Daily Frameworks for 05 October 2024

Jalál, 10 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

Indeed thou didst grasp the significance of rendering assistance unto God and didst arise to achieve this through the power of wisdom and utterance. Say: To assist Me is to teach My Cause. This is a theme with which whole Tablets are laden. This is the changeless commandment of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Comprehend this, O ye men of insight. They that have passed beyond the bounds of wisdom fail to understand the meaning of assisting God as set forth in the Book. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the daystar of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall strengthen you through the power of truth. We are truly almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me will arise and serve Me with such determination that the powers of earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his purpose. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

The Pen of the Most High hath decreed and imposed upon every one the obligation to teach this Cause.… God will, no doubt, inspire whosoever detacheth himself from all else but Him, and will cause the pure waters of wisdom and utterance to gush out and flow copiously from his heart. Verily, thy Lord, the All-Merciful, is powerful to do as He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. — Bahá’u’lláh ³

God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of teaching His Cause. Whoever ariseth to discharge this duty, must needs, ere he proclaimeth His Message, adorn himself with the ornament of an upright and praiseworthy character, so that his words may attract the hearts of such as are receptive to his call. Without it, he can never hope to influence his hearers. — Bahá’u’lláh ⁴

O ye beloved of God! Repose not yourselves on your couches, nay bestir yourselves as soon as ye recognize your Lord, the Creator, and hear of the things which have befallen Him, and hasten to His assistance. Unloose your tongues, and proclaim unceasingly His Cause. This shall be better for you than all the treasures of the past and of the future, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth. — Bahá’u’lláh ⁵

Question for Consideration

How do the quotes above relate to enkindlement, a state in which, afire with the love of God, one strives unceasingly to diffuse the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation? ⁶

Gemini Response:

The quotes emphasize the importance of enkindlement, a state of spiritual fervor and inspiration that motivates individuals to teach the Cause of God and contribute to the betterment of the world. Here’s how these quotes relate to enkindlement:

• Divine Inspiration: The quotes highlight the importance of divine inspiration and guidance in teaching the Cause. Enkindlement manifests this divine inspiration, which empowers individuals to overcome challenges and persevere in their efforts.
• Spiritual Passion: The quotes emphasize the need for a burning passion and love for God to teach the Cause effectively. Enkindlement is characterized by this intense spiritual fire that motivates individuals to share the message with others.
• Service to Humanity: The quotes highlight the importance of service to humanity as a central aspect of teaching the Cause. Enkindlement inspires individuals to serve others with compassion and dedication.
• Overcoming Challenges: The quotes emphasize the need to overcome challenges and persevere in facing obstacles. Enkindlement provides the strength and courage to overcome these challenges and continue teaching the Cause.
• Divine Purpose: The quotes highlight the divine purpose behind teaching the Cause. Enkindlement aligns individuals with this sacred purpose and gives them a sense of meaning and direction in their lives.
  

In conclusion, enkindlement is essential for effectively teaching the Cause of God and contributing to the betterment of the world. It is a state of spiritual fervor and inspiration that empowers individuals to overcome challenges, persevere in their efforts, and make a positive impact on the lives of others.

ChatGPT Response:

The quotes above emphasize the essential role of teaching and sharing the Bahá’í Faith to assist God and further His Cause. This process is closely related to the concept of “enkindlement,” a state in which an individual, filled with the love of God, ardently strives to spread the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. Let’s examine the connection between these quotes and the idea of enkindlement:

Rendering Assistance to God

Bahá’u’lláh explains that to assist God is to teach His Cause, and He elevates this act to one of profound significance, even stating that whole Tablets are laden with this theme. This aligns with enkindlement, as enkindled souls desire to serve God by disseminating His teachings. Their love and devotion fuel their efforts, making them arise to teach with wisdom and utterance.

Arising with Determination

In the second quote, Bahá’u’lláh reassures the believers that, even after His departure, they will arise and further His Cause with unshakable determination. He promises divine strength and support, inspiring a sense of enkindlement where the believers’ hearts are ablaze with love and commitment to the Faith. Such ardor leads to courage, perseverance, and a willingness to sacrifice for the exaltation of His Word.

Detachment and Divine Inspiration

The third quote touches on the qualities required for effective teaching: detachment from all else but God and the assurance of divine inspiration. An enkindled soul, detached from worldly desires, channels the “pure waters of wisdom and utterance,” pouring forth words that touch hearts. Enkindlement, thus, is not merely an emotional state but a spiritual condition in which the individual becomes a conduit for divine guidance.

Adorning Oneself with Praiseworthy Character

Bahá’u’lláh, in the fourth quote, highlights that to teach His Cause effectively, one must first develop a praiseworthy character. This character, born out of the love of God, acts as a beacon that attracts receptive souls to the message. The enkindled soul, burning with the desire to teach, strives to purify and perfect their inner life, knowing that actions must reflect shared teachings.

