Jamál, 02 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection:
By the righteousness of My name, the All-Merciful! The Pen of the Most High trembleth with a great trembling and is sore shaken at the revelation of these words. How puny and insignificant is the evanescent drop when compared with the waves and billows of God’s limitless and everlasting Ocean, and how utterly contemptible must every contingent and perishable thing appear when brought face to face with the uncreated, the unspeakable glory of the Eternal! We implore pardon of God, the All-Powerful, for them that entertain such beliefs, and give utterance to such words. Say: O people! How can a fleeting fancy compare with the Self-Subsisting, and how can the Creator be likened unto His creatures, who are but as the script of His Pen? Nay, His script excelleth all things, and is sanctified from, and immeasurably exalted above, all creatures. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Our limbs, our members, O my Lord, bear witness to Thy unity and oneness. Send down upon us Thy strength and power, that we may become steadfast in Thy Faith and may aid Thee among Thy servants. Illumine our eyes, O my Lord, with the effulgence of Thy beauty, and enlighten our hearts with the splendors of Thy knowledge and wisdom. Write us up, then, with those who have fulfilled their pledge to Thy Covenant in Thy days, and who, through their love for Thee, have detached themselves from the world and all that is therein. — Bahá’u’lláh 2
All these sacred words show us that man is made in God’s image: yet the Essence of God is incomprehensible to the human mind, for the finite understanding cannot be applied to this infinite Mystery. God contains all: He cannot be contained. That which contains is superior to that which is contained. The whole is greater than its parts. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
There are four kinds of love. The first is the love that flows from God to man; it consists of the inexhaustible graces, the Divine effulgence and heavenly illumination. Through this love the world of being receives life. Through this love man is endowed with physical existence, until, through the breath of the Holy Spirit—this same love—he receives eternal life and becomes the image of the Living God. This love is the origin of all the love in the world of creation. —‘Abdu’l‑Bahá 4
Therefore, in the natural world there is need of an Educator and Teacher for mankind. He must be universal in his powers and accomplishments. Teachers are of two kinds: universal and special. The universal Instructors are the Prophets of God, and the special teachers are the philosophers. The philosophers are capable of educating and training a limited circle of human souls, whereas the holy, divine Manifestations of God confer general education upon humanity. They arise to bestow universal moral training. For example, Moses was a universal Teacher. He trained and disciplined the people of Israel, enabled them to rescue themselves from the lowest abyss of despair and ignorance and caused them to attain an advanced degree of knowledge and development. They were captives and in the bondage of slavery; through Him they became free. He led them out of Egypt into the Holy Land and opened the doors of their advancement into higher civilization. Through His training this oppressed and downtrodden people, slaves and captives of the Pharaohs, established the splendor of the Solomonic sovereignty. This is an example of a universal Teacher, a universal Educator. Again, consider Christ: how that marvelous expression of unity bestowed education and ethical training upon the Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Syrian and Assyrian nations and welded together a people from them in a permanent and indissoluble bond. These nations were formerly at enmity and in a state of continual hostility and strife. He cemented them together, caused them to agree, conferred tranquillity upon humanity and established the foundations of human welfare throughout the world. Therefore, He was a real Educator, the Instructor of reality. —‘Abdu’l‑Bahá 5
Foremost among the achievements of the past century is the victory of the Covenant, which both protected the Faith from division and propelled it to embrace and contribute to the empowerment of all peoples and nations. Bahá’u’lláh’s penetrating question that lies at the heart of religion—“Where shalt thou secure the cord of thy faith and fasten the tie of thine obedience?”—takes on a new and vital significance for those who recognize Him as the Manifestation of God for this Day. It is a call for firmness in the Covenant. The response of the Bahá’í community has been unyielding adherence to the provisions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament. Unlike relationships of worldly power in which a sovereign entity compels obedience, the relationship between the Manifestation of God and the believers, and between the authority designated by the Covenant and the community, is governed by conscious knowledge and love. In recognizing Bahá’u’lláh, a believer enters voluntarily into His Covenant as an act of free conscience and, out of love for Him, remains steadfast in adherence to its requirements. At the close of the first century of the Formative Age, the Bahá’í world has come to more fully understand and act upon the provisions of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, and a distinctive set of relationships has been established among the believers that unify and direct their energies in pursuit of their sacred mission. This achievement, like so many others, was the fruit of crises overcome. — Universal House of Justice 6
Questions for Consideration
Your study circle of high school students in your village or neighborhood is now studying the third unit, “Deepening Themes” of Book 2: Arising to Serve and has started Section 3 concerning a statement on the eternal Covenant of God (see quotes above). Why is it important that, after reading the statement, the participants take time to reflect on it paragraph by paragraph, identify the sequence of ideas it contains, and learn to express them with clarity? 7
Perplexity Pro Response 8
Taking time to reflect on the statement about the eternal Covenant of God in Section 3 of Unit 3 in Book 2: Arising to Serve is essential for several reasons. This process allows participants to deeply engage with the profound spiritual concepts presented, internalize their meaning, and develop the ability to articulate these ideas with clarity and confidence. Here’s why this approach is important:
Understanding the Sequence of Ideas
The statement contains a structured progression of interconnected spiritual concepts, such as:
- The incomprehensibility of God’s essence.
- The relationship between humanity and God through His Manifestations.
- The purpose and significance of the eternal Covenant.
- The role of love and detachment in spiritual growth.
By reflecting paragraph by paragraph, participants can identify this sequence, which helps them grasp how the ideas build upon one another. This understanding is crucial for developing a coherent view of the Covenant and its implications for their lives.
Deepening Spiritual Insight
The passages emphasize themes like God’s limitless greatness, humanity’s dependence on divine guidance, and the transformative power of recognizing His Manifestations. Reflecting on these themes fosters a deeper awareness of spiritual truths and enhances participants’ ability to apply them in their personal lives and service to others.
