Kamál, 08 Sharaf (Honor), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Teach thou the Cause of God with an utterance which will cause the bushes to be enkindled, and the call “Verily, there is no God but Me, the Almighty, the Unconstrained” to be raised therefrom. Say: Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets. Meditate upon that which hath streamed forth from the heaven of the Will of thy Lord, He Who is the Source of all grace, that thou mayest grasp the intended meaning which is enshrined in the sacred depths of the Holy Writings. — Bahá’u’lláh 2
As for you, O ye lovers of God, make firm your steps in His Cause, with such resolve that ye shall not be shaken though the direst of calamities assail the world. By nothing, under no conditions, be ye perturbed. Be ye anchored fast as the high mountains, be stars that dawn over the horizon of life, be bright lamps in the gatherings of unity, be souls humble and lowly in the presence of the friends, be innocent in heart. Be ye symbols of guidance and lights of godliness, severed from the world, clinging to the handhold that is sure and strong, spreading abroad the spirit of life, riding the Ark of salvation. Be ye daysprings of generosity, dawning-points of the mysteries of existence, sites where inspiration alighteth, rising-places of splendors, souls that are sustained by the Holy Spirit, enamored of the Lord, detached from all save Him, holy above the characteristics of humankind, clothed in the attributes of the angels of heaven, that ye may win for yourselves the highest bestowal of all, in this new time, this wondrous age. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
Among the believers and the wider society, the bounty of being able to turn to a Local Spiritual Assembly for guidance and for the resolution of difficult situations is being recognized, and in turn, the decisions of the Spiritual Assemblies are increasingly characterized by wisdom and sensitivity. — Universal House of Justice 4
Faith in the capacity of every individual who shows a desire to serve will prove essential to the efforts of those who are to elicit from the believers wholehearted participation in the Plan. Unqualified love free of paternalism will be indispensable if they are to help turn hesitation into courage born of trust in God and transform a yearning for excitement into a commitment to long-term action. Calm determination will be vital as they strive to demonstrate how stumbling blocks can be made stepping stones for progress. And a readiness to listen, with heightened spiritual perception, will be invaluable in identifying obstacles that may prevent some of the friends from appreciating the imperative of unified action. — Universal House of Justice 5
Question for Consideration
What attributes — sensitivity, detachment, generosity, etc. — and the power of spiritual perception help people listen to each other, delve into the intended meaning behind their words, understand one another, and come to realize that everyone has significant things to say? 6
Perplexity Pro Response 7
The Baháʼí teachings emphasize the importance of effective communication and understanding among individuals, highlighting attributes such as sensitivity, detachment, and generosity as key to fostering meaningful connections and unity within communities.
Unity and Oneness in Humanity
The Baháʼí Faith emphasizes the fundamental oneness of humanity, teaching that all people are created from the same essence and should therefore live in unity. This principle is beautifully expressed in Bahá’u’lláh’s words, urging humanity to ponder their common origin and manifest “the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment” [12] through their actions. By recognizing this shared foundation, individuals are encouraged to transcend superficial differences and work towards a harmonious global society. The teachings advocate for the adoption of a universal auxiliary language to facilitate worldwide understanding and communication, further promoting unity among diverse populations [7].
Spiritual Qualities for Communication
Effective communication in the Baháʼí perspective is rooted in spiritual qualities that foster deep understanding and connection. Humility and lowliness are essential, allowing individuals to approach conversations with an open mind and recognize the value in others’ perspectives. Patience and calmness create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to thoughtful dialogue, enabling people to fully express themselves without interruption [3]. Developing spiritual perception enhances the ability to discern deeper meanings behind words and recognize the inherent potential in others, moving beyond surface-level disagreements to underlying unity [7].
These qualities, when combined with empathy and detachment from personal biases, create a safe space for open and honest communication. By assuming good intentions and offering full attention, individuals can cultivate an atmosphere of trust and goodwill that encourages others to share more openly [8]. This approach aligns with the Baháʼí vision of unity, where each person’s contribution is valued and recognized as significant to collective understanding and growth [9].
Guidance for Personal Conduct
The Baháʼí writings provide guidance on personal conduct that fosters unity and spiritual growth. Individuals are encouraged to be “anchored fast as the high mountains” [13] in their faith, while also remaining humble and lowly in the presence of others. This balance of steadfastness and humility creates an environment where people can listen to each other with genuine interest and respect. The teachings also emphasize the importance of being “daysprings of generosity” and “sites where inspiration alighteth,” [13] qualities that contribute to a supportive and uplifting community atmosphere. By cultivating these attributes, Baháʼís strive to embody the spiritual qualities that facilitate meaningful connections and collective progress.
