Daily Frameworks for 24 January 2025

Istiqlál, 07 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

Whenever My laws appear like the sun in the heaven of Mine utterance, they must be faithfully obeyed by all, though My decree be such as to cause the heaven of every religion to be cleft asunder. He doeth what He pleaseth. He chooseth, and none may question His choice. Whatsoever He, the Well-Beloved, ordaineth, the same is, verily, beloved. To this He Who is the Lord of all creation beareth Me witness. Whoso hath inhaled the sweet fragrance of the All-Merciful, and recognized the Source of this utterance, will welcome with his own eyes the shafts of the enemy, that he may establish the truth of the laws of God amongst men. Well is it with him that hath turned thereunto, and apprehended the meaning of His decisive decree. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

In the unmistakable and universal reformation we are witnessing, when outer conditions of humanity are receiving such impetus, when human life is assuming a new aspect, when sciences are stimulated afresh, inventions and discoveries increasing, civic laws undergoing change and moralities evidencing uplift and betterment, is it possible that spiritual impulses and influences should not be renewed and reformed? Naturally, new spiritual thoughts and inclinations must also become manifest. If spirituality be not renewed, what fruits come from mere physical reformation? For instance, the body of man may improve, the quality of bone and sinew may advance, the hand may develop, other limbs and members may increase in excellence, but if the mind fails to develop, of what use is the rest? The important factor in human improvement is the mind. In the world of the mind there must needs be development and improvement. There must be reformation in the kingdom of the human spirit; otherwise, no result will be attained from betterment of the mere physical structure. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

We must now highly resolve to arise and lay hold of all those instrumentalities that promote the peace and well-being and happiness, the knowledge, culture and industry, the dignity, value and station, of the entire human race. Thus, through the restoring waters of pure intention and unselfish effort, the earth of human potentialities will blossom with its own latent excellence and flower into praiseworthy qualities, and bear and flourish until it comes to rival that rosegarden of knowledge which belonged to our forefathers. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

That the Bahá’í world has succeeded in developing a culture which promotes a way of thinking, studying, and acting, in which all consider themselves as treading a common path of service—supporting one another and advancing together, respectful of the knowledge that each one possesses at any given moment and avoiding the tendency to divide the believers into categories such as deepened and uninformed—is an accomplishment of enormous proportions. And therein lie the dynamics of an irrepressible movement. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

Of course, it is not the provision of training by itself that brings about progress. Efforts to build capacity fall short if arrangements are not swiftly made to accompany individuals into the arena of service. An adequate level of support extends far beyond encouraging words. When preparing to take on an unfamiliar task, working alongside a person with some experience increases consciousness of what is possible. An assurance of practical help can give a tentative venturer the courage to initiate an activity for the first time. Souls then advance their understanding together, humbly sharing the insights each possesses at a given moment and eagerly seeking to learn from fellow wayfarers on the path of service. Hesitation recedes and capacity develops to the point where an individual can carry out activities independently and, in turn, accompany others on the same path. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Question for Consideration

The last section of the third unit, “Life and Death,” in Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit reminds participants of the concept of a twofold oral purpose introduced in the second unit, “Prayer.” It asks them to reflect on the significance of attending to the two aspects of this purpose, in light of the insights they have gained into the progress of the soul. They are encouraged to include in their discussions the following themes:

Why is it important for a tutor to ensure that Study Circle participants carry out a rich discussion around these four themes? ⁶

Perplexity Pro Response ⁷

The Ruhi Institute’s “Walking the Path of Service” materials emphasize the importance of rich discussions around developing spiritual qualities, obeying divine laws, contributing to human well-being, and advancing on the path of service, as these themes connect individual spiritual growth to collective progress and prepare participants for practical application of Bahá’í teachings in their lives and communities.

Spiritual Growth and Divine Laws

Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings emphasize the paramount importance of obeying divine laws, even when they challenge existing religious paradigms. This obedience is seen as a manifestation of love for the Divine and a means of establishing God’s truth among humanity. The Bahá’í Faith posits that spiritual renewal is essential for true human progress, asserting that mere physical or technological advancements are insufficient without corresponding spiritual development. This holistic approach to human advancement underscores the interconnectedness of individual spiritual growth and societal transformation, encouraging believers to actively contribute to the well-being and happiness of the entire human race through “pure intention and unselfish effort.”

Collective Progress Through Service

The Bahá’í approach to spiritual and social development emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual growth and collective progress. By engaging in acts of service, individuals not only contribute to the betterment of society but also advance their own spiritual development. This reciprocal relationship is foundational to the Bahá’í concept of the “twofold moral purpose,” ⁸ which encourages believers to:

• Develop personal spiritual qualities through prayer, study, and reflection
• Apply these qualities in practical service to humanity
• Contribute to the well-being of the human race through community-building activities
• Advance on the path of service by continuously learning and refining one’s approach

This holistic view of spiritual and social progress aligns with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s vision of a “universal reformation” that encompasses both the material and spiritual aspects of human existence. By integrating personal spiritual growth with collective service, Bahá’ís strive to create a dynamic and transformative movement that can address the complex challenges facing humanity in the modern age.

Fostering a Culture of Learning

The Bahá’í community has cultivated a unique approach to spiritual and social development, fostering a culture where all members are viewed as fellow travelers on a shared path of service. This egalitarian ethos avoids categorizing believers as “deepened” or “uninformed,” instead promoting mutual support and collective advancement. Such a culture encourages individuals to humbly share their insights, learn from one another, and eagerly seek knowledge from fellow wayfarers. This approach has created an “irrepressible movement” within the Bahá’í world, characterized by continuous learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to personal and collective transformation.

Capacity Building for Service

Building capacity for service hinges on more than theoretical preparation; it demands practical accompaniment and hands-on experience. Walking alongside individuals as they take on new tasks fosters confidence and reveals what is achievable. This process transforms hesitation into action, as the assurance of practical support empowers individuals to initiate activities and learn through doing. Over time, this collaborative approach enables participants to independently carry out acts of service and, in turn, accompany others on their own journeys.

This dynamic interplay of learning and action nurtures a collective spirit of advancement. Insights are shared humbly among participants, emphasizing mutual growth rather than hierarchical distinctions. Such an environment not only strengthens individual capacities but also builds a unified community committed to advancing together on the path of service.

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can spiritual reformation complement physical improvements in society?
• What role does the mind play in human improvement according to Bahá’u’lláh?
• How can new spiritual thoughts and inclinations be nurtured in today’s world?
• What are the benefits of a unified spiritual approach in promoting global peace?
• How does the Bahá’í approach to spirituality differ from traditional religious practices?
• What are the key components of effective capacity building for service?
• How can organizations measure the success of capacity building initiatives for service?
• What challenges might arise during capacity building for service and how can they be addressed?
• How does capacity building for service impact community engagement?
• What role does training play in capacity building for service?

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/8#745685814. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 278. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/20#410237737. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Secret of Divine Civilization. Translated by Marzieh Gail. 2nd Edition | Reprint. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1975, 4-5. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/secret-divine-civilization/2#483233156. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#432258610. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “29 December 2015 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20151229_001/1#577977395. ↩
6. 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, 69. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
7. Perplexity Pro. “Life and Death: Spiritual Purpose.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 22, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/whenever-my-laws-appear-like-t-yhAtqvy4TDudarvmOG5qdg. ↩
8. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#813406593. ↩