Daily Frameworks for 14 October 2024

Kamál, 19 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. This can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, an all-powerful and inspired Physician. This, verily, is the truth, and all else naught but error. Each time that Most Mighty Instrument hath come, and that Light shone forth from the Ancient Dayspring, He was withheld by ignorant physicians who, even as clouds, interposed themselves between Him and the world. It failed, therefore, to recover, and its sickness hath persisted until this day. They indeed were powerless to protect it, or to effect a cure, whilst He Who hath been the Manifestation of Power amongst men was withheld from achieving His purpose, by reason of what the hands of the ignorant physicians have wrought. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

I beg of Thee, O my God, by Thy most exalted Word which Thou hast ordained as the Divine Elixir unto all who are in Thy realm, the Elixir through whose potency the crude metal of human life hath been transmuted into purest gold, O Thou in Whose hands are both the visible and invisible kingdoms, to ordain that my choice be conformed to Thy choice and my wish to Thy wish, that I may be entirely content with that which Thou didst desire, and be wholly satisfied with what Thou didst destine for me by Thy bounteousness and favor. Potent art Thou to do as Thou willest. Thou, in very truth, art the All-Glorious, the All-Wise. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

O thou servant of the True One! Sulphur is the fire of the love of God, and mercury is the quicksilver of the ocean of the knowledge of God. Combine then these twin noble elements, and harmonize and unite these twin soundest pillars, and so obtain the Noblest Stone—that is, the Jewel of Jewels, the Ruby of the Mine of the Kingdom—so that thou mayest discover the Most Great Elixir and find the Alchemy of Truth, and, casting it upon the copper and iron of men’s souls, transmute them into purest gold.
Seekest thou the Mystery of Alchemy? It is this! Seekest thou the Inestimable Elixir? It is this! Seekest thou the Philosopher’s Stone? It is this! While all else besides this is devoid of fruit or consequence, of benefit or useful outcome.
Heed thou my words: Seek thou this Most Great Elixir of the Kingdom!
The Glory of God rest upon thee. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Against the conspicuous signs of moral decadence which daily is corroding the foundations of civilized life, these graphic words of Bahá’u’lláh assume an acute urgency: “The vitality of men’s belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society; what else but the Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and revive it?” ⁴ Such words have particular implications for the actions of anyone who has recognized the Lord of the Age. A crucial consequence of this recognition is a belief that impels acceptance of His commandments. Depth of belief is assured by the inner transformation, that salutary acquisition of spiritual and moral character, which is the outcome of obedience to the divine laws and principles. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Question for Consideration

Which power is the fundamental force behind other powers, and what can this force accomplish? ⁶

Gemini Response:

The quotes emphasize divine revelation’s central role as the fundamental force behind other powers. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

Healing and Transformation

• Spiritual Medicine: Divine revelation is presented as a “wholesome medicine” that can heal humanity’s spiritual ills.
• Transformation: It can transform individuals and society, converting “saturnic strength” into “heavenly power.”
  

Divine Guidance

• Illumination: Divine revelation illuminates the path and guides individuals and society.
• Clarity and Understanding: It brings clarity and understanding to complex issues and challenges.
  

Spiritual Empowerment

• Inner Strength: Divine revelation empowers individuals with spiritual strength and resilience.
• Capacity for Change: It enables individuals to overcome obstacles and catalyze positive change.
  

Unity and Harmony

• Common Ground: Divine revelation provides a common ground for people of different backgrounds to unite and work together.
• Harmony and Peace: It promotes harmony, peace, and understanding among humanity.
  

Social Transformation

• Societal Renewal: Divine revelation can inspire and guide individuals to work towards society’s transformation.
• Just and Equitable Society: It provides the principles and values necessary for building a just and equitable world.
  

In conclusion, the power of divine revelation is the fundamental force behind all other powers. It is the source of spiritual healing, guidance, empowerment, unity, and social transformation. By embracing divine revelation, individuals and society can achieve their full potential and contribute to the betterment of the world.

ChatGPT Response:

The fundamental force behind all other powers, according to the Bahá’í teachings, is the power of the Revelation of God, which Bahá’u’lláh refers to as the “Most Mighty Instrument” or the “Divine Elixir.” This power is described as being capable of healing the world’s ills, uniting all peoples in one common Cause, and transforming humanity’s spiritual and moral character.

