Daily Frameworks for 10 March 2025

Kamál, 10 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

I have been informed that the purpose of your class meeting is to study the significances and mysteries of the Holy Scriptures and understand the meaning of the divine Testaments. It is a cause of great happiness to me that you are turning unto the Kingdom of God, that you desire to approach the presence of God and to become informed of the realities and precepts of God. It is my hope that you may put forth your most earnest endeavor to accomplish this end, that you may investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein. Be not satisfied with words, but seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words. — Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

O thou seeker after the Kingdom! Every divine Manifestation is the very life of the world, and the skilled physician of each ailing soul. The world of man is sick, and that competent Physician knoweth the cure, arising as He doth with teachings, counsels and admonishments that are the remedy for every pain, the healing balm to every wound. It is certain that the wise physician can diagnose his patient’s needs at any season, and apply the cure. Wherefore, relate thou the Teachings of the Abhá Beauty to the urgent needs of this present day, and thou wilt see that they provide an instant remedy for the ailing body of the world. Indeed, they are the elixir that bringeth eternal health. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

I beseech and entreat the all-pervasive grace of the Most Bountiful Lord to grant that the hearts of His loved ones may become the repositories of divine inspiration and the daysprings of the effusions of His limitless bounty, so that, with the utmost harmony and fellowship, they may all be freed from the estrangement of the realm of vainglory and may associate with one another with perfect humility and lowliness. May no trace of self be detected from their conduct and manners, from their words and deeds. Man’s greatness lieth in humility, and his abiding glory is found in lowliness, self-effacement, and servitude to the servants of the Lord. This, verily, is the greatest attainment in this resplendent Day. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Another activity undertaken in the gatherings of tutors is a review of one or more units of a book, in which the content is examined in light of experience and specific passages and exercises are discussed. To illustrate for you the kind of consultation in which you will engage during these gatherings, we will present to you…a few imaginary conversations between a person of considerable experience and a group of tutors consulting together about the content of Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, in the usual atmosphere of friendship, humility, and learning. Each conversation will be followed by one or two exercises for you to carry out. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁴

Question for Consideration

When considering exercises in the second section of Unit 1, “Understanding the Bahá’í Writings” in Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit ⁵, answers to the questions in the exercises cannot always be found by simply reading the quotations in the material. Some of the exercises aim at helping the participants think about the concrete expression of passages from the Writings in one’s daily life. The study of the Revelation should lead to concerted effort to apply the teachings, which requires thinking, consulting, and analyzing one’s understanding in the light of experience. If this process is not well understood, unhealthy characteristics can appear in an individual or even in a community. For example, if someone constantly quotes from “scripture,” ignores every other source of knowledge, and refuses to give any credence to accumulated experience, he or she will have a tendency to be narrow-minded. On the other hand, a person who attaches too much importance to experience and human opinions and devalues the authority of the Holy Text fall prey to the kind of relativism according to which everything is a matter of culture or personal preference. How can both of these positions result in superstition, intolerance, fanaticism, and sloppiness?

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The passages from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Ruhi Institute materials highlight the importance of understanding and applying spiritual teachings in a balanced manner. Let’s explore how both extremes—overemphasizing scripture or experience—can lead to negative outcomes like superstition, intolerance, fanaticism, and sloppiness.

Overemphasizing Scripture

When someone focuses solely on quoting from scripture without considering other sources of knowledge or personal experience, they may become narrow-minded. This approach can lead to:

• Superstition: Overreliance on literal interpretations without understanding the spiritual context can result in superstitious beliefs.
• Intolerance: Ignoring diverse perspectives can foster intolerance towards those who hold different views.
• Fanaticism: Blind adherence to scripture without considering the broader social context can lead to extreme behaviors.
• Sloppiness: In practice, this narrow focus might result in a lack of critical thinking and sloppy application of spiritual principles in daily life.
  

Overemphasizing Experience and Human Opinions

On the other hand, when someone devalues the authority of Holy Texts and prioritizes experience and human opinions too much, they may fall into relativism. This can lead to:

• Superstition: Without a solid foundation in spiritual teachings, personal experiences can be misinterpreted or exaggerated, leading to superstitious beliefs.
• Intolerance: While it might seem counterintuitive, overemphasizing personal opinions can lead to intolerance towards those who adhere to spiritual texts.
• Fanaticism: Extreme reliance on personal experience can result in fanatical adherence to one’s own views, disregarding the wisdom found in spiritual texts.
• Sloppiness: This approach can lead to a lack of consistency and depth in spiritual practice, as it is heavily influenced by changing personal opinions and experiences.
  

