Daily Frameworks for 01 March 2025

Jalál, 01 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

Know thou of a certainty that the Unseen can in no wise incarnate His Essence and reveal it unto men. He is, and hath ever been, immensely exalted beyond all that can either be recounted or perceived. From His retreat of glory His voice is ever proclaiming: “Verily, I am God; there is none other God besides Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. I have manifested Myself unto men, and have sent down Him Who is the Dayspring of the signs of My Revelation. Through Him I have caused all creation to testify that there is none other God except Him, the Incomparable, the All-Informed, the All-Wise.” He Who is everlastingly hidden from the eyes of men can never be known except through His Manifestation, and His Manifestation can adduce no greater proof of the truth of His Mission than the proof of His own Person. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

The quintessence of our subject was this: What is the mission of the Prophet, and what is the object of a divine law? In answer we stated: There is no doubt that the purpose of a divine law is the education of the human race, the training of humanity. All mankind may be considered as pupils or children who are in need of a divine Educator, a real Teacher. The essential requirement and qualification of Prophethood is the training and guidance of the people. Therefore, we shall first consider the efficacy of the teachings of those who have been followed and accepted as the Prophets of God. The question that must be answered is: Have They taught mankind? Have They proved Themselves efficient Educators? —‘Abdu’l‑Bahá ²

The time has come when all mankind shall be united, when all races shall be loyal to one fatherland, all religions become one religion, and racial and religious bias pass away. It is a day in which the oneness of humankind shall uplift its standard and international peace, like the true morning, flood the world with its light. —‘Abdu’l‑Bahá ³

The fundamental principles of the Prophets are scientific, but the forms and imitations which have appeared are opposed to science. If religion does not agree with science, it is superstition and ignorance; for God has endowed man with reason in order that he may perceive reality. The foundations of religion are reasonable. God has created us with intelligence to perceive them. If they are opposed to science and reason, how could they be believed and followed? —‘Abdu’l‑Bahá ⁴

In the years since, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh have been patiently refining that model and working with others around them to build up and broaden a system of social organization based on His teachings. They are learning how to nurture communities that embody those prerequisites of peace we identified in 1985. They cultivate environments in which children can be raised untainted by any form of racial, national, or religious prejudice. They champion the full equality of women with men in the affairs of the community. Their programmes of education, transformative in their effects and encompassing both the material and spiritual aspects of life, welcome everyone who wishes to contribute to the community’s prosperity. In the stirrings of social action can be seen their desire to remedy the numerous ills afflicting humanity and to empower each person to become a protagonist in the building of a new world. Taking inspiration from the concept of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, they invite to their devotional meetings followers of all faiths and none. Youth, distinguished for their commitment to a society founded on peace and justice, are engaging their like-minded peers in the work of building communities on this foundation. In the institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly exists the spiritual authority and the administrative capacity to govern in servitude, to resolve conflicts, and to build unity; the electoral process through which Assemblies are formed is itself an expression of peace, in contrast to the vitriol and even violence that often accompanies elections in the wider society. Implicit in all these dimensions of an open, expanding community is the foundational recognition that all of humanity are the children of one Creator. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Questions for Consideration

You are a tutor of a study circle of high school students in your village or neighborhood studying Book 2: Arising to Serve. As they go through the second unit, “Uplifting Conversations,” you suggest they try to apply what they are learning by entering into conversations on subjects of social and spiritual import with their peers at school. What are some things you can do to make sure that their ability to converse on spiritual matters begins to increase? Why is is, for example, necessary that you first help each participant choose, during the study of the unit, at least one of the statements (see quotes above for examples) and identity a couple of friends with whom to converse on the ideas it contains? ⁶

Perplexity Pro Response ⁷

To help the study circle participants increase their ability to converse on spiritual matters with their peers, you can take several important steps:

1. Practice sessions: Organize role-playing exercises where participants practice expressing the ideas from the statements in their own words. This will help them gain confidence and fluency.
2. Reflection and planning: Help each participant select a statement that resonates with them and identify 2-3 friends they feel comfortable approaching. Discuss potential conversation starters related to the chosen statement.
3. Gradual approach: Encourage participants to start with brief, natural mentions of spiritual concepts in everyday conversations before attempting longer discussions.
4. Follow-up discussions: Set aside time in subsequent study circle meetings for participants to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in initiating spiritual conversations.
5. Emphasize listening: Remind participants that uplifting conversations involve attentive listening and genuine interest in others’ perspectives, not just sharing their own views.
6. Connect to current issues: Help participants relate the spiritual principles in the statements to current events or common concerns among their peers.
7. Memorization: Encourage memorization of key quotes to help internalize the ideas and express them more naturally.
8. Personal reflection: Guide participants to reflect on how the spiritual concepts apply to their own lives, which will help them speak from personal experience.
9. Supportive environment: Create a supportive atmosphere in the study circle where participants feel comfortable sharing their attempts, both successful and challenging.
10. Gradual expansion: As participants gain confidence, encourage them to expand their conversations to a wider circle of friends and acquaintances.
    

