Daily Frameworks for 06 March 2025

Istijlál, 06 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

I desire that every one of the believers may become an ignited candle in the assemblage of the world of humanity, and conducive to others’ eternal life. Today the confirmations of the Kingdom of ‘Abhá are with those who renounce themselves, forget their own opinions, cast aside personalities and are thinking of the welfare of others. Whosoever has lost himself, has found the universe and the inhabitants thereof! Whosoever is occupied with himself is wandering in the desert of heedlessness and regret! The master-key of self-mastery is self-forgetfulness. The road to the palace of life is through the path of renunciation. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

First of all, be ready to sacrifice your lives for one another, to prefer the general well-being to your personal well-being. Create relationships that nothing can shake; form an assembly that nothing can break up; have a mind that never ceases acquiring riches that nothing can destroy. If love did not exist, what of reality would remain? It is the fire of the love of God which renders man superior to the animal. Strengthen this superior force through which is attained all the progress in the world. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom! Your letter was received. From its contents it was known that, praise be to God, your hearts are in the utmost purity and your souls rejoice in the glad tidings of God. The mass of the people are occupied with self and worldly desire, are immersed in the ocean of the nether world and are captives of the world of nature, save those souls who have been freed from the chains and fetters of the material world and, like unto swift-flying birds, are soaring in this unbounded realm. They are awake and vigilant, they shun the obscurity of the world of nature, their highest wish centereth on the eradication from among men of the struggle for existence, the shining forth of the spirituality and the love of the realm on high, the exercise of utmost kindness among peoples, the realization of an intimate and close connection between religions and the practice of the ideal of self-sacrifice. Then will the world of humanity be transformed into the Kingdom of God. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

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 ⁴

Questions for Consideration

At the request of the coordinator for the main sequence, you are taking a small group of young people through Book 5, Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth. Upon completion of the second unit, “An Age of Promise,” you assist them in holding conversations with a few junior youth in order to gain some insights into how those in this age group think about certain significant themes. How ill you help them do this? For example, will they speak with junior youth individually? Will they engage in conversations in pairs, and who will accompany them? How will you guide them in reflecting on their experience? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

To assist the young people in your group in holding meaningful conversations with junior youth after completing the second unit of Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth, you can follow a structured and reflective approach. Below is a step-by-step guide to help them engage effectively and reflect on their experiences:

Preparation Before the Conversations

Clarify Objectives

• Help the youth understand that these conversations are meant to gain insights into how junior youth think about significant themes, not to teach or lecture.

Review Key Themes

• Revisit the concepts studied in the second unit, “An Age of Promise,” which emphasizes the potentialities of junior youth, their unique characteristics, and their capacity for spiritual and intellectual growth.

Plan the Approach

• Decide whether conversations will be one-on-one or in small groups (pairs or trios often work well).
• Pair each participant with a peer or an experienced animator for support during the conversations.
  

Structuring the Conversations

Create a Welcoming Environment

• Begin with informal, friendly interactions to build rapport.
• Choose a comfortable setting where junior youth feel at ease to express themselves.

Use Open-Ended Questions

• Encourage junior youth to share their thoughts on themes such as justice, service, friendship, and their aspirations for contributing to their communities.
• Example questions:
  
  • What do you think makes someone a good friend?
  • How do you think young people like you can help make the world a better place?
  • What do you enjoy learning about, and why?

Incorporate Stories or Examples

• Share relatable stories from Breezes of Confirmation or other texts used in the program to stimulate reflection.
• Ask junior youth how they might apply lessons from these stories in their own lives.
  

Accompaniment During Conversations

Role of Accompanying Youth

• The accompanying individual should act as a supportive observer, stepping in only when necessary to guide or encourage deeper reflection.

Encourage Active Listening

• Train participants to listen attentively and respond thoughtfully to what junior youth share, avoiding interruptions or judgment.
  

Reflection After the Conversations

Facilitate Group Reflection

• Gather participants after the conversations to reflect on their experiences. Use guiding questions such as:
  
  • What did you learn about how junior youth view themselves and their role in society?
  • What surprised you about their responses?
  • How did this experience help you better understand the potential of junior youth?

Document Insights

• Encourage participants to write down key takeaways and ideas for improving future interactions.
  

Sustaining Engagement

Build Relationships

• Encourage participants to maintain contact with the junior youth they spoke with by inviting them to join ongoing activities, such as junior youth groups or community service projects.

Consult on Next Steps

• Discuss how insights gained can inform future efforts to empower junior youth and strengthen their spiritual perception.
  

