Istijlál, 05 Mashíyyat (Will), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
Your letter of 14 February 1973 enquiring about the uses of Bahá’í consultation has been received.
This is, of course, a matter in which rigidity should be avoided.
When a believer has a problem concerning which he must make a decision, he has several courses open to him. If it is a matter that affects the interests of the Faith he should consult with the appropriate Assembly or committee, but individuals have many problems which are purely personal and there is no obligation upon them to take such problems to the institutions of the Faith; indeed, when the needs of the teaching work are of such urgency it is better if the friends will not burden their Assemblies with personal problems that they can solve by themselves.
A Bahá’í who has a problem may wish to make his own decision upon it after prayer and after weighing all the aspects of it in his own mind; he may prefer to seek the counsel of individual friends or of professional counselors such as his doctor or lawyer so that he can consider such advice when making his decision; or in a case where several people are involved, such as a family situation, he may want to gather together those who are affected so that they may arrive at a collective decision. There is also no objection whatever to a Bahá’í’s asking a group of people to consult together on a problem facing him.
It should be borne in mind that all consultation is aimed at arriving at a solution to a problem and is quite different from the sort of group baring of the soul that is popular in some circles these days and which borders on the kind of confession that is forbidden in the faith. On the subject of confession the Guardian’s secretary wrote on his behalf to an individual believer: “We are forbidden to confess to any person, as do the Catholics to their priests, our sins and shortcomings, or to do so in public, as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously desire to acknowledge we have been wrong in something, or that we have some fault of character, and ask another person’s forgiveness or pardon, we are quite free to do so. The Guardian wants to point out, however, that we are not obliged to do so. It rests entirely with the individual.” — Universal House of Justice [1]
Question for Consideration
Teach me about Bahá’í consultation. [2] [3]
Gemini Notebook Response: An Ongoing Cycle of Learning
Bahá’í consultation is not a static procedure, but part of a continuous, iterative learning process: Study → Consultation → Action → Reflection → Adjustment. [4] [5] This approach applies across all spheres of life—from personal and family matters [6] [7] to elected Local Spiritual Assemblies [6] [7] [8] and broader community development initiatives. [4] [9] [10]
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. [11]
Footnotes
[1] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. CONSULTATION: A COMPILATION. February 1978, Revised November 1990. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/179101283
[2] Gemini Notebook. “An Ongoing Cycle of Learning.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 30, 2026. Conversations That Matter: A Protagonist’s Guide to Consultation Based on Bahá’í Principles
[3] Transformative Leadership Education Staff. “Unite, Decide, Thrive: Using Consultation to Improve Decisions” (Free Online Course). Transformative Leadership Education. https://tinyurl.com/courseconsultation
[4] Perplexity Computer. “Consultation as a Social Change Management Practice.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 14, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/5dce936d-7bbb-4f73-9571-59afcc8ccc7d
[5] Perplexity Computer. “Practical Combinations of Forums for Bahá’í Consultation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 18, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/9568e925-10d6-49a0-88fe-b68934c6cb6e
[6] The Bahá’í Faith Staff. “Consultation Quotes.” Bahá’í International Community. https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/universal-peace/articles-resources/consultation-quotes
[7] Gemini Notebook. “The Baháʼí Seven-Step Framework for Collective Consultation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 9, 2026. The Lamp of Guidance: Bahá’í Principles of Consultation
[8] Universal House of Justice. “Individual Rights and Freedoms.” The Bahá’í Faith. https://www.bahai.org/documents/the-universal-house-of-justice/individual-rights-freedoms
[9] Perplexity Computer. “A Culture of Bahá’í Consultation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 20, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/da6a4e88-d56d-446d-afb5-ef6ec53c5449
[10] Perplexity Computer. “Accompany Individuals into the Arena of Service.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 16, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/3c2dd194-6303-4419-9e3b-164fae6f29ef
[11] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/628985716
