Daily Frameworks for 30 March 2025

Jamál, 11 Bahá (Splendor), 182 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

Should any man, in this Day, arise and, with absolute detachment from all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, set his affections on Him Who is the Dayspring of God’s holy Revelation, he will, verily, be empowered to subdue all created things, through the potency of one of the Names of the Lord, his God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Know thou of a certainty that the Daystar of Truth hath, in this Day, shed upon the world a radiance, the like of which bygone ages have never witnessed. Let the light of His glory, O people, shine upon you, and be not of the negligent. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Magnified be Thy name, O my Lord, for Thou hast enabled me to recognize the Manifestation of Thine own Self, and hast caused me to be assured of the truth of the verses which have descended upon Thee. Empower me, I implore Thee, to cling steadfastly unto whatsoever Thou hast bidden me observe. Help me to guard the pearls of Thy love which, by Thy decree, Thou hast enshrined within my heart. Send down, moreover, every moment of my life, O my God, that which will preserve me from any one but Thee, and will set my feet firm in Thy Cause. — Bahá’u’lláh ²

Bahá’u’lláh has appeared to humanity in this period of its adolescence, when it is in need of maturation. As you are well aware, He has provided the means for establishing the unity of humankind, the hallmark of a mature world. What will bind the hearts of all people together is the power of the Word of God. That Word has generative power which in every age has provided the means for refining human character and reordering human affairs. The mission of the Bahá’ís is to learn to apply the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh in their individual and collective lives and in the life of their society. Through well-ordered efforts and in collaboration with many others who are dedicated to bettering the world, Bahá’ís bring the principles suited to humanity’s age of maturity to bear on the conditions of the world’s peoples. They strive for the transformation of the inner and outer realities of human life, and for the cultivation of spiritual and social conditions that will give rise to a new kind of people and a new society founded on unity. — Universal House of Justice ³

Question for Consideration

Section 13 of Unit 3, “Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots,” in Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service reminds that one need not be an actor, a playwright, a poet, or a musician to promote the arts at the grassroots level. The Ruhi Institute sequence of courses are fundamentally concerned with spiritual and moral empowerment, with releasing the powers of the human spirit. As a study circle tutor, how would you promote the arts and crafts as described and thereby contribute to opening creative channels through which can flow inspiration and the force of attraction to beauty? ⁴

Perplexity Pro Response ⁵

To promote arts and crafts at the grassroots level as a study circle tutor, you can draw upon the principles outlined in Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service and integrate them with practical approaches to foster creativity, unity, and spiritual growth. Here are some ways to contribute effectively:

Recognizing the Spiritual Dimension of Artistic Expression

• Highlight the connection between art and spirituality by sharing quotations from the Bahá’í Writings that emphasize beauty as a reflection of divine attributes. For instance, the arts can awaken the human soul to the force of attraction to beauty, which ultimately leads to God [1].
• Encourage participants to see artistic endeavors as a means of expressing their love for God and humanity, fostering unity, and enriching community life.
  

Incorporating Arts into Community-building Activities

• Music and Songs: Organize group singing sessions using passages from the Bahá’í Writings set to music. This strengthens bonds of fellowship and creates a joyful atmosphere during devotional gatherings or reflection meetings [1].
• Storytelling: Use inspiring stories from Bahá’í history or other uplifting narratives during community events. Storytelling can convey profound concepts and connect participants emotionally to spiritual themes [1].
• Drama and Skits: Facilitate simple dramatizations of spiritual principles or historical episodes from the Faith. These activities can make learning more engaging and memorable while reinforcing key ideas [1].
  

All Skill Levels

• Create an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing, regardless of their artistic abilities. For example, group singing or collaborative projects like murals ensure collective participation without placing undue emphasis on individual performance [1].
• Provide opportunities for participants to experiment with crafts or art forms that draw on local traditions, fostering appreciation for cultural heritage [1] [2].
  

Supporting Local Artistic Traditions

• Promote crafts that reflect the artistic traditions of your region, ensuring they align with values inspired by Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. This approach enriches community culture while preserving its unique identity [1] [2].
• Collaborate with local artisans to teach skills such as weaving, pottery, or painting during workshops, integrating these activities into community-building efforts.
  

Leveraging Resources and Partnerships

• Seek small grants or local funding opportunities to support grassroots arts programs. These funds can cover materials, venue rentals, or marketing for events [4] [6].
• Partner with local organizations or businesses to sponsor art-related events or provide resources like materials and space [3].
  

Organizing Community Art Events

• Host art festivals or exhibitions where local artists can showcase their work. These events celebrate creativity, boost community pride, and attract wider participation [3] [5].
• Plan collaborative projects such as murals or interactive installations that involve community members directly in the creative process [5].
  

