Daily Frameworks for 21 March 2025

Istiqlál, 02 Bahá (Splendor), 182 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

Cleave thou to the fear of God and to whatsoever hath been revealed in His Book: thus biddeth thee He Who is the Word of Truth and the Knower of things unseen. Say: trustworthiness is the sun of the heaven of My commandments, truthfulness is its moon, and praiseworthy attributes are its stars. Yet the people, for the most part, understand not. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen—a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

By Thy glory, O Beloved One, Thou giver of light to the world! The flames of separation have consumed me, and my waywardness hath melted my heart within me. I ask of Thee, by Thy Most Great Name, O Thou the Desire of the world and the Well-Beloved of mankind, to grant that the breeze of Thine inspiration may sustain my soul, that Thy wondrous voice may reach my ear, that my eyes may behold Thy signs and Thy light as revealed in the manifestations of Thy names and Thine attributes, O Thou within Whose grasp are all things! — Bahá’u’lláh ³

Mortal charm shall fade away, roses shall give way to thorns, and beauty and youth shall live their day and be no more. But that which eternally endureth is the Beauty of the True One, for its splendor perisheth not and its glory lasteth forever; its charm is all-powerful and its attraction infinite. Well is it then with that countenance that reflecteth the splendor of the Light of the Beloved One! The Lord be praised, thou hast been illumined with this Light, hast acquired the pearl of true knowledge, and hast spoken the Word of Truth. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

The bounties of the Blessed Perfection are infinite. We must endeavor to increase our capacity daily, to strengthen and enlarge our capabilities for receiving them, to become as perfect mirrors. The more polished and clean the mirror, the more effulgent is its reflection of the lights of the Sun of Truth. Be like a well-cultivated garden wherein the roses and variegated flowers of heaven are growing in fragrance and beauty. It is my hope that your hearts may become as ready ground, carefully tilled and prepared, upon which the divine showers of the bounties of the Blessed Perfection may descend and the zephyrs of this divine springtime may blow with quickening breath. Then will the garden of your hearts bring forth its flowers of delightful fragrance to refresh the nostril of the heavenly Gardener. Let your hearts reflect the glories of the Sun of Truth in their many colors to gladden the eye of the divine Cultivator Who has nourished them. Day by day become more closely attracted in order that the love of God may illumine all those with whom you come in contact. Be as one spirit, one soul, leaves of one tree, flowers of one garden, waves of one ocean. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁵

Question for Consideration

Section 4 of Unit 3, “Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots,” in Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service considers how attraction to beauty is one of the spiritual forces that lifts us up to higher realms of existence and compels us to seek harmony in our daily lives and in our relationships with others. The visual arts, music and crafts are an expression of this essential longing of the human soul. Given that, how are the expressions of beauty in this world but a reflection of the Beauty of the Most Beloved? ⁶

Perplexity Pro Response ⁷

The expressions of beauty in this world are reflections of the Beauty of the Most Beloved because they mirror divine attributes and qualities that originate from God, the Source of all beauty. In the Bahá’í Writings, beauty is not merely a physical or aesthetic phenomenon; it is a spiritual reality that points to the transcendent and eternal nature of God. The arts—visual, musical, and crafts—serve as channels through which the human soul can connect to higher realms of existence and experience the harmony and splendor of divine creation.

Reflections of Divine Attributes

Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that praiseworthy attributes such as trustworthiness, truthfulness, and other virtues are like stars illuminating the heavens. These qualities are expressions of spiritual beauty that reflect the light of God’s attributes. Similarly, mortal beauty fades, but the “Beauty of the True One” endures eternally because it is rooted in divine splendor and glory. Human creations—whether in art, music, or craftsmanship—are inspired by this eternal beauty and serve as reflections of God’s wisdom and knowledge revealed to humanity.

The Role of Attraction to Beauty

Section 4 of Unit 3 in Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service explains how attraction to beauty is a spiritual force that lifts us toward higher realms. This longing for beauty compels us to seek harmony in our lives and relationships. The arts are an expression of this essential yearning for divine connection. When individuals engage in creating or appreciating beauty, they are responding to an inner desire to reflect the attributes of the Most Beloved. This process not only uplifts their own souls but also contributes to building unity and fostering love among people.

Expressions as Mirrors

‘Abdu’l-Bahá likens human hearts to mirrors that can reflect the “Lights of the Sun of Truth.” The more polished and pure these mirrors become through spiritual development, the more perfectly they reflect divine beauty. Artistic expressions—whether paintings, music compositions, or crafted objects—can be seen as extensions of these mirrors, capturing glimpses of divine splendor and sharing them with others. They inspire feelings of awe, gratitude, and love for God’s creation.

