Daily Frameworks for 14 November 2024

Istijlál, 12 Qudrat (Power), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

And since there can be no tie of direct intercourse to bind the one true God with His creation, and no resemblance whatever can exist between the transient and the Eternal, the contingent and the Absolute, He hath ordained that in every age and dispensation a pure and stainless Soul be made manifest in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. Unto this subtle, this mysterious and ethereal Being He hath assigned a twofold nature; the physical, pertaining to the world of matter, and the spiritual, which is born of the substance of God Himself. He hath, moreover, conferred upon Him a double station. The first station, which is related to His innermost reality, representeth Him as One Whose voice is the voice of God Himself… The second station is the human station, exemplified by the following verses: “I am but a man like you.” “Say, praise be to my Lord! Am I more than a man, an apostle?” These Essences of Detachment, these resplendent Realities are the channels of God’s all-pervasive grace. Led by the light of unfailing guidance, and invested with supreme sovereignty, They are commissioned to use the inspiration of Their words, the effusions of Their infallible grace and the sanctifying breeze of Their Revelation for the cleansing of every longing heart and receptive spirit from the dross and dust of earthly cares and limitations. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Therefore, it is shown that the divine Manifestations, the holy Mouthpieces of God, are the Collective Centers of God. These heavenly Messengers are the real Shepherds of humanity, for whenever They appear in the world They unite the scattered sheep. The Collective Center has always appeared in the Orient. Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, Muḥammad were Collective Centers of Their day and time, and all arose in the East. Today Bahá’u’lláh is the Collective Center of unity for all mankind, and the splendor of His light has likewise dawned from the East. He founded the oneness of humanity in Persia. He established harmony and agreement among the various peoples of religious beliefs, denominations, sects and cults by freeing them from the fetters of past imitations and superstitions, leading them to the very foundation of the divine religions. From this foundation shines forth the radiance of spirituality, which is unity, the love of God, the knowledge of God, praiseworthy morals and the virtues of the human world. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

O ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures. Thus hath it been sent down from the heaven of the Will of your Lord, the Lord of Revelation. Were any man to taste the sweetness of the words which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed to utter, he would, though the treasures of the earth be in his possession, renounce them one and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even one of His commandments, shining above the Dayspring of His bountiful care and loving-kindness. — Bahá’u’lláh ³

The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are boundless and without end in their far-reaching benefit to mankind. The point and purpose of our statement today is that they are new and that they are not found in any of the religious Books of the past. This is in answer to the question, “What has Bahá’u’lláh brought that we have not heard before?” Therefore, it is conclusive and evident that the Manifestation of God in this day is distinguished from all former appearances and revelations by His majesty, His power and the efficacy and application of His Word. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

In considering the effect of obedience to the laws on individual lives, one must remember that the purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next. Here one must learn to control and direct one’s animal impulses, not to be a slave to them. Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the law of Bahá’u’lláh, however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not attain the happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Question for Consideration

Based on the quotes above, what narrative can one relate that explains challenging concepts like “Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for today” and “Bahá’ís obey the laws brought by Bahá’u’lláh” in an easy-to-understand manner? ⁶

Gemini Response:

Imagine a world without light, where people stumble in darkness, unsure of their path. Then, a brilliant light appears, illuminating the darkness and guiding people towards a better future. This light is the Manifestation of God, a divine teacher who comes to humanity at different times to guide them spiritually and morally.

Just as the sun illuminates the physical world, a Manifestation of God illuminates the spiritual world. They bring a new revelation, a fresh message from God, tailored to the needs of their time. Bahá’u’lláh is the latest Manifestation of God, and His message is a universal message of love, unity, and peace.

Bahá’ís believe that obeying the laws and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is essential for spiritual growth and development. These laws are like guidelines for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. They cover many topics, from prayer and meditation to social justice and environmental stewardship. By following these laws, Bahá’ís strive to live a life in harmony with the divine will.