Using Arts to Enhance Educational Processes

• Integrate arts into study circles by encouraging participants to compose songs based on themes from the Ruhi books or create visual representations of spiritual concepts [1].
• Use crafts as a tool for junior youth groups and children’s classes to reinforce lessons while developing practical skills like orderliness and creativity [1].
  

Sustaining Artistic Efforts

• Form an arts committee within your community to plan ongoing activities, ensuring they are self-sustaining over time.
• Encourage participants to document their artistic projects through photos or videos and share them digitally to inspire others and attract broader engagement [3] [5].
  

By promoting arts at the grassroots level in these ways, you open creative channels that not only enhance the educational process but also strengthen patterns of community life rooted in unity, joy, and spiritual purpose.

Perplexity Pro Response — Deeper Dive

The Ruhi Institute’s Book 7, “Walking Together on a Path of Service,” emphasizes the importance of promoting arts and crafts at the grassroots level as a means of spiritual and moral empowerment, encouraging study circle tutors to integrate creative activities that foster unity, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for beauty in community-building efforts.

Art as Spiritual Expression

Art serves as a powerful medium for spiritual expression, reflecting divine attributes and awakening the human soul to the beauty inherent in creation. By incorporating artistic activities into study circles and community events, tutors can help participants connect with their inner creativity and explore spiritual concepts through visual, musical, and performative means. This approach not only enriches the learning experience but also fosters a deeper understanding of Bahá’í teachings, as participants engage with spiritual principles through the universal language of art [1] [3].

Arts in Community Building

Integrating arts into community-building activities enhances spiritual growth and fosters unity. Study circle tutors can organize group singing sessions using passages from the Bahá’í Writings set to music, facilitating a joyful atmosphere during devotional gatherings or reflection meetings. Storytelling and simple dramatizations of spiritual principles can make learning more engaging and memorable, while collaborative projects like murals ensure collective participation without emphasizing individual performance. These artistic endeavors not only strengthen bonds of fellowship but also serve as a means of expressing love for God and humanity, enriching community life in alignment with the principles outlined in Book 7 of the Ruhi Institute [1].

Encouraging Inclusive Creativity

Fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing artistically, regardless of skill level, is crucial for grassroots arts promotion. Study circle tutors can organize activities that encourage participation across all abilities, such as group singing or collaborative craft projects that draw on local traditions [5]. This approach not only ensures collective engagement but also cultivates appreciation for cultural heritage. Tutors can also support local artistic traditions by collaborating with artisans to teach skills like weaving, pottery, or painting during workshops, integrating these activities into community-building efforts [7]. By providing opportunities for experimentation with various art forms, tutors can help open creative channels and inspire a deeper connection to beauty and spirituality among participants.

Sustaining Grassroots Artistic Efforts

To sustain grassroots artistic efforts, study circle tutors can establish arts committees within their communities, ensuring ongoing planning and implementation of creative activities. These committees can organize regular events, such as art festivals or exhibitions, providing platforms for local artists to showcase their work and attract wider participation [5]. Documenting artistic projects through photos or videos and sharing them digitally can inspire others and extend engagement beyond immediate participants [7]. Additionally, seeking small grants or partnering with local organizations can provide essential funding and resources for materials, venue rentals, or marketing, supporting the longevity of these grassroots arts programs [4] [6]. By fostering a continuous cycle of creativity and community involvement, tutors can help cultivate a vibrant artistic environment that enhances spiritual growth and community cohesion over time.

Citations

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

[2] Need for Craft Awareness Program for Local Artisans and Culture? – DTORR

[3] The Power of Art: Engaging Communities with Creativity – ARABELART

[4] Are there any small grants available for grassroots arts programs? – fundsforNGOs

[5] 20 Ideas on How to Engage Your Community to Support Local Artists – artists sunday

[6] GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM – ARTS AVI

[7] 5 Ways Arts Projects Can Improve Struggling Communities – Project for Public Spaces

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I apply the principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings in my daily life?
• What are some practical ways to promote unity among people in my community?
• How can the arts and crafts be used to foster spiritual growth?
• What role does service play in personal spiritual transformation?
• How can I effectively use the Ruhi Institute courses to empower others?
• What are some innovative ways to fund grassroots arts programs?
• How can community art projects be integrated into local education systems?
• What are the benefits of organizing art walks in local communities?
• How can local artisans be empowered through self-help groups?
• What role do live demonstrations play in engaging communities with local artists?

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/8#331598596. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. Prayers and Meditations by Baháʼuʼlláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1938. Reprint, Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974, 176-177. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/prayers-meditations/5#840279960. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “1 November 2022 – To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20221101_001/1#899512243. ↩
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, 155. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
5. Perplexity Pro. “Expression of Spiritual Empowerment through Arts and Crafts.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. March 28, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/should-any-man-in-this-day-ari-Bxt1TMB3SHWpf_dR_XnIEg. ↩