Daily Frameworks for 24 January 2024

’Idál, 06 Sulțán (Sovereignty), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

To every discerning and illumined heart it is evident that God, the unknowable Essence, the divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress. Far be it from His glory that human tongue should adequately recount His praise, or that human heart comprehend His fathomless mystery. He is and hath ever been veiled in the ancient eternity of His Essence, and will remain in His Reality everlastingly hidden from the sight of men. “No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision; He is the Subtile, the All-Perceiving.” (Qur’án 6:103) No tie of direct intercourse can possibly bind Him to His creatures. He standeth exalted beyond and above all separation and union, all proximity and remoteness. No sign can indicate His presence or His absence; inasmuch as by a word of His command all that are in heaven and on earth have come to exist, and by His wish, which is the Primal Will itself, all have stepped out of utter nothingness into the realm of being, the world of the visible. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Question for Consideration:

How would you explain to someone that God is an unknowable essence? ²

Google Bard Response:

Explaining the concept of an unknowable God, as Bahá’u’lláh describes, requires approaching it with sensitivity and openness to different perspectives. Here are some ways you could explain it to someone:

Using metaphors and analogies:

• The vastness of the universe: Compare God’s unknowability to the vastness and complexity of the universe. Just as we can only ever observe and understand a small fraction of the universe, so too may our grasp of God always be limited by our human capacity.
• The light of a star: Imagine God as a star so bright that it blinds us directly. We can only perceive its existence through its indirect effects, like the warmth it provides or the shadows it casts. Similarly, we may only understand God through his creations and manifestations, not through direct comprehension.
• The ocean and a raindrop: Imagine God as an immense ocean and ourselves as raindrops. While the drop can experience a part of the ocean, it can never fully encompass its depth and vastness. In the same way, our limited human perspective can only grasp a fragment of God’s infinite nature.
  

Emphasizing humility and awe:

• Humility before the mystery: Acknowledge the limitations of our human understanding and acknowledge the possibility that there may be aspects of reality beyond our ability to comprehend. This fosters humility and an open mind towards the mystery of existence.
• Awe and wonder: Focus on the awe and wonder that contemplating an unknowable God can inspire. Recognize the beauty and mystery of existence, even if we cannot fully explain it.
  

Respecting diversity of beliefs:

• Not claiming absolute knowledge: Avoid presenting the unknowability of God as a certainty or dogma. Acknowledge that different religions and philosophies have different understandings of the divine and respect the diversity of these perspectives.
• Focus on shared values: Instead of getting caught up in theological debates about God’s nature, focus on the shared values and principles that different faiths often share, such as love, compassion, and justice.
  

Remember, explaining God’s unknowability is not to convince someone of a specific belief but to invite them to contemplate the mystery of existence. Encourage open dialogue, critical thinking, and self-reflection on these profound questions.

Ultimately, the experience of faith and understanding God is a personal journey. Your role is to present the concept with respect, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn from others’ perspectives.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st pocket-size Ed. 1950. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1983, 98. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-iqan/5#647258180. ↩
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, 39. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