Daily Frameworks for 28 March 2025

Istiqlál, 09 Bahá (Splendor), 182 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

To whatever place We may be banished, however great the tribulation We may suffer, they who are the people of God must, with fixed resolve and perfect confidence, keep their eyes directed towards the Dayspring of Glory, and be busied in whatever may be conducive to the betterment of the world and the education of its peoples. All that hath befallen Us in the past hath advanced the interests of Our Revelation and blazoned its fame; and all that may befall Us in the future will have a like result. Cling ye, with your inmost hearts, to the Cause of God, a Cause that hath been sent down by Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Wise. We have, with the utmost kindliness and mercy, summoned and directed all peoples and nations to that which shall truly profit them. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

The one true God, exalted be He, loveth to witness handiworks of high craftsmanship produced by His loved ones. Blessed art thou, for what thy skill hath produced hath reached the presence of thy Lord, the Exiled, the Wronged. Please God every one of His friends may be enabled to acquire one of the crafts, and be confirmed in adhering to what hath been ordained in the Book of God, the All-Glorious, the All-Wise. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

One of the names of God is the Fashioner. He loveth craftsmanship. Therefore any of His servants who manifesteth this attribute is acceptable in the sight of this Wronged One. Craftsmanship is a book among the books of divine sciences, and a treasure among the treasures of His heavenly wisdom. This is a knowledge with meaning, for some of the sciences are brought forth by words and come to an end with words. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Question for Consideration

Section 11 of Unit 3, “Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots,” in Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service posits crafts as another form of artistic expression for tutors and animators to include in the educational process of the Ruhi Institute sequence of courses. Given participant talents, resource availability, and local circumstances how can one incorporate crafts into the courses such that participants demonstrate being of service for the betterment of others? ⁴

Perplexity Pro Response ⁵

Incorporating crafts into the Ruhi Institute’s courses, particularly in the context of Unit 3, Section 11 of Book 7, can be an effective way to foster artistic expression while contributing to the betterment of others. Here are some practical steps and considerations for integrating crafts into study circles or junior youth groups:

Steps to Incorporate Crafts

Assess Participant Talents and Local Resources

Identify the skills and interests of participants. For example, some may already have experience in weaving, pottery, or woodworking.

Consider the availability of materials in the local area, such as clay, fabric, or recycled items that can be repurposed for crafts.

Select Crafts Relevant to Local Culture

Choose crafts that reflect and celebrate local traditions and cultural heritage. This not only fosters pride in one’s culture but also enriches the educational process by connecting participants to their community’s history and values.

Integrate Crafts with Themes of Service

Encourage participants to create items that serve others, such as:

• Making toys for children’s classes.
• Crafting decorative items for devotional gatherings.
• Producing practical goods like baskets or candles for community use.
  

Collaborate with Skilled Individuals

If no one in the group is proficient in a particular craft, invite local artisans or skilled individuals to teach sessions. This builds community bonds and enhances learning.

Organize Workshops or Campaigns

Conduct intensive craft workshops during special events like camps or festivals. These can focus on specific crafts and culminate in showcasing the creations at a community gathering.

Link Crafts to Spiritual Themes

Use quotations from Bahá’í writings about craftsmanship and service to inspire participants. For example:

• Highlight how craftsmanship reflects divine attributes, such as God being “the Fashioner.”
• Emphasize how creating something beautiful or useful contributes to the betterment of society.
  

Encourage Reflection on Service

• After completing a craft project, facilitate discussions on how the activity contributed to personal growth and served the community. This reinforces the twofold moral purpose of individual transformation and societal betterment.
  

Examples of Craft Projects

• Weaving or Sewing: Create items like prayer mats or decorative wall hangings with spiritual themes.
• Recycled Crafts: Transform waste materials into useful objects, promoting environmental stewardship.
• Pottery: Make simple vessels that can be used for community events or as gifts.
• Calligraphy or Painting: Decorate passages from sacred texts to inspire devotion and reflection.
  

