Daily Frameworks for 04 January 2024

Istijlál, 05 Sharaf (Honor), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

Thus, in this connection, every statement and explanation is deficient, every description and characterization is unworthy, every conception is unfounded, and every attempt to contemplate its depths is futile. Yet for that Essence of essences, that Truth of truths, that Mystery of mysteries, there are splendours, effulgences, manifestations, and appearances in the world of existence. The Daysprings of those effulgences, the Dawning-places of those revelations, and the Sources of those manifestations are those Exponents of holiness, those universal Realities and divine Beings Who are the true mirrors of the sanctified Essence of the Divinity. All the perfections, bounties, and splendours of the one true God are plainly visible in the realities of His Holy Manifestations, even as the light of the sun is fully reflected with all its perfections and bounties in a clear and spotless mirror. And if it be said that the mirrors are the manifestations of the sun and the dawning-places of the daystar of the world, this is not meant to imply that the sun has descended from the heights of its sanctity or has become embodied in the mirror, or that that limitless Reality has been confined to this visible plane. God forbid! This is the belief of the anthropomorphists. No, all these descriptions, all these expressions of praise and glory, refer to these holy Manifestations; that is, every description, praise, name, or attribute of God that we mention applies to Them. But no soul has ever fathomed the reality of the Essence of the Divinity so as to be able to intimate, describe, praise, or glorify it. Thus all that the human reality knows, discovers, and understands of the names, attributes, and perfections of God refers to these holy Manifestations and leads nowhere else: “The way is cut off, and all seeking rejected.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Question for Consideration:

What are Holy Manifestations?
What is their relationship to God? ²

Google Bard Response:

According to the passage by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Holy Manifestations are divine beings who play a central role in understanding God and the path towards spiritual connection. Here’s a breakdown of their attributes and their relationship to God:

Holy Manifestations are:

• Exponents of holiness: They act as perfect mirrors reflecting the attributes and perfections of God in the created world.
• Universal Realities and Divine Beings: They are not mere humans but possess a unique spiritual station, embodying divine qualities.
• Daysprings of divine effulgences: They act as conduits, bringing God’s light and knowledge into the world through their teachings and actions.
• Dawning-places of divine revelations: They initiate new spiritual dispensations, renewing and reinterpreting God’s message for each age.
  

Their relationship to God:

• Not God themself: While reflecting God’s attributes, they are not considered identical to God. Any claims of them being incarnations or embodiments of God are rejected.
• Perfect mirrors: They perfectly reflect God’s qualities without distortion or limitation, just like a clear mirror reflects the sun’s light.
• Sources of revelation: Through them, God’s will and guidance are revealed to humanity in a language and context understandable to each era.
• Unfathomable essence: While we can understand God through the Manifestations, the ultimate essence of God remains beyond human comprehension.
• Focus of praise and worship: All descriptions, praise, and glorification attributed to God ultimately refer to the Manifestations, who embody those qualities in the human realm.
  

Essentially, Holy Manifestations act as a bridge between the incomprehensible divine and the human world. They offer us a glimpse of God’s attributes, guide our spiritual growth, and serve as beacons of divine love and wisdom

Remember, this is a complex concept within the Bahá’í faith, with different interpretations and perspectives. Further exploration of Bahá’í writings and teachings can provide a deeper understanding of the role of Holy Manifestations in their view of God and humanity’s spiritual journey.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 3, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/8#482186920 ↩
2. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 19. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