Daily Frameworks for 02 September 2023

Jalál, 14 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

Beautify your tongues, O people, with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty. Beware, O people, that ye deal not treacherously with anyone. Be ye the trustees of God amongst His creatures, and the emblems of His generosity amidst His people. They that follow their lusts and corrupt inclinations have erred and dissipated their efforts. They, indeed, are of the lost. Strive, O people, that your eyes may be directed towards the mercy of God, that your hearts may be attuned to His wondrous remembrance, that your souls may rest confidently upon His grace and bounty, that your feet may tread the path of His good-pleasure. Such are the counsels which I bequeath unto you. Would that ye might follow My counsels! — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Question for Consideration:

With what should we beautify our tongues? ²

Google Bard Response:

In the quote you shared, Bahá’u’lláh is calling on us to beautify our tongues with truthfulness. This means speaking the truth in all circumstances, even when it is difficult. It also means speaking kindly and respectfully, even to those we disagree with. When we speak the truth, we are building trust and creating a more just and peaceful world.

Here are some specific ways to beautify our tongues with truthfulness:

• Be honest in our words and actions.
• Avoid gossiping and slandering others.
• Speak up for what we believe in, even when it is unpopular.
• Be willing to apologize when we are wrong.
• Use our words to build people up, not tear them down.
  

When we beautify our tongues with truthfulness, we are not only making the world a better place, but we are also beautifying our own souls.

In addition to truthfulness, there are other qualities that can beautify our tongues. These include:

• Kindness
• Compassion
• Forgiveness
• Gratitude
• Respect
• Humility
  

When we speak with these qualities, we are using our tongues to uplift and inspire others. We are creating a world where everyone feels loved, accepted, and valued.

Let us all strive to beautify our tongues with truthfulness and other noble qualities. In doing so, we will make the world a more beautiful place for all.

Question for Consideration:

With what should we adorn our souls? ³

Google Bard Response:

In the quote you have provided, Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, encourages us to adorn our souls with truthfulness, honesty, and trustworthiness. He also tells us to be trustees of God and emblems of His generosity. This means that we should live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and that benefits others.

Here are some specific ways that we can adorn our souls with these qualities:

• Speak the truth, even when it is difficult. Be honest in our words and actions, and avoid deception or dishonesty.
• Be trustworthy and reliable. Keep our promises and fulfill our commitments. Be someone that others can count on.
• Be generous and kind. Give of our time, resources, and talents to help others. Be compassionate and understanding.
• Live a life of service. Use our talents and abilities to make the world a better place.
• Be humble and forgiving. Recognize our own mistakes and shortcomings, and be willing to forgive others.
  

When we adorn our souls with these qualities, we become more beautiful and radiant people. We also make the world a better place.

Here are some additional thoughts on how we can adorn our souls:

• We can cultivate a sense of gratitude for all that we have, both material and spiritual. When we are grateful, we are more likely to be kind and compassionate to others.
• We can spend time in nature, which can help us to connect with our inner selves and to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
• We can practice meditation or other forms of spiritual contemplation, which can help us to calm our minds and to focus on the present moment.
• We can connect with others who share our values and who inspire us to be our best selves.
• We can make a difference in the world by volunteering our time or donating to causes that we care about.
  

Adorning our souls is a lifelong journey. It is not something that we can achieve overnight. However, by making small changes in our thoughts, words, and actions, we can gradually transform our souls and become more beautiful and radiant people.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#720224937.
   . ↩
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 ↩
3. Ibid, 6. ↩