The Life After Death

Sources: 'abdu'l-baha In London

Mrs. S. asked some questions with reference to the conditions of existence

in the next world, and the life after death; she said that having recently

lost a very near relative, she had given much thought to this subject.

Many thought that re-union with those we had loved, and who had passed on

to the future life, would only take place after a long period of time had

elapsed. She wished to know whether one would be re-united with th se who

had gone before immediately after death.



'Abdu'l-Baha answered that this would depend upon the respective stations

of the two. If both had the same degree of development, they would be

re-united immediately after death. The questioner then said, how could

this state of development be acquired? 'Abdu'l-Baha replied, by unceasing

effort, striving to do right, and to attain spiritual qualities.



The questioner remarked that many differing opinions were held as to the

conditions of the future life. Some thought that all would have exactly

the same perfections and virtues; that all would be equal and alike.



'Abdu'l-Baha said there would be variety, and differing degrees of

attainment, as in this world.



The question was then asked as to how it would be possible with no

material bodies or environment to recognize different entities and

characters, when all would be in the same conditions and on the same plane

of existence.



'Abdu'l-Baha said if several people look into a mirror at the same moment,

they behold all the different personalities, their characteristics and

movements; the glass of the mirror into which they look is one. In your

mind you have a variety of thoughts, but all these thoughts are separate

and distinct. Also you may perhaps have hundreds of friends; but when you

call them before your memory you do not confuse them one with another:

each one is separate and distinct, having their own individualities and

characteristics.



Replying to another questioner, he said that when two people, husband and

wife for instance, have been completely united in this life their souls

being as one soul, then after one of them has passed away, this union of

heart and soul would remain unbroken.