The Sunday Mail
Flora Teckie A Bahá’í Perspective
We often wonder what the purpose of life is; how do we discover that purpose; is it possible to achieve lasting happiness in our lives?
We see all around us, people trying to discover answers to this question. Many try to find happiness through material objects: by acquiring a better house, a newer car, a faster computer. More and more people are realizing, however, that these answers do not bring about lasting happiness.
“Happiness,” according to the Bahá’í Writings, “consists of two kinds; physical and spiritual. The physical happiness is limited; its utmost duration is one day, one month, one year. … Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one’s soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity.”
Happiness is being filled with joy, peace, love and a sense of well-being. Joy is the inner sense that can carry us through the hard times. We all go through times of joy and sorrow.
There is no one who is untouched by these two. But when we look for the reasons for our sadness, we see that the sorrow and the grief come from the world of matter.
But the spiritual world imparts only joy. True and lasting joy is, therefore, closely related to spirituality. According to the Bahá’í Writings: “… the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy.
“The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene … If material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance lightens your path. Verily, those whose minds are illumined by the Spirit of the Most High have supreme consolation.”
This is not to say that material needs and means are not important. Since the body is the instrument of the soul’s development in this earthly life, physical health and development cannot be neglected.
Material means are essential 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.
Our spiritual side, referred to as soul seeks to know and love, it is touched by awe and splendour, and holds to that which is eternal and good. 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 and lead to lasting happiness.
True joy can be attained by means of praying and supplicating to God and by acting in accordance with God’s teachings. The Bahá’í Scriptures state: “When one supplicates to his Lord, turns to Him and seeks bounty from His Ocean, this supplication brings light to his heart, illumination to his sight, life to his soul and exaltation to his being.
“The spiritual man finds no delight in anything save in commemoration of God. 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.” Another source of spiritual joy, according to the Bahá’í Writings, is service to others. Service gives meaning, purpose and stimulus to life.
“… is there any deed in the world that would be nobler than service to the common good?” “… what pleasure can compare the pleasure of bringing joy and hope to other hearts. The more we make others happy the greater will be our own happiness and the deeper our sense of having served humanity”.
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