Jalál, 11 Raḥmat (Mercy), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
Consider carefully: All these highly varied phenomena, these concepts, this knowledge, these technical procedures and philosophical systems, these sciences, arts, industries and inventions—all are emanations of the human mind. Whatever people has ventured deeper into this shoreless sea, has come to excel the rest. The happiness and pride of a nation consist in this, that it should shine out like the sun in the high heaven of knowledge. “Shall they who have knowledge and they who have it not, be treated alike?” And the honour and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good. Is any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking within himself, should find that by the confirming grace of God he has become the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete delight. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá [1]
Question for Consideration
From a Bahá’í perspective, how can spiritual principles be applied in the voluntary/informal sector to find ways that work and begin to transform the public and private sectors? [2]
Perplexity Deep Research Response: Part IId
Spiritual Principles as the Organizing Logic of Voluntary Action
The Bahá’í writings identify a cluster of spiritual principles that, when applied within voluntary communities, generate fundamentally different patterns of human relationship from those produced by materialism. These are not abstract ideals but operational values that shape how people associate, decide, and act together.
Service as the Highest Form of Human Fulfillment
‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: “And the honour and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good. Is any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking within himself, should find that he has become the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete delight.” [1] This is a direct inversion of the materialist premise that happiness comes from consumption and acquisition. [3]
When voluntary communities — through their culture, their stories, their celebrations, and their witness — demonstrate that service is more deeply satisfying than consumption, they contribute to a cultural shift that no policy directive or marketing campaign can produce. Young people, in particular, who discover meaning through service in the voluntary sector carry that orientation into their subsequent professional, civic, and economic lives, gradually shifting the norms of the private and public sectors from within. [4]
Bahá’u’lláh elevated work performed in the spirit of service [5] to the rank of worship: “It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation — such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God.” [6] This sanctification of purposeful work — whether paid or unpaid, professional or voluntary — dissolves the artificial boundary between “service” and “economic activity,” suggesting that all sectors of society can be enlivened by the spirit of service. [3] [7]
Footnotes
[1] Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. BAHÁ’Í SACRED WRITINGS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/950368623
[2] Perplexity Deep Research. “The Voluntary/Informal Sector as a Laboratory: Bahá’í Spiritual Principles and the Transformation of Society.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. July 2, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/a/9ecfa362-6f2c-499e-b451-8198a188f127
[3] Dahl, Arthur Lyon. “Rethinking Business and the Economy based on Spiritual Principles.” IEFWorld, November 20, 2018. https://iefworld.org/ddahl18k
[4] Universal House of Justice. “12 December 2011 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/296626848
[5] Effendi, Shoghi. GOD PASSES BY. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/262831248
[6] Bahá’u’lláh. THE KITÁB-I-AQDAS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/590677343
[7] Universal House of Justice. “October 2019 – To all who have come to honour the Herald of a new Dawn.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/710486156
Be the Voice of…
Therefore, all souls should consider it incumbent upon them to investigate reality. Reality is one; and when found, it will unify all mankind. Reality is the love of God. Reality is the knowledge of God. Reality is justice. Reality is the oneness or solidarity of mankind. Reality is international peace. Reality is the knowledge of verities. Reality unifies humanity. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá The Promulgation of Universal Peace | Bahá’í Reference Library.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 