Daily Frameworks for 06 February 2025

Istijlál, 01 Mulk (Dominion), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

They that have forsaken their country for the purpose of teaching Our Cause—these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through its power. A company of Our chosen angels shall go forth with them, as bidden by Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Wise. How great the blessedness that awaiteth him that hath attained the honor of serving the Almighty! By My life! No act, however great, can compare with it, except such deeds as have been ordained by God, the All-Powerful, the Most Mighty. Such a service is, indeed, the prince of all goodly deeds, and the ornament of every goodly act. Thus hath it been ordained by Him Who is the Sovereign Revealer, the Ancient of Days. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Thousands upon thousands, embracing the diversity of the entire human family, are engaged in systematic study of the Creative Word in an environment that is at once serious and uplifting. As they strive to apply through a process of action, reflection and consultation the insights thus gained, they see their capacity to serve the Cause rise to new levels. Responding to the inmost longing of every heart to commune with its Maker, they carry out acts of collective worship in diverse settings, uniting with others in prayer, awakening spiritual susceptibilities, and shaping a pattern of life distinguished for its devotional character. As they call on one another in their homes and pay visits to families, friends and acquaintances, they enter into purposeful discussion on themes of spiritual import, deepen their knowledge of the Faith, share Bahá’u’lláh’s message, and welcome increasing numbers to join them in a mighty spiritual enterprise. Aware of the aspirations of the children of the world and their need for spiritual education, they extend their efforts widely to involve ever-growing contingents of participants in classes that become centres of attraction for the young and strengthen the roots of the Faith in society. They assist junior youth to navigate through a crucial stage of their lives and to become empowered to direct their energies toward the advancement of civilization. And with the advantage of a greater abundance of human resources, an increasing number of them are able to express their faith through a rising tide of endeavours that address the needs of humanity in both their spiritual and material dimensions. Such is the panorama before us as we pause this Riḍván to observe the progress of the worldwide Bahá’í community. — Universal House of Justice ²

This brief survey cannot do justice to the scale of the transformation that is under way. The outlook for the remaining two years of the Plan is bright. Much has been achieved this last year by widely disseminating lessons learned from the stronger programmes of growth in clusters that, as we hoped, have become reservoirs of knowledge and resources. The International Teaching Centre, the Counsellors, and their tireless auxiliaries have stopped at nothing to ensure that friends in all parts of the world can benefit from this acceleration in learning and apply the insights being gained to their own realities. We rejoice to see that in a growing number of clusters, and in neighbourhoods and villages within them, a nucleus of friends has emerged who through action and reflection are discovering what is required, at a particular point, for the process of growth to advance in their surroundings. They are drawing on the potent instrument of the institute, through which capacity to contribute to the spiritual and material prosperity of the community is enhanced, and as they act, the number of those joining them is increasing. Naturally, conditions vary greatly from place to place, as do the characteristics of growth. But through systematic striving, everyone can make a more and more effective contribution to the work at hand. In every setting, there is pure joy in engaging other souls in meaningful and uplifting conversations that lead, whether quickly or gradually, to the stirring of spiritual susceptibilities. The brighter the flame kindled within the heart of the believer, the greater will be the force of attraction felt by those exposed to its warmth. And to a heart consumed with love for Bahá’u’lláh, what more fitting occupation can be imagined than to seek out kindred spirits, to encourage them as they enter the path of service, to accompany them as they gain experience and—perhaps the greatest joy of all—to see souls become confirmed in their faith, arise independently, and assist others on the same journey. These are among the most cherished of all the moments that this transitory life affords. — Universal House of Justice ³

It should be noted that the acts of service describe in this series of books though central to the growth and development of a community, are above all elements of a process that seeks to raise individual capacity through study and action. What every tutor should realize is that these ads build on one another, increasing in terms of complexity from book to book. Learning to carry out each act of service effectively proves crucial to the capacity required to perform those that follow. To maintain an ongoing conversation over the course of several visits to a home, as proposed in this book, is clearly more demanding than the activity encouraged in Book 1, that of hosting a regular devotional gathering, whether on one’s own in in collaboration with a few others. And it is not difficult to see how, to undertake the more complex acts for serve ahead, it will be essential for participants to advance in the capabilities addressed here. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁴

Question for Consideration

Consider how the capabilities addressed in Book 2 Arising to Serve — capabilities that enable participants to contribute to meaningful and uplifting conversation — build on the knowledge and abilities they gain from their study of Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit and their involvement in the activities that emerge from it, particularly the act of sharing a prayer with others. ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The Ruhi Institute’s sequence of books, particularly Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit and Book 2 Arising to Serve, forms a progressive path of spiritual development and service within the Bahá’í Faith. This curriculum systematically builds individual capacity, moving from foundational spiritual awareness to more complex acts of community engagement and teaching.

