Daily Frameworks for 29 December 2024

Jamál, 19 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

O army of God! Make ye a mighty effort: perchance ye can flood this earth with light, that this mud hut, the world, may become the Abhá Paradise. The dark hath taken over, and the brute traits prevail. This world of man is now an arena for wild beasts, a field where the ignorant, the heedless, seize their chance. The souls of men are ravening wolves and animals with blinded eyes, they are either deadly poison or useless weeds—all except for a very few who indeed do nurture altruistic aims and plans for the well-being of their fellow men: but ye must in this matter—that is, the serving of humankind—lay down your very lives, and as ye yield yourselves, rejoice. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

O thou dear handmaid of God! If only thou couldst know what a high station is destined for those souls who are severed from the world, are powerfully attracted to the Faith, and are teaching, under the sheltering shadow of Bahá’u’lláh! How thou wouldst rejoice, how thou wouldst, in exultation and rapture, spread thy wings and soar heavenward—for being a follower of such a way, and a traveler toward such a Kingdom. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

O ye League of the Covenant! Verily the Abhá Beauty made a promise to the beloved who are steadfast in the Covenant, that He would reinforce their strivings with the strongest of supports, and succor them with His triumphant might. Erelong shall ye see that your illumined assemblage hath left conspicuous signs and tokens in the hearts and souls of men. Hold ye fast to the hem of God’s garment, and direct all your efforts toward furthering His Covenant, and burning ever more brightly with the fire of His love, that your hearts may leap for joy in the breathings of servitude which well out from the breast of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. Rally your hearts, make firm your steps, trust in the everlasting bounties that will be shed upon you, one following another from the Kingdom of Abhá. Whensoever ye gather in that radiant assemblage, know ye that the splendors of Bahá are shining over you. It behooveth you to seek agreement and to be united; it behooveth you to be in close communion one with the other, at one both in body and soul, till ye match the Pleiades or a string of lustrous pearls. Thus will ye be solidly established; thus will your words prevail, your star shine out, and your hearts be comforted.…. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Even as the clouds let us shed down tears, and as the lightning flashes let us laugh at our coursings through east and west. By day, by night, let us think but of spreading the sweet savors of God. Let us not keep on forever with our fancies and illusions, with our analyzing and interpreting and circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and drinking down the wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

At all times do I speak of you and call you to mind. I pray unto the Lord, and with tears I implore Him to rain down all these blessings upon you, and gladden your hearts, and make blissful your souls, and grant you exceeding joy and heavenly delights.… — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁵

And yet, from one point of view, this wanderer was saddened and despondent. For what pain, in the time to come, could I seek comfort? At the news of what granted wish could I rejoice? There was no more tyranny, no more affliction, no tragical events, no tribulations. My only joy in this swiftly passing world was to tread the stony path of God and to endure hard tests and all material griefs. For otherwise, this earthly life would prove barren and vain, and better would be death. The tree of being would produce no fruit; the sown field of this existence would yield no harvest. Thus it is my hope that once again some circumstance will make my cup of anguish to brim over, and that beauteous Love, that Slayer of souls, will dazzle the beholders again. Then will this heart be blissful, this soul be blessed. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁶

O YE illumined loved ones and ye handmaids of the Merciful! At a time when the somber night of ignorance, of neglect of the divine world, of being veiled from God, had overspread the earth, a bright morning dawned and a rising light lit up the eastern sky. Then rose the Sun of Truth and the splendors of the Kingdom were shed over east and west. Those who had eyes to see rejoiced at the glad tidings and cried out: “O blessed, blessed are we!,” and they witnessed the inner reality of all things, and uncovered the mysteries of the Kingdom. Delivered then from their fancies and their doubts, they beheld the light of truth, and so exhilarated did they become from draining the chalice of God’s love, that they utterly forgot the world and their own selves. Dancing for joy they hastened to the place of their own martyrdom and there, where men die for love, they flung away their heads and hearts. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁷

Question for Consideration

How can one walk the path of life in a state of joy — the joy of knowing God, the joy of recognizing His Manifestation, the joy of being immersed in the ocean of His mercy, the joy of service at His Holy Threshold — regardless of hardships and moments of crisis, or whether happy or sad? ⁸

Perplexity Pro Response ⁹

The path of life can be walked with joy, even amidst hardships, through cultivating a deep spiritual connection with God and dedicating oneself to service. This journey involves developing spiritual awareness, practicing detachment, and finding strength in community, as taught by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Bahá’í Faith.

