Daily Frameworks for 12 February 2025

’Idál, 07 Mulk (Dominion), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

To observe the Bahá’í world at work is to behold a vista bright indeed. In the life of the individual believer who desires, above all, to invite others into communion with the Creator and to render service to humanity can be found signs of the spiritual transformation intended for every soul by the Lord of the Age. In the spirit animating the activities of any Bahá’í community dedicated to enhancing the capacity of its members young and old, as well as of its friends and collaborators, to serve the common weal can be perceived an indication of how a society founded upon divine teachings might develop. And in those advanced clusters where activity governed by the framework of the Plan is in abundance and the demands of ensuring coherence amongst lines of action are most pressing, the evolving administrative structures offer glimmerings, however faint, of how the institutions of the Faith will incrementally come to assume a fuller range of their responsibilities to promote human welfare and progress. Clearly, then, the development of the individual, the community, and the institutions holds immense promise. But beyond this, we note with particular joy how the relationships binding these three are marked by such tender affection and mutual support. — Universal House of Justice ¹

The rapid spread of the programme for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth is yet another expression of cultural advance in the Bahá’í community. While global trends project an image of this age group as problematic, lost in the throes of tumultuous physical and emotional change, unresponsive and self-consumed, the Bahá’í community—in the language it employs and the approaches it adopts—is moving decidedly in the opposite direction, seeing in junior youth instead altruism, an acute sense of justice, eagerness to learn about the universe and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world. Account after account, in which junior youth in countries all over the planet give voice to their thoughts as participants in the programme, testifies to the validity of this vision. There is every indication that the programme engages their expanding consciousness in an exploration of reality that helps them to analyse the constructive and destructive forces operating in society and to recognize the influence these forces exert on their thoughts and actions, sharpening their spiritual perception, enhancing their powers of expression and reinforcing moral structures that will serve them throughout their lives. At an age when burgeoning intellectual, spiritual and physical powers become accessible to them, they are being given the tools needed to combat the forces that would rob them of their true identity as noble beings and to work for the common good. — Universal House of Justice ²

Such promising beginnings have now to be vigorously pursued. In every cluster with an intensive programme of growth in operation, efforts need to be made to systematize further the provision of spiritual education to increasing numbers of children, from families of many backgrounds—a requisite of the community-building process gathering momentum in neighbourhoods and villages. This will be a demanding task, one that calls for patience and cooperation on the part of parents and institutions alike. The Ruhi Institute has already been requested to expedite plans to complete its courses for training children’s class teachers at different levels including the corresponding lessons, starting with youngsters aged 5 or 6 and proceeding to those aged 10 or 11, in order to close the present gap between existing lessons and its textbooks for junior youth, such as Spirit of Faith and the forthcoming Power of the Holy Spirit, which provide a distinctly Bahá’í component to the programme for that age group. As these additional courses and lessons become available, institutes in every country will be able to prepare the teachers and the coordinators required to put in place, grade by grade, the core of a programme for the spiritual education of children, around which secondary elements can be organized. Meanwhile, institutes should do their best to provide teachers with suitable materials, from among others currently in existence, for use in their classes with children of various ages, as necessary. — Universal House of Justice ³

The second unit, “An Age of Promise,” of Book 5, Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth takes a brief look at the nature of early adolescence and then asks participants to reflect on the challenge of directing the growing awareness of youngsters in this age range appropriately. In this, the unit raises a warning: such efforts must avoid the pitfall of some programs, which, instead of directing the rising self-awareness of those in this formative phase of life towards selfless service to others, turn it in on the “self” and, sadly, end up making them captives of the “insistent self.” Sections 5 through 9 try to alert participants to some of the subtle dangers of this pitfall by taking them through a series of relevant quotations from the Bahá’í writings. The unit goes on to consider the effects of the social environment on the lives of early adolescents, introduces the concept of a “junior youth group” as an environment of mutual support, and defines the posture to be assumed by all those arising to serve as animators of such groups. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁴

Question for Consideration

Given the quotes above, including those from Book 5, Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth, how does the recognition of the potentialities of junior youth by growing numbers of people in villages and neighborhoods contribute to a culture that promotes attitudes towards young people different from the ones being perpetuated in society today? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The Bahá’í approach to junior youth empowerment offers a stark contrast to prevailing societal views, recognizing the altruism, sense of justice, and desire to contribute positively to the world inherent in young people aged 11-14.

