Daily Frameworks for 10 October 2024

Istijlál, 15 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

That the heart is the throne, in which the Revelation of God the All-Merciful is centered, is attested by the holy utterances which We have formerly revealed. Among them is this saying: “Earth and heaven cannot contain Me; what can alone contain Me is the heart of him that believeth in Me, and is faithful to My Cause.” How often hath the human heart, which is the recipient of the light of God and the seat of the revelation of the All-Merciful, erred from Him Who is the Source of that light and the Wellspring of that revelation. It is the waywardness of the heart that removeth it far from God, and condemneth it to remoteness from Him. Those hearts, however, that are aware of His Presence, are close to Him, and are to be regarded as having drawn nigh unto His throne. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O My brother! A pure heart is as a mirror; cleanse it with the burnish of love and severance from all save God, that the true sun may shine therein and the eternal morning dawn. Then wilt thou clearly see the meaning of “Earth and heaven cannot contain Me; what can alone contain Me is the heart of him that believeth in Me.” (From a Ḥadíth.) And thou wilt take up thy life in thy hand and with infinite longing cast it before thy newly found Beloved. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

Aside from all this, there is need of the stimulus of the joy of glad tidings in human hearts. Certain spiritual attraction is requisite in order that hearts may willingly take the step forward in the divine Cause. We must become attracted to God. The breaths of the Holy Spirit must take effect. Unless this is so, it is impossible for the teachings of God to accomplish in us. An ideal power is necessary. The people of America have remarkably quick perception, intelligence and understanding. Their thoughts are free and not fettered by the yoke of governmental tyranny. They should investigate reality and not be occupied with ancestral forms and imitations. Consider what Christ accomplished. He caused souls to attain a station where with complete willingness and joy they laid down their lives. What a power! Thousands of human souls, in the utmost joy because of their spiritual susceptibilities, were so attracted to God that they were dispossessed of volition, deprived of will in His path. If they had been told simply that sacrifice in the path of God was good and praiseworthy, this would never have happened. They would not have acted. Christ attracted them, wrested the reins of control from them, and they went forth in ecstasy to sacrifice themselves. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Training alone, of course, does not necessarily lead to an upsurge in teaching activity. In every avenue of service, the friends need sustained encouragement. Our expectation is that the Auxiliary Board members, together with their assistants, will give special thought to how individual initiative can be cultivated, particularly as it relates to teaching. When training and encouragement are effective, a culture of growth is nourished in which the believers see their duty to teach as a natural consequence of having accepted Bahá’u’lláh. They “raise high the sacred torch of faith,” ⁴ as was ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s wish, “labor ceaselessly, by day and by night,” and “consecrate every fleeting moment of their lives to the diffusion of the divine fragrance and the exaltation of God’s holy Word.” ⁵ So enkindled do their hearts become with the fire of the love of God that whoever approaches them feels its warmth. They strive to be channels of the spirit, pure of heart, selfless and humble, possessing certitude and the courage that stems from reliance on God. In such a culture, teaching is the dominating passion of the lives of the believers. Fear of failure finds no place. Mutual support, commitment to learning, and appreciation of diversity of action are the prevailing norms. — Universal House of Justice ⁶

Question for Consideration

How does fulfilling the sacred duty of teaching open the heart to God and connect it to His Revelation? ⁷

Gemini Response:

The quotes emphasize the heart’s central role in spiritual growth and the ability to teach the Cause of God effectively. Here’s how fulfilling this sacred duty can open the heart to God and connect it to His Revelation:

Purification and Cleansing

• Removing Obstacles: Teaching can help individuals remove obstacles and impurities from their hearts, allowing them to become more receptive to divine guidance.
• Spiritual Cleansing: Service and dedication to the Cause can purify the heart and prepare it for a deeper connection with God.
  

Divine Inspiration

• Spiritual Awakening: Teaching the Cause can awaken the spiritual faculties and open the heart to divine inspiration.
• Guidance and Direction: Divine guidance and inspiration can lead individuals to teach the Cause effectively and passionately.
  

Love and Devotion

• Strengthening Love for God: Teaching the Cause can deepen one’s love for God and strengthen one’s connection to the divine.
• Sharing Love with Others: It allows individuals to share their love for God and inspire them to embrace the Faith.
  

