Istiqlál, 03 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection:
IT is Our wish and desire that every one of you may become a source of all goodness unto men, and an example of uprightness to mankind. Beware lest ye prefer yourselves above your neighbors. Fix your gaze upon Him Who is the Temple of God amongst men. He, in truth, hath offered up His life as a ransom for the redemption of the world. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Gracious, the Most High. If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name’s sake and as a token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause. We love to see you at all times consorting in amity and concord within the paradise of My good-pleasure, and to inhale from your acts the fragrance of friendliness and unity, of loving-kindness and fellowship. Thus counseleth you the All-Knowing, the Faithful. We shall always be with you; if We inhale the perfume of your fellowship, Our heart will assuredly rejoice, for naught else can satisfy Us. To this beareth witness every man of true understanding. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
If ye be truly united, if ye agree to promote that which is the essential purpose, and to show forth an all-unifying love, I swear by Him Who causeth the seed to split and the breeze to waft, so great a light will shine forth from your faces as to reach the highest heavens, the fame of your glory will be noised abroad, the evidences of your preeminence will spread throughout all regions, your power will penetrate the realities of all things, your aims and purposes will exert their influence upon the great and mighty nations, your spirits will encompass the whole world of being, and ye will discover yourselves to be kings in the dominions of the Kingdom, and attired with the glorious crowns of the invisible Realm, and become the marshals of the army of peace, and princes of the forces of light, and stars shining from the horizon of perfection, and brilliant lamps shedding their radiance upon men. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
Now is the time, O ye beloved of the Lord, for ardent endeavor. Struggle ye, and strive. And since the Ancient Beauty was exposed by day and night on the field of martyrdom, let us in our turn labor hard, and hear and ponder the counsels of God; let us fling away our lives, and renounce our brief and numbered days. Let us turn our eyes away from empty fantasies of this world’s divergent forms, and serve instead this preeminent purpose, this grand design. Let us not, because of our own imaginings, cut down this tree that the hand of heavenly grace hath planted; let us not, with the dark clouds of our illusions, our selfish interests, blot out the glory that streameth from the Abhá Realm. Let us not be as barriers that wall out the rolling ocean of Almighty God. Let us not prevent the pure, sweet scents from the garden of the All-Glorious Beauty from blowing far and wide. Let us not, on this day of reunion, shut out the vernal downpour of blessings from on high. Let us not consent that the splendors of the Sun of Truth should ever fade and disappear. These are the admonitions of God, as set forth in His Holy Books, His Scriptures, His Tablets that tell out His counselings to the sincere.
The glory rest upon you, and God’s mercy, and God’s blessings. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
Fix your gaze on the mighty possibilities, the incalculable blessings, the indomitable spirit of this growing and struggling Faith of God, and do not allow the petty disputes and inevitable differences of the present to obscure your vision of the resplendent glories which the future of the Cause has in store for its steadfast and valiant supporters. — Shoghi Effendi 4
Question for Consideration
How can one preserve and promote unity among those who share in the work required to achieve the goals of the Bahá’í Faith? 5
Perplexity Pro Response 6
The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes unity as a cornerstone for achieving its goals, with adherents encouraged to cultivate a spirit of harmony, engage in collective action, and resolve differences constructively while working towards the Faith’s global vision.
Cultivating a Unifying Spirit
To foster unity within the Bahá’í community, individuals are encouraged to develop qualities that promote harmony and cooperation. These include detachment from personal views and ego, a willingness to consult with others in a spirit of openness, and a focus on the essential purpose of the Faith. Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of humility and consideration for others, stating, “Beware lest ye prefer yourselves above your neighbors.” [4]
Cultivating love, courtesy, and fellowship towards all members of the community is crucial for maintaining a unified spirit as Bahá’ís work together to achieve their shared goals.
Engaging in Collective Action
Participation in core activities forms the backbone of unity-building efforts within the Bahá’í community. These activities include:
- Study circles for spiritual education
- Children’s classes to nurture moral foundations
- Devotional gatherings to foster a sense of spiritual connection
- Community service projects that put faith into action
Additionally, supporting Bahá’í institutions, participating in their plans, and attending Feasts and Holy Day observances together create shared experiences that strengthen bonds of love and common purpose among community members [2] [6]. These collective endeavors not only advance the goals of the Faith but also cultivate a sense of unity through shared service and spiritual growth.
Resolving Differences Constructively
When conflicts arise within the Bahá’í community, members are encouraged to turn to the Faith’s writings for guidance and employ the principle of consultation to find solutions. Bahá’u’lláh advises, “If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name’s sake” [4]. This approach emphasizes focusing on the Faith’s overarching goals rather than personal disagreements, and cultivating the ability to overlook faults while emphasizing points of unity. By adopting these practices, Bahá’ís can transform potential sources of discord into opportunities for strengthening community bonds and advancing their collective mission..
Broadening Perspectives
To promote unity and broaden perspectives, Bahá’ís are encouraged to:
- Deepen their understanding of Bahá’í principles through intensive study of the writings
- Participate in institute courses to develop skills for community building
- Engage with diverse groups both within and outside the Bahá’í community
- Reflect on the global nature and long-term vision of the Faith
These practices help individuals transcend limited viewpoints and align with the Faith’s unifying mission, creating a powerful force for accomplishing their aims and attracting others to join in their efforts. By consciously cultivating these attitudes, Bahá’ís can create a strong foundation of unity as they work together towards their shared goals [3].
Citations
[1] The Bahá’í Concept of Unity (3/3): Achieving Unity Within and Between Us
[2] Communities find engagement in activities leads to unity, bonds of love
[3] A Spiritual Path to Unity and Social Justice
[4] Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
[5] Division and Unity in the Baha’i Community: Towards a Definition of Fundamentalism
[6] What I Do, as a Baha’i, To Make World Peace Possible – BahaiTeachings.org
[7] Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity – Wikipedia
[8] Citadel of Faith – Shoghi Effendi
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- What are some practical ways to implement consultation in daily life?
- How can detachment contribute to achieving unity within the Bahá’í community?
- What role do community activities play in fostering unity among Bahá’ís?
- How can Bahá’ís balance individual perspectives with collective decision-making?
- What are some examples of successful community-building initiatives in Bahá’í communities?
- How can we encourage empathy and understanding among community members?
- What activities can help strengthen bonds within the community?
- How can we leverage our diversity to promote unity?
- What are some examples of successful unity-building initiatives in Bahá’í communities?
- How can we integrate spiritual teachings into daily community activities?
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#576176748. ↩
- Effendi, Shoghi. Citadel of Faith: Messages to America, 1947-1957. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/citadel-faith/2#999409945. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 263-264. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/9#388537439. ↩
- Postscript in the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi, appended to a letter dated 9 May 1933 written on his behalf to an individual. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 125-127. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “How can one preserve and promote unity among those who share in the work required to achieve the goals of the Bahá’í Faith?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 11, 2024. https://www.perplexity.ai/page/preserving-baha-i-unity-_DS04SomRveGNLR62XSwLA. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 