Jamál, 10 ʻ’Izzat (Might), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the seventh leaf of the Most Exalted Paradise is this: O ye men of wisdom among nations! Shut your eyes to estrangement, then fix your gaze upon unity. Cleave tenaciously unto that which will lead to the well-being and tranquility of all mankind. This span of earth is but one homeland and one habitation. It behooveth you to abandon vainglory which causeth alienation and to set your hearts on whatever will ensure harmony. In the estimation of the people of Bahá man’s glory lieth in his knowledge, his upright conduct, his praiseworthy character, his wisdom, and not in his nationality or rank. O people of the earth! Appreciate the value of this heavenly word. Indeed it may be likened unto a ship for the ocean of knowledge and a shining luminary for the realm of perception. — Bahá’u’lláh 1 2
Question for Consideration:
Which of the following situations show signs of estrangement?
Two friends pass by one another on the street but ignore each other.
Someone arrives at a devotional gathering, and everyone greets her warmly.
Although they are polite to one another, two members of a group are reluctant to participate in a project together.3
Google Bard Response:
The first situation, where two friends pass by one another on the street but ignore each other, is the most likely to show signs of estrangement. This is because friends typically greet each other warmly and make an effort to connect, even if they have not seen each other in a while. If they ignore each other, it is likely that there is some tension or conflict between them that has caused them to distance themselves from each other.
The second situation, where someone arrives at a devotional gathering and everyone greets her warmly, does not show signs of estrangement. In fact, it shows the opposite: that the person is welcome and accepted by the group.
The third situation, where two members of a group are polite to one another but reluctant to participate in a project together, could be a sign of estrangement, but it is not as clear-cut as the first situation. It is possible that the two members of the group simply do not have much in common or that they have different work styles. However, if the reluctance to participate is due to a deeper conflict or disagreement, then it could be a sign of estrangement.
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether or not a situation shows signs of estrangement is to consider the context and the people involved. However, the first situation is the most likely to be a sign of estrangement.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾuʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. Ebook. Internet Archive: Project Gutenberg, 2005, 47-48. https://archive.org/details/tabletsofbahullh17310gut/page/n55/mode/2up. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed September 16, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/3#327958234. ↩
- 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, 9. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 