Daily Frameworks for 29 November 2024

Istiqlál, 08 Qawl (Speech), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

O SON OF SPIRIT! I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O SON OF DUST! Turn not away thine eyes from the matchless wine of the immortal Beloved, and open them not to foul and mortal dregs. Take from the hands of the divine Cupbearer the chalice of immortal life, that all wisdom may be thine, and that thou mayest hearken unto the mystic voice calling from the realm of the invisible. Cry aloud, ye that are of low aim! Wherefore have ye turned away from My holy and immortal wine unto evanescent water? — Bahá’u’lláh ²

Drink ye…the Mystic Wine from the cup of My words. Cast away, then, from you that which your minds abhor, for it hath been forbidden unto you in His Tablets and His Scriptures. Beware lest ye barter away the River that is life indeed for that which the souls of the pure-hearted detest. Become ye intoxicated with the wine of the love of God, and not with that which deadeneth your minds, O ye that adore Him! Verily, it hath been forbidden unto every believer, whether man or woman. Thus hath the sun of My commandment shone forth above the horizon of My utterance. — Bahá’u’lláh ³

Thank thou God that—praise be to Him!—the lamp of thy heart and soul hath been illumined with the light of guidance, and the chalice of hope and desire hath overflowed with the wine of the love of God. This blessing is an attainment for which thou shalt never fulfil the obligation of gratitude, even shouldst thou give thanks for a thousand ages and centuries. Therefore thou must, in the utmost joy and gladness, with happiness and great cheer, unloose thy tongue in that prosperous land in praise of the All-Merciful and enable the eyes to see. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

O my God! O my God! This, Thy servant, hath advanced towards Thee, is passionately wandering in the desert of Thy love, walking in the path of Thy service, anticipating Thy favors, hoping for Thy bounty, relying upon Thy kingdom, and intoxicated by the wine of Thy gift. O my God! Increase the fervor of his affection for Thee, the constancy of his praise of Thee, and the ardor of his love for Thee.
Verily, Thou art the Most Generous, the Lord of grace abounding. There is no other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁵

Question for Consideration

Why do Bahá’í commandments prohibit ingesting alcohol but promote the consumption of “immortal wine” and intoxication “with the wine of the love of God?” ⁶

Gemini Response:

The distinction between the physical intoxication caused by alcohol and the spiritual intoxication derived from divine love is a central theme in Bahá’í teachings.

Physical Intoxication

• Impairs Reason: Alcohol and other intoxicating substances can cloud the mind and impair judgment, leading to harmful behaviors and decisions.
• Hinders Spiritual Progress: Such substances can hinder spiritual development by distracting individuals from their higher purpose.
• Negative Social Impact: Alcohol abuse can lead to various social problems, including family breakdown, crime, and accidents.
  

Spiritual Intoxication

• Divine Connection: Spiritual intoxication refers to a heightened awareness and connection with the divine.
• Moral Elevation: It inspires individuals to act with compassion, justice, and love.
• Personal Transformation: Spiritual intoxication can lead to significant personal transformation, enabling individuals to overcome negative habits and develop positive qualities.
  

Therefore, while physical intoxication is discouraged, spiritual intoxication is highly encouraged. The “wine of the love of God” is a metaphor for the divine inspiration and guidance that can elevate individuals to a higher plane of existence. By focusing on spiritual development and service to humanity, Bahá’ís seek to attain this state of divine intoxication.

ChatGPT Response:

The prohibition of alcohol and the promotion of “immortal wine” in Bahá’í teachings reflect two distinct principles: safeguarding physical, mental, and social well-being and cultivating spiritual awareness and love for God. This distinction highlights the Bahá’í Faith’s emphasis on avoiding harm while seeking higher spiritual fulfillment.

Prohibition of Alcohol

Bahá’u’lláh strictly forbids the consumption of alcohol in His laws. The reasons for this prohibition are rooted in its adverse effects on individuals and society:

Physical and Mental Well-being

• Alcohol impairs judgment, clarity, and self-control, reducing the capacity for rational thought and spiritual reflection.
• It can harm the body, which Bahá’u’lláh describes as a sacred trust and vessel for the soul’s development.
  

Spiritual Clarity

• Alcohol “deadeneth your minds,” as Bahá’u’lláh states, making it more challenging to focus on spiritual matters and maintain a connection with God.
  

Social Harmony

• Alcohol consumption can lead to harmful behaviors, disrupt relationships, and undermine community unity, which is central to the Bahá’í vision of a just and peaceful society.
  

