Daily Frameworks for 12 July 2024

Istiqlál, 01 Kalimát (Words), 181 B.E.

Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth

Quotes for Reflection:

The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly deeds. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

These are the days for rendering the divine Cause victorious and effective aid! The victory of God’s Faith is dependent upon teaching; and teaching is conditional upon righteous actions and goodly deeds and conduct. The foundation-stone of a life lived in the way of God is the pursuit of moral excellence and the acquisition of a character endowed with qualities that are well-pleasing in His sight. The Bahá’ís should adorn themselves with this holy raiment; with this mighty sword they should conquer the citadels of men’s hearts. People have grown weary and impatient of rhetoric and discourse, of preaching and sermonizing. In this day, the one thing that can deliver the world from its travail and attract the hearts of its peoples is deeds, not words; example, not precept; saintly virtues, not statements and charters issued by governments and nations on socio-political affairs. In all matters, great or small, word must be the complement of deed, and deed the companion of word: each must supplement, support and reinforce the other. It is in this respect that the Bahá’ís must seek distinction… — Shoghi Effendi ²

To man, the Essence of God is incomprehensible, so also are the worlds beyond this, and their condition. It is given to man to obtain knowledge, to attain to great spiritual perfection, to discover hidden truths and to manifest even the attributes of God; but still man cannot comprehend the Essence of God. Where the ever-widening circle of man’s knowledge meets the spiritual world a Manifestation of God is sent to mirror forth His splendour. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

THE purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. To this most excellent aim, this supreme objective, all the heavenly Books and the divinely revealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocally bear witness. Whoso hath recognized the Dayspring of Divine guidance and entered His holy court hath drawn nigh unto God and attained His Presence, a Presence which is the real Paradise, and of which the loftiest mansions of heaven are but a symbol. — Bahá’u’lláh ⁴

Question for Consideration

Having a vision of the possibilities inherent in the human soul shapes and directs an individual’s sense of purpose. An individual’s sense of purpose is reinforced by the knowledge that this earthly life is but a small part of an eternal journey towards the presence of God. How do the quotes above apply to these two statements? ⁵

Gemini Response:

The quotes above support the statements about the human soul’s potential and the purpose of earthly life in the following ways:

Potential for Spiritual Growth

• Development of Moral Excellence: The quotes from Bahá’u’lláh and Shoghi Effendi emphasize the importance of pursuing moral excellence and acquiring a character pleasing to God. This highlights the human soul’s capacity for spiritual development.
• Manifesting God’s Attributes: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá mentions the potential for humans to “discover hidden truths” and even “manifest even the attributes of God.” This signifies the vast potential for spiritual growth inherent in the human soul.
  

Earthly Life as a Stepping Stone

• Knowledge and Spiritual Perfection: The quotes acknowledge that attaining knowledge and spiritual perfection are crucial aspects of human life. This positions earthly life as a stage for progress on a more expansive journey.
• Presence of God is the Goal: Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that God created man “to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence.” This positions earthly life as a stepping stone towards a grander purpose beyond this world.
  

The Importance of Action

• Words and Deeds Complement Each Other: Shoghi Effendi emphasizes that “word must be the complement of deed, and deed the companion of word.” This underscores the importance of putting faith into action through righteous deeds, not just words.
• Victory Through Teaching and Action: He also states that the victory of God’s Faith relies on “teaching” accompanied by “righteous actions and goodly deeds.” This highlights the role of action in fulfilling the purpose of life.
  

Overall

The Bahá’í quotes paint a picture of the human soul possessing immense potential for spiritual development. Earthly life is seen as a crucial stage in this journey, where we strive to acquire knowledge, develop moral excellence, and ultimately seek to know and attain the presence of God. This vision motivates individuals to live a life dedicated to service and good work, contributing to the betterment of oneself and the world.

ChatGPT Response:

The quotes from Bahá’í writings align closely with the two statements about human potential and the eternal journey towards the presence of God. Here’s how each quote applies:

Vision of the Possibilities Inherent in the Human Soul

• The first quote by Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the inherent potential in every human being to develop saintly character and virtues. The vision here is that every individual can embody these divine qualities, which shape and direct their sense of purpose toward achieving moral and spiritual excellence.
  
• This quote by Shoghi Effendi speaks to the potential of individuals to pursue moral excellence and develop a character that pleases God. This vision of human potential motivates individuals to strive for righteousness, impacting their sense of purpose by guiding them toward actions and behaviors that reflect divine virtues.
  
• In this quote, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá highlights the vast potential within human beings to attain spiritual perfection and manifest divine attributes. This understanding shapes an individual’s sense of purpose by encouraging the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and spiritual growth.
  

Earthly Life as Part of an Eternal Journey Towards the Presence of God

• The second quote by Bahá’u’lláh explicitly states that the ultimate purpose of human life is to know and attain the presence of God. This perspective reinforces the idea that earthly life is a preparatory stage in an eternal journey, providing a profound sense of purpose that transcends the temporal and material aspects of existence.
  
• While Shoghi Effendi emphasizes the importance of deeds over words, the underlying message is that actions in this life have eternal significance. This reinforces the idea that our earthly actions contribute to our spiritual journey and ultimate reunion with God, thus meaningfully shaping our sense of purpose.
  

