Daily Frameworks for 22 March 2025

Jalál, 03 Bahá (Splendor), 182 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

We have made it lawful for you to listen to music and singing. Take heed, however, lest listening thereto should cause you to overstep the bounds of propriety and dignity. Let your joy be the joy born of My Most Great Name, a Name that bringeth rapture to the heart, and filleth with ecstasy the minds of all who have drawn nigh unto God. We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion. Truly, We are loath to see you numbered with the foolish. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O bird that singeth sweetly of the Abhá Beauty! In this new and wondrous dispensation the veils of superstition have been torn asunder and the prejudices of eastern peoples stand condemned. Among certain nations of the East, music was considered reprehensible, but in this new age the Manifest Light hath, in His holy Tablets, specifically proclaimed that music, sung or played, is spiritual food for soul and heart. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

In short: melodies, though they are material, are connected with the spiritual, therefore, they produce a great effect. A certain kind of melody makes the spirit happy, another kind makes it sad, another excites it to action. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

O nightingale of the rose-garden of God! Singing melodies will bring animation and happiness to the world of humanity, the hearers will be delighted and joyful and their deeper emotions stirred. But this gladness, this sense of emotion is transitory and will be forgotten within a short time. However, praise be to God, thou hast blended thy tunes with the melodies of the Kingdom, wilt impart solace to the world of the spirit and wilt everlastingly stimulate spiritual feelings. This will last forever and endure the revolution of ages and centuries. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

Question for Consideration

Section 5 of Unit 3, “Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots,” in Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service offers the observation that there is much ugliness in today’s world that presents itself in the name of beauty, and we should exercise care to select those artistic expressions that appeal to the higher nature and be wary of those that lead to abasement. What guidance can we follow that will help us make wise decisions? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The guidance provided in the Bahá’í Writings and Ruhi Institute materials offers profound insights into how individuals can make wise decisions regarding artistic expressions, particularly music, in a way that uplifts the spirit and contributes to the betterment of society. Below are key principles that can be followed:

Guidance for Selecting Artistic Expressions

Appeal to Higher Nature

Artistic expressions should elevate the soul and appeal to the higher nature of individuals. Bahá’u’lláh describes music as a “ladder for your souls,” capable of lifting them to spiritual realms. However, He cautions against using music as wings for self and passion, emphasizing propriety and dignity in its use [1].

Avoid Ugliness Masquerading as Beauty

In today’s world, many artistic forms present themselves as beauty but lead to abasement. Care must be taken to discern between those that uplift the spirit and those that degrade it. This involves choosing art forms that reflect grace, harmony, and symmetry, which naturally bring joy to the heart and spirit [1] [2].

Focus on Spiritual Impact

Music and other arts should be seen not merely as entertainment but as spiritual food for the soul. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá highlights how melodies can evoke different emotions—happiness, sadness, or action—and when blended with spiritual themes, they provide solace and stimulate enduring spiritual feelings [1].

Promote Collective Joy

Artistic activities should foster collective joy and unity. The Ruhi Institute emphasizes the importance of group singing and other collective artistic endeavors at the grassroots level, ensuring inclusivity without stifling participation due to perfectionism [1].

Draw from Sacred Traditions

Efforts to promote arts should often draw upon traditional cultural expressions that remain untouched by modern materialistic contamination. This helps preserve the sacred elements of culture while infusing them with new spiritual and moral content inspired by Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings [3].

Align with Spiritual Standards

The arts should reflect values derived from Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. The Universal House of Justice advises that artistic expressions should avoid commercialization and materialistic influences that undermine spiritual education [1] [3].

Practical Steps for Making Wise Decisions

• Study Sacred Texts: Reflect on passages from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about music and art to understand their spiritual purpose.
• Evaluate Content: Assess whether a piece of music or art encourages dignity, propriety, and spiritual upliftment or caters to base desires.
• Encourage Community Participation: Promote group activities like singing or storytelling that strengthen bonds of unity and disseminate knowledge.
• Incorporate Local Traditions: Adapt traditional crafts, music styles, or storytelling methods with spiritual themes to enrich community life.
• Avoid Materialism: Resist influences of commercialization in artistic activities; focus instead on fostering creativity rooted in spiritual values.
  