This approach not only equips participants with practical skills for engaging with junior youth but also reinforces their understanding of Book 5’s themes. It fosters a spirit of accompaniment, mutual learning, and service that aligns with the principles of walking together on a path of service.

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Ruhi Institute’s Book 5, “Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth, offers a structured approach for engaging with and empowering young adolescents, emphasizing their potential for spiritual growth and social contribution. This program guides facilitators in fostering meaningful conversations with junior youth, exploring themes of service, justice, and personal development to nurture their expanding consciousness and moral foundations.

Teachings on Selflessness and Love

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings emphasize the transformative power of selflessness and divine love in human society. He encourages believers to each become an “ignited candle” in the world, renouncing personal desires and focusing on the welfare of others [1]. This path of self-forgetfulness and renunciation is presented as the key to unlocking one’s true potential and finding fulfillment in life [1].

The importance of sacrificial love and unity is further highlighted, with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá urging followers to prioritize collective well-being over individual interests [1]. He describes love as the superior force that elevates humanity above the animal kingdom and drives progress in the world. These teachings aim to inspire a shift from self-centeredness to a more altruistic and spiritually-oriented way of living, ultimately envisioning the transformation of human society into a divine civilization [1].

Junior Youth Empowerment Vision

The Bahá’í community’s approach to junior youth empowerment stands in stark contrast to prevailing global trends. While society often views this age group as problematic and self-absorbed, Bahá’ís recognize the inherent nobility and potential of junior youth, seeing in them altruism, a keen sense of justice, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the world [2]. This vision is supported by accounts from junior youth participants worldwide, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in engaging their expanding consciousness.

The junior youth spiritual empowerment program helps participants analyze constructive and destructive societal forces, sharpen spiritual perception, enhance expression, and reinforce moral structures [2]. By providing tools to combat negative influences and work for the common good, the program aims to preserve and nurture the true identity of junior youth as noble beings capable of significant contributions to society’s betterment.

Engaging Junior Youth Conversations

To facilitate meaningful conversations with junior youth after completing the “An Age of Promise” unit, organize participants into pairs or small groups, each accompanied by an experienced animator. This approach provides support while fostering a comfortable environment for junior youth to express themselves freely. Prepare open-ended questions that explore themes such as friendship, justice, and community service, encouraging junior youth to share their perspectives and aspirations [1].

Create a welcoming atmosphere by choosing familiar settings and beginning with informal interactions. Incorporate stories from texts like “Breezes of Confirmation” to stimulate reflection and discussion. Train participants in active listening, emphasizing the importance of attentiveness and thoughtful responses without judgment. This structured approach not only helps gain insights into junior youth thinking but also reinforces the participants’ understanding of Book 5’s themes, fostering a spirit of mutual learning and service [1] [2].

Reflection and Sustained Engagement

After engaging in conversations with junior youth, participants gather to reflect on their experiences, sharing insights and surprises about how young adolescents view themselves and their role in society. This reflection process deepens understanding of junior youth potential and informs future empowerment efforts. To sustain engagement, participants are encouraged to maintain contact with the junior youth they spoke with, inviting them to join ongoing activities such as junior youth groups or community service projects. This approach not only reinforces the themes of Book 5 but also fosters a spirit of accompaniment and mutual learning, aligning with the principles of walking together on a path of service [1] [2].

Citations

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

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I apply the principles of self-forgetfulness in my daily life?
• What are some practical ways to form unbreakable relationships with others?
• How can I help junior youth develop their spiritual perception?
• What are the key themes discussed in Book 5 of the Ruhi Institute?
• How can I contribute to the spiritual empowerment of junior youth in my community?
• How can sustained engagement be maintained among junior youth?
• What strategies can be used to foster reflection among junior youth?
• How does reflection contribute to the sustained engagement of junior youth?
• What are the key elements of a reflection activity for junior youth?
• How can reflection activities be integrated into daily junior youth programs?

1. Bahá’u’lláh and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Scriptures: Selections from the Utterances of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Edited by Horace Holley. Second. New York: Baha’i Publishing Committee, 1928, 548. https://bahai-library.com/compilations/bahai.scriptures/9.html#548 ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. ’Abdu’l-Bahá on Divine Philosophy. Edited by Elizabeth Fraser Chamberlain. Boston: Tudor Press, 1918, 112. https://bahai-library.com/abdul-baha_divine_philosophy&chapter=all#112. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 76-77. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/9#744407411. ↩
4. 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. ↩
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, 105-109. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 4, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/i-desire-that-every-one-of-the-Zj1txvFLS1OqakLgydK1Ag. ↩