Humility and Service

• Selflessness: Teaching the Cause requires a selfless attitude and a willingness to serve others.
• Humility: Humility is essential for spiritual growth and receptivity to divine guidance.
  

Spiritual Transformation

• Inner Growth: Teaching the Cause can lead to personal spiritual transformation and growth.
• Connection with the Divine: It can deepen one’s connection with the divine and the ultimate purpose of life.
  

In conclusion, fulfilling the sacred duty of teaching the Cause of God can open the heart to God and connect it to His Revelation. By purifying the heart, seeking divine guidance, serving others with love and humility, and engaging in spiritual growth, individuals can become powerful channels for the divine message and contribute to transforming themselves and the world around them.

ChatGPT Response:

Fulfilling the sacred duty of teaching opens the heart to God and connects it to His Revelation by acting as a powerful channel through which the heart becomes receptive to divine guidance and light. This process of sharing God’s message is not merely a service to others but a transformative spiritual act that deepens the teacher’s connection with the Creator. Several insights can be derived from the quotes provided:

• The Heart as a Vessel for Divine Light: In the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the heart is likened to a throne or mirror that can contain the light of God. When done with pure intentions and selflessness, teaching serves to cleanse and polish this mirror, allowing it to reflect divine attributes more clearly. Conveying the teachings invites the teacher to examine their sincerity, purity of motive, and detachment from all but God. As the heart is refined, it draws closer to its Source, facilitating a deeper awareness and connection to God’s Revelation.
• Awareness of God’s Presence: Bahá’u’lláh mentions that hearts aware of God’s Presence are near to Him, while wayward hearts drift far from Him. Teaching requires an ongoing effort to remember and be mindful of God. This constant orientation towards the Divine brings the teacher closer to God’s presence, strengthening their spiritual susceptibilities and making the heart a recipient of His Revelation.
• Cultivating a Spiritual Condition: Abdu’l-Bahá speaks of the need for spiritual attraction and the “stimulus of the joy of glad tidings” in the hearts. Teaching and sharing God’s message requires and develops a spirit of joy, detachment, and love. As individuals teach, they are moved by the Holy Spirit, which enkindles the heart and causes it to be drawn towards God. This attraction results in an increased capacity to receive divine inspiration and grace.
• Purification and Consecration: The Universal House of Justice describes how the hearts of teachers become enkindled with the fire of God’s love, so much so that others feel its warmth. This burning fire symbolizes purification, in which lower tendencies and attachments are burned away, leaving the heart pure and consecrated to God. Such a heart, refined through service, becomes a vessel that can more fully receive and transmit God’s revelation.
• Mutual Support and Learning: The teaching experience often involves collaboration, mutual encouragement, and learning. These activities foster humility and reliance on God rather than self. When believers engage in this service together, their hearts resonate with a collective longing to be instruments of God’s will. This dynamic helps to create a culture where the heart’s devotion to God is continuously nourished and renewed through interaction and shared purpose.
• Sacrifice and Selflessness: As illustrated in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s reference to Christ’s early followers, true sacrifice and selflessness emerge from a heart completely attracted to God. The willingness to lay down one’s life in God’s path is the culmination of a heart’s total connection and submission to Him. Teaching, which requires spiritual sacrifice—of time, energy, and personal desires—enables the heart to transcend its limitations and align more fully with divine will.
  

In essence, the sacred duty of teaching opens the heart to God by transforming the teacher into a purified channel through which divine light can flow. As this light flows, the heart becomes more attuned to God’s revelation, more capable of embodying His attributes, and more connected to His purpose. The act of teaching thus becomes a process of continuous spiritual refinement and deeper intimacy with the Divine.

Claude Response:

The passages you’ve shared offer profound insights into the spiritual nature of teaching and its connection to the human heart. To address your question, we can explore how fulfilling the sacred duty of teaching opens the heart to God and connects it to His Revelation in several ways:

