Daily Frameworks for 22 February 2025

Jalál, 17 Mulk (Dominion), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

In truth I have created Thee through Thyself, then at My Own behest I have fashioned all things through the creative power of Thy Word. We are All-Powerful. I have appointed Thee to be the Beginning and the End, the Seen and the Hidden. Verily We are the All-Knowing. — The Báb ¹

In cluster after cluster, from the first stirrings of activity, they labour alongside the friends, assisting individuals, communities, and institutions to focus their attention on the Plan, to maintain a conception of what needs to be done and the next steps to be taken, and to appreciate the complementarity of the efforts of all the friends and the need for mutual support. And in every aspect of their service, they foster a spirit of love and unity. — Universal House of Justice ²

That the world civilization now on humanity’s horizon must achieve a dynamic coherence between the material and spiritual requirements of life is central to the Bahá’í teachings. Clearly this ideal has profound implications for the nature of any social action pursued by Bahá’ís, whatever its scope and range of influence. Though conditions will vary from country to country, and perhaps from cluster to cluster, eliciting from the friends a variety of endeavours, there are certain fundamental concepts that all should bear in mind. One is the centrality of knowledge to social existence. The perpetuation of ignorance is a most grievous form of oppression; it reinforces the many walls of prejudice that stand as barriers to the realization of the oneness of humankind, at once the goal and operating principle of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. Access to knowledge is the right of every human being, and participation in its generation, application and diffusion a responsibility that all must shoulder in the great enterprise of building a prosperous world civilization—each individual according to his or her talents and abilities. — Universal House of Justice ³

Expansion and consolidation, individual action and collective campaigns, refinement of the inner character and consecration to selfless service—the harmonious relationship between these facets of Bahá’í life is now readily acknowledged. It brings us equal pleasure to know that the friends are on their guard, lest new false dichotomies be allowed to pervade their thinking. They are well aware that the diverse elements of a programme of growth are complementary. The tendency to see activities, and the agencies that support them, in competition with one another, a tendency so common in society at large, is being avoided by the community. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

Bahá’í youth, like all Bahá’ís, need to fortify their faith by immersing themselves repeatedly and frequently in the study of the Creative Word of God. One of the major purposes of training institutes is to help make this enrichment possible. Our hope is that great numbers of youth will not only participate in the courses of the institutes, but will themselves assume the responsibilities of tutors and facilitators. Such a development will serve both Bahá’ís and the wider society in your countries. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Developments since then have served only to demonstrate further the efficacy of a sequence of courses that seeks to build capacity for service by concentrating on the application of the spiritual insights gained through profound study of the Writings. Participants are exposed to a body of knowledge that fosters a set of related habits, attitudes and qualities and are assisted in sharpening certain skills and abilities needed to carry out acts of service. Discussions that revolve around the Creative Word, in the serious and uplifting atmosphere of a study circle, raise the level of consciousness about one’s duties to the Cause and create an awareness of the joy one derives from teaching the Faith and serving its interests. The spiritual context in which specific deeds are addressed endows them with significance. Confidence is patiently built as the friends engage in progressively more complex and demanding acts of service. — Universal House of Justice ⁶

Without exception, having witnessed the transformative effects of the institute process first hand, the friends in such clusters are striving to gain a fuller appreciation of the dynamics that underlie it—the spirit of fellowship it creates, the participatory approach it adopts, the depth of understanding it fosters, the acts of service it recommends, and, above all, its reliance on the Word of God. Every effort is being exerted to ensure that the process reflects the complementarity of “being” and “doing” the institute courses make explicit; the centrality they accord to knowledge and its application; the emphasis they place on avoiding false dichotomies; the stress they lay on memorization of the Creative Word; and the care they exercise in raising consciousness, without awakening the insistent self. — Universal House of Justice ⁷

Question for Consideration

Based on the quotes above and source files in the “Walking Together on a Path of Service” space, describe more about aims of the Ruhi Institute courses such as complementarity of “being” and “doing,” centrality to knowledge and its application, avoiding false dichotomies, memorization of the Creative Word, and care in raising consciousness. ⁸

Perplexity Pro Response ⁹

The Ruhi Institute courses, developed by the Bahá’í community, offer a comprehensive educational approach that integrates spiritual study with practical service, aiming to build capacity for individual and collective transformation while avoiding false dichotomies between contemplation and action.

