Daily Frameworks for 22 March 2024

Istiqlál, 03 Bahá (Splendor), 181 B.E

Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1

Quotes for Reflection:

O SON OF MAN!
Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O SON OF BEING!
With the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee; and within thee have I placed the essence of My light. Be thou content with it and seek naught else, for My work is perfect and My command is binding. Question it not, nor have a doubt thereof. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

O SON OF BEING!
Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee. Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me. For I have created thee rich and have bountifully shed My favor upon thee. — Bahá’u’lláh ³

Question for Consideration:

Based on the quotes above, how would you describe the reality of each person? ⁴

Google Gemini Response:

Based on the quotes from Bahá’u’lláh, the reality of each person can be described as follows:

Created with inherent worth and potential

• Love as the reason for creation: The first quote emphasizes that God’s love for humanity is the reason for creation. This suggests that each person has inherent worth and significance.
• God’s image engraved on us: We are created in the “image” of God, implying that we possess qualities such as love, compassion, and creativity.
  

Possessing an inner light and essence

• Essence of God’s light within The second quote describes an “essence of My light” placed within each person. This suggests that we have a spark of the divine within us, a source of inner guidance and potential.
• Created with power and strength: The creative act is described as being done with “power” and “strength,” implying that humans possess inherent capabilities and potential.
  

Called to self-discovery and fulfillment

• Be content with the inner light: The second quote urges us to be content with the inner light and “seek naught else.” This suggests a call to self-discovery and utilizing our inherent potential for meaningful lives.
• Get radiance from your inner light: The third quote encourages us to “get radiance” from our inner light. This suggests a path of self-discovery and development through which we can tap into our inherent potential.
  

Recipient of divine favor and abundance

• Created rich and favored: The third quote describes humans as being “created rich” and showered with God’s “favor.” This signifies the abundance of gifts and blessings bestowed upon each person.
• Seek no other than God: The call to “seek none other than Me” can be interpreted as a reminder to align our lives with the source of our blessings—the divine.
  

These quotes paint a picture of humanity as inherently valuable beings created with love, possessing an inner light, and having the potential for self-discovery and fulfillment. We are called to tap into our inner potential, utilize our gifts, and live by divine will.

Microsoft Copilot Response:

Each person’s reality is multifaceted and deeply interconnected with their inner essence, relationship with the divine, and unique experiences in the world.

1. Veiled Immortality: Bahá’u’lláh’s words suggest that each person has an eternal existence beyond time and space. We are veiled in God’s immemorial being, connected to a timeless reality that transcends our earthly existence. Our true essence lies beyond the limitations of our physical form.
   
2. Divine Creation: The act of creation is attributed to a higher power. We are not accidental or random beings; instead, we are intentionally crafted by divine hands. Our existence is purposeful, and within us resides a spark of the Creator’s light.
   
3. Inherent Radiance: The essence of God’s light is placed within us. We carry a divine radiance—an inner luminosity that illuminates our path. This light is not external; it resides within our souls. Seeking other sources of fulfillment or validation is unnecessary because we are complete and rich in this inherent favor.
   

In summary, each person’s reality encompasses both the material and the spiritual. We are more than our physical bodies; we are vessels for divine love, light, and purpose. Our existence is intricately woven into the fabric of eternity, and our connection to the divine shapes our reality.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/21/2024

(1) What is Reality? | Psychology Today

(2) Social Construction of Reality | SparkNotes

(3) Are We All Experiencing the Same Reality? | Fractal Enlightenment

(4) Social Construction of Reality | Simply Psychology

1. Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#246296008. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#724175772. ↩
3. Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#360291284. ↩
4. Ruhi Institute. Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1. 2.2.1.PE September 2021. Vol. Book 3. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 10. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#CC1. ↩