Daily Frameworks for 08 January 2025

’Idál, 10 Sharaf (Honor), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

Say: O people! Cast away, before the splendours of this Revelation, the things that ye possess, and cleave to that which God hath bidden you observe. Such is His command unto you, and He, verily, is best able to command. By My Beauty! By those words which I have revealed, Myself is not intended, but rather He Who will come after Me. To it is witness God, the All-Knowing. Deal not with Him as ye have dealt with Me. Do not object, when the verses of God are sent down unto you from the Court of My favour, saying, “these do not proceed from an innate and untaught nature”, for that nature itself hath been created by My word and circleth round Me, if ye be of them that apprehend this truth. Inhale from the utterances of your Lord, the All-Merciful, the sweet smell of the garment of inner meanings, which hath been diffused throughout the entire creation and hath shed its fragrance over all created things. Happy are those who perceive it and hasten unto God with radiant hearts. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O ye beloved of the Merciful! The Abhá Beauty hath shone forth with His manifold names and attributes from the Dawning-Point of all desires. He hath caused this glorious century to become the revealer of His wondrous grace through the effulgence of this new light, and hath set aglow the candle of unity in the world of being. In sweet accents of oneness and in celestial melodies proclaiming Divine Unity, He hath warbled upon the branches of the garden of inner meanings so as to gather the scattered peoples of the world under the shadow of the Word of God and bring the hostile and contentious tribes of the earth together in unity and harmony beneath the canopy of the love of God. For this exalted aim, this sanctified and manifest purpose, He hath offered His breast to a myriad darts of woe, and welcomed countless wounds with utter joy and resignation, even as a healing balm. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Apart from these provisions Bahá’u’lláh exhorts His followers to consort, with amity and concord and without discrimination, with the adherents of all religions; warns them to guard against fanaticism, sedition, pride, dispute and contention; inculcates upon them immaculate cleanliness, strict truthfulness, spotless chastity, trustworthiness; hospitality, fidelity, courtesy, forbearance, justice and fairness; counsels them to be “even as the fingers of one hand and the limbs of one body”; calls upon them to arise and serve His Cause; and assures them of His undoubted aid. He, furthermore, dwells upon the instability of human affairs; declares that true liberty consists in man’s submission to His commandments; cautions them not to be indulgent in carrying out His statutes; prescribes the twin inseparable duties of recognizing the “Dayspring of God’s Revelation” and of observing all the ordinances revealed by Him, neither of which, He affirms, is acceptable without the other. — Shoghi Effendi ³

What is imperative is that the quality of the educational process fostered at the level of the study circle rise markedly over the next year so that the potential of local populations to create such dynamics is realized. Much will fall on those who serve as tutors in this respect. Theirs will be the challenge to provide the environment that is envisioned in the institute courses, an environment conducive to the spiritual empowerment of individuals, who will come to see themselves as active agents of their own learning, as protagonists of a constant effort to apply knowledge to effect individual and collective transformation. Failing this, no matter how many study circles are formed in a cluster, the force necessary to propel change will not be generated. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

Question for Consideration

If “attraction to beauty is a force generated within a group of people working together in a loving atmosphere,” how can a study circle tutor establish and maintain such an environment even in difficult situations? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

Study circle tutors play a crucial role in creating an environment of beauty and love, fostering spiritual empowerment and collective transformation among participants. By cultivating unity, inclusivity, and a positive focus, tutors can maintain this atmosphere even in challenging situations, aligning with the vision set forth by the Universal House of Justice for the Bahá’í educational process.

Spiritual Framework

Revelation Splendor

In a powerful exhortation, Bahá’u’lláh calls upon humanity to embrace a new revelation, urging people to cast aside their possessions and adhere to divine guidance. He emphasizes that His words point to a future manifestation, cautioning followers not to repeat past mistakes in recognizing divine messengers. Bahá’u’lláh invites believers to perceive the “sweet smell” of inner meanings permeating creation, encouraging them to approach God with radiant hearts. This passage underscores the transformative nature of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, emphasizing spiritual detachment, recognition of divine authority, and the pursuit of deeper understanding in one’s spiritual journey.

Divine Unity

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in his eloquent discourse, describes the radiant manifestation of the “Abhá Beauty” with its myriad names and attributes. He portrays this divine revelation as a transformative force, illuminating the century with its effulgence and kindling the flame of unity throughout creation. Through melodious expressions of oneness, this revelation aims to:

• Gather scattered peoples under the Word of God
• Unite hostile tribes in harmony and love
• Establish a canopy of divine love over humanity
  

To achieve these lofty goals, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá notes that the divine messenger willingly endured immense suffering, likening the acceptance of countless wounds to a healing balm. This sacrifice underscores the profound commitment to fostering global unity and spiritual awakening in the face of adversity.