Complementarity of Being and Doing

The Ruhi Institute courses emphasize the harmonious integration of spiritual development and practical action, recognizing that inner transformation and outward service are intrinsically linked. This approach fosters a dynamic interplay between studying the Bahá’í Writings and engaging in concrete acts of service, allowing participants to:

• Develop spiritual qualities while simultaneously applying them in their communities
• Gain profound insights from the Creative Word and immediately put them into practice
• Cultivate a reflective attitude that informs and refines their service efforts
• Experience personal growth through progressively more complex and demanding acts of service [1] [3]
  

By maintaining this balance, the courses avoid the pitfall of purely theoretical study or action without spiritual grounding, instead nurturing individuals who can contribute effectively to the betterment of society while continually deepening their own spiritual understanding.

Centrality of Knowledge Application

Knowledge acquisition and its practical application form the cornerstone of the Ruhi Institute’s educational philosophy. The courses are designed to foster a deep understanding of spiritual concepts through systematic study of the Bahá’í Writings, while simultaneously encouraging immediate application of these insights in service to humanity [1]. This approach recognizes that:

• True understanding emerges from the interplay between study and action
• Knowledge becomes transformative when applied to real-world situations
• Participants develop skills and abilities through progressively complex acts of service
• The spiritual context provided by the courses imbues service with deeper meaning and purpose
  

By emphasizing both the acquisition and application of knowledge, the Ruhi Institute courses aim to empower individuals to become active agents of positive change in their communities, bridging the gap between spiritual understanding and practical social action [2].

Memorization and Spiritual Growth

Memorization of the Creative Word plays a vital role in the Ruhi Institute courses, serving as a powerful tool for spiritual growth and transformation. By internalizing passages from the Bahá’í Writings, participants develop a deeper connection to the divine teachings, allowing these words to shape their thoughts and actions in daily life [1]. This practice not only enhances understanding but also provides a wellspring of inspiration and guidance for service activities. The courses carefully integrate memorization exercises, ensuring that participants can readily access and apply spiritual insights in various contexts, fostering a more profound engagement with the Faith’s teachings [2].

Fostering Unity and Service

The Ruhi Institute courses foster a spirit of unity and collective service, encouraging participants to see themselves as part of a larger community working towards common goals. Through collaborative study and service projects, individuals develop a deeper appreciation for the complementarity of diverse efforts and the need for mutual support [1]. This approach helps overcome the tendency, prevalent in society, to view activities or agencies in competition with one another [2]. Instead, participants learn to recognize how various elements of a growth program are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, contributing to a harmonious and unified community effort.

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 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How do the Ruhi Institute courses integrate spiritual growth with practical service?
• What specific skills and abilities are developed through the Ruhi Institute courses?
• How does the Ruhi Institute approach avoid creating false dichotomies in service activities?
• What role does memorization of the Creative Word play in the Ruhi Institute courses?
• How do the Ruhi Institute courses foster a sense of unity and mutual support among participants? How does the Ruhi Institute promote unity among its participants?
• What specific activities does the Ruhi Institute use to foster a sense of community?
• How does the Ruhi Institute measure the success of its unity and service initiatives?
• What role does service play in the spiritual growth programs of the Ruhi Institute?
• How does the Ruhi Institute encourage participants to apply their knowledge in service activities?

1. The Báb. Selections from the Writings of the Báb. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1. ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1976, 86. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-bab/selections-writings-bab/7#210191724. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “25 November 2016 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20161125_001/1#025842098. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2010 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20100421_001/1#977686651. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “28 December 2010 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20101228_001/1#240675595. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “20 July 2000 – To the Friends gathered at the Asian International Youth Conference, Karachi, Pakistan, 21–23 July 2000.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20000720_001/1#088764575. ↩
6. Universal House of Justice. “27 December 2005 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20051227_001/1#381406812. ↩
7. Universal House of Justice. “28 December 2010 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20101228_001/1#480227756. ↩
8. 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, 100-102. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
9. Perplexity Pro. “Aims of Ruhi Institute Courses.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 20, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/in-truth-i-have-created-thee-t-YQBmSNkZSFOGq9CKhfORAw. ↩