Benefits of Incorporating Crafts

• Strengthens bonds among participants by engaging them in collaborative creative activities.
• Provides a tangible way to express spiritual concepts through art.
• Enhances participants’ sense of purpose by linking their creative efforts to acts of service.
• Promotes appreciation for cultural diversity and local traditions.
  

By thoughtfully integrating crafts into educational activities, tutors and animators can help participants develop practical skills while fostering a spirit of service and creativity that contributes to the betterment of their communities [1] [2].

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Ruhi Institute’s educational process, particularly Book 7’s emphasis on promoting arts at the grassroots level, encourages the integration of crafts as a form of artistic expression and service, fostering both individual growth and community development through creative, culturally relevant activities.

Spiritual Significance of Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship holds profound spiritual significance, as it reflects divine attributes and contributes to the betterment of society. Bahá’u’lláh highlights that God delights in witnessing works of high craftsmanship created by His loved ones, emphasizing that such efforts are blessed and reach the presence of the Lord. This act of creation aligns with God’s name, “the Fashioner,” and is described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a treasure of divine wisdom, distinct from sciences that begin and end with words. Craftsmanship not only manifests creativity but also serves as a means to express devotion and fulfill the twofold moral purpose of personal growth and societal advancement [1] [3].

Integrating Crafts into Ruhi Courses

To effectively incorporate crafts into Ruhi courses, tutors and animators can follow a structured approach that aligns with the educational process and local context. Begin by assessing participant talents and available resources, selecting crafts that reflect local cultural traditions [1]. Integrate these activities with themes of service, encouraging participants to create items that benefit others, such as toys for children’s classes or decorative pieces for devotional gatherings. Collaborate with skilled community members to teach specific techniques, and organize workshops or campaigns that culminate in showcasing creations at community events [1]. Throughout the process, use relevant quotations from Bahá’í writings to inspire participants and facilitate discussions on how the crafts contribute to personal growth and community service, reinforcing the connection between artistic expression and spiritual development [1].

Craft Projects for Service

Craft projects for service can be tailored to meet specific community needs and enhance the educational experience of Ruhi courses. Participants might create prayer mats or wall hangings with spiritual themes through weaving or sewing, transform waste materials into useful objects to promote environmental stewardship, or craft simple pottery vessels for community events [1]. Calligraphy and painting can be used to decorate passages from sacred texts, inspiring devotion and reflection. These projects not only develop practical skills but also provide tangible ways to express spiritual concepts through art, linking creative efforts directly to acts of service that benefit the community [1] [4].

Benefits of Crafts in Community

Incorporating crafts into Ruhi courses offers multifaceted benefits that extend beyond individual skill development. These activities strengthen bonds among participants through collaborative creativity, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. By engaging in craft projects, individuals can develop a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and local traditions, while simultaneously enhancing their capacity to contribute meaningfully to community life. Moreover, the tangible nature of crafts provides a unique opportunity for participants to express abstract spiritual concepts in concrete forms, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of Bahá’í teachings [1].

Citations

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

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

[3] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[4] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I integrate crafts into the Ruhi Institute courses effectively?
• What are some examples of crafts that can be included in the educational process?
• How can participants’ talents and local circumstances influence the choice of crafts?
• What are the benefits of incorporating crafts in the Ruhi Institute courses?
• How can crafts contribute to the betterment of the community?
• How do crafts contribute to community bonding?
• What role do crafts play in fostering creativity in community members?
• How can crafts be used to address social issues in a community?
• What are the long-term benefits of community-based craft projects?
• How can crafts be integrated into community service initiatives?

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 26, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#991389534. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/additional-tablets-extracts-from-tablets-revealed-bahaullah/417101793/1#609753174. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/additional-tablets-extracts-from-tablets-revealed-bahaullah/316893679/1#853046943. ↩
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, 152. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
5. Perplexity Pro. “Incorporating Crafts in Ruhi Courses.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 26, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/to-whatever-place-we-may-be-ba-E0nRq7ChRwKCAlfjXd4TFQ. ↩