Daily Frameworks for 03 September 2023

Jamál, 15 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream of love or destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship. By the righteousness of the Lord! Ye were created to show love one to another and not perversity and rancor. Take pride not in love for yourselves but in love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in love for your country, but in love for all mankind. Let your eye be chaste, your hand faithful, your tongue truthful and your heart enlightened. Abase not the station of the learned in Bahá and belittle not the rank of such rulers as administer justice amidst you. Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on the armor of wisdom, let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy and that which cheereth the hearts of the well-favored of God. — Bahá’u’lláh ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration:

How should our eye be? ³

Google Bard Response:

The eye is a symbol of perception, discernment, and understanding. In the passage you quoted, Bahá’u’lláh is calling us to be chaste in our eye, which means to be pure in our thoughts and intentions. We should not look upon others with lust, greed, or envy. Instead, we should look upon them with compassion, understanding, and love.

The eye is also a symbol of knowledge. When we are chaste in our eye, we are open to learning and understanding the truth. We are not blinded by prejudice, hatred, or ignorance. We are able to see the world as it truly is, and we are able to appreciate the beauty and goodness of all creation.

Here are some specific ways to be chaste in our eye:

• Be mindful of our thoughts and intentions. When we are aware of our thoughts, we are less likely to entertain negative or harmful thoughts.
• Be respectful of others. We should not look upon others in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or objectified.
• Be open to learning about others. We should be willing to learn about the different cultures, experiences, and perspectives of others.
• Be truthful in our perception. We should not distort reality to fit our own desires or beliefs.
  

When we are chaste in our eye, we are able to see the world with clarity and compassion. We are able to build strong relationships with others and contribute to a more just and peaceful world.

In the code, you correctly determined that the word “chaste” is the answer to the query. The word “chaste” means “pure” or “unsullied.” In the context of the passage, it means that our eye should be free from lust, greed, and envy. It should be a pure and innocent eye that sees the world with love and compassion.

Question for Consideration:

How should our hand be?

Google Bard Response:

According to the quote you provided, our hand should be faithful. This means that we should use our hands to help others and to do good in the world. We should not use our hands for selfish or harmful purposes.

Here are some specific ways in which we can keep our hands faithful:

• We can help those in need, such as by volunteering our time or donating to charity.
• We can work to build a more just and equitable world, such as by fighting for social justice or environmental protection.
• We can create beauty and harmony in the world, such as by painting, writing, or gardening.
• We can simply be kind and compassionate to others, such as by offering a helping hand or listening to someone in need.
  

When we use our hands in these ways, we are fulfilling the purpose of our creation and making the world a better place.

In the context of the Python code, the statement our hand should be faithful means that the code should be used for good and not for harm. The code should be reliable and trustworthy, and it should not be used to spread misinformation or hatred.

I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Question for Consideration:

How should our tongue be?

Google Bard Response:

According to Bahá’u’lláh, our tongue should be truthful, chaste, and enlightened.

• Truthful: Our words should be honest and accurate, reflecting what we truly believe and feel. We should avoid lying, gossiping, and spreading rumors.
• Chaste: Our words should be pure and clean, avoiding profanity, obscenity, and vulgarity. We should use our words to uplift and inspire, not to degrade or offend.
• Enlightened: Our words should be wise and discerning, reflecting our understanding of the world and our place in it. We should use our words to promote understanding, compassion, and peace.
  

In the quote you mentioned, Bahá’u’lláh also emphasizes the importance of using our tongue to show love and compassion for others. We should not use our words to sow discord or hatred, but to build bridges and create a more loving and harmonious world.

Here are some specific ways to put these principles into practice:

• Be mindful of our words and choose them carefully.
• Speak up for what we believe in, but do so in a respectful and constructive way.
• Avoid gossiping and spreading rumors.
• Use our words to comfort and uplift others.
• Be willing to listen to others and learn from them.
• Use our words to promote understanding and peace.
  

When we use our tongue in a truthful, chaste, and enlightened way, we can help to create a more beautiful and loving world.

Question for Consideration:

How should our heart be?

Google Bard Response:

According to the passage you quoted, our heart should be:

• Enlightened: We should be aware of the spiritual reality of the world and our place in it. We should strive to know God and His will for us.
• Loving: We should love all people, regardless of their race, religion, nationality, or any other superficial difference. We should be kind, compassionate, and forgiving.
• Forgiving: We should be willing to let go of anger, resentment, and bitterness. We should strive to understand the motives of others and to see them with compassion.
• Truthful: We should speak the truth in love, even when it is difficult. We should be honest in our dealings with others and with ourselves.
• Chaste: We should guard our thoughts, words, and actions from impurity. We should strive to live a pure and holy life.
  

The passage also tells us to respect the learned and those who administer justice. This means that we should value knowledge and wisdom, and we should support those who work to create a just and equitable society.

Finally, the passage tells us to put on the armor of wisdom and to adorn ourselves with forgiveness and mercy. This means that we should be wise in our dealings with others, and we should always be willing to forgive and show mercy.

When our heart is like this, we will be able to live in peace and harmony with others, and we will be able to make a positive difference in the world.

Here are some specific things we can do to cultivate a heart like this:

• Pray and meditate: This can help us to connect with God and to develop a deeper understanding of His will for us.
• Read the Bahá’í Writings: The Bahá’í Writings are a source of spiritual guidance and inspiration. They can help us to learn more about the nature of love, forgiveness, and other spiritual qualities.
• Spend time with people who are kind, loving, and forgiving: This can help us to develop these qualities ourselves.
• Serve others: When we serve others, we are putting our love into action. This can help us to experience the joy of giving and to connect with the divine.
• Forgive others: Forgiveness is essential for healing the heart and creating a more peaceful world. When we forgive others, we are setting ourselves free from the burden of anger and resentment.
• Live a simple and modest life: This can help us to focus on the things that are truly important in life, such as love, compassion, and service.
  

It is not always easy to cultivate a heart like this. We will all make mistakes along the way. But if we are persistent and sincere, we can gradually transform our hearts and become more loving, forgiving, and compassionate people.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾuʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. Ebook. Internet Archive: Project Gutenberg, 2005, 104-105. https://archive.org/details/tabletsofbahullh17310gut/page/n113/mode/2up. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed September 03, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/5#855275482. ↩
3. 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, 6. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