Daily Frameworks for 19 April 2025

Jalál, 12 Jalál (Glory), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles

Quotes for Reflection:

‘Abdu’l-Bahá has extolled “two calls” to “success and prosperity” that can be heard from the “heights of the happiness of mankind”. One is the call of “civilization”, of “progress of the material world”. It comprises the “laws”, “regulations”, “arts and sciences” through which humanity develops. The other is the “soul-stirring call of God”, on which depends the eternal happiness of humanity. “This second call”, the Master has explained, “is founded upon the instructions and exhortations of the Lord and the admonitions and altruistic emotions belonging to the realm of morality which, like unto a brilliant light, brighten and illumine the lamp of the realities of mankind. Its penetrative power is the Word of God.” ¹ As you continue to labour in your clusters, you will be drawn further and further into the life of the society around you and will be challenged to extend the process of systematic learning in which you are engaged to encompass a growing range of human endeavours. In the approaches you take, the methods you adopt, and the instruments you employ, you will need to achieve the same degree of coherence that characterizes the pattern of growth presently under way. — Universal House of Justice ^{2 3}

Question for Consideration

How can one achieve coherence between the “two calls” to “success and prosperity” extolled by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when extending more broadly the process of systematic learning associated with the current pattern of growth among clusters to life of the surrounding society?

Perplexity Pro Response ⁴

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s “two calls” —the call of civilization (material progress) and the soul-stirring call of God (spiritual and moral advancement)—are not separate pursuits but are meant to be harmonized in the life of individuals and society. Achieving coherence between these calls, especially as the process of systematic learning expands from Bahá’í clusters to broader society, is a central challenge and opportunity for Bahá’í communities today.

Principles for Achieving Coherence

Recognize the Interdependence of Material and Spiritual Progress

• Material civilization—laws, sciences, arts, and regulations—is essential for human development, but without spiritual civilization (the “light” within the “lamp”), it remains incomplete and even dangerous. Spiritual civilization, founded on the Word of God and moral virtues, animates and gives purpose to material achievements [1].
• “Material civilization is like a lamp-glass. Divine civilization is the lamp itself and the glass without the light is dark. Material civilization is like the body. No matter how infinitely graceful, elegant and beautiful it may be, it is dead. Divine civilization is like the spirit, and the body gets its life from the spirit, otherwise it becomes a corpse” [1].
  

Harmonize Science and Religion

• The Bahá’í Writings stress that science and religion are “two complementary systems of knowledge and practice by which human beings come to understand the world around them and through which civilization advances” [1].
• True prosperity and progress require both: “Religion without science soon degenerates into superstition and fanaticism, while science without religion becomes the tool of crude materialism” [1].
  

Systematic Learning as a Mode of Operation

• The process of systematic learning—characterized by cycles of action, reflection, consultation, and study—should be extended to all areas of human endeavor, not just core activities or teaching work [1].
• As clusters mature, this mode of learning can be applied to education, health, agriculture, economics, the arts, and other fields, always seeking to integrate spiritual principles with practical action [1].
  

Build Capacity and Participation

• Social action should focus on building the capacity of individuals and communities to take charge of their own spiritual and material development. This involves inclusive participation, consultation, and the generation and application of knowledge by all [1].
• “Social change is not a project that one group of people carries out for the benefit of another. The scope and complexity of social action must be commensurate with the human resources available in a village or neighbourhood to carry it forward” [1].
  

Begin Modestly and Grow Organically

• Efforts to extend social action should start on a modest scale, growing organically as capacity develops within the population. This allows for learning, adaptation, and the gradual integration of spiritual and material elements [1].
  

Consult and Collaborate

• Consultation is both a spiritual principle and a practical method for ensuring that actions are informed by diverse perspectives and grounded in unity. It is vital for defining collective courses of action and for learning together as new challenges arise [1].
  

Practical Steps for Achieving Coherence

Material Call (Civilization)	Spiritual Call (Word of God)	Achieving Coherence
Laws, regulations, sciences, arts	Moral virtues, altruism, guidance	Integrate both in all endeavors
Social and economic development	Worship, prayer, service	Systematic learning and action
Education, health, agriculture, etc.	Character development, unity	Capacity building, consultation
Use of material means and technology	Reliance on spiritual principles	Harmonize means and ends

Examples:

• Establish educational programs that foster both academic excellence and moral development.
• Develop health initiatives that combine scientific best practices with compassion and service.
• Participate in economic or environmental projects that are guided by principles of justice, equity, and stewardship.
  

Guardrails and Attitudes

• Avoid imposing religious beliefs in collaborative efforts; instead, offer insights and learn from others in a spirit of humility and mutual respect [1].
• Means must be consistent with ends: unity cannot be built through contention, and noble goals require noble methods [1].
• Remain detached from narrow definitions of success; focus on learning, service, and the gradual transformation of society [1].
  

Conclusion

Coherence between the two calls is achieved by making the spiritual principles of the Faith the animating force behind material progress, ensuring that every endeavor—whether educational, economic, social, or scientific—is infused with moral purpose and guided by the Word of God. As Bahá’í communities extend systematic learning into broader society, they do so through humble service, inclusive participation, and a commitment to building a civilization that is both materially prosperous and spiritually illumined [1].

Citations

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 (PDF)

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can the “soul-stirring call of God” be integrated into modern educational systems?
• What are some practical methods to achieve coherence between material progress and spiritual development?
• How can communities balance the pursuit of material prosperity with the need for moral and spiritual growth?
• What role does education play in fostering the “soul-stirring call of God” in society?
• How can the teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá guide us in developing a more balanced and harmonious society?

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 283. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/10#677102733. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2008 message to the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed April 18, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20080421_001/1#497896794. ↩
3. 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/2#261115976. ↩
4. Perplexity Pro. “Achieving Coherence Between the “Two Calls” in Systematic Learning and Social Action” Edited by Steve Bosserman. April 18, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/abdul-baha-has-extolled-two-ca-alC.xdjNTNuh2ofLgEkrpQ. ↩