Daily Frameworks for 21 November 2023

Fidál, 18 Qudrat (Power), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

Ye are even as the bird which soareth, with the full force of its mighty wings and with complete and joyous confidence, through the immensity of the heavens, until, impelled to satisfy its hunger, it turneth longingly to the water and clay of the earth below it, and, having been entrapped in the mesh of its desire, findeth itself impotent to resume its flight to the realms whence it came. Powerless to shake off the burden weighing on its sullied wings, that bird, hitherto an inmate of the heavens, is now forced to seek a dwelling-place upon the dust. Wherefore, O My servants, defile not your wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, and suffer them not to be stained with the dust of envy and hate, that ye may not be hindered from soaring in the heavens of My divine knowledge. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Questions for Consideration:

Based on the quotation, answer the following questions:
How do the “wings” of the soul become “sullied”?
What are some of the burdens that, like “the water and clay of the earth”, weigh on the wings of the soul?
What are some of the things that can prevent us from soaring in the heavens of divine knowledge?
Why would a soul exchange its heavenly home for the dust of this world? ²

Google Bard Response:

Sure, here are the answers to your questions:

How do the “wings” of the soul become “sullied”?

The “wings” of the soul become sullied when the soul becomes attached to material desires and worldly pursuits. These attachments can be to things such as wealth, power, fame, or physical pleasure. When the soul becomes consumed by these desires, it loses its focus on spiritual matters, and its wings become weighed down, making it difficult or impossible to soar to the heights of spiritual understanding and connection with God.

What are some of the burdens that, like “the water and clay of the earth”, weigh on the wings of the soul?

Some of the burdens that weigh on the wings of the soul include:

• Envy and hate: These negative emotions can consume the soul’s energy and make it difficult to focus on anything else.
• Pride and arrogance: These qualities can blind the soul to its shortcomings and make it resistant to learning and growth.
• Fear and doubt: These emotions can hold the soul back from taking risks and pursuing its true potential.
• Ignorance and apathy: These qualities can prevent the soul from seeking out knowledge and wisdom, which are essential for spiritual growth.
  

What are some of the things that can prevent us from soaring in the heavens of divine knowledge?

Some of the things that can prevent us from soaring in the heavens of divine knowledge include:

• Focusing on material pursuits: When we spend too much time and energy on material things, we leave little time and energy for spiritual pursuits.
• Surrounding ourselves with negative influences: If we are constantly exposed to negative influences, it can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook and focus on spiritual matters.
• Not making time for prayer and meditation: Prayer and meditation are essential practices for spiritual growth, and without them, it can be difficult to make progress on our spiritual journey.
• Not seeking out knowledge and wisdom: We need to actively seek out knowledge and wisdom to grow spiritually. This could involve reading books and articles, taking classes, or attending workshops.
  

Why would a soul exchange its heavenly home for the dust of this world?

There are a few reasons why a soul might exchange its heavenly home for the dust of this world.

• Ignorance of its true nature: The soul may not be aware of its true nature and potential, and as a result, it may be attracted to the material world and seek fulfillment there.
• Desire for control: The soul may believe that it can control its destiny in the material world, while in the spiritual realm, it must surrender to God’s will.
• Attachment to relationships or possessions: The soul may become attached to certain people or things in the material world, and as a result, it may be unwilling to leave them behind.
  

Ultimately, the choice of whether to remain in the dust of this world or to soar in the heavens of divine knowledge is up to each soul. However, Bahá’u’lláh’s words offer a clear warning: if we defile our wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, we will be unable to reach our full potential and experience the true joy and fulfillment that comes from living a spiritual life.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/8#897308121. ↩
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, 40-41. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