These quotes illustrate that recognizing and striving towards the divine potential within oneself and understanding life as an ongoing journey towards God are central to shaping and directing an individual’s sense of purpose.

Claude Response:

Your quotes offer profound insights into the Bahá’í perspective on human purpose, spiritual growth, and the relationship between humanity and the Divine. Let’s explore how these quotes relate to the two statements you’ve mentioned:

Having a vision of the possibilities inherent in the human soul shapes and directs an individual’s sense of purpose.

The quotes strongly support this statement. They emphasize the vast potential within each human being and the importance of developing virtuous qualities and engaging in righteous actions.

Bahá’u’lláh’s first quote speaks of God’s purpose in manifesting Himself: summon humanity with noble qualities such as truthfulness, sincerity, piety, and wisdom. This suggests that humans have the inherent capacity to embody these virtues, shaping their purpose around cultivating a “saintly character.”

Shoghi Effendi’s quote reinforces this idea, stressing the importance of “moral excellence” and acquiring qualities pleasing to God. He emphasizes that Bahá’ís should focus on developing these virtues to conquer hearts and effect change in the world. This directly relates to shaping one’s purpose around realizing the soul’s potential.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s quote explicitly mentions man’s ability “to attain to great spiritual perfection, to discover hidden truths and to manifest even the attributes of God.” This clearly outlines a vision of immense possibilities within the human soul, which can shape one’s sense of purpose.

An individual’s sense of purpose is reinforced by the knowledge that this earthly life is but a small part of an eternal journey towards the presence of God.”

This statement is mainly supported by the last quote from Bahá’u’lláh and the ideas presented in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s quote.

Bahá’u’lláh states that the purpose of human creation is “to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence.” He describes this as the “most excellent aim” and “supreme objective,” indicating that this journey extends beyond earthly life. The quote explicitly mentions that attaining God’s presence is “the real Paradise,” suggesting a continuation of the soul’s journey beyond this physical existence.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s quote, while not directly addressing the afterlife, speaks of “worlds beyond this” and man’s inability to comprehend the Essence of God. This implies an ongoing journey of discovery and spiritual growth that extends beyond our current understanding and earthly limitations.

Together, these quotes present a cohesive view that aligns with both statements. They portray human life as a journey of spiritual growth and discovery, with the ultimate goal of drawing near to God. This journey involves realizing the vast potential within the human soul through the development of virtuous qualities and righteous actions. The knowledge that this journey continues beyond earthly life can reinforce one’s sense of purpose, providing a broader context for personal growth and spiritual development.

In essence, these Bahá’í writings encourage individuals to see themselves as spiritual beings on an eternal journey, capable of manifesting noble qualities and contributing to the betterment of the world. This vision of human potential and purpose extends beyond the limited scope of earthly life, offering a profound and expansive framework for understanding one’s place in the universe and the ultimate goal of existence.

Pi Response:

The quotes relate to the two statements by emphasizing the inherent spiritual purpose and potential within each human being and the eternal nature of the soul’s journey toward the presence of God. Let’s explore how each quote applies to these statements:

• Bahá’u’lláh’s quote highlights that God’s true purpose in manifesting Himself is to guide humanity toward noble qualities, such as truthfulness, sincerity, piety, trustworthiness, resignation, submissiveness, forbearance, kindness, uprightness, and wisdom. This quote emphasizes the importance of personal development and spiritual growth, which contributes to shaping and directing an individual’s sense of purpose.
• Shoghi Effendi’s quote emphasizes the significance of teaching, righteous actions, good deeds, and moral excellence in drawing people closer to the divine Cause and achieving spiritual perfection. By focusing on deeds rather than words, individuals can better understand and develop their sense of purpose while contributing to the betterment of the world.
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s quote discusses the inherent limitations of human understanding regarding the Essence of God and the spiritual worlds. However, it also highlights the potential for humans to acquire knowledge, attain spiritual perfection, and manifest divine attributes. This quote supports the idea that humans have great spiritual potential and can discover a more profound sense of purpose as they strive to understand their Creator and the spiritual realms.
• Bahá’u’lláh’s quote reaffirms the ultimate purpose of human existence: to know the Creator and attain His Presence. This quote emphasizes the eternal nature of the soul’s journey toward the divine and reminds us that our earthly life is a small part of a much larger spiritual journey.
  

In conclusion, these quotes collectively highlight the importance of personal spiritual development and the pursuit of moral excellence in shaping an individual’s sense of purpose. They emphasize that our earthly existence is just one part of an eternal spiritual journey towards understanding God and attaining His presence, reinforcing the vision of possibilities inherent in the human soul.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#953729665. ↩
2. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, ed. A Chaste and Holy Life. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1988. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/chaste-holy-life/1#174151230. ↩
3. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ”Abdu’l-Bahá in London: Addresses and Notes of Conversations. London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982, 66. https://bahai-library.com/abdul-baha_abdul-baha_london/#66 ↩
4. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/3#688768056. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth. 2.1.21.PE July 2022. Vol. Book 5. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 19-21. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#JY1.