Spiritual Awareness and Remembrance

Cultivating a constant awareness of God’s presence forms the foundation for walking the path of life with joy. This spiritual mindfulness can be nurtured through regular prayer, meditation, and study of sacred writings [4]. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes the importance of keeping thoughts focused on God, advising believers to “Keep all my words of prayer and praise confined to one refrain; make all my life but servitude to Thee” [1]. By maintaining this spiritual connection, individuals can experience the “breathings of servitude” in their gatherings and receive a share of divine grace [2], fostering a deep sense of joy that transcends external circumstances.

Joy Through Service and Community

Dedicating oneself to serving others and the Cause of God is a powerful source of joy on the spiritual path. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encourages believers to “limit thy thoughts to teaching the Faith” and to act according to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh day and night [5]. This focus on service not only benefits others but also fills one’s heart with purpose and happiness. Engaging regularly with like-minded souls in spiritual gatherings further amplifies this joy, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains, “Whatsoever gathering is arranged with the utmost love, and where those who attend are turning their faces toward the Kingdom of God, and where the discourse is of the Teachings of God, and the effect of which is to cause those present to advance—that gathering is the Lord’s, and that festive table hath come down from heaven” [6]. These community connections provide strength and support, helping individuals maintain their spiritual joy even in the face of life’s challenges.

Detachment from Worldly Concerns

Practicing detachment from material concerns and outcomes is essential for maintaining joy on the spiritual path. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advises believers to “put aside all thoughts of self” and to “close our eyes to all on earth,” encouraging them to transcend personal sufferings and complaints. [3] This detachment allows individuals to immerse themselves in the “wine of heavenly grace” and experience the beauty of the divine, fostering a state of joy that is not dependent on external circumstances. [3] By cultivating this spiritual perspective, one can remain centered in joy regardless of worldly fluctuations, finding contentment in the eternal rather than the transient.

Steadfastness Amid Challenges

Viewing tests and difficulties as opportunities for spiritual growth is crucial for maintaining joy on life’s path. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reminds us that “The more difficulties one sees in the world the more perfect one becomes. The more you plough and dig the ground the more fertile it becomes” [7]. This perspective transforms challenges into catalysts for personal development, allowing individuals to:

• Strengthen their faith through adversity
• Develop resilience and patience
• Deepen their understanding of spiritual teachings
• Find hidden blessings in unexpected places
  

By embracing this mindset, one can remain steadfast and joyful even during moments of crisis, recognizing that these experiences contribute to spiritual refinement and closeness to God.

By incorporating these practices into our daily lives, we can cultivate a state of joy that transcends external circumstances, allowing us to walk the path of life with radiance and steadfastness, regardless of the challenges we may face.

Citations

[1] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[2] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[3] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[4] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[5] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[6] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library

[7] Star of the West, Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 41 – Bahá’í Library Online

[8] THE PATH OF LIFE AND THE FULLNESS OF JOY – FULLER DE PREE CENTER

[9] Joy Even During Hard Times – Q Christian Fellowship

[10] Power to Live a Life of Joyful Service (1 Thess. 1:4–10) – EVERGREEN CHURCH

[11] Enjoy what God has given you and seek Him in your struggles – Help Club for Moms

[12] 5 Ways to Be Joyful in Difficult Times – crosswalk.com

[13] How to Experience God’s Joy Every Day – Love Worth Finding

[14] The Path of Life – Let’s Partner To Make a Difference

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• What are practical ways to experience God’s presence in daily life?
• How can one cultivate a heart of gratitude during difficult times?
• What role does prayer play in maintaining joy and peace?
• How can serving others contribute to a sense of joyful living?
• What are some examples of joyful service in everyday life?
• How can one remain steadfast in the face of adversity?
• What are the key qualities of a steadfast individual?
• How does steadfastness contribute to personal growth?
• What are some historical examples of steadfastness?
• How can one cultivate steadfastness in their daily life?

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 72. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/4#561921373. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 100. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/5#950543058. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 85-86. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/4#999233190. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 236. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/8#530803407. ↩
5. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 37. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/3#888491605. ↩
6. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 226-227. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/8#952629733. ↩
7. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 33. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/3#599339564. ↩
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, 29-31. Download PDF. ↩
9. Perplexity Pro. “How can one walk the path of life in a state of joy — the joy of knowing God, the joy of recognizing His Manifestation, the joy of being immersed in the ocean of His mercy, the joy of service at His Holy Threshold — regardless of hardships and moments of crisis, or whether happy or sad?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 27, 2024. ↩