Daily Frameworks for 26 January 2025

Jamál, 09 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

And now consider this infinite universe. Is it possible that it could have been created without a Creator? Or that the Creator and cause of this infinite congeries of worlds should be without intelligence? Is the idea tenable that the Creator has no comprehension of what is manifested in creation? Man, the creature, has volition and certain virtues. Is it possible that his Creator is deprived of these? A child could not accept this belief and statement. It is perfectly evident that man did not create himself and that he cannot do so. How could man of his own weakness create such a mighty being? Therefore, the Creator of man must be more perfect and powerful than man. If the creative cause of man be simply on the same level with man, then man himself should be able to create, whereas we know very well that we cannot create even our own likeness. Therefore, the Creator of man must be endowed with superlative intelligence and power in all points that creation involves and implies. We are weak; He is mighty, because, were He not mighty, He could not have created us. We are ignorant; He is wise. We are poor; He is rich. Otherwise, He would have been incapable of our creation. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

All created things are resplendent signs of God. For instance, the rays of the sun shine upon all earthly things, yet the light that falls upon the plains, the mountains, the trees and fruits is only in such measure as to make them visible, to ensure their growth, and to cause them to attain the object of their existence. The Perfect Man, however, is even as a clear mirror in which the Sun of Truth is revealed and manifested in the fullness of its attributes and perfections. Thus the reality of Christ was a bright and polished mirror of the greatest purity and clarity. The Sun of Truth, the Essence of the Divinity, appeared in that mirror and manifested its light and heat therein, yet it did not descend from the heights of holiness and the heaven of sanctity to reside within it. No, it continues to abide in its loftiness and sublimity, but has been revealed and manifested in the mirror in all its beauty and perfection. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Question for Consideration

Section 3 of the second unit, “Uplifting Conversations,” in Book 2 Arising to Serve concerns how humans, the created, understand the reality of the Creator based, in part, on the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted above. ³ How can one draw on His explanations to better understand the significance and implications of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and feel encouraged to initiate and sustain meaningful and uplifting conversations with others about how humanity knows, learns, and understands the names, attributes, and perfections of God through His Holy Manifestations? ⁴

Perplexity Pro Response ⁵

The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offer profound insights into the nature of God and His creation, providing a framework for understanding Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and engaging in meaningful conversations about spiritual reality. These explanations explore the relationship between the Creator and the created, emphasizing the role of Divine Manifestations in revealing God’s attributes to humanity.

The Creator’s Attributes and Power

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings emphasize the incomprehensible nature of God’s essence while highlighting the Creator’s superior attributes. He argues that the Creator must possess greater intelligence and power than His creation, as it is inconceivable that a being of lesser capability could bring forth something more complex than itself [1]. This logic extends to human qualities such as volition and virtues, suggesting that the Creator must possess these attributes in their most perfect form.

The concept of God’s supreme power and wisdom is further illustrated through the analogy of human weakness. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá points out that humans, being unable to create even their own likeness, must logically have a Creator endowed with “superlative intelligence and power” [1]. This understanding forms a foundation for recognizing the vastness of divine power and the limitations of human comprehension, encouraging a humble approach to spiritual exploration and dialogue.

Manifestations as Divine Mirrors

‘Abdu’l-Bahá employs the powerful metaphor of a mirror to elucidate the role of Divine Manifestations in reflecting God’s attributes. He describes the Manifestations, such as Christ, as “clear mirror[s] in which the Sun of Truth is revealed and manifested in the fullness of its attributes and perfections” [1]. This analogy illustrates how:

• The Manifestations perfectly reflect divine qualities while God’s essence remains transcendent
• Divine attributes are made accessible to humanity through these spiritual mirrors
• The Sun of Truth (God) continues to “abide in its loftiness and sublimity” while being fully revealed in the mirror [1]
  

This concept provides a framework for understanding how humanity can know and learn about God’s names, attributes, and perfections through His Holy Manifestations, offering a basis for meaningful discussions about the nature of spiritual reality and the unity of religions.

Understanding God Through Creation

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings emphasize that all created things are “resplendent signs of God,” reflecting divine attributes to varying degrees [1]. This concept invites us to perceive the Creator’s handiwork in the world around us, from the grandeur of mountains to the intricacy of a flower. By observing nature, we can discern divine qualities such as beauty, order, and purpose, which serve as a starting point for contemplating the Creator’s perfections. This understanding encourages a deeper appreciation for the natural world and can inspire conversations about the spiritual significance of creation, fostering a sense of wonder and reverence for the Divine manifested in the physical realm.

Fostering Uplifting Spiritual Conversations

Drawing on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s explanations, we can initiate and sustain uplifting conversations about spiritual reality and Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. These discussions can explore:

• The intricacy and beauty of the universe as evidence of an intelligent Creator
• How recognizing our created nature inspires the development of latent spiritual qualities
• The unity of religions, using the mirror analogy to explain how different Manifestations reflect the same divine light
• Ways to “polish the mirror of our hearts” to better reflect divine qualities in our lives and communities
• How studying the lives and teachings of the Manifestations allows us to understand God’s will and purpose for humanity
  

By engaging in these conversations, we can deepen our understanding of our relationship with the Divine, inspire spiritual growth, and foster unity in our collective journey towards a more just and harmonious world [1].

Citations:

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can we apply the teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to foster deeper spiritual conversations?
• What are some practical ways to introduce spiritual principles into everyday conversations?
• How can we use the metaphor of the mirror to better understand the relationship between the Creator and creation?
• What role does humility play in our understanding of the Creator and our interactions with others?
• How can we encourage others to participate in meaningful and uplifting conversations about spirituality?
• What are some effective ways to start a spiritual conversation?
• How can we create a safe space for deep and meaningful spiritual discussions?
• What are some topics that can lead to uplifting spiritual conversations?
• How can we use storytelling to foster spiritual connections?
• What role does active listening play in spiritual conversations?

1. ’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, 82. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/4#675451870. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 24, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/7#114453692. ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, v, 19-20. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
4. 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, 70-72. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
5. Perplexity Pro. “Understanding God Through His Manifestations.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 24, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/and-now-consider-this-infinite-NrAi0SdUSEKMm3e6mzWRHA. ↩