Foundational Spiritual Development

Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, lays the spiritual groundwork for participants by focusing on prayer, understanding the soul’s journey, and cultivating virtues like humility and detachment [5]. This foundational study encourages individuals to host devotional gatherings, share prayers with others, and reflect on life’s purpose as knowing God and contributing to humanity’s transformation [5]. These activities instill a habit of turning to prayer, described as a “fire” that burns away veils separating humanity from divine guidance [5].

The spiritual awareness developed in Book 1 prepares participants for more dynamic acts of service introduced in Book 2. By nurturing a “life of the spirit,” ⁷ individuals develop the inner qualities necessary for engaging in meaningful conversations, collaborative efforts, and systematic teaching activities [4] [5]. This progression reflects Bahá’u’lláh’s assurance that “the utterance of God is a lamp whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.” ⁸

Purposeful Engagement in Service

Book 2 introduces more dynamic acts of service that require meaningful conversation, collaboration, and systemic effort. Participants learn to initiate purposeful discussions in homes, neighborhoods, and communities, building on the confidence gained from sharing prayers in Book 1 [4]. This shift from informal sharing to structured teaching reflects a deepened capacity to connect spiritual principles to daily life. The emphasis on maintaining “ongoing conversations” over multiple visits requires patience, active listening, and adaptability [5]. Participants are guided to work in groups, fostering unity and mutual support—a skill rooted in Book 1’s emphasis on humility and selflessness [4]. The ability to “impart zeal and rapture to the hearts of the righteous” ⁹ becomes the foundation for the joyful and hopeful spirit needed to inspire others in Book 2’s teaching efforts [4].

Progressive Complexity in Acts

The Ruhi Institute’s curriculum is designed with a progressive increase in complexity, ensuring that each act of service builds upon prior learning. Book 1 focuses on personal devotion and basic outreach, while Book 2 expands to systematic teaching, requiring participants to articulate Bahá’u’lláh’s message with clarity and navigate diverse social contexts [4]. This progression demands a “burnished heart,” ¹⁰ purified through prayer and detachment, to avoid discouragement or attachment to results [5]. The patience developed through regular devotionals in Book 1 equips individuals to endure challenges in sustaining teaching efforts in Book 2. As noted by the Ruhi Institute Staff, “Learning to carry out each act of service effectively proves crucial to the capacity required to perform those that follow” [5].

Integration of Knowledge and Action

The “twofold moral purpose” of individual spiritual growth and societal transformation is woven throughout both Book 1 and Book 2 of the Ruhi Institute curriculum. While Book 1 establishes the inner conditions for service, such as purity and trust in God, Book 2 applies these qualities to external acts, fostering community resilience and guiding others toward Bahá’u’lláh’s vision [4] [5]. This synergy reflects a progression from nurturing “the flame kindled within the heart” through prayer and reflection to channeling that devotion into systematic efforts to uplift others. By grounding action in spiritual awareness, participants learn to “strive with heart and soul” ¹¹ and then direct that dedication towards the systematic teaching and community-building efforts that characterize the more advanced stages of service [4] [5].

Citations

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

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

[3] Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth – Ruhi Institute

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

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I deepen my understanding of the Bahá’í teachings through service?
• What are some practical ways to apply the principles of service in my daily life?
• How does service contribute to spiritual growth and transformation?
• What role does sacrifice play in the path of service according to Bahá’í teachings?
• How can I encourage others to join me in acts of service?
• How can I integrate spiritual growth with my daily actions?
• What role does selfless service play in personal transformation?
• How can I cultivate a spirit of detachment in my service?
• What are the key principles for effective service according to Bahá’u’lláh?
• How can I ensure my service is guided by a passion for teaching the Faith?

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#022671457. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2008 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 4, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20080421_001/1#421159402. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2019 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 4, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20190420_001/1#559184258. ↩
4. 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, vii-viii. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
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, 74-75. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Capabilities Building on Previous Learning.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 4, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/they-that-have-forsaken-their-_hVra85.SiKVaUWaq82LxA. ↩
7. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed February 4, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/11#301467622. ↩
8. 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/7#487380847. ↩
9. ’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/6#175090552. ↩
10. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 146. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/6#000943798. ↩
11. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/additional-tablets-extracts-talks/852329988/1#248937203. ↩