By adhering to these principles, individuals can ensure that their engagement with the arts contributes positively to their own spiritual growth and supports the development of vibrant community life inspired by Bahá’í teachings.

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Bahá’í Faith offers profound guidance on the role of arts, particularly music, in spiritual development and community life, emphasizing their power to elevate the soul while cautioning against expressions that may lead to moral degradation.

Spiritual Purpose of Music

Music in the Bahá’í Faith is viewed as a powerful spiritual tool, capable of elevating souls to higher realms. Bahá’u’lláh describes it as a “ladder for your souls,” emphasizing its potential to lift spirits to lofty heights [1]. This perspective marks a significant shift from earlier religious traditions, particularly in the East, where music was often considered reprehensible. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá affirms this transformation, stating that in this new age, music is proclaimed as “spiritual food for soul and heart” [1]. The Bahá’í teachings recognize music’s profound impact on human emotions and spiritual states, noting its ability to evoke happiness, sadness, or action, and when infused with spiritual themes, to impart lasting solace and stimulate enduring spiritual feelings [1].

Avoiding Degrading Art Forms

In today’s world, many artistic expressions masquerade as beauty while leading to abasement. The Ruhi Institute’s Book 7 emphasizes the importance of discernment when selecting art forms, urging individuals to choose those that appeal to our higher nature [1]. This guidance aligns with Bahá’u’lláh’s caution against using music as “wings to self and passion,” instead encouraging its use for spiritual elevation [1]. To make wise decisions:

• Evaluate whether the art uplifts the spirit or degrades it
• Seek expressions that reflect grace, harmony, and symmetry
• Avoid commercialized or materialistic influences that undermine spiritual education
• Consider the long-term impact on individual and collective spiritual growth
• Draw from sacred traditions that remain untouched by modern materialistic contamination
  

By applying these principles, individuals can engage with art forms that contribute positively to their spiritual development and community life.

Fostering Unity Through Art

Collective artistic endeavors play a crucial role in fostering unity and spiritual growth within communities. The Ruhi Institute emphasizes the importance of group activities such as singing and storytelling, which strengthen bonds and disseminate knowledge without stifling participation due to perfectionism [1]. These grassroots artistic expressions, when infused with spiritual themes, can create a lasting impact on community life. By incorporating local traditions and adapting them to reflect Bahá’í teachings, communities can preserve sacred cultural elements while enriching them with new spiritual content [3]. This approach not only promotes collective joy but also helps in building a vibrant community life that reflects the values derived from Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.

Practical Steps for Artistic Choices

To make wise decisions about artistic expressions, consider these practical steps:

• Study sacred texts to understand the spiritual purpose of art and music
• Reflect on whether a piece encourages dignity and spiritual upliftment
• Promote community participation in group singing or storytelling activities
• Incorporate local traditions, adapting them with spiritual themes
• Resist commercial influences, focusing instead on creativity rooted in spiritual values
  

By following these guidelines, individuals can ensure their engagement with the arts contributes positively to personal growth and community development, aligning with the principles outlined in the Ruhi Institute’s materials.

Citations

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

[2] Arts: Compilation from other compilations – Bahá’í Library Online

[3] Creating New Folklore: Music in the Institute Process – Uplifting Words

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can we ensure that the arts we promote uplift and inspire others?
• What are some examples of artistic expressions that align with spiritual values?
• How can we balance the enjoyment of art with the need for spiritual growth?
• What role does music play in fostering a sense of community and unity?
• How can we critically evaluate the impact of different artistic forms on our souls?
• What are some practical steps for artists to make spiritually uplifting choices?
• How can artists balance creative freedom with spiritual values?
• What techniques can artists use to ensure their work promotes unity?
• How can artists incorporate spiritual teachings into their art?
• What are some examples of art that successfully promotes spiritual growth?
  

1. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 20, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/5#028875513. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 112. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/5#110304489. ↩
3. Research Department of the Universal House Justice. “Compilation of Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings on Music.” Bahá’í Reference Library, June 1996. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/music/4#786902709 ↩
4. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “The Importance of the Arts in Promoting the Faith.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 1998. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/importance-art/3#032461552. ↩
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, 137-138. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Guidance for Selecting Uplifting Art.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 20, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/we-have-made-it-lawful-for-you-9g2BjGnqR2CsQnJZmNCVGQ. ↩