Daily Frameworks for 18 March 2025

Fidál, 18 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

Every word of thy poetry is indeed like unto a mirror in which the evidences of the devotion and love thou cherishest for God and His chosen ones are reflected. Well is it with thee who hast quaffed the choice wine of utterance and partaken of the soft flowing stream of true knowledge. Happy is he who hath drunk his fill and attained unto Him and woe betide the heedless. Its perusal hath truly proved highly impressive, for it was indicative of both the light of reunion and the fire of separation. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Among the greatest of all great services is the education of children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

A corollary spate of activities involved the use of the arts, of which the musical and other artistic performances associated with the celebration in Paris of the centenary of the establishment of the Faith in Europe were an outstanding instance. The Voices of Bahá Choir, composed of 68 members drawn from Europe and the Americas, delighted audiences in eight European cities and introduced the Faith to many. “Light and Fire,” the completed part of an opera/ballet being written by Bahá’í composer Lasse Thoresen of Norway, was successfully performed last September at the prestigious music festival in Poland known as the Warsaw Autumn, which was opened by the Queen of Sweden. The work is based on recent heroic acts of the martyrs in Iran, a fact that exposed the audience to knowledge of the Faith. Europe’s apparent lead in these particular endeavors was also marked by the occasion of the Austrian Chamber Music Festival when the Austrian Cross for Sciences and Arts, the highest award of its kind for Austria, was presented by the President of the Republic to Mr. Bijan Khadem-Missagh, a Bahá’í violinist and conductor. A program at that same Festival featured the recitation of extracts from Bahá’í and other sacred scriptures. But a word, too, must be said in recognition of the prominent part being played by youth all over the world in their employment of the arts in the teaching work; renditions by their dance workshops, in particular, have acquired renown within and outside the Bahá’í community. — Universal House of Justice ³

Question for Consideration

As a member of a burgeoning community, you have seen how the power of the arts can be drawn upon in strengthening its collective life—how hearts are knitted together as beautiful songs inspired by the Writings are sung at devotional gatherings and how a sense of mission is fortified as episodes from the history of the Faith are narrated on Holy Days and other occasions. In a message dated 30 December 2021, referring to the work under way in villages and neighborhoods everywhere, the Universal House of Justice writes:

“Uplifting, well-prepared community gatherings—extending in some cases to camps and festivals—occur with increasing frequency, and music and song feature prominently on such occasions. Indeed the arts as a whole, so integral a part of the development of a community from the start, stand out in such settings as an important means of generating joy, strengthening bonds of unity, disseminating knowledge, and consolidating understanding, as well as of acquainting those in the wider society with the principles of the Cause. And naturally, there remains a strong focus on being outward looking: finding ways to continually share the fruits of a thriving pattern of action with souls who are as yet unfamiliar with the Faith.” ⁴

Before going further into Unit 3, “Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots,” of Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service, highlight the artistic activities woven into the Ruhi Institute educational process fostered at the grassroots, most notably for the younger generations. ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The Ruhi Institute’s educational process, particularly at the grassroots level, incorporates artistic activities in several ways, especially for younger generations:

• Music and Song: Music plays a significant role in community gatherings, devotional meetings, and study circles. Participants often set passages from the Writings to music, which helps strengthen bonds of fellowship and facilitates joyful learning [1].
• Storytelling: This art form is used to narrate episodes from the history of the Faith and to convey spiritual concepts. It can evoke emotions and awaken spiritual susceptibilities in listeners [1].
• Drama: Simple dramas and skits are used to reinforce spiritual principles and concepts being studied. These activities help create a spirit of loving fellowship and enhance the teaching-learning experience [1].
• Crafts: Arts and crafts are integrated into the educational process, particularly in the junior youth spiritual empowerment program. These activities refine skills, promote order and symmetry, and contribute to the overall development of young people [3].
• Cultural Expression: The arts are encouraged to reflect and celebrate diverse cultural traditions, enriching the educational process and fostering unity among participants [1].
  

These artistic endeavors not only enhance the educational experience but also contribute to the vibrancy of community life by generating joy, promoting unity, and disseminating knowledge about the Faith [1].

