Daily Frameworks for 20 December 2024

Istiqlál, 10 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

TEAR asunder, in My Name, the veils that have grievously blinded your vision, and, through the power born of your belief in the unity of God, scatter the idols of vain imitation. Enter, then, the holy paradise of the good-pleasure of the All-Merciful. Sanctify your souls from whatsoever is not of God, and taste ye the sweetness of rest within the pale of His vast and mighty Revelation, and beneath the shadow of His supreme and infallible authority. Suffer not yourselves to be wrapt in the dense veils of your selfish desires, inasmuch as I have perfected in every one of you My creation, so that the excellence of My handiwork may be fully revealed unto men. It follows, therefore, that every man hath been, and will continue to be, able of himself to appreciate the Beauty of God, the Glorified. Had he not been endowed with such a capacity, how could he be called to account for his failure? If, in the Day when all the peoples of the earth will be gathered together, any man should, whilst standing in the presence of God, be asked: “Wherefore hast thou disbelieved in My Beauty and turned away from My Self,” and if such a man should reply and say: “Inasmuch as all men have erred, and none hath been found willing to turn his face to the Truth, I, too, following their example, have grievously failed to recognize the Beauty of the Eternal,” such a plea will, assuredly, be rejected. For the faith of no man can be conditioned by anyone except himself. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

IT hath been decreed by Us that the Word of God and all the potentialities thereof shall be manifested unto men in strict conformity with such conditions as have been foreordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have, moreover, ordained that its veil of concealment be none other except its own Self. Such indeed is Our Power to achieve Our Purpose. Should the Word be allowed to release suddenly all the energies latent within it, no man could sustain the weight of so mighty a Revelation. Nay, all that is in heaven and on earth would flee in consternation before it. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

Know thou that every soul is fashioned after the nature of God, each being pure and holy at his birth. Afterwards, however, the individuals will vary according to what they acquire of virtues or vices in this world. Although all existent beings are in their very nature created in ranks or degrees, for capacities are various, nevertheless every individual is born holy and pure, and only thereafter may he become defiled. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

As to the innate character, although the innate nature bestowed by God upon man is purely good, yet that character differs among men according to the degrees they occupy: All degrees are good, but some are more so than others. Thus every human being possesses intelligence and capacity, but intelligence, capacity, and aptitude differ from person to person. This is self-evident. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

We hold firmly the conviction that all human beings have been created “to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization”; that “to act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man”; ⁵ that the virtues that befit human dignity are trustworthiness, forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all peoples. We reaffirm the belief that the “potentialities inherent in the station of man, the full measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God.” ⁶ These are the motivations for our unshakable faith that unity and peace are the attainable goal towards which humanity is striving. — Universal House of Justice ⁷

Question for Consideration

How can one become aware of the high spiritual station that God has destined for them and strive for excellence using the unique potentialities that such a distinction gives them? ⁸

Perplexity Pro Response ⁹

The pursuit of spiritual excellence and the realization of one’s divine potential are central themes in many faith traditions, including the Bahá’í Faith. As Bahá’u’lláh teaches, every individual has been endowed with unique capacities and a noble purpose, challenging believers to recognize their inherent spiritual station and strive to manifest their God-given potentialities in service to humanity and the advancement of civilization.

Recognize Divine Purpose

‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes that every soul is “fashioned after the nature of God” and possesses inherent nobility and potential [4]. This divine origin bestows upon each individual a unique purpose in contributing to an ever-advancing civilization. Recognizing this higher calling involves detaching from worldly distractions and selfish desires, as Bahá’u’lláh advises: “Sanctify your souls from whatsoever is not of God, and taste ye the sweetness of rest within the pale of His vast and mighty Revelation” [1]. By acknowledging our spiritual essence and aligning ourselves with divine purpose, we can begin to manifest the “excellence of My handiwork” that God has perfected in each person [1].

