are fruits of the spirit.
Adam is the spirit of Adam, and Eve is His soul; the tree is the human world, and the serpent is that attachment to this world which constitutes sin.
The Manifestations of God (prophets) as the "Tree of Life," whose fruits are divine teachings. All people are like branches and leaves of one tree, emphasising the oneness of humanity. The heart is compared to a tree that must be cultivated with spiritual virtues to bear good fruit. Deeds are like seeds, growing into trees that bear either sweet or bitter fruit, depending on their nature. Consequences of actions.
In Christianity the tree is often symbolic of life, knowledge, and spiritual growth. The "Tree of Life" is a key biblical symbol representing eternal life. In Hinduism the tree represents the cycle of life and rebirth. The tree is mentioned in the Qur'an as a symbol of life, wisdom, and purity. In Buddhism the tree is a symbol of awakening, wisdom, and the potential for spiritual growth.
WINE: Spiritual joy, divine knowledge, revelation.
In the Bahá'í Faith, wine is often used metaphorically to symbolize divine knowledge, spiritual intoxication, and the joy of experiencing God's presence. This is similar to some Christian interpretations where wine represents the Holy Spirit or divine love, such as in the Eucharist.
Baha'u'lláh's revelation is not a simple collection of laws or rules, but a powerful spiritual drink that can provide an intense and high-quality spiritual experience capable of transforming people, giving them strength and wisdom, and leading them toward a deeper understanding of God and their own spiritual potential. This wine can also represent the spiritual "strength" and "power" that Baha'u'lláh brings with His teachings, and how this power can shake the old and open the way for something new, just like breaking a seal and opening a bottle of wine.
Baha'u'lláh's revelation is a life-giving force that is not just about legislation or rules but about offering people a deeper, more essential spiritual experience that can lead to transformation and growth. In many religious traditions, including the Bahá'í tradition, wine is a symbol of spiritual recognition and revelation. Just as wine can be something that has fermented and matured over time to reach its full flavor, "wine" in this context can refer to the deep spiritual insights and truths that Baha'u'lláh has revealed to humanity.
VEIL:
“Knowledge is the most grievous veil between man and his Creator.” Knowledge is of two kinds: Divine and Satanic. One welleth out from the fountain of divine inspiration; the other is but a reflection of vain and obscure thoughts. The source of the former is God Himself; the motive-force of the latter the whisperings of selfish desire.
CLOUDS:
Hidden wisdom, veiling of divine truth, Manifestations appearing unexpectedly.
"The Son of man shall come in the clouds of heaven. Clouds: Those things that are contrary to the ways and desires of men. They signify, in one sense, the annulment of laws, the abrogation of former Dispensations, the repeal of rituals and customs current amongst men, the exalting of the illiterate faithful above the learned opposers of the Faith. In another sense, they mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in the image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and drinking, poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and waking, and such other things as cast doubt in the minds of men, and cause them to turn away. All such veils are symbolically referred to as “clouds.”
"On that day shall the heaven be cloven by the clouds.” Even as the clouds prevent the eyes of men from beholding the sun, so do these things hinder the souls of men from recognising the light of the divine Luminary.
ANGELS:
“And He shall send His angels.…” By “angels” is meant those who, reinforced by the power of the spirit, have consumed, with the fire of the love of God, all human traits and limitations, and have clothed themselves with the attributes of the most exalted Beings and of the Cherubim.
Indeed the angels of Gods grace descend upon those who are firm in His Covenant, and the heavenly hosts come to their aid.
The angels of the concourse of high magnify thee, praising thee and saying: O Lord our God! We extol Thee and bless Thee, for that which Thou hast bestowed upon Thy loved ones.
In Islam: Angels are created beings who carry out God’s commands. They do not have free will and are messengers of Allah’s will. Jibril (Gabriel) is the most prominent angel in Islam.
MANNA:
Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá refer to manna as divine wisdom and spiritual knowledge given by God through His Manifestations. Just as physical manna nourished the Israelites, spiritual "manna" is the guidance and revelation that nourishes the soul.
For example, in The Book of Certitude, Bahá’u’lláh compares the teachings of each new Messenger of God to fresh manna—heavenly food that sustains those who accept it.
John 6:48 I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
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