The Sunday Mail
The beginning of a new year brings new hopes, new dreams and new aspirations for us all.
As we start the year 2016 with joy and expectation, we all yearn for a better world, a peaceful, environmentally sustainable and just future.
Flora Teckie
A Bahá’í Perspective
In the Bahá’í view, spiritual transformation is the basis for lasting improvements in our lives and is central in our approach to social change. The changes necessary in creating peaceful, just and prosperous societies will only be possible by touching the human spirit, by utilising the moral principles that empower us to act in the long-term interests of humanity.
“The profound and far-reaching changes, the unity and unprecedented cooperation” according to the Bahá’í International Community, “will only be possible by touching the human spirit, by appealing to those universal values which alone can empower individuals and peoples to act in accordance with the long- term interests of the planet and humanity as a whole. Once tapped, this powerful and dynamic source of individual and collective motivation will release such a profound and salutary spirit among the peoples of the earth that no power will be able to resist its unifying force”.
Prosperity, in its fullest sense, can only be achieved through a combination of spiritual and material well-being. It can be attained when material and spiritual aspects of our lives advance together.
However, this is not often the case. The world today is ruled by the materialistic values and standards. People evaluate success in the course of their lives with materialistic outcomes. Often, material goals are the main goals they work towards, throughout their lives.
This is not to say material means are not important. 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 …”
We can compare the body to a vehicle which is being used by the soul for its journey through its earthly life. As such, we need to cater for the needs of both the body (the vehicle) and the soul (the driver). However, it is important to allow our spiritual nature to take control, in the same way the driver should be in control of a vehicle, and not vice versa.
The spiritual dimension of our human nature can be understood, in practical terms, as the source of qualities that help us rise above narrow self-interest. Such qualities include love, compassion, trustworthiness, courage, humility, co-operation and willingness to sacrifice for the common good, qualities that will also enable us to build a unified world civilization.
It is through spiritual transformation that we can achieve lasting improvements in our lives and in our societies. There are spiritual principles by which solutions can be found for global problems. Decency and integrity of individual and collective conduct; the solution of problems through the application of spiritual principles; the practice of consultation in a spirit of unity; and belief in the oneness of humanity, are some of these principles. The Bahá’í Writings stipulate: “In this New Year, new fruits must be forthcoming, for that is the provision and intention of spiritual reformation. … of what avail is the reformation of physical conditions unless they are concomitant with spiritual reformations? For the essential reality is the spirit; the foundation is the spirit; the life of man is due to the spirit; the happiness, the animus, the radiance, the glory of man – all are due to the spirit; and if in the spirit no reformation takes place, there will be no result to human existence”.
There is a crucial need for spiritual education to build moral capacity. Such education should be combined with academic education. It is through spiritual education that we are directed to use the knowledge, tools and means acquired through intellectual education for the advantage of humanity.
The educational system should encourage unity in diversity. It should be free of all forms of prejudice; whether religious, national, cultural, gender based, racial, of class or creed or ethnic background. It should cultivate mutual tolerance, love, brotherhood, compassion, understanding, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for ethical values of others.
Such education and awareness comes mainly through the knowledge of God and His Messengers, the link between man and the spiritual world.
According to the Bahá’í Writings “… that which is the cause of everlasting life, eternal honour, universal enlightenment, real salvation and prosperity is, first of all, the knowledge of God. It is known that the knowledge of God is beyond all knowledge, and it is the greatest glory of the human world. … Second, comes the love of God, the light of which shines in the lamp of the hearts of those who know God; its brilliant rays illuminate the horizon and give to man the life of the Kingdom.” and “Entrance into the Kingdom is through the love of God, through detachment, through holiness and chastity, through truthfulness, purity, steadfastness (and) faithfulness . . .”
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