Cultivate Self-Awareness

Self-reflection and introspection play crucial roles in uncovering one’s unique talents and areas for growth. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that while all individuals are inherently good, they differ in their capacities and degrees of spiritual development [5]. To cultivate self-awareness:

• Engage in regular prayer and meditation
• Practice mindfulness in daily activities
• Seek feedback from trusted friends and mentors
• Keep a journal to track personal insights and growth
• Study sacred writings for guidance and inspiration
  

By developing a deeper understanding of oneself, individuals can better align their actions with their spiritual potential and divine purpose. This process of self-discovery is ongoing and requires patience, honesty, and a willingness to confront both strengths and weaknesses.

Spiritual and Intellectual Growth

Continuous spiritual and intellectual development is essential for fulfilling one’s divine potential. This journey involves studying sacred writings, acquiring knowledge, and cultivating virtues such as truthfulness, justice, and compassion. Regular prayer and meditation serve as powerful tools for spiritual growth, allowing individuals to deepen their connection with the divine and gain insights into their purpose. By engaging in these practices, one can gradually manifest the “potentialities inherent in the station of man” and move closer to realizing their full spiritual capacity [3]. This process of growth is not static but dynamic, requiring ongoing effort and dedication to align one’s thoughts and actions with higher spiritual principles.

Detach from Worldly Attachments

To reach spiritual heights, we must free ourselves from materialistic pursuits and vain imaginings. Bahá’u’lláh advises:

“Suffer not yourselves to be wrapt in the dense veils of your selfish desires, inasmuch as I have perfected in every one of you My creation, so that the excellence of My handiwork may be fully revealed unto men.” [1]

By detaching from worldly distractions, we can focus on our higher purpose.

Strive for Excellence in All Things

Serving humanity is a powerful means to manifest one’s spiritual potential and strive for excellence. By using unique talents and capacities to contribute to society’s betterment, individuals fulfill their divine purpose and align themselves with their higher spiritual station. This service can take various forms, from professional work to volunteer activities and daily acts of kindness. The Universal House of Justice affirms that the “potentialities inherent in the station of man, the full measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God.” [6] Through selfless service, individuals not only develop their own spiritual qualities but also actively participate in the advancement of civilization, fulfilling Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of carrying forward an ever-advancing civilization. [2]

Serve Humanity

One of the best ways to manifest our spiritual potential is through selfless service to humanity. By using our unique talents and capacities to contribute to the betterment of society, we fulfill our divine purpose. This service can take many forms, from our professions to volunteer work to acts of kindness in daily life.

In conclusion, becoming aware of our high spiritual station and striving for excellence requires ongoing effort and dedication. As we cultivate self-awareness, pursue spiritual growth, detach from materialism, strive for excellence, and serve others, we gradually manifest the noble potentialities God has placed within us. This journey of spiritual development allows us to fulfill our divine purpose and contribute to the advancement of civilization.

Citations

[1] Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahá’í Reference Library

[2] Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahá’í Reference Library

[3] Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahá’í Reference Library

[4] Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[5] Some Answered Questions – Bahá’í Reference Library

[6] October 1985 – To the Peoples of the World – Bahá’í Reference Library

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to improve my service to others?
• What are some practical ways to sanctify my soul from selfish desires?
• How can I recognize and utilize my unique potentialities for the greater good?
• What role does compassion play in achieving spiritual excellence?
• How can I foster a sense of unity and peace in my community through service?

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/4#218079514. ↩
2. 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#248365365. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 190. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/7#098744709. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/10#584368435. ↩
5. “All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Say: O friends! Drink your fill from this crystal stream that floweth through the heavenly grace of Him Who is the Lord of Names. Let others partake of its waters in My name, that the leaders of men in every land may fully recognize the purpose for which the Eternal Truth hath been revealed, and the reason for which they themselves have been created.”
   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/6#994085186. ↩
6. “THE All-Merciful hath conferred upon man the faculty of vision, and endowed him with the power of hearing. Some have described him as the “lesser world,” when, in reality, he should be regarded as the “greater world.” The potentialities inherent in the station of man, the full measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God.”
   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#494001842. ↩
7. Universal House of Justice. “October 1985 – To the Peoples of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19851001_001/1#001700867. ↩
8. Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 5-7. Download PDF. ↩
9. Perplexity Pro. “How can one become aware of the high spiritual station that God has destined for them and strive for excellence using the unique potentialities that such a distinction gives them?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 18, 2024. ↩