• Purification of the heart: Bahá’u’lláh likens a pure heart to a mirror that can reflect the divine light. Teaching requires one to cleanse their heart “with the burnish of love and severance from all save God.” This purification process allows the heart to become a vessel capable of containing and reflecting God’s revelation.
• Attraction to God: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes the need for “spiritual attraction” and being “attracted to God” for the teachings to take effect in our hearts. Teaching often involves sharing one’s spiritual experiences and understanding, which can deepen one’s attraction to God and strengthen the connection to His revelation.
• Selflessness and sacrifice: The passages describe how true believers are willing to sacrifice themselves in God’s path joyfully. Teaching often requires putting aside one’s desires and comfort to share the divine message. This selfless act aligns the heart with God’s will and opens it to His revelation.
• Enkindling the fire of love: The Universal House of Justice describes how teaching enkindles the fire of love for God in the hearts of believers. This burning love transforms them into channels of the spirit, allowing them to feel and transmit the warmth of God’s love to others.
• Cultivating spiritual qualities: Fulfilling the duty of teaching encourages the development of spiritual qualities such as purity of heart, selflessness, humility, certitude, and courage. These qualities prepare the heart to be a worthy recipient of God’s revelation.
• Constant remembrance and connection: The commitment to “labor ceaselessly” in teaching keeps the believer in constant remembrance of God and His message. This continuous connection aligns the heart with the divine revelation.
• Becoming a channel for divine assistance: As believers strive to teach, they often experience confirmations and help from God. These experiences strengthen their faith and deepen their connection to the revelation.
• Creating a culture of growth: The Universal House of Justice describes how a culture of growth nourishes the duty to teach as a natural consequence of accepting Bahá’u’lláh. This collective environment supports individual hearts in remaining open and connected to God’s revelation.
• Learning and humility: The emphasis on “commitment to learning” in the teaching process fosters humility and an ever-growing understanding of the revelation, keeping the heart open to new insights and deeper connections with God’s message.
• Overcoming fear and reliance on God: Teaching often requires overcoming fear and relying on God. Building trust in divine assistance opens the heart to a deeper relationship with God and His revelation.
  

Teaching becomes a transformative spiritual practice that aligns the individual’s heart with God’s purpose, purifies it from worldly attachments, and opens it to become a fitting “throne” for God’s revelation. This process connects the teacher to God’s message and allows them to become a channel through which others can be drawn closer to divine revelation.

Pi Response:

Fulfilling the sacred duty of teaching the Bahá’í Faith can profoundly open one’s heart to God and strengthen the connection with His Revelation in several ways:

• Aligning with Divine Purpose: By actively engaging in teaching, individuals align themselves with the divine purpose outlined by Bahá’u’lláh and His Covenant. This devotion and obedience to God’s command draws the individual closer to the Source of Revelation, deepening their spiritual connection.
• Spiritual Transformation: Teaching the Faith requires personal growth and development. As individuals strive to convey the message of Bahá’u’lláh effectively, they must continually refine their character, deepen their understanding, and cultivate divine attributes such as love, humility, and selflessness. This process of spiritual transformation brings them closer to God and strengthens their connection to His Revelation.
• Experiencing the Power of the Word: As Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings are shared with others, the power of the Word of God is experienced firsthand. Witnessing Revelation’s transformative effect on others’ lives can deepen one’s faith and understanding, leading to a stronger connection with the Divine.
• Refinement of the Heart: Teaching demands purity of heart and sincerity of intention. In striving to cleanse their hearts from worldly attachments and personal desires, Bahá’ís open themselves more fully to the influence of the Holy Spirit and the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.
• Sacrifice and Service: Teaching often involves sacrifice in time, energy, or personal comfort. This selfless service can bring the individual closer to God and deepen their love and devotion to His Revelation.
• Promoting Unity and Love: The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh emphasize the importance of unity, love, and fellowship. By sharing these teachings with others and working to create unity within diverse communities, Bahá’ís contribute to the realization of God’s purpose for humanity. This dedication to promoting unity and love can further open their hearts to the Divine and strengthen their connection to His Revelation.
  

In summary, fulfilling the sacred duty of teaching the Bahá’í Faith involves a process of spiritual growth, transformation, and service that can profoundly open an individual’s heart to God and deepen their connection to His Revelation. As they dedicate themselves to sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’ís are continually drawn closer to the Source of Divine guidance and inspiration.

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/5#078617132. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. The Call of the Divine Beloved: Selected Mystical Works of Bahá’ú’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/call-divine-beloved/4#248504405. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 250-251. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/18#978585559. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 251. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/9#517008437. ↩
5. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 251-252. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/9#570413445. ↩
6. Universal House of Justice. Turning Point: Selected Messages of the Universal House of Justice and Supplementary Material, 1996–2006. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/turning-point/6#108609200. ↩
7. 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, 16. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.