Just as following traffic laws helps to ensure safety and order on the road, obeying the laws of Bahá’u’lláh helps to create a more harmonious and just society. By living a life of service, compassion, and integrity, Bahá’ís contribute to the betterment of the world and the advancement of humanity.

ChatGPT Response:

Imagine that throughout history, humanity has been on a journey of growth, just like a child growing and learning over time. Periodically, we receive guidance from teachers who help us learn what’s right and deepen our understanding of life. These teachers are the Manifestations of God—like Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and now, Bahá’u’lláh. Each one brought essential teachings and a new way for humanity to progress.

Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for our time. He isn’t just a wise philosopher or reformer—He’s a unique Messenger who brings us closer to understanding God’s purpose. Because human beings and God are different by nature, the Manifestations act as a bridge, bringing God’s guidance to humanity. Through His teachings, Bahá’u’lláh connects us with God’s wisdom in a way we can understand and apply daily.

In every age, these Manifestations of God provide spiritual principles, laws, and guidance specifically suited to the needs and challenges of the time. In the same way that earlier teachings helped humanity grow in stages, Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings help us mature and unite globally. He explains that the human family should live as one and that individuals should work toward unity, peace, and justice. His teachings are meant to uplift and transform individuals and society, preparing us for an age of global cooperation.

Now, you might wonder why Bahá’ís place importance on following Bahá’u’lláh’s laws. These laws are not just rules but a recipe for spiritual growth. Bahá’u’lláh explains that this life is a time to develop and prepare our souls for the next stage of existence. The laws He gives help us to strengthen our character, develop virtues, and overcome selfish tendencies.

When Bahá’ís strive to follow these laws, even though they might seem challenging, they often find their lives more peaceful and purposeful. For example, the laws help people develop self-control, compassion, and honesty. Each person’s journey will have struggles, but Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings assure us that these challenges when approached with effort and sincerity, bring us closer to understanding ourselves and God.

So, Bahá’ís follow Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and laws not to restrict their freedom but to help them reach a state of contentment in preparation for the onward journey of their souls. Each Manifestation of God has brought teachings for the time of Their appearance; Bahá’u’lláh’s guidance is especially relevant in meeting prevailing challenges and directing humanity toward unity, justice, and a sense of shared purpose.

Claude Response:

The Bahá’í Faith teaches that throughout history, God has sent Divine Messengers, or “Manifestations of God,” to guide humanity and establish His teachings on earth. These holy Figures, like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, are like conduits that allow God’s divine attributes and guidance to reach us. They are both fully human and divine—they share in our human experience yet possess a unique spiritual station and authority to speak on behalf of God.

Bahá’ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for this modern age. His teachings build upon and complement the essential truths brought by previous Prophets, but they are also specifically tailored to the needs of our time. Just as past Messengers united the people of their day, Bahá’u’lláh has come to unite humanity as one global community.

Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings address a wide range of subjects, from the harmony of science and religion to the equality of women and men to the elimination of prejudice. But at the heart of His message is the call for humanity to recognize its oneness and work collectively to establish lasting peace and justice in the world. Following Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings is not about blind obedience but about aligning our lives with the spiritual principles that can unlock our full human potential.

Living according to Bahá’u’lláh’s laws and commandments can sometimes be challenging. But Bahá’ís believe that by striving to practice these teachings, we are ultimately nurturing our spiritual growth and contributing to the betterment of society. The Bahá’í writings emphasize that the purpose of this life is to prepare our souls for the next and that by disciplining our lower impulses and aligning ourselves with the divine, we can find true and lasting happiness.

This is just one way to convey these fundamental Bahá’í concepts in an approachable and understandable manner. The key is to focus on the core principles of unity, spiritual transformation, and constructive action and to emphasize how Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings are uniquely suited to address the needs of our modern world.

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/3#602570067. ↩
2. ’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, 164-165. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/12#491572763. ↩
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/8#194621990. ↩
4. ’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, 435. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/32#591469335. ↩
5. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, ed. A Chaste and Holy Life. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1988. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/chaste-holy-life/4#849305702. ↩
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, 79-81. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.