Daily Frameworks for 11 April 2024

Istijlál, 04 Jalál (Glory), 181 B.E.

Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1

Quotes for Reflection:

O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Much hath been written in the books of old concerning the various stages in the development of the soul, such as concupiscence, irascibility, inspiration, benevolence, contentment, Divine good-pleasure, and the like; the Pen of the Most High, however, is disinclined to dwell upon them. Every soul that walketh humbly with its God, in this Day, and cleaveth unto Him, shall find itself invested with the honor and glory of all goodly names and stations. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence. They should conduct themselves in such manner that the earth upon which they tread may never be allowed to address to them such words as these: “I am to be preferred above you. For witness, how patient I am in bearing the burden which the husbandman layeth upon me. I am the instrument that continually imparteth unto all beings the blessings with which He Who is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon me, and the unnumbered evidences of my wealth—a wealth that supplieth the needs of all creation—behold the measure of my humility, witness with what absolute submissiveness I allow myself to be trodden beneath the feet of men. — Bahá’u’lláh ³

It is certain that man’s highest distinction is to be lowly before and obedient to his God; that his greatest glory, his most exalted rank and honor, depend on his close observance of the divine commands and prohibitions. Religion is the light of the world, and the progress, achievement, and happiness of man result from obedience to the laws set down in the holy Books. Briefly, it is demonstrable that in this life, both outwardly and inwardly the mightiest of structures, the most solidly established, the most enduring, standing guard over the world, assuring both the spiritual and the material perfections of mankind, and protecting the happiness and the civilization of society—is religion. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

Question for Consideration:

What is the significance of humility in the life of an individual and the efforts of a spiritual education teacher? ⁵

Google Gemini Response:

The quotes from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá highlight the significance of humility in several ways, both for individuals and for spiritual education teachers:

For Individuals

• Source of Spiritual Growth: Humility, as in “walking humbly with God,” is seen as a path to spiritual development and attaining “the honor and glory of all goodly names and stations.” (This is highlighted in the second quote from Bahá’u’lláh.)
• Connection with God: True devotion to God requires humility and submissiveness. It’s about recognizing one’s limitations and dependence on a higher power. (This is highlighted in the third quote from Bahá’u’lláh.)
• Exaltation: Paradoxically, humility is seen as the key to genuine exaltation. While pride leads to “degradation,” humility elevates one to the “heaven of glory and power.” (This is highlighted in the first quote from Bahá’u’lláh.)
• Foundation of Religion: Obedience to God’s will and following religious teachings are rooted in humility. (This is highlighted in the quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá mentioning, “man’s highest distinction is to be lowly before and obedient to his God.”)

For Spiritual Education Teachers

• Modeling Humility: Teachers who embody humility become role models for their students. They demonstrate that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey and that true knowledge comes from a posture of openness and receptivity.
• Fostering a Learning Environment: Humility allows teachers to create a safe space where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and exploring their own beliefs. 
• Openness to Feedback and Growth: A humble teacher is open to feedback from students, parents, and the community. They recognize that they are constantly learning and growing in their spiritual journey.
• Service to Others: True spiritual education involves a sense of service. A humble teacher sees their role as facilitating learning and empowering students, not as the sole source of knowledge.

Overall, humility is a central concept in the Bahá’í teachings and plays a crucial role in both individual spiritual development and in creating a positive environment for spiritual education.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Humility doesn’t equate to self-deprecation or low self-esteem. It’s about recognizing one’s limitations while acknowledging one’s strengths and potential. 
• Spiritual education teachers can foster humility in their students by encouraging open discussions, emphasizing the importance of service to others, and celebrating the diverse perspectives that students bring to the classroom.
• By cultivating humility, both individuals and educators can create a more open, receptive, and ultimately more spiritually enriching environment.