Role of Local Spiritual Assemblies
Local Spiritual Assemblies play a crucial role in Baháʼí communities, offering guidance and resolving difficult situations for believers and the wider society. These institutions are increasingly recognized for their wisdom and sensitivity in decision-making, reflecting a growing appreciation for their function [11]. The effectiveness of these assemblies stems from their ability to foster an environment of trust, where individuals feel comfortable seeking counsel and support.
Attributes for Understanding
Sensitivity and Empathy
Sensitivity to others’ feelings and experiences is crucial for deep listening and understanding. This involves:
- Being attuned to both verbal and non-verbal cues
- Recognizing the emotions behind words
- Acknowledging the validity of others’ experiences, even if different from our own
Empathy allows us to put ourselves in another’s shoes, helping us grasp the intended meaning behind their words [1]. It creates a safe space for open and honest communication.
Detachment and Open-mindedness
Detachment from our own preconceptions and biases is essential for truly hearing others. This includes:
- Setting aside personal opinions and judgments
- Being open to new ideas and perspectives
- Willingness to have our own views challenged and potentially changed
As Bahá’u’lláh advises, we should “ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created” from the same essence, encouraging us to see beyond surface differences [12].
Generosity of Spirit
A generous spirit manifests as:
- Giving others the benefit of the doubt
- Assuming good intentions
- Offering our full attention and time
This generosity creates an atmosphere of trust and goodwill, encouraging others to share more openly [8].
Humility and Lowliness
Approaching conversations with humility allows us to:
- Recognize that everyone has valuable insights to offer
- Avoid dominating discussions or imposing our views
- Be open to learning from others, regardless of their background or status
As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá counsels, we should be “souls humble and lowly in the presence of the friends” [13].
Patience and Calmness
Patience is crucial for effective listening and understanding. It involves:
- Allowing others to express themselves fully without interruption
- Taking time to reflect on what is being said
- Resisting the urge to formulate responses prematurely
A calm demeanor helps create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to open and thoughtful dialogue [5].
Spiritual Perception
Developing spiritual perception enhances our ability to:
- Discern the deeper meanings behind words
- Recognize the spiritual qualities and potential in others
- See beyond surface-level disagreements to underlying unity
This perception allows us to “grasp the intended meaning which is enshrined in the sacred depths” [14] of communication.
Conclusion
By cultivating these attributes – sensitivity, detachment, generosity, humility, patience, and spiritual perception – we create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This approach to communication aligns with Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of unity, where we strive to be “even as one soul” [12]. It enables us to move beyond superficial exchanges to truly understand one another, recognizing that each person has “significant things to say” and contribute to our collective understanding and growth.
Citations:
[1] Communication Research: Supportive Communication Skill Attributes – PREZENTIUM
[2] T and F: Understanding how Personality Types Influence Decision-Making Claire Newton
[3] Silence: The Most Important Part of Communication – BahaiTEACHINGS.ORG
[4] Creating Connection in a time of Detachment and Isolation – Voltage Control
[5] The Meaning of Community – a Baha’i Perspective – Uplifting Words
[6] How Traits of Successful Communities Can Inform Our Accessibility Initiatives – WebAIM
[7] Baháʼí teachings – Wikipedia
[8] The Benefits of Generosity – PSYCHALIVE
[9] Community and Collective Action – Bahá’í Center of Washtenaw County
[11] Social Action – Bahá’í Reference Library
[12] The Hidden Words – Bahá’í Reference Library
[13] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library
[14] Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas – Bahá’í Reference Library
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can we cultivate detachment in our daily interactions?
- What role does empathy play in fostering unity among people?
- How can we balance being detached yet empathetic in our communication?
- What are some practical ways to practice supportive communication in challenging situations?
- How does spiritual perception enhance our ability to understand others?
- How do Local Spiritual Assemblies contribute to community building?
- What are the main responsibilities of a Local Spiritual Assembly?
- How do Local Spiritual Assemblies promote unity among Bahá’ís?
- What role do Local Spiritual Assemblies play in social action?
- How do Local Spiritual Assemblies support public discourse?
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1954. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#685666862. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 143. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/6#602356980. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 242. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/8#480331039. ↩
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/3#607834883. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “28 December 2010 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 4, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20101228_001/1#764537710. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 44-45. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “What attributes — sensitivity, detachment, generosity, etc. — and the power of spiritual perception help people listen to each other, delve into the intended meaning behind their words, understand one another, and come to realize that everyone has significant things to say?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 4, 2025. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 