Daily Frameworks for 02 December 2023

Jalál, 10 Qawl (Speech), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

The door of the knowledge of the Ancient Being hath ever been, and will continue forever to be, closed in the face of men. No man’s understanding shall ever gain access unto His holy court. As a token of His mercy, however, and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He hath manifested unto men the Daystars of His divine guidance, the Symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self. Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them, hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. Every one of them is the Way of God that connecteth this world with the realms above, and the Standard of His Truth unto every one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. They are the Manifestations of God amidst men, the evidences of His Truth, and the signs of His glory. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Questions for Consideration:

With the above quotation in mind, answer the following questions:
Can you name some of the Daystars of divine guidance?
To Whose Voice have those who have listened to the Manifestations of God hearkened?

From Whom are we turning away when we ignore the call of the Manifestations of God? ²

Google Bard Response:

Based on the provided quotation, here are the answers to your questions:

Can you name some of the Daystars of divine guidance?

According to the quote, the Daystars of divine guidance are the Manifestations of God. While the quote does not explicitly mention any specific names, other Bahá’í writings and teachings reveal that these Daystars include:

• Buddha
• Krishna
• Abraham
• Moses
• Jesus Christ
• Muhammad
• Bahá’u’lláh
  

These individuals are considered Manifestations of God because they are believed to be the channels through which God reveals His will and message to humanity. They come to guide and inspire humanity towards spiritual progress and unity.

To Whose Voice have those who have listened to the Manifestations of God hearkened?

The quote states that those who listen to the call of the Manifestations of God are hearing the “Voice of God.” This suggests that the Manifestations are not merely human beings but also conduits for conveying God’s message to humanity. Therefore, by listening to their teachings, we are essentially opening ourselves to the divine voice and guidance.

From Whom are we turning away when we ignore the call of the Manifestations of God?

According to the quote, ignoring the call of the Manifestations of God is equivalent to turning away from God. This is because the Manifestations are seen as the representatives and embodiments of God’s will on earth. By refusing to heed their message, we are rejecting the opportunity to connect with God and receive His guidance.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#802723168. ↩
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, 44. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