ChatGPT 3.5 Response:

The significance of humility in the life of an individual and the efforts of a spiritual education teacher is profound and far-reaching:

• Exaltation and Power: As Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes, humility exalts an individual to the heights of glory and power. In the context of spiritual education, humility enables teachers to lead by example, inspiring students to strive for excellence, serve others selflessly, and cultivate virtues such as kindness, compassion, and empathy.
• Spiritual Development: Humility is essential for spiritual development and growth. Bahá’u’lláh teaches that every soul that walks humbly with God finds itself invested with honor and glory. In the role of a spiritual education teacher, humility fosters a deep connection with the divine, guiding teachers to seek divine guidance and assistance in fulfilling their responsibilities and serving the needs of their students.
• Attitude Towards God: Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of humility in an individual’s attitude towards God. Those who are beloved of God must evince such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest to the depth of their devotion. In the efforts of a spiritual education teacher, humility cultivates reverence for the sacredness of the educational process and the divine potential within each student, guiding teachers to approach their work with a spirit of reverence, devotion, and humility before God.
• Obedience to Divine Commands: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá highlights that man’s highest distinction and greatest glory depend on obedience to divine commands and prohibitions. Humility enables individuals to submit themselves obediently to the will of God, recognizing their limitations and weaknesses while relying on the guidance and grace of the divine. In the context of spiritual education, humility empowers teachers to align their efforts with the divine purpose, seeking to impart knowledge, instill virtues, and nurture their students’ spiritual development through the teachings of their faith.
• Foundation of Religion: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá affirms that humility is the foundation of religion and the light of the world. In the efforts of a spiritual education teacher, humility serves as the guiding principle for fostering a culture of respect, unity, and cooperation in the classroom. It encourages teachers to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of each student, creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students feel valued, accepted, and empowered to reach their full potential.

In summary, humility plays a central role in an individual’s life and the efforts of a spiritual education teacher. It leads to spiritual exaltation, fosters reverence for God, promotes obedience to divine commands, and serves as the foundation of religion and the light of the world.

Claude 3 Sonnet Response:

The quotes you shared from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá highlight the profound significance of humility in an individual’s life and the sacred efforts of a spiritual education teacher. Humility is a virtue that exalts the soul to the “heaven of glory and power,” while pride abases one to “wretchedness and degradation.”

For an individual, embracing true humility means turning one’s eyes towards mercy and justice, forsaking selfish interests, and cleaving to that which will benefit all humanity. It requires choosing for others what one would choose for oneself, embodying the golden rule. The Writings make it clear that the soul that “walketh humbly with its God” will find itself “invested with the honor and glory of all goodly names and stations.” True humility before God and selfless service to others become the path to spiritual distinction.

For a spiritual education teacher, these passages underscore the vital importance of exemplifying utmost humility and submissiveness in one’s attitude, conduct, and conversations. The teacher must be so filled with reverence for the Divine that every “atom of dust” attests to the depth of their devotion. Their very being should be imbued with such spiritual potency that it stirs the souls of those around them.

The teacher is called to walk the path of utter lowliness, never allowing any sense of arrogance or pride to taint their efforts. They must mirror the patience, selflessness, and willing submission modeled by the earth itself, which bears the burden of humanity while continually imparting divine blessings. Humility before God and a spirit of meek servitude are portrayed as the most significant “distinction,” “glory,” “rank,” and “honor” a human being can attain.

In essence, these illuminating words make it clear that humility is not merely a virtue for both the individual and the spiritual educator—it is the very foundation upon which all real progress, achievement, happiness, and spiritual perfection depend. It is the light that guides one’s steps, the strength that fortifies one’s efforts, and the hallmark of one’s attunement to the Divine will.

For spiritual teachers to effectively inspire souls and diffuse the fragrances of the Kingdom, they must embody an attitude of utter humility – submitting their will, suppressing their ego, and allowing the Light of Truth to shine through their words and deeds unimpeded. Only then can they become channels of divine confirmation and instruments of spiritual transformation.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾuʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 64. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/3#218208370. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/4#152599858. ↩
3. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#598146896. ↩
4. ‘ Abdu’l-Bahá. The Secret of Divine Civilization. Translated by Marzieh Gail. 2nd Edition. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1970, 71-72. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/secret-divine-civilization/3#989018602. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1. 2.1.1.PE September 2021. Vol. Book 3. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 48-49. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#CC1. ↩