Balancing Scripture and Experience

To avoid these pitfalls, it’s essential to strike a balance between understanding spiritual teachings and applying them in the context of personal experience and collective consultation. This balanced approach fosters a deeper understanding of spiritual mysteries, promotes humility, and encourages service to others.

As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advises, one should seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words, rather than being satisfied with mere words. Additionally, relating the teachings to the “urgent needs of this present day” can provide remedies for the world’s ailments. This approach ensures that spiritual growth is accompanied by practical service and community building, avoiding the extremes of narrow-mindedness and relativism.

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Ruhi Institute materials emphasize the importance of balancing spiritual study with practical application, highlighting how extremes in either direction can lead to negative outcomes such as superstition, intolerance, fanaticism, and sloppiness in one’s spiritual journey and community life.

Dangers of Overemphasizing Scripture

Overreliance on scripture without considering other sources of knowledge or personal experience can lead to narrow-mindedness and detrimental outcomes. This approach may result in:

• Superstitious beliefs due to literal interpretations without spiritual context
• Intolerance towards diverse perspectives
• Fanatical adherence to texts without considering broader social implications
• Sloppy application of spiritual principles in daily life due to lack of critical thinking
  

By constantly quoting from scripture and ignoring accumulated experience, individuals risk developing a rigid mindset that fails to adapt to the “urgent needs of this present day,” as emphasized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in his teachings.

Dangers of Overemphasizing Experience

Attaching too much importance to personal experiences and human opinions while devaluing the authority of sacred texts can lead to a form of relativism that undermines spiritual growth. This approach may result in:

• Misinterpretation of personal experiences, potentially leading to superstitious beliefs
• Intolerance towards those who adhere closely to spiritual texts
• Fanatical adherence to one’s own views, disregarding the wisdom found in sacred writings
• Inconsistent and shallow spiritual practices influenced by changing personal opinions
  

By prioritizing individual perspectives over divine guidance, practitioners risk losing the transformative power of spiritual teachings and their ability to address the “urgent needs of this present day,” as emphasized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in his analogy of divine Manifestations as skilled physicians for the world’s ailments.

Balancing Scripture and Experience

To foster spiritual growth and community building, it’s essential to strike a balance between understanding sacred texts and applying them in the context of personal experience and collective consultation. This balanced approach involves:

• Seeking the spiritual meanings hidden within the words of scripture, as advised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
• Relating teachings to contemporary needs, providing remedies for societal challenges
• Engaging in thoughtful analysis and consultation to apply spiritual principles effectively
• Cultivating humility and openness to diverse perspectives while maintaining reverence for sacred texts
• Recognizing the complementary nature of divine guidance and human experience in spiritual development
  

By harmonizing scriptural study with practical application, individuals can avoid the pitfalls of narrow-mindedness and relativism, fostering a deeper understanding of spiritual mysteries while promoting service to others and community progress.

Humility and Consultation in Practice

Practicing humility and engaging in meaningful consultation are essential aspects of spiritual growth and community building. These qualities foster an atmosphere of unity and learning, where individuals can share insights and experiences without ego or vainglory. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes, “Man’s greatness lieth in humility, and his abiding glory is found in lowliness, self-effacement, and servitude to the servants of the Lord.” This approach encourages participants to:

• Listen attentively to others’ perspectives
• Contribute ideas without attachment to personal opinions
• Seek consensus through open and respectful dialogue
• Apply spiritual teachings to address contemporary challenges
• Cultivate an environment of continuous learning and mutual support
  

By embodying these principles, study circles and community gatherings can become spaces where divine inspiration flows freely, and participants collaboratively work towards understanding and applying spiritual truths in their daily lives.

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I apply the teachings of the Bahá’í Writings to my daily life?
• What are some practical exercises to deepen my understanding of the Bahá’í texts?
• How can I balance the study of scripture with other sources of knowledge?
• What are the potential pitfalls of overemphasizing scripture or human experience?
• How can I foster a spirit of humility and fellowship among my peers while studying the Bahá’í teachings?
• How can humility enhance the consultation process in decision-making?
• What are the benefits of seeking consultation in a humble manner?
• How can one practice humility when seeking advice from others?
• What are the challenges of maintaining humility during consultation?
• How does humility influence the outcome of a consultation?

1. ’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, 458-459. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/33#192989574. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 59. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/4#266762802. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Center, 2021. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/light-of-the-world/7#508887715. ↩
4. 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, 113-114. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 4. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Understanding the Bahá’í Writings” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 8, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/i-have-been-informed-that-the-EbOVHtuCTGCSMHAEFpqZNA. ↩