It is necessary to help each participant choose a statement and identify friends to converse with during the study because:

1. It provides a concrete, actionable step for applying the knowledge gained in the course.
2. It helps participants overcome initial hesitation by giving them a specific task to focus on.
3. It allows for personalized application of the course material, as each participant can choose a statement that resonates with them.
4. It creates opportunities for immediate practice and reinforcement of the skills being developed.
5. It helps participants see the relevance and applicability of the course material to their daily lives and interactions.
   

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that the participants’ ability to engage in meaningful spiritual conversations begins to increase, allowing them to contribute more effectively to the spiritual and social development of their peers and community [1].

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Ruhi Institute’s Book 2, Arising to Serve, focuses on developing skills for meaningful spiritual conversations, encouraging participants to engage with their peers on topics of social and spiritual importance while fostering personal growth and community development.

Mission of the Prophets

The divine Educators, known as Prophets, serve as teachers for humanity, guiding and educating people through divine laws and principles. Their mission is to uplift and transform society, fostering unity among diverse groups and promoting spiritual and material progress. These Manifestations of God, such as Bahá’u’lláh, bring teachings that are scientifically sound and rationally comprehensible, addressing the needs of their time while laying foundations for future advancement. The efficacy of their teachings is demonstrated through the profound impact they have on individuals and societies, inspiring followers to work towards the betterment of humanity and the establishment of a just, peaceful world order. [1]

Religion and Science Harmony

The harmony between religion and science is a fundamental principle emphasized in the Bahá’í teachings. True religious beliefs, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, must align with scientific understanding, as both are means of perceiving reality. This concept challenges the notion that faith and reason are incompatible, asserting instead that genuine religious principles are inherently reasonable and scientifically sound. The emphasis on this harmony encourages believers to approach spiritual matters with an analytical mindset, fostering a faith that is both intellectually satisfying and spiritually enriching. By promoting this integration, the Bahá’í Faith seeks to eliminate superstition and ignorance, encouraging a balanced approach to understanding the world and one’s place in it.

Building Unified Communities

The Bahá’í community’s efforts to build unified and spiritually vibrant communities are evident in their diverse initiatives. These include creating prejudice-free environments for children, promoting gender equality, and developing educational programs that address both material and spiritual aspects of life. Youth play a crucial role in this process, engaging their peers in community-building activities founded on principles of peace and justice. The institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly serves as a cornerstone for governance, conflict resolution, and unity-building, with its electoral process exemplifying peaceful civic engagement. These efforts collectively reflect the Bahá’í belief in the oneness of humanity and the recognition that all people are children of one Creator, fostering an open and expanding community dedicated to social transformation. [1]

Fostering Spiritual Conversations

To enhance participants’ ability to engage in spiritual conversations, the tutor can implement several strategies:

• Organize role-playing exercises to practice expressing ideas from chosen statements
• Guide participants in selecting statements that resonate with them and identifying friends for potential discussions
• Encourage gradual integration of spiritual concepts into everyday conversations
• Facilitate follow-up discussions to share experiences and challenges
• Emphasize active listening and genuine interest in others’ perspectives
  

Helping participants choose statements and identify conversation partners during the study is crucial because it provides a concrete, actionable step for applying course material, overcomes initial hesitation, and allows for personalized application of spiritual concepts. This approach creates immediate opportunities for practice, reinforcing the skills being developed and demonstrating the relevance of the course to participants’ daily lives and interactions. [1]

Citations

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I encourage my students to apply the principles they learn in the study circle to their everyday conversations?
• What are some effective ways to help students identify and discuss spiritual themes with their peers?
• How can I ensure that the conversations in the study circle remain uplifting and meaningful?
• What strategies can I use to help students develop the habit of referring to spiritual principles in their informal discussions?
• How can I measure the impact of the study circle on the students’ ability to engage in spiritual conversations?
• What are some practical ways to initiate spiritual conversations?
• How can we create a safe space for open and honest spiritual discussions?
• What are some effective tools or resources for fostering spiritual conversations?
• How can we encourage people from different faith backgrounds to engage in spiritual conversations?
• What are some common challenges in maintaining spiritual conversations and how can they be overcome?

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/2#460503983. ↩
2. ’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, 411. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/30#405242360. ↩
3. ’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, 153. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/11#180977470. ↩
4. ’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, 128. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/9#869824053. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “18 January 2019 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20190118_001/1#906092160. ↩
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, 105-107. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
7. Perplexity Pro. “Initiating Spiritual Conversations That Matter.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 27, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/know-thou-of-a-certainty-that-ciB1XZWLRNOtU5LOv0DjSw. ↩