Daily Frameworks for 01 September 2023

Istiqlál, 13 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

As regards the seven qualities which thou hadst requested be enumerated, they are as follows:

First is knowledge: man must attain to the knowledge of God.

Second is faith.

Third is steadfastness.

Fourth is truthfulness, for truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the human world, and without it prosperity and salvation are unattainable to any soul in all the worlds of God. Whensoever this holy attribute becometh securely established in one’s being, the acquisition of all heavenly virtues will be realized.

Fifth is trustworthiness, a quality which ranketh among the greatest of all divine bestowals.

Sixth is faithfulness, another quality which ranketh among the finest attributes of a spiritual man.

Seventh is utter self-effacement, by which is meant that man should so surrender his will to God, and become so oblivious of his own pursuits, that he may attain unto the station of living sacrifice: Thus, if he sleepeth, it should not be for the sake of bodily repose, but solely to recuperate his strength in order that his discourse may be clearer, his utterance more pleasing, and that he may serve God’s creatures and expound His proofs; and if he waketh, he should remain alert, engage in service to the Cause of God, and utterly submerge his own desires and inclinations in the will of God. When he attaineth unto this station, the confirmations of the Holy Spirit shall surround him, and, armed with such a power, he shall be capable of withstanding all the peoples of the earth. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Question for Consideration:

What is the foundation of all human virtues? ²

Google Bard Response:

According to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues. He says that without truthfulness, prosperity and salvation are unattainable to any soul in all the worlds of God. When this holy attribute becomes securely established in one’s being, the acquisition of all heavenly virtues will be realized.

This is because truthfulness is based on the principles of honesty and integrity. It is the quality of being truthful and sincere, and of speaking and acting in accordance with what is true. When we are truthful, we are building our lives on a foundation of trust and respect. We are also creating a world where people can be honest with each other and where there is less deception and conflict.

Other virtues, such as trustworthiness, faithfulness, and self-effacement, are all built on the foundation of truthfulness. When we are truthful, we are more likely to be trustworthy and faithful. We are also more likely to be willing to put the needs of others before our own, which is the essence of self-effacement.

So, if we want to develop all the human virtues, we must start by cultivating truthfulness. It is the foundation on which all other virtues are built.

Here are some ways to cultivate truthfulness in our lives:

• Be honest with ourselves about our thoughts and feelings.
• Be honest with others, even when it is difficult.
• Keep our promises.
• Be accountable for our actions.
• Be willing to admit when we are wrong.
• Be open to feedback and criticism.
  

By practicing truthfulness in our daily lives, we can build a foundation for a more virtuous and fulfilling life.

Question for Consideration:

What is impossible without truthfulness?

Google Bard Response:

As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues. Without truthfulness, prosperity and salvation are unattainable to any soul in all the worlds of God.

Here are some things that are impossible without truthfulness:

• Trust: We cannot trust someone who is not truthful. Trust is essential for building strong relationships, both personal and professional.
• Respect: When we are truthful, we show respect for ourselves and for others. We are honest about our thoughts and feelings, and we keep our promises.
• Integrity: Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. When we are truthful, we are acting with integrity.
• Justice: Justice is the fair and impartial treatment of all people. When we are truthful, we are more likely to be just in our dealings with others.
• Peace: Peace cannot exist without truth. When we are truthful, we are creating a more peaceful world.
  

So, if we want to live a life of prosperity, salvation, and happiness, we must start by being truthful. It is the foundation of all good things.

Here are some specific examples of things that are impossible without truthfulness:

• A successful marriage or relationship: Trust is essential for any lasting relationship. If one partner is not truthful, the relationship will eventually crumble.
• A good job: Employers want to hire people they can trust. If you are not truthful on your resume or in interviews, you will not get the job.
• A healthy self-esteem: When we are truthful with ourselves, we can accept ourselves for who we are. We can also learn from our mistakes and grow as people.
• A peaceful society: When people are not truthful, there is a lack of trust and respect. This can lead to conflict and violence.
  

So, if you want to live a good life, be truthful. It is the foundation of all good things.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/additional-tablets-extracts-talks/826608209/1#431780005. ↩
2. 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, 5. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