Daily Frameworks for 23 January 2025

Istijlál, 06 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

He Who is your Lord, the All-Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body. Haste ye to win your share of God’s good grace and mercy in this Day that eclipseth all other created Days. How great the felicity that awaiteth the man that forsaketh all he hath in a desire to obtain the things of God! Such a man, We testify, is among God’s blessed ones. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

It is only by the breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual development can come about. No matter how the material world may progress, no matter how splendidly it may adorn itself, it can never be anything but a lifeless body unless the soul is within, for it is the soul that animates the body; the body alone has no real significance. Deprived of the blessings of the Holy Spirit, the material body would be inert. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

In addition to the factors associated with man’s station and nature, the Writings indicate that man’s soul “is independent of all infirmities of body or mind,” and not only continues to exist “after departing from this mortal world,” but progresses “through the bounty and grace of the Lord.” Therefore, an evaluation of man’s material existence and achievements cannot ignore the potential spiritual development stimulated by the individual’s desire to manifest the attributes of God and his response to the exigencies of his life, nor can it exclude the possibility of the operations of God’s mercy in terms of compensation for earthly suffering, in the next life. — Universal House of Justice ³

The first several sections of the third unit, “Life and Death,” in Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit focus on the relationship between the soul and the body, which, together, constitute the human being in this plane of existence. The central idea presented in these sections is that the soul is not a physical entity; its association with the body can be likened to the light that appears in a mirror. Neither the dust covering its surface nor the eventual destruction of the mirror can affect the splendor of the light itself. Death is just a change of condition, when the association between the body and soul is broken; afterwards, the soul progresses eternally towards its Creator.
The unit turns next to the question of the purpose of life—to know God and to attain His presence. Discussion here revolves around two broad themes. The first is the purpose of our lives in this world, and the second the journey of the soul after death. The soul is a sign of God and can reflect all of His names and attributes. Yet the potential within the human being is latent; it can only be developed with the help of the Manifestations of God, those sanctified Beings Who come from time to time to guide humanity. Through the spiritual education They provide, the treasures hidden within us can be revealed.
As for the journey of the soul after death, a series of ideas are laid out for participants to contemplate: that those faithful to God will attain unto true happiness; that none of us can ever know our own end and, therefore, we should forgive one another and not feel superior to others; that in the next world, as in this one, the soul will continue to progress and the spiritual faculties we developed here will aid and assist us there, that we will recognize our loved ones in the realms beyond, will remember our lives in this world, and will enjoy companionship with holy and sanctified souls. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁴

Question for Consideration

While the main ideas outlined in the quotes above represent spiritual truths, how can the tutor make sure that Study Circle participants do not become muddled in their thinking by drawing unnecessary inferences? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The Ruhi Institute’s study circles explore profound spiritual concepts, challenging tutors to guide participants in understanding complex ideas about the soul, life’s purpose, and the afterlife without becoming entangled in unnecessary speculation or misinterpretation.

Soul and Body Relationship

The relationship between soul and body is explored in the “Life and Death” unit of Ruhi Book 1, presenting a profound analogy to illustrate their connection. This concept likens the soul’s association with the body to light reflected in a mirror, emphasizing that:

• The soul is not a physical entity but animates the body
• Physical imperfections or destruction of the body do not affect the soul’s essence
• Death represents a transition, breaking the soul-body connection
• The soul continues its eternal journey towards the Creator after this separation
  

This perspective encourages participants to contemplate the temporary nature of physical existence and the enduring quality of spiritual development [3]. By understanding this relationship, individuals can gain insight into the importance of nurturing their spiritual faculties alongside material pursuits.

Purpose of Life and Spirit

The purpose of human existence extends beyond material achievements, focusing on knowing God and attaining His presence. This spiritual journey involves two interconnected aspects:

• In this world: Developing our latent spiritual potential by reflecting God’s attributes
• After death: Continuing the soul’s eternal progress towards its Creator
  

Manifestations of God play a crucial role in this process, providing spiritual education that unveils the hidden treasures within each individual [3]. The Holy Spirit’s influence is essential for genuine spiritual growth, as material progress alone cannot animate the human soul [1]. By recognizing this divine purpose, individuals can align their lives with higher spiritual aspirations, fostering both personal development and collective harmony in pursuit of a unified human race [3] [1].

Journey of Soul After Death

The journey of the soul after death encompasses several profound concepts for contemplation. Those faithful to God are promised true happiness, while the uncertainty of our spiritual end encourages humility and forgiveness towards others. In the next world, souls continue to progress, benefiting from the spiritual faculties developed during earthly life. This ongoing journey includes:

• Recognition of loved ones in the realms beyond
• Retention of memories from mortal existence
• Companionship with holy and sanctified souls
  

These ideas emphasize the continuity of spiritual growth and relationships beyond physical life, underscoring the importance of cultivating spiritual qualities in this world [3]. The concept of divine mercy also suggests the possibility of compensation for earthly suffering in the afterlife, highlighting the limitations of evaluating human existence solely through material achievements [1].

Guiding Study Circle Discussions

To prevent muddled thinking and unnecessary inferences, tutors can employ several effective strategies:

• Focus on explicit meanings in the passages, avoiding speculation beyond what is clearly stated [3]
• Foster humble reflection, acknowledging the limitations of our understanding of spiritual realities [3]
• Connect abstract concepts to practical applications in daily life [2]
• Address misconceptions directly but gently when they arise [1]
• Use analogies carefully, explaining their limitations as simplified illustrations [3]
• Model an attitude of ongoing learning, redirecting overly speculative questions to applicable insights [1]
  

By maintaining a balanced approach, tutors can help participants engage deeply with spiritual truths while avoiding confusion or unwarranted extrapolation, ensuring the study circle remains focused on personal growth and understanding.

Citations:

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

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

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

[4] Book 6: Teaching the Cause (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can we encourage quieter members to contribute to the discussion?
• What strategies can help keep the discussion on track without being too rigid?
• How can we create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts?
• What are some examples of peripheral concepts that might derail a discussion?
• How can we ensure that every member feels engaged and valued during the discussion?

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/5#832191630. ↩
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, 133. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/5#021425321. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “14 March 1985 – [To an individual].” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19850314_001/1#664571297. ↩
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, viii. 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, 66-68. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Spiritual Truths and Inferences.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 21, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/he-who-is-your-lord-the-all-me-y86N0OJvRB6w3aqX9mErBQ. ↩