Hastening to the Assistance of the Cause

The fifth quote urges the believers not to rest but to arise and hasten to assist God’s Cause. It speaks directly to the nature of enkindlement, where the individual is not passive or indifferent but is continually motivated to proclaim the message with urgency and fervor. An enkindled soul recognizes the magnitude of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission and is compelled to share it tirelessly.

Synthesis and Relation to Enkindlement

These quotes collectively depict enkindlement as a dynamic state of spiritual vitality, where the believer’s heart is set aflame with the love of God and propelled by an intense desire to serve His Cause. The enkindled individual:

• Recognizes the divine teaching mandate as the highest form of assisting God.
• Relies on divine support and inspiration, knowing that the power of God is behind every effort.
• Prioritizes personal transformation, understanding that only an upright and praiseworthy character can attract others to the Faith.
• Feels a sense of urgency and unceasing enthusiasm to share the message, valuing it above all material wealth and comfort.
  

In essence, enkindlement manifests when the believer’s inner life and outward action converge, creating a powerful force that radiates the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation to all they encounter.

Claude Response:

The quotes you’ve shared, attributed to Bahá’u’lláh, strongly relate to the concept of enkindlement in the Bahá’í Faith. Enkindlement, as you’ve described, refers to a state of being afire with the love of God and striving unceasingly to spread the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Let’s examine how these passages connect to this concept:

• Divine Assistance and Teaching: The first quote emphasizes that assisting God means teaching His Cause. This directly relates to enkindlement, as those who are genuinely enkindled would naturally feel compelled to teach and spread the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
• Arising to Further the Cause: The second quote encourages believers to “arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men.” This is a clear call to action that aligns with the enkindled state of striving to diffuse the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.
• Obligation and Divine Inspiration: The third quote describes teaching the Cause as an obligation decreed by God. It also promises divine inspiration to those who detach themselves from all else but God. This relates to enkindlement by highlighting the duty and the spiritual empowerment of spreading the teachings.
• Character and Teaching: The fourth quote emphasizes the importance of developing a praiseworthy character before proclaiming the Message. This relates to enkindlement by suggesting that inner transformation and spiritual fire should manifest in one’s conduct, making teaching more effective.
• Urgency and Continuous Proclamation: The final quote urges believers to “bestir yourselves” and “unloose your tongues, and proclaim unceasingly His Cause.” This directly corresponds to the idea of striving unceasingly to diffuse the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, a core aspect of enkindlement.
  

In summary, these quotes collectively emphasize:

• The importance of teaching as a form of divine service
• The need for immediate and decisive action in spreading the message
• The promise of divine assistance and inspiration for those who arise to teach
• The necessity of embodying the teachings in one’s character
• The urgency and continuity of proclaiming the Cause
  

All these elements are integral to the concept of enkindlement. They describe a spiritual passion and dedication that motivates believers to continuously and earnestly share Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings with others. The imagery of fire (“afire with the love of God”) and light (“diffuse the light”) in your description of enkindlement is mirrored in the passionate and urgent tone of these quotes, calling believers to arise and spread the message with enthusiasm and dedication.

Pi Response:

The quotes shared above, all from Bahá’u’lláh, shed light on the concept of enkindlement and its connection to teaching the Bahá’í Faith and assisting God’s Cause. Here’s a summary of the key points from these quotes that relate to enkindlement:

• Divine assistance through teaching: Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that assisting God means teaching His Cause, a theme central to many of His Tablets. Enkindled souls burning with God’s love understand the importance of sharing divine teachings and wisdom with others.
• Unwavering determination in service: Those who recognize Bahá’u’lláh and embrace enkindlement will serve Him with determination, striving to further His Cause. The power of truth and divine assistance will strengthen their efforts.
• Obligation to teach and wisdom as a source of inspiration: Bahá’u’lláh declares that teaching the Cause of God is an obligation for every believer. Those who detach themselves from worldly pursuits and focus on God will receive divine inspiration and wisdom to share the teachings with others effectively.
• Character and conduct as essential teaching elements: Enkindled individuals must cultivate an upright and praiseworthy character to attract receptive hearts to the Faith. This alignment of inner character with divine teachings enhances the impact of one’s efforts to share the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.
• Urgency and importance of teaching: Bahá’u’lláh encourages the believers not to remain idle but to share the Message actively, as this holds more value than any worldly treasures. The urgency and enthusiasm conveyed by Bahá’u’lláh reflect the spirit of enkindlement that should drive the actions of those who comprehend this truth.
  

In essence, these quotes highlight that enkindlement—being afire with the love of God—inspires believers to arise and share Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation with others. The passion and commitment to teaching God’s Cause are central to enkindlement, as they allow the light of the divine teachings to reach more souls and contribute to the betterment of the world.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 196. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/6#594329366. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 4, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/5#663638664. ↩
3. 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#951919277. ↩
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/8#590884823. ↩
5. 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/8#733888517. ↩
6. Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 11-12. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.