Daily Frameworks for 27 October 2024

Jamál, 13 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

REST assured that the breathings of the Holy Spirit will loosen thy tongue. Speak, therefore; speak out with great courage at every meeting. When thou art about to begin thine address, turn first to Bahá’u’lláh, and ask for the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, then open thy lips and say whatever is suggested to thy heart; this, however, with the utmost courage, dignity and conviction. It is my hope that from day to day your gatherings will grow and flourish, and that those who are seeking after truth will hearken therein to reasoned arguments and conclusive proofs. I am with you heart and soul at every meeting; be sure of this. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá ²

I ask of God that with His assistance and strong support thou mayest teach the inner meanings of the Torah with eloquence, understanding, vigor and skill. Turn thy face toward the Kingdom of God, ask for the bestowals of the Holy Spirit, speak, and the confirmations of the Spirit will come. — ’Abdu’l-Bahá ³

After the death of Christ the Apostles were troubled and diverged in their thoughts and opinions; later they became steadfast and united. At Pentecost they gathered together, detached themselves from the world, forsook their own desires, renounced all earthly comfort and happiness, sacrificed body and soul to their Beloved, left their homes, took leave of all their cares and belongings, and even forgot their own existence. Then was divine assistance vouchsafed and the power of the Holy Spirit manifested. The spirituality of Christ triumphed and the love of God took hold. On that day they received divine confirmations, and each departed in a different direction to teach the Cause of God and unloosed his tongue to set forth the proofs and testimonies. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

The Bahá’í teacher must be all confidence. Therein lies his strength and the secret of his success. Though single-handed, and no matter how great the apathy of the people around you may be, you should have faith that the hosts of the Kingdom are on your side, and that through their help you are bound to overcome the forces of darkness that are facing the Cause of God. Persevere, be happy and confident, therefore. — Shoghi Effendi ⁵

The Hosts of the Supreme Concourse are in martial array, poised between earth and heaven ready to rush to the assistance of those who arise to teach the Faith. If one seeks the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, one can find them in rich abundance in the teaching field. The world is seeking as never before, and if the friends will arise with new determination, fully consecrated to the noble task ahead of them, victory after victory will be won for the glorious Faith of God. — Shoghi Effendi ⁶

Question for Consideration

How does one gain the courage necessary to teach others about the Bahá’í Faith? ⁷

Gemini Response:

To gain the courage necessary to teach the Bahá’í Faith, one can draw inspiration from the guidance provided by the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. Here are some fundamental principles to consider:

Seek Divine Assistance

• Prayer and Meditation: Regular prayer and meditation can deepen one’s connection with the Divine and provide spiritual strength.
• Invocation: Before teaching, invoking the Holy Spirit can help to instill courage and clarity of thought.
  

Cultivate Selflessness

• Focus on Service: Prioritizing the service of humanity can shift one’s focus from personal fears and anxieties.
• Detach from Ego: Letting go of ego-driven concerns can help to build humility and confidence.
  

Develop Knowledge and Understanding

• Study the Teachings: A deep understanding of the Bahá’í teachings can provide a solid foundation for teaching.
• Engage in Spiritual Discussions: Participating in study circles and discussions can help to clarify doubts and strengthen one’s faith.
  

Practice Self-Confidence

• Visualize Success: Positive visualization can help to build self-confidence and reduce anxiety.
• Embrace Challenges: Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth can help to overcome fear and doubt.
  

Learn from the Example of the Prophets

• Study the Lives of the Prophets: The lives of the Prophets and Messengers of God can inspire courage and perseverance.
• Emulate Their Virtues: Striving to embody the virtues of the Prophets can help to cultivate spiritual strength.
  

Remember, the ultimate source of courage is the love of God. By developing a deep and abiding love for God and humanity, one can overcome any fear or hesitation and become a powerful force for good in the world.

ChatGPT Response:

Gaining the courage to teach the Bahá’í Faith requires a deep reliance on spiritual support, confidence in divine assistance, and the cultivation of detachment and selflessness. The following elements, drawn from the guidance of Bahá’í writings, contribute to building such courage:

Turning to Bahá’u’lláh and Seeking the Confirmations of the Holy Spirit

Before speaking, Bahá’ís are encouraged to turn their hearts toward Bahá’u’lláh, asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and confirmation. ’Abdu’l-Bahá assures that when teachers rely on this spiritual support, their words gain power, and they are inspired to say what is needed with “courage, dignity and conviction.” This connection helps teachers set aside any fear or hesitation and open their hearts to the promptings of the spirit.

Detachment from Personal Concerns

Like the Apostles after Pentecost, true courage comes from detaching oneself from personal desires, comforts, and self-interest. When a teacher is willing to forsake worldly cares and focus solely on the love of God and service to others, they become channels through which divine assistance can flow. This state of detachment transforms personal insecurities into strengths, allowing the teacher to act without concern for self and with complete dedication to sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Confidence in Divine Assistance

Shoghi Effendi describes confidence as the foundation of the Bahá’í teacher’s strength and success. Knowing that the “hosts of the Kingdom are on your side” instills courage, even when faced with apathy or resistance from others. This confidence reminds us that, although efforts may seem minor or isolated, the power of the spiritual realm will ensure success. With this faith, teachers can overcome obstacles and persevere with joy and strength.