Here’s what this force can accomplish:

• Healing of Humanity: Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that uniting all peoples and resolving the world’s problems cannot be achieved without the power of God’s Revelation. This Revelation is likened to the work of a skilled Physician, capable of curing humanity’s spiritual sickness, which no other means can effectively remedy.
• Inner Transformation: Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that the power of this Revelation, described as the Divine Elixir or the Alchemy of Truth, can transmute the “copper and iron” of human souls into “purest gold.” This metaphor speaks to the transformation of human character and conduct through spiritual knowledge and the love of God.
• Revitalization of Belief in God: As the Universal House of Justice highlights, Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation provides the “wholesome medicine” needed to restore the vitality of belief in God. Once deepened through obedience to divine laws and principles, this belief leads to spiritual and moral transformation in individuals and societies.
• Moral and Spiritual Revival: The Revelation of God cleanses society of the “corrosion of ungodliness,” renewing human virtues, uplifting the human spirit, and revitalizing the foundations of civilization. It provides the moral guidance to confront the moral decadence afflicting modern life.
  

Thus, the Revelation of God is the fundamental power behind other powers, capable of healing, transforming, and uniting humanity through spiritual and moral awakening.

Claude Response:

Based on these passages, the fundamental force or power being described is the love and knowledge of God, often referred to metaphorically as an “Elixir” or “Philosopher’s Stone” with transformative capabilities. Let me break down the key points:

• Universal Unity: The first quote from Bahá’u’lláh speaks of “the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith” as the “sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world.”
• Divine Elixir: Bahá’u’lláh refers to God’s “most exalted Word” as the “Divine Elixir” that can transmute “the crude metal of human life” into “purest gold.”
• Alchemical Metaphor: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá uses alchemical metaphors, describing the “fire of the love of God” and the “ocean of the knowledge of God” as elements that, when combined, produce the “Most Great Elixir” capable of transforming souls.
• Spiritual and Moral Transformation: The Universal House of Justice emphasizes the “inner transformation” and “acquisition of spiritual and moral character” that results from obedience to divine laws and principles.
  

According to these writings, this fundamental force – the love and knowledge of God, or divine revelation – can accomplish:

• Healing of the world’s ills
• Unification of humanity
• Personal spiritual transformation
• Moral rejuvenation of society
• Transmutation of human character (metaphorically turning “copper and iron” into “purest gold”)
• Restoration of belief in God
• Cleansing and reviving human society from “the corrosion of ungodliness”
  

The passages suggest that this power is the essential solution to humanity’s moral, spiritual, and social challenges and can effect profound change in individuals and society.

Pi Response:

According to the Bahá’í Writings, the fundamental force behind all other powers is the power of the Word of God, also referred to as the “Creative Word” or the “Revelation” of God. This power is manifested through the successive Revelations of the Manifestations of God, who are the Divine Educators and the source of spiritual guidance for humanity.

The Word of God is the source of spiritual life and enlightenment, providing guidance, inspiration, and transformative power to individuals and societies. It acts as the catalyst for humanity’s spiritual evolution and civilization’s advancement. The Word of God, as expressed through the teachings of the Manifestations of God, can accomplish the following:

• Transform hearts and minds: The Word of God can change individuals’ hearts and minds, fostering spiritual growth, moral development, and unity.
• Unite diverse peoples and cultures: The power of the Word of God can transcend cultural, ethnic, and national boundaries, uniting diverse peoples under the banner of a common faith and purpose.
• Promote justice, peace, and love: By imparting divine principles and values, the Word of God fosters the establishment of justice, peace, and love in human affairs.
• Enhance personal and collective well-being: The Word of God offers practical guidance for personal conduct, social relationships, and the organization of human society, contributing to the overall well-being of individuals and communities.
• Inspire service and sacrifice: The transformative power of the Word of God motivates individuals to engage in selfless service and sacrifice for the betterment of society.
• Advance civilization: The Word of God provides a framework for the spiritual, social, and intellectual advancement of society, leading to progress and prosperity for all.
  

In summary, the power of the Word of God is the primary force that animates and empowers all other forces and serves as the foundation for spiritual transformation, social unity, and the advancement of civilization.

1. Baháʼuʼlláh. The Summons of the Lord of Hosts : Tablets. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st ed. Haifa: Baháʼí World Centre, 2002. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/summons-lord-hosts/6#062512306 ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. Prayers and Meditations by Baháʼuʼlláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1938. Reprint, Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974, 545. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/prayers-meditations/2#646729436. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/additional-tablets-extracts-talks/852331214/1#272806782. ↩
4. “The vitality of men’s belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society; what else but the Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and revive it? Is it within human power, O Ḥakím, to effect in the constituent elements of any of the minute and indivisible particles of matter so complete a transformation as to transmute it into purest gold? Perplexing and difficult as this may appear, the still greater task of converting satanic strength into heavenly power is one that We have been empowered to accomplish. The Force capable of such a transformation transcendeth the potency of the Elixir itself. The Word of God, alone, can claim the distinction of being endowed with the capacity required for so great and far-reaching a change.”
   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#534103048. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 150 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19930421_001/1#431483755. ↩
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, 20-21. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.