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Ruhi Institute’s educational process integrates various artistic activities, particularly for younger generations, to enhance spiritual learning and community building at the grassroots level. These creative endeavors, including music, storytelling, drama, and crafts, serve to strengthen bonds of unity, disseminate knowledge, and foster joyful learning experiences within Bahá’í communities worldwide.

Music and Song in Community Life

Music and song play a central role in fostering unity and spiritual growth within Bahá’í communities. Devotional gatherings often feature beautiful melodies inspired by the Writings, knitting hearts together and creating an atmosphere of reverence [2]. The Ruhi Institute’s educational process encourages participants to set passages from sacred texts to music, enhancing memorization and deepening understanding of spiritual concepts [1]. This musical approach extends to community events, camps, and festivals, where songs serve as a powerful means of generating joy, disseminating knowledge, and acquainting wider society with the principles of the Faith [2].

Storytelling and Drama for Spiritual Growth

Narratives and theatrical performances serve as powerful tools for conveying spiritual concepts and historical episodes within the Ruhi Institute’s educational framework. Storytelling, often employed during Holy Days and community gatherings, fortifies a sense of mission and deepens understanding of the Faith’s rich history [1]. Simple dramas and skits are integrated into study circles and junior youth programs, allowing participants to explore and embody spiritual principles in creative ways. These artistic expressions not only reinforce learning but also cultivate a spirit of loving fellowship, enhancing the overall teaching-learning experience and contributing to the vibrancy of community life [2] [3].

Crafts and Cultural Expression

Crafts and cultural expressions form integral components of the Ruhi Institute’s educational process, particularly in the junior youth spiritual empowerment program. These activities serve multiple purposes:

• Refining practical skills and promoting concepts of order and symmetry
• Celebrating diverse cultural traditions, fostering unity among participants
• Enhancing overall development of young people through creative expression
• Contributing to the vibrancy of community life and outreach efforts
  

By engaging in arts and crafts, participants not only develop their artistic abilities but also learn to appreciate beauty, cultivate patience, and work collaboratively. These creative endeavors often reflect local cultural heritage, strengthening connections to community roots while promoting a global perspective [1] [3].

Artistic Activities for Youth Empowerment

The Ruhi Institute’s educational process empowers youth through various artistic activities, fostering their spiritual and social development. In the junior youth spiritual empowerment program, participants engage in creative projects that refine their skills and promote concepts of order and symmetry [3]. These activities include:

• Creating visual art pieces inspired by spiritual themes
• Composing and performing original songs and poetry
• Designing and crafting items for community service projects
• Developing and presenting dramatic skits to explore moral concepts
  

These artistic endeavors not only enhance the youth’s creative abilities but also strengthen their capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities. By integrating arts into the learning process, the Ruhi Institute nurtures a generation of young people who can express spiritual truths through various mediums, fostering a vibrant and dynamic Bahá’í community life [1] [4].

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 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth – Ruhi Institute

[4] Book 3: Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1 (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How do the arts contribute to the spiritual growth of individuals in the Bahá’í community?
• What specific artistic activities are included in the Ruhi Institute’s educational programs?
• How do the arts help in fostering a sense of unity and mission within the Bahá’í community?
• Can you provide examples of how music and song are used in Bahá’í community gatherings?
• How does the Ruhi Institute integrate the arts into its curriculum for children and youth?
• What are some creative ways to engage youth in artistic activities?
• How can artistic activities be used to empower young people?
• What role does art play in the personal development of youth?
• How can community centers incorporate artistic activities for youth empowerment?
• What are some successful examples of artistic programs for youth empowerment?

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 175-176. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/5#518911444. ↩
2. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/5#771911556. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 156 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed March 16, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19990421_001/1#204079357. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “30 December 2021 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed March 16, 2021. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20211230_001/1#758524487. ↩
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, 133. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “The Arts in Bahá’í Community Life.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 16, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/every-word-of-thy-poetry-is-in-L4893JT.QeS77Jt59DYxtw. ↩