Daily Frameworks for 03 January 2025

Istiqlál, 05 Sharaf (Honor), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

Say: Fear ye God and commit not such deeds as would cause My loved ones on earth to lament. Thus biddeth you this Pen which hath set the Pen of Glory in motion within the arena of wisdom and true understanding. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

In a world where creeds and ideologies are willing to employ any means possible to win adherents, someone unfamiliar with the Faith may have genuine questions about the intentions of the Ruhi Institute, most notably, “Am I being asked to change my religion?” or “Am I being asked to join a religion?” Such questions offer the tutor a chance to explain the purpose of the sequence of courses as outlined above. While it is natural that Bahá’ís would be eager to see their friends join the community, their own teachings prohibit them, a tutor may wish to add, from engaging in proselytization. Walking the path of service opened up by the institute courses calls for an ever-deepening understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, which the materials endeavor to set forth unequivocally; acceptance and faith are matters to be contemplated by each individual freely and without pressure.
Not surprisingly, then, it is with the question of understanding, so central to all the books in the sequence, that this first one begins. To read from the Holy Writings is not the same as reading the many thousands of pages that a person sees in a lifetime, and the unit, “Understanding the Bahá’í Writings,” seeks to foster the habit of reading passages from the Sacred Text every day and meditating on their meaning, a habit that will greatly aid participants as they embark on the path of service. To guide them in its study, the tutor must give a great deal of thought to the subject of understanding.
The Bahá’í Writings contain profound spiritual truths, and even as we strive to advance in our understanding of their infinite meaning, we know that we can never reach a definitive end. We generally gain a basic comprehension of the immediate meaning of a passage when reading it for the first time, and Section 1 of the unit takes this as a starting point. Thus, after reading the quotation, “The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct,” ² participants are simply asked, “How can the betterment of the world be accomplished?” At a glance, most of the questions and exercises of this kind appear to be too simple. But years of experience seem to justify the Institute’s decision to begin this way. We all need to be reminded that, in its haste to find the layers of truth in a passage, the mind should not overlook its obvious meaning. Attention to this first level of comprehension also proves vital to group consultation; it strengthens unity of thought, readily attainable when personal opinions are allowed to be illumined by Divine wisdom.
It is important to note here that understanding the immediate meaning of most passages does not benefit from a long discussion of single words out of context. That said, it may be necessary, on occasion, for a group to look up a word in the dictionary. What may be more fruitful, however, is for the participants to learn how to infer the meanings of words from whole sentences and paragraphs.
For understanding to expand beyond the realm of immediate meaning, examples that show how ideas find concrete expression can be helpful. All that is called for in this respect are straightforward exercises. In Section 2, for instance, participants are asked to determine, in light of a passage they have just read, whether certain characteristics are commendable. In a similar exercise in Section 4, they are encouraged to name five virtues and then decide whether it is possible to acquire any of them in the absence of truthfulness—described in the Writings as”the foundation of all human virtues.” ³
To achieve its purpose, the unit demands a further advance in understanding by challenging participants to think about some of the implications of the passages presented. In Section 2, they are required to determine whether the statement “There are so few good people in the world that their actions do not have any effect” is true. Here the intent is not to elicit mere opinion. The tutor must pause and query the reason for the participants’ answers. That the statement must necessarily be false because it contradicts the first quotation in the preceding section is the conclusion to which the group should come. The question of whether Bahá’ís may confess their sins to others is also an example of this kind of exercise. It refers to the prohibition in the teachings against confession as a means of absolving sin, which, not mentioned expressly in any of the passages studied, can be drawn out be exploring the meaning of the verse, “Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning.” ⁴ — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁵

The existence of authoritative interpretations does not preclude the individual from engaging in the study of the Teachings and thereby arriving at a personal interpretation or understanding. A clear distinction is, however, drawn in the Bahá’í Writings between authoritative interpretation and the understanding that each individual arrives at from a study of its Teachings. Individual interpretations based on a person’s understanding of the Teachings constitute the fruit of man’s rational power and may well contribute to a greater comprehension of the Faith. Such views, nevertheless, lack authority. In presenting their personal ideas, individuals are cautioned not to discard the authority of the revealed words, not to deny or contend with the authoritative interpretation, and not to engage in controversy; rather they should offer their thoughts as a contribution to knowledge, making it clear that their views are merely their own. — Universal House of Justice ⁶

Therefore, every believer must continually study the Sacred Writings and the instructions of the beloved Guardian, striving always to attain a new and better understanding of their import to him and to his society. He should pray fervently for divine guidance, wisdom and strength to do what is pleasing to God, and to serve Him at all times and to the best of his ability. — Universal House of Justice ⁷

Question for Consideration

How does focusing on the immediate meaning of passages from the Writings contribute to building unity of thought in a group? ⁸

Perplexity Pro Response ⁹

The Bahá’í approach to studying sacred writings emphasizes focusing on the immediate, explicit meaning of passages to foster unity of thought and understanding among believers. This method, as practiced in Ruhi Institute courses and other Bahá’í study circles, aims to create a shared foundation for spiritual growth and community building.

Purpose of the Ruhi Institute Courses

The Ruhi Institute courses serve as a path of service and spiritual growth, not as a means of proselytization. These courses aim to deepen participants’ understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings through daily reading and meditation on passages from the Sacred Texts. While Bahá’ís may naturally wish to see friends join their community, the courses emphasize that acceptance and faith are personal matters to be contemplated freely and without pressure [1]. This approach aligns with the Bahá’í principle of independent investigation of truth, allowing individuals to explore the teachings at their own pace and draw their own conclusions.