Twin Duties

Shoghi Effendi outlines a comprehensive set of ethical principles and behaviors for Bahá’í followers, emphasizing:

• Amicable interactions with adherents of all religions
• Avoidance of fanaticism, sedition, pride, and contention
• Cultivation of virtues such as cleanliness, truthfulness, chastity, and trustworthiness
• Promotion of unity, likening followers to “fingers of one hand and limbs of one body”
• Service to the Cause with assurance of divine aid
  

He further emphasizes the dual obligations of recognizing the “Dayspring of God’s Revelation” and observing all revealed ordinances, stating that neither is acceptable without the other. Shoghi Effendi also cautions against indulgence in carrying out these statutes, underscoring the importance of discipline in spiritual practice.

Study Circles

The Universal House of Justice emphasizes the critical importance of enhancing the quality of the educational process within study circles. This improvement is seen as essential for realizing the potential of local populations to create transformative dynamics. Tutors are charged with the vital task of fostering an environment that empowers individuals spiritually, encouraging them to become active agents of their own learning and protagonists in applying knowledge for personal and collective transformation. The institution stresses that without this elevated quality of education, the formation of numerous study circles alone will not generate the necessary force for change within a community.

Tutor Guidelines

Fostering a Spiritual Atmosphere

The tutor should strive to create an atmosphere that reflects the spiritual nature of the study circle. This can be achieved by:

• Opening the session with prayers or meditative readings to set a reverent tone
• Encouraging participants to view the study circle as a sacred space for spiritual and intellectual growth
• Reminding the group of the higher purpose of their gathering, which is to contribute to the betterment of society
  

Cultivating Unity and Inclusivity

A loving atmosphere is built on the foundation of unity. The tutor can promote this by:

• Ensuring that every participant feels valued and heard
• Encouraging diverse perspectives and experiences to be shared
• Addressing any conflicts or misunderstandings with wisdom and patience
  

Empowering Participants

To create an environment of active learning and empowerment, the tutor should:

• Encourage participants to see themselves as protagonists of their own learning journey
• Foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the group members
• Provide opportunities for participants to apply their learning in practical ways
  

Maintaining a Positive Focus

Even in difficult situations, the tutor can maintain a positive and constructive focus by:

• Reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning
• Highlighting the progress and achievements of the group, no matter how small
• Encouraging mutual support and collaboration among participants
  

Embodying the Qualities of a True Educator

The tutor’s own conduct and attitude play a crucial role in shaping the study circle’s atmosphere. They should strive to:

• Demonstrate patience, understanding, and genuine care for each participant
• Model the qualities and behaviors they wish to see in the group
• Remain humble and open to learning alongside the participants
  

Creating Beauty in the Physical Space

While the spiritual atmosphere is paramount, the physical environment can also contribute to the overall experience:

• Choose a clean, comfortable, and welcoming space for the study circle
• Consider incorporating elements of beauty, such as flowers or artwork
• Ensure the space is organized and conducive to focused learning
  

By implementing these strategies, a study circle tutor can create and maintain an environment of beauty and love, fostering the spiritual empowerment of individuals and generating the force necessary to propel positive change in the community. This approach aligns with the vision set forth by the Universal House of Justice for the educational process of the study circle, emphasizing the importance of an environment conducive to spiritual growth and collective transformation.

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can the principles of unity and harmony be applied in modern educational settings?
• What are some practical ways to foster a loving atmosphere in a study circle?
• How can tutors ensure that the educational process remains spiritually empowering?
• What role does personal transformation play in the effectiveness of study circles?
• How can the instability of human affairs be addressed in educational contexts?
• How do Study Circles function within the Bahá’í community?
• What are the main goals of Study Circles according to the Universal House of Justice?
• How has the Universal House of Justice influenced the structure of Study Circles?
• What are some successful examples of Study Circles mentioned by the Universal House of Justice?
• How do Study Circles contribute to the spiritual growth of Bahá’ís?

1. Baháʼuʼlláh. The Summons of the Lord of Hosts : Tablets. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st ed. Haifa: Baháʼí World Centre, 2002. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/summons-lord-hosts/4#994638350. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Center, 2021. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/light-of-the-world/3#344349890. ↩
3. Effendi, Shoghi. God Passes By. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/god-passes-by/14#072886787. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#615398320. ↩
5. 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, 46-49. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “If “attraction to beauty is a force generated within a group of people working together in a loving atmosphere,” how can a study circle tutor establish and maintain such an environment even in difficult situations?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 6, 2025. ↩