Daily Frameworks for 13 February 2025

Istijlál, 08 Mulk (Dominion), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

One of the signs of the maturity of the world is that no one will accept to bear the weight of kingship. Kingship will remain with none willing to bear alone its weight. That day will be the day whereon wisdom will be manifested among mankind. — Bahá’u’lláh 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

We are seeing the Faith’s educational efforts take on a more formal character in such places, as children move seamlessly through the grades year after year and one level of the junior youth spiritual empowerment programme reliably succeeds another. In these places, the training institute is learning to ensure that sufficient human resources are being raised up to provide for the spiritual and moral edification of children and junior youth in ever-increasing numbers. Participation in these foundational activities is becoming so embedded in the culture of the population that it is viewed as an indispensable aspect of the life of a community. A new vitality emerges within a people taking charge of their own development, and they build immunity to those societal forces that breed passivity. Possibilities for material and spiritual progress take shape. Social reality begins to transform. — Universal House of Justice ³

At the national level, offices of external affairs increasingly learned how to participate in specific national discourses in a systematic manner on behalf of their respective communities. Among the topics addressed intensively across various nations were the advancement of women, the role of religion in society, the spiritual and moral empowerment of youth, the promotion of justice, and the strengthening of social cohesion. Today, a global process of learning from the experience of contributing to these national discourses is facilitated by the Office of Public Discourse at the Bahá’í World Centre. And at the grassroots in neighbourhoods and villages, and in their professions and other social spaces in which they participate as individuals, the friends are learning to offer concepts from the Bahá’í Writings as a contribution to the evolution of thought and action among their compatriots that is necessary to bring about constructive change. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

The question of spiritual empowerment requires, in general, a great deal of thought and reflection by tutors. Indeed, the educational process set in motion by the institute courses can, in the final analysis, be seen as a means of moral and spiritual empowerment, one through which people of all walks of life and every background are enabled to arise and participate in building a better world, The conception of power employed here differs greatly from prevalent definitions that associate it with the intention to dominate or to induce others to acquiesce to one’s wishes and demands. The aim, instead, is to become channels for the flow of the powers of the human spirit: the power of unity, of love, of humble service, of pure deeds. How to contribute to the dynamics needed for such a process to advance—nay, accelerate—is central to the act of serving as a tutor, and with the experience in engaging group after group in the study of the courses, every tutor is able to catch glimpses into the many interacting factors involved, none of which is more powerful than nurturing true understanding. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁵

Question for Consideration

Based on the quotes above, including those from the third unit, “Serving as an Animator,” of Book 5, Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth, how can the educational process set in motion by the institute courses be seen as a means of moral and spiritual empowerment, one through which people of all walks of life and every background are enabled to arise and participate in building a better world? ⁶

Perplexity Pro Response ⁷

The Ruhi Institute’s educational process, encompassing a series of courses and community-building activities, serves as a transformative means of moral and spiritual empowerment, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to actively contribute to the betterment of society.

Transformative Junior Youth Programme

The Bahá’í community’s approach to junior youth education stands in stark contrast to prevailing global trends. While society often views this age group as problematic and self-absorbed, the Bahá’í programme recognizes their innate altruism, sense of justice, and eagerness to contribute to a better world [2]. This innovative approach engages the expanding consciousness of junior youth, helping them analyze societal forces and their influence on thoughts and actions [2]. The programme sharpens spiritual perception, enhances powers of expression, and reinforces moral structures that serve participants throughout their lives [2].

• Focuses on ages when intellectual, spiritual, and physical powers are burgeoning
• Provides tools to combat negative forces and maintain noble identity
• Empowers junior youth to work for the common good
• Spreads rapidly as an expression of cultural advancement in Bahá’í communities worldwide
• Validated by accounts from participants across the globe [2]
  

Spiritual Empowerment Through Education

The educational process initiated by the Ruhi Institute courses fosters moral and spiritual empowerment by developing participants’ latent capacities and equipping them with tools for positive social change. This approach nurtures true understanding, enhances powers of expression, and cultivates a culture of learning and service [2]. By engaging in deep study of spiritual concepts and their practical application, individuals from all walks of life are enabled to become active agents of community transformation, combating passivity and taking charge of their own development [1] [5].

• Develops spiritual perception to analyze constructive and destructive societal forces
• Promotes a view of power focused on channeling spiritual forces like unity and love
• Provides continuity of education from childhood through adulthood
• Embeds participation in community-building activities as an integral part of life
  

Cultural Shift in Communities

The Ruhi Institute’s educational process catalyzes a profound cultural shift within communities. As children and junior youth progress seamlessly through the program’s levels, a new vitality emerges among participants who take charge of their own development [1]. This transformation fosters immunity to societal forces that breed passivity, embedding spiritual and moral education as an indispensable aspect of community life [3]. The training institute ensures the continuous development of human resources capable of providing spiritual and moral edification to growing numbers of children and junior youth [3]. As a result:

• Material and spiritual progress possibilities take shape
• Social reality begins to transform
• Communities develop resilience against negative influences
• A culture of ongoing learning and service becomes established
  

This grassroots approach to community building empowers individuals to become active agents of positive change, creating a sustainable framework for societal advancement [1] [3].

Redefining Power as Service

The Ruhi Institute’s approach redefines power, shifting away from domination towards becoming channels for spiritual forces. This conception emphasizes unity, love, humble service, and pure deeds as the true sources of empowerment [1]. Tutors play a crucial role in this process, contributing to the dynamics that accelerate spiritual growth through nurturing true understanding. As participants engage with the courses, they develop the capacity to:

• Recognize and channel the powers of the human spirit
• Contribute to community building without seeking personal dominance
• Cultivate a service-oriented mindset that empowers others
• Understand power as a collective force for positive change rather than individual control
  

This redefinition of power aligns with Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of a mature world where wisdom manifests among mankind, moving away from traditional notions of kingship and authority [5].

Citations

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

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

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

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

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How does the Bahá’í community’s approach to junior youth differ from global trends?
• What specific tools are provided to junior youth to combat destructive forces?
• How does the junior youth spiritual empowerment programme enhance their moral structures?
• What role do tutors play in the educational process of the institute courses?
• How does the programme help junior youth develop a sense of justice and altruism?
• How does the concept of power as service manifest in the Ruhi Institute’s teachings?
• What are some practical examples of power as service in community service projects?
• How can individuals apply the principle of power as service in their daily lives?
• What challenges might arise when redefining power as service in a community?
• How does the Ruhi Institute measure the effectiveness of power as service in its programs?

1. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/16#847671231. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#923291670. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2018 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20180421_001/1#458252473. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “28 November 2023 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20231128_001/1#520608583. ↩
5. 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, viii. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#JY1. ↩
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, 85-87. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
7. Perplexity Pro. “Spiritual Empowerment Through Education.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 12, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/one-of-the-signs-of-the-maturi-Xk_gt9RJQ_.oEmQPT4D0SQ. ↩