Kamál, 13 Raḥmat (Mercy), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
I admonish thee, and those who are like thee, to deal not with anyone as ye have dealt with Us. Beware lest ye follow in the footsteps of the Evil One and walk in the ways of the unjust. Take from this world only to the measure of your needs, and forgo that which exceedeth them. Observe equity in all your judgements, and transgress not the bounds of justice, nor be of them that stray from its path. — Bahá’u’lláh [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 II-f
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.
Moderation and Sufficiency
Bahá’u’lláh counseled: “Take from this world only to the measure of your needs, and forego that which exceedeth them.” [1] Applied to the voluntary sector, moderation means that organizations resist the temptation to scale endlessly, accumulate institutional prestige, or measure success by budget size and media presence. Authentic voluntary organizations operate with leanness, redirecting resources to the communities they serve rather than to institutional self-perpetuation. [3] [4] [5]
This principle also challenges the dominant “growth” mindset that both public and private sectors share. A voluntary organization that visibly thrives with minimal resources — because its work is animated by spiritual motivation and community solidarity rather than external incentives — offers a concrete alternative to the assumption that effectiveness requires perpetual resource expansion. [6] [7]
Footnotes
[1] Bahá’u’lláh. THE SUMMONS OF THE LORD OF HOSTS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/904282705
[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 5, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/a/9ecfa362-6f2c-499e-b451-8198a188f127
[3] Universal House of Justice. “1 March 2017 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/476802933
[4] Bahá’u’lláh. EPISTLE TO THE SON OF THE WOLF. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/463236506
[5] International Environment Forum Staff. “The Economy: A Bahá’í Perspective.” IEFWorld. https://iefworld.org/economy_comp
[6] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/606267848
[7] Bahá’u’lláh. GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/863336976
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 