Trusting the Rich Abundance of Confirmations in the Teaching Field

The Bahá’í teachings highlight that the confirmations of the Holy Spirit are particularly abundant for those teaching. Shoghi Effendi encourages the friends to arise with “new determination,” entirely consecrated to the teaching task, for divine support flows most richly here. This trust in divine confirmations fuels courage, as the teacher knows they are not alone; they have the unwavering support of the Supreme Concourse and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Selflessness and Service to Humanity

The writings encourage Bahá’ís to let go of personal interest and adopt an attitude of selfless service. When teachers focus on serving others, bringing the light of the Faith to those seeking truth, their fear and self-consciousness diminish. The courage required to share the Faith is sustained by a love that seeks only the welfare of others and is rooted in Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for humanity.

By relying on divine confirmations, detaching from personal concerns, and trusting in the power of service, Bahá’ís can overcome fears and insecurities and develop the requisite courage to teach the Faith with confidence, humility, and joy.

Claude Response:

Based on these powerful passages, courage for teaching seems to arise from several interconnected sources:

Direct spiritual connection

• “Turn first to Bahá’u’lláh”
• Ask for “confirmations of the Holy Spirit”
• “Turn thy face toward the Kingdom of God”
• Speak what is “suggested to thy heart.”
  

Understanding one’s spiritual support

• “The hosts of the Kingdom are on your side.”
• “The Hosts of the Supreme Concourse are in martial array”
• Divine assistance is “ready to rush to the assistance”
• One is never truly “single-handed”
  

Detachment and consecration

• Like the Apostles who “detached themselves from the world”
• “Forsook their own desires.”
• “Renounced all earthly comfort and happiness”
• Became “fully consecrated to the noble task.”
  

Developing confidence in divine assistance

• “Must be all confidence.”
• Being “sure” of spiritual presence “at every meeting.”
• Understanding this is “the secret of his success.”
• Knowing confirmations can be found “in rich abundance.”
  

Persistence and steadfastness

• “Persevere”
• Remain “happy and confident”
• Continue despite “the apathy of the people.”
• Move from troubled thoughts to becoming “steadfast and united.”
  

Recognizing the receptivity of humanity

• “The world is seeking as never before.”
• Victory after victory can be won
• There will be those “seeking after truth.”
• They will respond to “reasoned arguments and conclusive proofs.”
  

The passages suggest that we don’t need to generate courage solely through our efforts. Instead, it comes through:

• Making the initial effort to arise
• Connecting with divine assistance
• Trusting in spiritual confirmations
• Letting go of personal concerns
• Maintaining persistent effort
• Having confidence in the eventual victory
  

The example of the Apostles at Pentecost seems particularly instructive – their courage came after they had fully detached from worldly concerns and “even forgot their own existence.” This suggests that courage might come from letting go of our fears and personal concerns rather than trying to overcome them through force of will.

The quotes also indicate that this courage is reinforced by experience – as one teaches and witnesses the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, confidence naturally grows. It becomes a self-reinforcing cycle where courage leads to action, action leads to divine assistance, and divine assistance augments courage.

Pi Response:

The passages from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi provide insights into the ways one can gain the courage to teach others about the Bahá’í Faith:

Seeking divine assistance: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advises individuals to turn to Bahá’u’lláh and ask for the confirmations of the Holy Spirit before beginning to speak. Praying for divine assistance can instill courage and strength when teaching the Faith.

• Relying on inner guidance: Abdu’l-Bahá encourages individuals to speak from their hearts, following the suggestions that arise within. Trusting one’s intuition and inner guidance can provide the courage to share the Faith confidently.
• Detachment from worldly concerns: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá highlights that the Apostles’ courage stemmed from their detachment from worldly concerns and complete devotion to their Beloved. Prioritizing spiritual connection and love for Bahá’u’lláh can foster courage in teaching the Faith.
• Having confidence in divine support: Shoghi Effendi emphasizes the importance of confidence in teaching the Faith, assuring that the hosts of the Kingdom are on the side of those who arise to teach. This conviction can provide courage and strength to persevere when facing challenges.
• Embracing the transformative power of teaching: Shoghi Effendi notes that the confirmations of the Holy Spirit can be found in abundance in the teaching field. Recognizing the potential impact of teaching the Faith and people’s eagerness to seek spiritual guidance can inspire courage and determination.
  

In summary, gaining the courage to teach others about the Bahá’í Faith involves seeking divine assistance, relying on inner guidance, detaching oneself from worldly concerns, having confidence in divine support, and embracing the transformative power of teaching. By fostering these qualities and habits, individuals can overcome challenges and effectively share the message of Bahá’u’lláh with others.

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, 156. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/5#503021283. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 269-270. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/9#858538367. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 179. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/7#474392201. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 26, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/7#703761231. ↩
5. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Guidelines for Teaching,” Bahá’í Library Online, 1991, 1948. https://bahai-library.com/compilationguidelinesteaching/. ↩
6. The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, ed. The Power of Divine Assistance. Revised July 1990., 1981. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/power-divine-assistance/6#588474726. ↩
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, 39-40. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.