Daily Frameworks for 12 January 2024

Istiqlál, 13 Sharaf (Honor), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

Consider: Unity is necessary to existence. Love is the very cause of life; on the other hand, separation brings death. In the world of material creation, for instance, all things owe their actual life to unity. The elements which compose wood, mineral, or stone, are held together by the law of attraction. If this law should cease for one moment to operate these elements would not hold together, they would fall apart, and the object would in that particular form cease to exist. The law of attraction has brought together certain elements in the form of this beautiful flower, but when that attraction is withdrawn from this center the flower will decompose, and, as a flower, cease to exist.

So it is with the great body of humanity. The wonderful Law of Attraction, Harmony and Unity, holds together this marvelous Creation.

As with the whole, so with the parts; whether a flower or a human body, when the attracting principle is withdrawn from it, the flower or the man dies. It is therefore clear that attraction, harmony, unity and Love, are the cause of life, whereas repulsion, discord, hatred and separation bring death. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Question for Consideration:

What are some of the issues on people’s minds that would open up the possibility of sharing the ideas in the quote above with them? ²

Google Bard Response:

Here are some issues on people’s minds that could open up the possibility of sharing the ideas in the quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about unity and love:

Social Issues:

• Division and conflict: Growing polarization and social unrest in communities, conflicts like wars or internal strife, rising hate speech and discrimination.
• Loss of social connection: Loneliness and isolation, declining sense of community, erosion of trust and mutual support.
• Environmental challenges: Climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation prompt questions about our place in the natural world and our interdependence with all living things.
  

Personal Issues:

• Meaninglessness and despair: Feeling lost, alone, or lacking purpose in life, struggling to find meaning and fulfillment in a world that often seems chaotic and unjust.
• Relationships and connection: Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, experiencing loneliness or isolation, yearning for a deeper connection with others.
• Inner conflict and negativity: Feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by negative emotions, struggling to find inner peace and harmony.
  

Additionally, events or situations that highlight:

• Interdependence: Experiences demonstrating how we rely on each other (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, community initiatives).
• Shared humanity: Encounters with people from different backgrounds that reveal our common ground and shared experiences.
• The beauty and power of unity: Observing acts of compassion, collaboration, or creative expression that unite people.
  

By connecting the quote to these issues and experiences, you can make the ideas of unity and love more relevant and relatable to people. You can then offer ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s message as a potential source of hope, guidance, and inspiration for overcoming these challenges and building a more harmonious world.

Here are some examples of how you might start a conversation using the quote:

• “I was reading something recently about how division and conflict seem to be everywhere these days. It made me think about this quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, where he talks about how unity is actually necessary for existence and how love is the cause of life. What do you think?”
• “I was feeling really stressed and disconnected the other day, and then I saw this beautiful example of people coming together to help each other. It reminded me of what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said about how attraction, harmony, and unity are actually the keys to life. Do you think there’s something to that?”
• “I’ve been thinking a lot about the future of our planet and how we all depend on each other. This quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about the ‘great body of humanity’ being held together by the ‘Law of Attraction’ really resonated with me. Do you think we need to find more ways to connect and work together to address these challenges?”
  

Remember, your approach is to be open, respectful, and genuine. Share the quote intending to spark conversation and explore different perspectives rather than trying to convince anyone of anything.

1. ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in 1911. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 2006, 139. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/5#471776836. ↩
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, 23. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