Unity Through Beauty

‘Abdu’l-Bahá also describes humanity as “leaves of one tree” and “flowers of one garden.” Artistic expressions often transcend cultural boundaries and unite people by appealing to universal principles like harmony, balance, and truth. When individuals create or appreciate art inspired by divine beauty, they foster unity by reflecting shared spiritual values that resonate across cultures.

In summary, earthly expressions of beauty are reflections of the Beauty of the Most Beloved because they draw from divine attributes and serve as reminders of God’s eternal splendor. They uplift our souls, inspire harmony in our relationships, and help us fulfill our longing for connection with higher realities. Through promoting arts at the grassroots level, we can cultivate this spiritual force in our communities and strengthen bonds among individuals while glorifying God’s creation.

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Bahá’í Faith teaches that expressions of beauty in the world are reflections of divine attributes, with the arts serving as channels for the human soul to connect with higher realms and experience the harmony of God’s creation.

Reflections of Divine Attributes

Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that praiseworthy attributes like trustworthiness and truthfulness are celestial luminaries, illuminating the heavens of divine commandments. These spiritual qualities, along with knowledge and wisdom, are described as “wondrous gifts of God” that manifest in the world through arts, crafts, and material achievements. While mortal beauty fades, the “Beauty of the True One” endures eternally, its splendor imperishable and its attraction infinite. This concept of divine beauty is reflected in human creations, which serve as conduits for the soul’s essential longing to connect with higher realms of existence.

The Spiritual Force of Beauty

Attraction to beauty serves as a powerful spiritual force, elevating human consciousness and inspiring a quest for harmony in daily life and relationships. This innate longing of the human soul finds expression through visual arts, music, and crafts, which act as conduits for connecting with higher realms of existence. By engaging with and creating beauty, individuals respond to an inner desire to reflect divine attributes, simultaneously uplifting their own souls and contributing to the unity of humanity. This process of artistic creation and appreciation not only satisfies a deep spiritual yearning but also fosters love and understanding among people, as they share in the experience of divine splendor manifested in earthly forms.

Artistic Expressions as Mirrors

Artistic expressions serve as mirrors reflecting divine splendor, capturing glimpses of celestial beauty and sharing them with others. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likens human hearts to mirrors capable of reflecting the “Lights of the Sun of Truth,” with their purity and polish determining the clarity of reflection. This metaphor extends to creative works, where paintings, musical compositions, and crafted objects become extensions of the human soul’s capacity to reflect divine attributes. These artistic mirrors inspire awe, gratitude, and love for God’s creation, transcending cultural boundaries and resonating with universal principles of harmony, balance, and truth. By engaging in artistic creation and appreciation, individuals polish their spiritual mirrors, increasing their capacity to reflect and share divine beauty with the world around them.

Unity Fostered Through Beauty

Artistic expressions inspired by divine beauty foster unity by reflecting shared spiritual values that resonate across cultures. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes humanity as “leaves of one tree” and “flowers of one garden,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of all people. By promoting arts at the grassroots level, communities can cultivate this spiritual force, strengthening bonds among individuals while glorifying God’s creation. As people engage with beauty through various art forms, they participate in a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, creating a sense of oneness and shared appreciation for the divine attributes reflected in human creativity.

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can we cultivate a deeper understanding of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in our daily lives?
• What role does knowledge play in achieving spiritual growth according to Bahá’u’lláh?
• How can we become better mirrors to reflect the lights of the Sun of Truth?
• What are some practical ways to increase our capacity for receiving the bounties of the Blessed Perfection?
• How can we use the arts and crafts to express our longing for harmony and beauty?
• How does beauty influence our perception of the world?
• Can beauty be a catalyst for personal transformation?
• How do different cultures interpret and use beauty in their spiritual practices?
• What are some examples of beauty inspiring positive change in society?
• How can beauty be used to foster empathy and understanding among people?

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Trustworthiness: A Cardinal Bahá’í Virtue.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 1990. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/trustworthiness/2#456132196. ↩
2. 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, 39. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/2#583694921. ↩
3. Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#779825957. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 204. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/7#256948997. ↩
5. ’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, 24. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#287349353. ↩
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, 135-136. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
7. Perplexity Pro. “Reflections of Divine Beauty.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 19, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/cleave-thou-to-the-fear-of-god-y2.xn_VbQWu4k0avTigQ.A. ↩