Symbolism of “Immortal Wine”

The “immortal wine” and “intoxication with the love of God” are metaphors that point to the soul’s ecstatic and transformative experience in its connection to the Divine. This spiritual intoxication contrasts sharply with the material effects of alcohol:

Spiritual Ecstasy

• Drinking the “mystic wine” symbolizes immersing oneself in the divine teachings and experiencing a profound love for God. It awakens spiritual joy, insight, and awareness.
• Unlike physical intoxication, which dulls the senses, spiritual intoxication heightens the soul’s perception of divine truth.
  

Everlasting Sustenance

• The “wine of the love of God” provides eternal nourishment for the soul, unlike alcohol, which is fleeting and detrimental.
• Bahá’u’lláh calls believers to partake in this spiritual wine, offered through the Word of God, to achieve wisdom, purity, and joy.
  

Elevating the Soul Above Material Attachments

The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh encourage turning away from material dependencies and distractions (like alcohol) and focusing on higher, eternal realities:

• “Turn not away thine eyes from the matchless wine of the immortal Beloved.”
• Material intoxication represents a turning away from divine grace, whereas spiritual intoxication symbolizes a life infused with purpose, joy, and devotion.
  

Love of God as the Supreme Source of Fulfillment

Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá consistently depict God’s love as the ultimate “intoxicant,” capable of filling the soul with joy, zeal, and gratitude:

• The wine of God’s love replaces physical dependencies with the transformative power of divine connection.
• Spiritual intoxication leads to service, virtue, and a deeper understanding of life’s purpose.
  

Conclusion

The prohibition of alcohol ensures physical, mental, and social well-being. At the same time, the “wine of the love of God” serves as a metaphor for the soul’s ecstatic and enriching relationship with the Divine. By eschewing material intoxication and embracing spiritual fulfillment, the Bahá’í teachings guide individuals toward a life of clarity, purpose, and joy, enabling them to contribute to their growth and the betterment of society.

Claude Response:

The apparent contradiction between prohibiting alcohol and metaphorically referring to divine “wine” stems from the Bahá’í understanding of spiritual intoxication versus physical intoxication:

Physical Alcohol Prohibition

• Bahá’í teachings strictly forbid consuming alcoholic beverages
• This prohibition applies to all believers, protecting individual and social well-being
• Alcohol is seen as destructive to mental clarity and spiritual potential
  

Spiritual “Wine” Metaphor

• Represents divine love, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment
• A symbolic language describing a mystical connection with God
• Intoxication refers to being overwhelmed by spiritual inspiration, not literal drunkenness
• Metaphorical “wine” enhances consciousness, unlike physical alcohol, which diminishes it
  

The texts emphasize choosing spiritual elevation over physical intoxication. The “immortal wine” symbolizes a transformative spiritual experience, contrasting with alcohol’s temporary and harmful effects. By rejecting physical intoxicants, Bahá’ís are encouraged to become “intoxicated” with divine love, knowledge, and spiritual growth.

Perplexity Response:

The Bahá’í Faith prohibits the consumption of alcohol while promoting the concept of “spiritual intoxication” through metaphorical references to “immortal wine” and the “wine of the love of God.” This distinction emphasizes the importance of spiritual elevation over physical intoxication [1] [2].

The prohibition of alcohol in the Bahá’í Faith is based on several reasons:

• Preservation of reason: Alcohol is seen as detrimental to human reason and intelligence [1] [2].
• Physical and mental health: Drinking is believed to cause chronic diseases, weaken nerves, and consume the mind [2] [4].
• Spiritual progress: Alcohol use is considered harmful to one’s spiritual development [4].
  

In contrast, the metaphorical “wine” mentioned in Bahá’í writings refers to spiritual concepts:

• Divine knowledge: The “immortal wine” symbolizes divine teachings and spiritual wisdom [5].
• Love of God: “Intoxication” with the “wine of the love of God” represents intense devotion and spiritual ecstasy [5].
• Spiritual enlightenment: This metaphorical wine is associated with illumination of the heart and soul [5].
  

These metaphors encourage believers to seek spiritual fulfillment and closeness to God rather than temporary physical pleasures. The goal is to redirect one’s focus from material intoxicants to spiritual sources of joy and enlightenment [4] [5].

Citations

[1] Before Abdul Baha, was alcohol viewed as forbidden in the Baha’i Faith?

[2] Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco

[3] Baháʼí laws – Wikipedia

[4] Prohibitions – Bahá’í.works

[5] Alcohol – Lights of Guidance

[6] Alcohol – BAHAIPEDIA

[7] Spiritual wisdom and new research support alcohol-free

[8] Alcohol – Bahá’í Quotes

1. Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#511421653. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/3#718768059. ↩
3. Effendi, Shoghi. The Advent of Divine Justice. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1938. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/advent-divine-justice/3#323251261. ↩
4. ’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/335991565/1#435828484. ↩
5. Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#235920703. ↩
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, 100. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.