Daily Frameworks for 08 June 2025

Jamál, 05 Núr (Light), 182 B.E.

Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

The light of truth has heretofore been seen dimly through variegated glasses, but now the splendors of Divinity shall be visible through the translucent mirrors of pure hearts and spirits. The light of truth is the divine teaching, heavenly instruction, merciful principles and spiritual civilization. Since my arrival in this country I find that material civilization has progressed greatly, that commerce has attained the utmost degree of expansion; arts, agriculture and all details of material civilization have reached the highest stage of perfection, but spiritual civilization has been left behind. Material civilization is like unto the lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp. If the material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together, and the outcome will be perfect. For material civilization is like unto a beautiful body, and spiritual civilization is like unto the spirit of life. If that wondrous spirit of life enters this beautiful body, the body will become a channel for the distribution and development of the perfections of humanity. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

What happens with material and spiritual civilization become united?

Perplexity Pro Response ³

According to the Bahá’í writings, when material and spiritual civilization become united, several transformative outcomes occur:

Perfect Civilization Emerges

The union creates what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes as a “perfect” outcome through the metaphor of lamp and light: “If the material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together, and the outcome will be perfect” [1]. Material civilization alone is like a lamp without light, while spiritual civilization provides the illumination that gives it meaning and purpose.

Humanity Achieves Its Full Potential

When these two dimensions unite, the result enables the full development of human capabilities. Using the metaphor of body and spirit, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that “the body will become a channel for the distribution and development of the perfections of humanity” [1]. Just as a beautiful body requires the spirit of life to function, material progress needs spiritual guidance to reach its potential.

True Happiness and Peace Are Established

The writings emphasize that “only when material and spiritual civilization are linked and coordinated will happiness be assured” [1]. This coordination prevents material civilization from contributing “its energies to the forces of evil in destroying the oneness of humanity” [1], since material progress alone allows both good and evil to advance together.

Extraordinary Human Progress Occurs

When united, these civilizations produce remarkable advancement: “humankind will achieve extraordinary progress, the sphere of human intelligence will be immeasurably enlarged, wonderful inventions will appear, and the spirit of God will reveal itself” [1]. This leads to a state where “all men will consort in joy and fragrance, and eternal life will be conferred upon the children of the Kingdom” [1].

Balanced Development

The Bahá’í writings use the metaphor of flight to illustrate this necessity: “For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material civilization the other is spiritual power and divine civilization. With one wing only, flight is impossible” [1]. Both dimensions must progress together for humanity to achieve “the highest aspirations and desires of humanity” [1].

This union represents the ultimate goal toward which humanity is progressing—a civilization that harmonizes scientific and technological advancement with spiritual and moral development.

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

• What is the outcome when material and spiritual civilization unite according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?
• How does the union of material and spiritual civilization enhance human perfection?
• Why does ‘Abdu’l-Bahá compare material civilization to a lamp and spiritual to its light?
• In what ways can combining material progress with spiritual development transform society?
• What role do divine teachings play in uniting material and spiritual civilizations?

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/264702187. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 11. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#812419404. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “Material and Spiritual Civilization United.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. June 7, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-light-of-truth-has-heretof-RrY.kXyKR12WvFsCK3OVlQ. ↩