Jamál, 08 Mashíyyat (Will), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
As you know, Bahá’í consultation is to be undertaken with the utmost love, sincerity, and unity. Its participants must come together in a prayerful attitude, seeking assistance from the Realm of Glory, expressing their thoughts freely, surrendering all attachment to their individual opinions, and giving fair-minded and careful consideration to the views of others, in an effort to reach consensus. ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá advises us that should it be found, in the course of coming to a decision, that discussion has become prolonged or given rise to disputation, consultation should be deferred and taken up at a more propitious time. Be confident that, as you engage in Bahá’í consultation among families or in small groups, your sincere efforts to abide by these principles will, through the power of the Covenant and with Divine assistance, enable you to resolve a great majority of the issues that confront you. Of course, it must be remembered that the purpose of consultation need not always be to arrive at a particular or final decision. Often the aim may simply be to engage in an exchange of views so as to help clarify a certain matter and bring about unity of vision. Further, you should recognize that, given current circumstances, there may be issues that cannot be resolved at present and which should be left for future consideration. — Universal House of Justice [1]
Question for Consideration
How does love feature in a “culture of Bahá’í consultation”? [2] [3]
Gemini Notebook Response: The Governing Atmosphere and Essential Condition
Spiritual Conference
‘Abdu’l-Bahá defines true consultation as “spiritual conference in the attitude and atmosphere of love”, declaring that love and fellowship are the foundation for meaningful outcomes to emerge. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
The First Condition
Absolute love and harmony among members is designated as the primary condition for any consultative body. [7] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] When deliberations are conducted in harmony and love, the result is light; if estrangement prevails, the result is darkness. [9] [10] [12] [13] [14]
Fueling Spiritual Virtues
Love for God and humanity generates the essential qualities—or “prime requisites”—needed for consultation, such as purity of motive, radiance of spirit, humility, patience, and detachment from self-interest. [7] [11] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
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. [21]
Footnotes
[1] Universal House of Justice. “19 May 2009 – To the Believers in the Cradle of the Faith.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/849676229
[2] Gemini Notebook. “Consultation and Love: The Governing Atmosphere and Essential Condition.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. October 3, 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] The Bahá’í Faith Staff. “Consultation Quotes.” Bahá’í International Community. https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/universal-peace/articles-resources/consultation-quotes
[5] 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/597577309
[6] Perplexity Computer. “Conversations That Matter: A Facilitator’s Checklist.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 23, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/tasks/cdb5daf3-7578-482c-b05c-d63852d90880
[7] Gemini Notebook. “Spiritual preparation and setting the atmosphere in effective Baháʼí consultation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 10, 2026. The Lamp of Guidance: Bahá’í Principles of Consultation
[8] Perplexity Computer. “The concept of oneness and Baháʼí consultation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 11, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/b451f8cf-9c33-4af6-a741-5f1c586fc07f
[9] Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. BAHÁ’Í SACRED WRITINGS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/131129868
[10] 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/528587863
[11] The Bahá’í Faith Staff. “The Bahá’í Administrative Order: Quotations.” Bahá’í International Community. https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/essential-relationships/administrative-order/quotations
[12] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/231501782
[13] The Bahá’í Faith Staff. “The Bahá’í Administrative Order: The Local Spiritual Assembly.” Bahá’í International Community. https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/essential-relationships/administrative-order/local-spiritual-assembly
[14] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/306241834
[15] Abdu’l-Bahá. SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/231501782
[16] Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. BAHÁ’Í SACRED WRITINGS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/491878172 | https://www.bahai.org/r/019295643
[17] Perplexity Computer. “Build Safety into Every Forum.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 22, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/9568e925-10d6-49a0-88fe-b68934c6cb6e
[18] 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/644110934
[19] Gemini Notebook. “The Lamp of Guidance.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 26, 2026. Conversations That Matter: A Protagonist’s Guide to Consultation Based on Bahá’í Principles
[20] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/538358057
[21] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/628985716
