Istijlál, 05 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
There is a cordial thanksgiving, too, which expresses itself in the deeds and actions of man when his heart is filled with gratitude. For example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance, and in thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from him. To express his gratitude for the favors of God man must show forth praiseworthy actions. In response to these bestowals he must render good deeds, be self-sacrificing, loving the servants of God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the creatures. He must be severed from the world, attracted to the Kingdom of Abhá, the face radiant, the tongue eloquent, the ear attentive, striving day and night to attain the good pleasure of God. Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in harmony with the good pleasure of God. He must observe and see what is the will of God and act accordingly. There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of God. 1
Question for Consideration:
When something is “commendable”, it is worthy of praise. Which of the following are commendable?
- To be a good worker
- To respect others
- To be studious
- To be a liar
- To be lazy
- To serve others 2
Google Bard Response:
The following are commendable:
- To be a good worker
- To respect others
- To be studious
- To serve others
The following are not commendable qualities:
- To be a liar
- To be lazy
Being a good worker means being reliable, efficient, and productive. It means taking pride in your work and doing your best to meet the expectations of your employer or clients.
Respecting others means treating them with dignity and courtesy, regardless of their social status, race, religion, or any other factor. It means listening to their opinions, even if you disagree with them, and being mindful of their feelings.
Being studious means being dedicated to your studies and always striving to learn new things. It means being organized and efficient with your time, and being willing to put in the hard work to succeed.
Serving others means putting the needs of others before your own. It means being willing to help others in need, even if it means sacrificing your own time or resources.
Lying is not commendable because it is dishonest and can damage trust. It can also lead to other problems, such as getting into trouble or hurting someone’s feelings.
Being lazy is not commendable because it shows a lack of effort and motivation. It can also lead to missed opportunities and disappointment.
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 236. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/16#602310039 ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 4. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 