Daily Frameworks for 21 January 2025

Fidál, 04 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

Thou didst beg the Supreme Lord … to bestow upon thee a station whereat in the path of His love thou wouldst give up everything: thy life, thy spirit, thy reputation, thine existence, all in all. All of these behests were submitted in the most sanctified, most exalted Presence of the Abhá Beauty. Thus did the Tongue of the Merciful speak in the Kingdom of Utterance: “God willing, he shall be seen in utmost purity and saintliness, as befitteth the Day of God, and attain the station of the most great martyrdom. Today, the greatest of all deeds is service to the Cause. Souls that are well assured should, with utmost discretion, teach the Faith, so that the sweet fragrances of the Divine Garment will waft from all directions. This martyrdom is not confined to the destruction of life and the shedding of blood. A person enjoying the bounty of life may yet be recorded a martyr in the Book of the Sovereign Lord. Well is it with thee that thou hast wished to offer whatsoever is thine, and all that is of thee and with thee in My path.” — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Some men’s lives are solely occupied with the things of this world; their minds are so circumscribed by exterior manners and traditional interests that they are blind to any other realm of existence, to the spiritual significance of all things! They think and dream of earthly fame, of material progress. Sensuous delights and comfortable surroundings bound their horizon, their highest ambitions center in successes of worldly conditions and circumstances! They curb not their lower propensities; they eat, drink, and sleep! Like the animal, they have no thought beyond their own physical well-being. It is true that these necessities must be dispatched. Life is a load which must be carried on while we are on earth, but the cares of the lower things of life should not be allowed to monopolize all the thoughts and aspirations of a human being. The heart’s ambitions should ascend to a more glorious goal, mental activity should rise to higher levels! Men should hold in their souls the vision of celestial perfection, and there prepare a dwelling-place for the inexhaustible bounty of the Divine Spirit.
Let your ambition be the achievement on earth of a Heavenly civilization! I ask for you the supreme blessing, that you may be so filled with the vitality of the Heavenly Spirit that you may be the cause of life to the world. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Together with the crumbling of barriers separating peoples, our age is witnessing the dissolution of the once insuperable wall that the past assumed would forever separate the life of Heaven from the life of Earth. The scriptures of all religions have always taught the believer to see in service to others not only a moral duty, but an avenue for the soul’s own approach to God. Today, the progressive restructuring of society gives this familiar teaching new dimensions of meaning. As the age-old promise of a world animated by principles of justice slowly takes on the character of a realistic goal, meeting the needs of the soul and those of society will increasingly be seen as reciprocal aspects of a mature spiritual life. — Universal House of Justice ³

The study of the third unit, “Life and Death” in Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, will strengthen, it is hoped, commitment to walking the path of service and endow it with more profound meaning. Service in this world is best understood the fullest context of life, which extends beyond our earthly existence and continues forever as our souls progress throughout the worlds of God. In a process of education, as opposed to technical training, participants should become increasingly conscious of the meaning and significance of what they are doing. Only if such consciousness grows, experience indicates, will they come to see themselves as active, responsible “owners” of their own learning. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁴

Question for Consideration

How does the awareness that the life of the soul extends beyond this physical plane strengthens one’s commitment to walking the path of service and endows what one does on this path with profound meaning? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The concept of the soul’s eternal journey beyond physical existence profoundly shapes one’s approach to service, transforming it from a mere worldly activity into a spiritual practice with far-reaching implications for personal growth and societal progress.

Martyrdom and Divine Service

Martyrdom in the Bahá’í Faith extends beyond the traditional concept of sacrificing one’s life. It encompasses a broader spiritual dedication where individuals offer their entire being—life, spirit, reputation, and existence—in service to the Divine Cause [1]. This elevated understanding of martyrdom emphasizes that the greatest deed in the present day is service to the Cause, with souls encouraged to teach the Faith discreetly, spreading its spiritual fragrance [1]. Notably, a person can attain the station of “the most great martyrdom” while still enjoying the bounty of life, as recorded in the “Book of the Sovereign Lord,” highlighting the profound spiritual nature of this concept beyond physical sacrifice [1].

Worldly Ambitions vs Spiritual Goals

While some individuals focus solely on worldly pursuits, true spiritual growth requires elevating one’s ambitions beyond material concerns. Those fixated on earthly fame and sensuous delights often neglect their higher spiritual potential, living much like animals concerned only with physical well-being. However, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes that humans should aspire to loftier goals, holding “in their souls the vision of celestial perfection.” He encourages striving for the achievement of a heavenly civilization on earth, urging people to become so filled with spiritual vitality that they become a source of life for the world. This perspective shifts the focus from temporary worldly success to the enduring work of spiritual and social transformation.

Service as a Path to Unity

Service to others transcends mere moral duty, becoming a powerful avenue for the soul’s approach to God. This profound understanding gains new dimensions in our current era, as society undergoes progressive restructuring. The age-old vision of a world governed by principles of justice is increasingly becoming a tangible goal. In this context, meeting the needs of both the individual soul and society at large are increasingly recognized as interconnected aspects of a mature spiritual life [3]. This shift in perspective bridges the once perceived gap between earthly existence and spiritual realms, fostering a more holistic approach to service and personal growth.

Eternal Perspective on Service

The awareness of the soul’s eternal journey profoundly impacts one’s commitment to service, infusing it with deeper meaning and purpose. This perspective encourages individuals to view their actions in light of their spiritual growth and contribution to humanity’s collective progress, rather than focusing solely on immediate worldly outcomes [1]. By understanding that life extends beyond physical existence, people are motivated to develop spiritual qualities and serve others selflessly, recognizing these efforts as investments in their eternal spiritual journey [2]. This eternal perspective fosters detachment from material concerns, enabling individuals to persevere in service despite challenges, and to find joy in the act of serving itself, rather than in its tangible results.

Citations:

[1] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[2] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[3] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can one cultivate a deeper understanding of the soul’s journey beyond this physical plane?
• What are some practical ways to integrate the concept of spiritual growth into daily life?
• How does the idea of martyrdom in the Bahá’í Faith influence one’s approach to service?
• What role does sacrifice play in the path of service according to Bahá’í teachings?
• How can one balance the demands of material life with the pursuit of spiritual growth?
• How does the concept of eternal perspective influence one’s approach to service?
• What are the key differences between the soul’s journey and the body’s fate?
• How can understanding the relationship between the soul and the body guide our service to others?
• What role do the Manifestations of God play in the development of human potential?
• How does the idea of the soul’s eternal progress impact one’s daily actions and decisions?

1. Bahá’u’lláh Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed January 19, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/additional-tablets-extracts-from-tablets-revealed-bahaullah/490480930/1#731249780. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912. 11th British Ed. 1912. Reprint, London, England: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1972, 98-99. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/3#247298635. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “April 2002 – To The World’s Religious Leaders.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 19, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20020401_001/1#644309582. ↩
4. 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, vii. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS. ↩
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, 65-66. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Life Beyond Death: Strengthening Service.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 19, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/thou-didst-beg-the-supreme-lor-hJVj5aZYT0eJ2zglnNZNBw. ↩