Developing Clarity in Expression
Learning to express these ideas clearly is vital for meaningful conversations about the Faith. As participants practice articulating the concepts, they gain confidence in explaining profound topics like the Covenant, God’s Manifestations, and humanity’s spiritual purpose. This skill is particularly important for engaging in uplifting conversations during home visits or community-building activities.
Strengthening Unity of Thought
The act of reflecting together as a group promotes unity of thought among participants. It allows them to share insights, ask questions, and refine their understanding collectively. This collaborative process aligns their perspectives with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and prepares them to present these ideas harmoniously to others.
Cultivating a Spirit of Service
The eternal Covenant underscores humanity’s relationship with God through His Manifestations and calls for steadfastness in obedience and love. Reflecting on this statement inspires participants to align their actions with divine teachings, fostering a spirit of dedication to serving their communities.
Practical Application
To make this reflection effective:
- Encourage participants to read each paragraph aloud and discuss its meaning.
- Use questions to explore key themes (e.g., “What does it mean that God’s essence is incomprehensible?”).
- Practice summarizing each paragraph in simple terms.
- Relate the insights gained to practical acts of service, such as teaching or deepening others in the Faith.
This method ensures that participants not only understand the eternal Covenant intellectually but also embody its principles in their daily lives and interactions with others.
Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive
The Ruhi Institute’s Book 2, “Arising to Serve, guides participants through a deep exploration of the eternal Covenant of God, emphasizing the importance of reflection, understanding, and articulation of spiritual concepts to foster personal growth and community service.
God’s Incomprehensible Essence
The concept of God’s incomprehensible essence is central to Bahá’í teachings, emphasizing the vast gulf between human understanding and divine reality. Bahá’u’lláh eloquently describes this in His writings, comparing humanity to “an evanescent drop” in contrast to the “waves and billows of God’s limitless and everlasting Ocean” [1]. This metaphor underscores the finite nature of human comprehension when faced with the infinite mystery of the Divine.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá further elucidates this principle, stating that while humans are made in God’s image, His essence remains beyond mortal grasp. He explains, “God contains all: He cannot be contained,” highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the Divine that transcends human perception and understanding [1]. This teaching encourages believers to approach spiritual matters with humility and awe, recognizing the limitations of human intellect in comprehending the full majesty of God’s reality.
Divine Love and Manifestations
The concept of divine love flows from God to humanity, bestowing life and existence upon the world of creation. This love, as described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is the first of four kinds and serves as the origin for all love in the world [1]. Through this divine effulgence, humans receive physical existence and, ultimately, eternal life through the breath of the Holy Spirit, becoming the image of the Living God [1].
To guide humanity in understanding and channeling this divine love, God sends universal Instructors known as Manifestations. These Manifestations, such as Moses and Christ, arise to provide universal moral training and education to humanity [1]. Unlike philosophers who can only educate a limited circle, these divine Educators have the power to transform entire civilizations, uniting diverse nations and establishing the foundations for human welfare on a global scale [1].
Significance of the Eternal Covenant
The eternal Covenant of God represents a sacred bond between the Divine and humanity, established through His Manifestations. This Covenant ensures the continuity of spiritual guidance and protects the unity of the Faith. Bahá’u’lláh’s question, “Where shalt thou secure the cord of thy faith and fasten the tie of thine obedience?” emphasizes the vital importance of recognizing and adhering to this Covenant [1]. Unlike worldly power structures, the relationship between believers and the Manifestation is based on conscious knowledge and love, with individuals voluntarily entering the Covenant out of devotion [1]. This steadfast adherence has allowed the Bahá’í community to overcome crises and establish a unified system of relationships that directs their energies towards their sacred mission [1].
Reflecting on Spiritual Teachings
Reflecting on spiritual teachings paragraph by paragraph allows participants to deeply engage with the concepts presented in the Ruhi Institute’s materials. This approach fosters a comprehensive understanding of the eternal Covenant, enabling students to identify the sequence of ideas and develop clarity in expressing them [1]. By carefully examining each paragraph, participants can uncover layers of meaning, relate the teachings to their personal experiences, and cultivate a spirit of service. This process not only strengthens individual comprehension but also promotes unity of thought within the study circle, preparing participants to articulate these profound concepts during community-building activities and teaching efforts [2].
Citations
[1] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[2] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[3] Book 6: Teaching the Cause (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[4] Book 4: The Twin Manifestations (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can we apply the principles of the eternal Covenant in our daily lives?
- What are some practical ways to deepen our understanding of the Bahá’í teachings?
- How can we foster a sense of unity and cooperation among our community members?
- What role does service play in our spiritual growth and development?
- How can we effectively communicate the importance of the Covenant to others?
- How can we integrate spiritual teachings into our daily routines?
- What are some common challenges when reflecting on spiritual teachings?
- How do different spiritual texts offer unique perspectives on spiritual growth?
- What role does community play in deepening our understanding of spiritual teachings?
- How can we apply the principles from Book 6, Teaching the Cause in modern contexts?
- 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/5#144460494. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. Prayers and Meditations by Baháʼuʼlláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1938. Reprint, Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974, 174. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/prayers-meditations/5#424093825. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912. 11th British Ed. 1912. Reprint, London, England: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1972, 23-24. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/2#246607880. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912. 11th British Ed. 1912. Reprint, London, England: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1972, 180. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/7#505039427. ↩
- ’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, 400-401. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/30#695735131. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “18 January 2019 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20231128_001/1#417181274. ↩
- 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. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Studying the Eternal Covenant.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 28, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/by-the-righteousness-of-my-nam-imcD5bhgRei6xPMKGwlOxg. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 