Recognizing Junior Youth Potential

Recognizing the inherent nobility and capabilities of junior youth marks a significant departure from prevalent societal attitudes. This perspective, rooted in Bahá’í teachings, sees young people aged 11-14 as altruistic, justice-oriented individuals eager to learn and contribute to societal betterment [1]. By acknowledging these potentialities, communities foster an environment that:

• Empowers youth to analyze constructive and destructive societal forces
• Enhances spiritual perception and moral structures
• Encourages selfless service rather than self-absorption
• Provides tools to combat negative influences and maintain true identity
  

This approach not only transforms individual lives but also contributes to the development of communities founded on divine teachings, offering a glimpse of how society might evolve when young people are viewed as valuable contributors rather than problematic elements [1] [3].

Empowering Through Spiritual Programs

The junior youth spiritual empowerment program engages participants in an exploration of reality, helping them analyze constructive and destructive societal forces and recognize their influence on thoughts and actions [3]. This approach sharpens spiritual perception, enhances powers of expression, and reinforces moral structures that serve throughout life. By providing tools to combat forces that would rob them of their true identity, the program empowers junior youth to work for the common good at an age when their intellectual, spiritual, and physical powers are burgeoning [3].

• Focuses on character development and spiritual growth
• Encourages critical thinking about societal influences
• Nurtures altruism and a sense of justice
• Develops skills for constructive social action
• Fosters a sense of purpose and identity as noble beings
  

This empowering approach stands in stark contrast to programs that inadvertently turn self-awareness inward, potentially making youth “captives of the insistent self” [1]. Instead, it directs their growing awareness towards selfless service, contributing to a culture that values and nurtures young people’s potential for positive societal contribution.

Community Integration of Youth

The integration of junior youth into community life is a key aspect of the Bahá’í approach, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. This integration is seen as “a requisite of the community-building process gathering momentum in neighbourhoods and villages” [3]. By involving junior youth in meaningful activities and service projects, communities:

• Create environments of mutual support through junior youth groups
• Encourage collaboration between youth, parents, and institutions
• Develop a culture of mentorship, with older youth serving as animators
• Promote intergenerational learning and cooperation
• Cultivate a shared vision of community development that includes all age groups
  

This approach not only benefits the junior youth but also enriches the entire community, creating a dynamic where young people are valued contributors to social progress rather than isolated or marginalized members of society [1].

Systematic Spiritual Education

Efforts to systematize spiritual education for children and junior youth are being vigorously pursued in Bahá’í communities worldwide. The Ruhi Institute has been tasked with expediting the development of courses for training children’s class teachers, along with corresponding lessons for ages 5-11, to bridge the gap with existing junior youth materials like “Spirit of Faith” and the upcoming “Power of the Holy Spirit” [3]. This comprehensive approach aims to create a cohesive educational program that nurtures spiritual growth from childhood through adolescence. As new materials become available, institutes in each country will prepare teachers and coordinators to implement this core curriculum, supplemented by locally appropriate resources, fostering a culture of continuous learning and spiritual development across generations.

Citations

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

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

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

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How does the spiritual empowerment program for junior youth differ from other youth programs?
• What specific themes and concepts are explored in the junior youth spiritual empowerment program?
• How do animators support junior youth in their communities?
• What role do parents play in the junior youth spiritual empowerment program?
• How has the Ruhi Institute’s approach to junior youth impacted local communities?
• What are the key components of systematic spiritual education for junior youth?
• How can parents support the spiritual education of their children?
• What are the challenges in implementing systematic spiritual education?
• How does the Ruhi Institute approach spiritual education?
• What are the outcomes of systematic spiritual education in different communities?

1. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2012 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 11, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20120421_001/1#829409857. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 11, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#923291670. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 11, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#873949967. ↩
4. Ruhi Institute. Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth. 2.1.21.PE July 2022. Vol. Book 5. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, v-vi. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#JY1. ↩
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, 85-87. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Junior Youth Empowerment.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 11, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/to-observe-the-bahai-world-at-Futwq3_wQJ2sxZyLO5Z4Zw. ↩