The Sunday Mail
HUMAN nature, according to the world’s great religions, has two sides: the material and the spiritual.
There is an important link between these two aspects of life and the two should advance together.
The body can be compared to a vehicle which is being used by the soul for its journey through earthly life. As such it is important to cater for the needs of both the body (the vehicle) and the soul (the driver).
Material means are necessary for humanity to be able to pursue its spiritual and other goals, as long as we use our material means towards the primary goal in life, which is fostering our soul’s progress, and contributing towards the spiritual transformation of our societies.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: “. . . only if material progress goes hand in hand with spirituality can any real progress come about, and the Most Great Peace reign in the world. If men followed the Holy Counsels and the Teachings of the Prophets, if Divine Light shone in all hearts and men were really religious, we should soon see peace on earth and the Kingdom of God among men. The laws of God may be likened unto the soul and material progress unto the body. If the body was not animated by the soul, it would cease to exist.”
It is our spiritual side that exhibits attributes such as truthfulness, courtesy, generosity, compassion, justice, love, and trustworthiness, which are essential for individual and social transformation.
At the same time, we have legitimate physical needs which cry for satisfaction: food, shelter, companionship, and protection from threatening forces.
According to the Bahá’í Scriptures, “It is indeed a good and praiseworthy thing to progress materially, but in so doing, let us not neglect the more important spiritual progress…”
Our spiritual capacities and qualities, being part of the immortal soul, will eternally endure, while the body and its capacities will not. Therefore proper and full development of our spiritual capacities should be the most worthwhile possible goal in our lives. We can develop our spiritual capacities through prayer, meditation, regular study of the Holy Scriptures and service to humanity.
Prayer and meditation are vital for one’s soul enrichment
Acceptance of the teachings of the Messengers of God and obedience to the laws are essential requirement for success in our spiritual development. Even though such recognition is very important, it alone is not a sufficient basis for spiritual growth.
Observing the laws and teachings of God is the next step in our path to spiritual growth.
We can acquire spirituality through prayer, through turning to our Creator. According to the Bahá’í Writings, “Supplication to God at morn and eve is conducive to the joy of hearts, and prayer causes spirituality and fragrance.”
And “… the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling which unites man with God. This state of spiritual communion can be brought about and maintained by means of meditation and prayer”.
It is the Bahá’í view that,“Prayer and meditation are very important factors in deepening the spiritual life of the individual, but with them must go also action and example, as these are the tangible results of the former. Both are essential.”
The process of human development requires moral and spiritual choices, often involving challenges, which represent opportunities for spiritual growth. If we pass our tests and trials in life with courage and fortitude we grow stronger spiritually.
According to the Bahá’í Scriptures, “The mind and spirit of man advance when he is tried by suffering. The more the ground is ploughed, the better the seed will grow, the better the harvest will be. Just as the plough furrows the earth deeply, purifying it of weeds and thistles, so suffering and tribulation free man from petty affairs of this worldly life until he arrives at a state of complete detachment.
“His attitude in this world will be that of divine happiness. Man is, so to speak, unripe: The heat of the fire of suffering will mature him. Look back to the times of the past, and you will find the greatest men have suffered most.”
The responsibility for spiritual growth rests with each one of us. Although no one can claim to be perfect, but through daily effort and reflection, prayer and meditation and service to the common good we can take little steps towards perfection.
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