Immediate Meaning and Group Unity

Focusing on the immediate meaning of passages from the Bahá’í Writings contributes significantly to building unity of thought in a group by:

• Establishing a common foundation for understanding: By directing attention to the explicit, surface-level meaning of a passage, the group establishes a shared starting point for understanding. This helps ensure that all participants are “on the same page” before delving into deeper interpretations or implications [2].
• Reducing the influence of personal opinions: When the focus is on the clear, stated meaning of the text, it leaves less room for divergent personal opinions or speculative interpretations to dominate the discussion. This helps keep the group anchored in the actual words of the Writings rather than individual viewpoints [1] [2].
• Fostering clarity and consensus: Examining the immediate meaning allows the group to reach consensus more readily on basic comprehension before moving to more complex levels of understanding. This builds a foundation of agreement and shared insight [1].
• Promoting unity through Divine wisdom: By turning to the Writings as the source of guidance and truth, rather than relying solely on personal opinions, the group allows their thoughts to be “illumined by Divine wisdom.” This alignment with a higher source of knowledge naturally cultivates greater unity [1].
• Developing collective understanding skills: The process of jointly exploring even simple questions about a passage’s meaning helps the group develop skills in collaborative study and consultation. This strengthens their capacity to achieve unity of thought on more complex topics [1].
• Avoiding misunderstandings that could arise from premature interpretations: Starting with basic comprehension helps prevent misunderstandings that could arise if participants jump too quickly to personal interpretations without first establishing a common grasp of the text’s explicit meaning [2].
  

This approach, central to Ruhi Institute courses, allows participants to align their thoughts with a higher source of knowledge, creating a strong basis for unified comprehension [1]. By starting with basic, shared understanding, groups can more effectively engage in consultation and gradually explore deeper layers of meaning in the Sacred Texts [1].

Exercises for Understanding Bahá’í Writings

The Ruhi Institute employs various exercises to deepen understanding of Bahá’í Writings. These include:

• Simple questions to reinforce immediate meaning, such as “How can the betterment of the world be accomplished?” [1]
• Exercises to apply teachings to real-life scenarios, like determining commendable characteristics
• Challenges to explore implications of passages, such as evaluating statements against Bahá’í principles
• Activities to identify and reflect on virtues, emphasizing their interconnectedness
  

These straightforward yet effective methods aim to foster a habit of daily reading and meditation on sacred texts, [3] while encouraging participants to infer word meanings from context rather than engaging in lengthy discussions of individual terms [1].

Individual vs Authoritative Interpretation

While Bahá’ís are encouraged to study and interpret the Writings individually, a clear distinction exists between personal understanding and authoritative interpretation. Personal interpretations, derived from one’s study of the Teachings, are considered valuable contributions to knowledge but lack official authority [2]. Believers are cautioned to present their ideas without discarding revealed words, challenging authoritative interpretations, or engaging in controversy [2]. Instead, they should offer their thoughts humbly, acknowledging them as personal views. This approach fosters a balance between individual exploration and respect for established interpretations, promoting unity while allowing for diverse perspectives within the Faith. [1]

By providing a shared reference point, reducing emphasis on personal opinions, fostering clarity and consensus, promoting unity through divine wisdom, developing collective understanding, and avoiding misunderstandings, focusing on the immediate meaning of passages creates a strong foundation for unity of thought within a group studying the Bahá’í Writings.

Citations:

[1] Reflections on the Life of the Spirit – Ruhi Institute

[2] The Kitáb-i-Aqdas – Bahá’í Reference Library

[3] A Chaste and Holy Life – Bahá’í Reference Library

[4] Consultation – The Bahá’í Faith

[5] One Little Word that Will Help Solve Your Problems – and the World’s Too – Baha’i Blog

[6] 7: Unit 2: Becoming a Tutor – Shareable Baha’i Resources

[7] Consultation: A Compilation – Bahá’í Reference Library

[8] Riḍván 2010: To the Bahá’ís of the World – The Universal House of Justice

[9] Baha’i Consultation – Uplifting Words

[10] 29 December 2015: To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors – The Universal House of Justice

[11] Consultation: A Perspective – Baha’i Blog

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can the immediate meaning of a passage enhance group consultation?
• What are some practical exercises to help understand the immediate meaning of Bahá’í Writings?
• How does the Ruhi Institute approach the study of Bahá’í Writings in its courses?
• What role does meditation play in understanding the Bahá’í Writings?
• How can individual interpretations of the Bahá’í Writings contribute to a deeper understanding of the Faith?
• How does individual interpretation differ from authoritative interpretation in the Bahá’í Faith?
• What role does the Universal House of Justice play in authoritative interpretation?
• How are Bahá’í writings interpreted in different contexts?
• What are the guidelines for interpreting Bahá’í scriptures?
• How does the Bahá’í approach to interpretation ensure unity among believers?

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, 198. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/6#602356980. ↩
2. “The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” — Bahá’u’lláh
   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#716325250. ↩
3. “Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the human world, and without it prosperity and salvation are unattainable to any soul in all the worlds of God. Whensoever this holy attribute becometh securely established in one’s being, the acquisition of all heavenly virtues will be realized.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
   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#293314070. ↩
4. “O Son of Being! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.”
   Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1954. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#746355706. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, v-vii. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
6. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 1, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/15#462519459. ↩
7. 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/2#454051393. ↩
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, 42-43. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
9. Perplexity Pro. “How does focusing on the immediate meaning of passages from the Writings contribute to building unity of thought in a group?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 1, 2025. ↩