Fidál, 08 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection:
When you love a member of your family or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God! Wherever you find the attributes of God, love that person, whether he be of your family or of another. Shed the light of a boundless love on every human being whom you meet, whether of your country, your race, your political party, or of any other nation, color or shade of political opinion. Heaven will support you while you work in this ingathering of the scattered peoples of the world beneath the shadow of the almighty tent of unity. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá 1
This love is not of the body but completely of the soul. And those souls whose inner being is lit by the love of God are even as spreading rays of light, and they shine out like stars of holiness in a pure and crystalline sky. For true love, real love, is the love for God, and this is sanctified beyond the notions and imaginings of men. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá 2
O flame of the love of God! The ray must shed light and the sun must rise; the full moon must shine and the star must gleam. Since thou art a ray, beseech thou the Lord to enable thee to give illumination and enlightenment, to brighten the horizons and to consume the world with the fire of the love of God. I hope that thou mayest attain such a station, nay, surpass it. Upon thee be His glory. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá 3
The great unselfish love for humanity is bounded by none of these imperfect, semi-selfish bonds; this is the one perfect love, possible to all mankind, and can only be achieved by the power of the Divine Spirit. No worldly power can accomplish the universal love. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá 4
Our duty lies in educating souls so that the Sun of the bestowals of God shall become resplendent in them, and this is possible through the power of the oneness of humanity. The more love is expressed among mankind and the stronger the power of unity, the greater will be this reflection and revelation, for the greatest bestowal of God is love. Love is the source of all the bestowals of God. Until love takes possession of the heart, no other divine bounty can be revealed in it. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá 5
Question for Consideration
Based on the quotes above, how should we express our love for one another? 6
Gemini Response:
Based on the quotes provided, we should express our love for one another in the following ways:
Love Universally
Our love should extend beyond our family, compatriots, or those who share our beliefs. We should love all human beings, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or political affiliation.
Love Spiritually
Our love should be rooted in our connection to God. It should transcend physical limitations and be motivated by a desire to serve God’s purpose.
Love Unselfishly
Our love should be selfless and focused on the well-being of others. We should not seek personal gain or recognition by it.
Love with Divine Guidance
We should seek guidance from God in expressing our love, strive to understand His will, and act by His teachings.
Love through Unity
Our love should be expressed through unity with others. We should work together to create a world where love and harmony prevail.
In essence, we should express our love for one another in a way that reflects God’s love. We should love unconditionally, spiritually, unselfishly, and in unity.
ChatGPT Response:
Based on the quotes from ’Abdu’l-Bahá, expressing love for one another requires a deep, spiritual foundation rooted in the love of God. This kind of love transcends superficial connections and is not limited by familial, national, racial, or political boundaries. Here are fundamental principles from the quotes that guide how we should express love:
Love in God and for God
Our love for others should not be based solely on physical or material connections but should be motivated by the recognition of divine qualities in them. We should see every individual as a reflection of God’s attributes and love them with a “ray of the Infinite Love.”
Universal Love
True love is not confined to those close to us (family, country, race, or group) but should extend to humanity. This love is boundless and inclusive, promoting unity across all divisions and distinctions.
Radiating Divine Light
Those whose hearts are filled with love for God act as rays of light, spreading spiritual illumination wherever they go. By cultivating divine love within ourselves, we become sources of enlightenment, helping others to feel that same sacred connection.
Spiritual Duty
One of our duties is to educate and nurture souls so they can reflect God’s love. As we strengthen the bonds of unity and love, God’s bestowals are reflected more significantly. The more love and unity we express, the more divine blessings will be revealed.
Selflessness
The highest form of love is free from selfish motives. It is pure, unselfish love for humanity, enabled only through the power of the Divine Spirit. This universal love is far beyond what worldly means can achieve and can only be cultivated by aligning ourselves with God’s love.
In summary, expressing love for one another should be done with a pure heart, seeking to reflect God’s love in all relationships and interactions. This love should aim to unite, uplift, and illuminate others and transcend personal, societal, and cultural boundaries.
Claude Response:
These beautiful quotes from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá present a profound vision of love that transcends ordinary human attachments. Based on these passages, we should express love:
- Universally and without boundaries: Loving beyond family, nationality, race, or political differences. The love should extend to “every human being whom you meet.”
- Spiritual rather than material focus: The quotes emphasize that “true love” is “not of the body but completely of the soul,” suggesting we should focus on spiritual connection rather than physical or material bonds.
- Reflection of divine love: Our love should be a “ray of the Infinite Love,” meaning we should try to channel something higher than ordinary human affection, seeing and loving the divine attributes in others.
- Active service and education: We have a “duty” to help others develop spiritually so that “the Sun of the bestowals of God shall become resplendent in them.”
- Fostering unity: The passages emphasize that love grows stronger through “the power of unity” and bringing people together “beneath the shadow of the almighty tent of unity.”
- Purity of intention: Loving “in God, and for God,” suggesting our love should be free from selfish motives or limited attachments.
These teachings present love beyond emotion to a transformative spiritual force that can illuminate lives and bring people together across all divisions. The emphasis is on developing a love that is universal, spiritually oriented, and actively expressed through service to humanity.
Would you like to explore any particular aspect of this vision of love in more detail?
Pi Response:
The passages from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá provide profound insights into how we should express our love for one another:
- Love with a spiritual foundation: Our love for others should be rooted in God’s love and the recognition of the divine attributes within every individual. This spiritual foundation elevates our love beyond physical or emotional connections, allowing us to love others more deeply and genuinely.
- Love unconditionally: Our love should not be limited by factors such as nationality, race, political affiliations, or any other divisions. Instead, we should strive to love every human being we encounter, extending our love to all corners of the world.
- Shine as beacons of love: Just as a flame emanates light, our souls should radiate the love of God, illuminating the lives of those around us and creating an atmosphere of unity and warmth.
- Strive for unselfish love: We should aim for selfless love that transcends imperfect and semi-selfish bonds of human connection. This unselfish love made possible through the power of the Divine Spirit, enables us to genuinely care for others without seeking personal gain.
- Educate and foster unity: By educating souls and promoting the oneness of humanity, we can create an environment where love flourishes. As we work towards unity and foster a greater sense of interconnectedness, the reflection and revelation of God’s love become more apparent in our lives and relationships.
In summary, expressing our love for one another should be grounded in spirituality, extend unconditionally to all people, radiate from our inner beings, strive for selflessness, and actively contribute to the unity and education of humanity. By integrating these elements into our interactions with others, we can create a world filled with genuine love, understanding, and compassion.
- ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in 1911. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 2006, 38. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/2#235106336. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 203. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/7#323564957. ↩
- ’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/438422658/1#190834413. ↩
- ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in 1911. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 2006, 37. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/2#220808810. ↩
- ’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, 15. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#764990976. ↩
- 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, 30. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 