The Sunday Mail
DEVELOPMENT of our spiritual qualities is central to our spiritual life. As we allow the knowledge and love of God to increase in our minds and hearts, these qualities begin to flourish. In other words, our efforts to conform to the laws and teachings of God should be a necessary consequence of our belief in Him and it is natural that our belief in God will be translated into daily action.
It is, however, a widespread view that spirituality and daily practical life are separate issues.
This raises the question: what is the meaning of having faith if it is not consciously manifested in our daily action and in our relationship with others?
Moral and spiritual behaviours, I believe, should be practiced at home and at work as much as in a temple or a place of worship.
In the Bahá’í view, the development of spiritual qualities will assist us in our eternal journey towards God.
The cultivation of such qualities is achievable through an on-going effort to refine our conduct.
As Bahá’í Writings state: “We must strive unceasingly and without rest to accomplish the development of the spiritual nature in man, and endeavour with tireless energy to advance humanity toward the nobility of its true and intended station”.
There are many factors that contribute to our spiritual development, such as prayer, reflection, willingness to learn and constant daily effort – particularly in service to humanity.
God has given us free will and all human behaviour is an expression of our capacity to choose and make decisions.
We have the choice between justice and injustice and the power both to do good and to do evil.
We have the capacity to override the needs of our lower nature in keeping with ethical requirements. We also have the capacity to control and channel our natural drives and urges and to transform them into human perfections, through guidance from our Creator.
The primary purpose of God in revealing His will through His Messengers is to effect a transformation in the moral and material conditions of humanity.
“It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding,” Bahá’u’lláh states, “to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.”
The transformation called for by Bahá’u’lláh is directed to our inner character as individuals and to the organisation of society. It is a transformation that should lead to cooperation, compassion, rectitude of conduct, and justice.
A moral person, therefore,can be defined as a social actor, who, having effected change in himself or herself, also feels the responsibility of contributing towards the transformation of the social order. Such responsibility, however, should be towards the human race.
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