Fidál, 05 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
The heart must needs therefore be cleansed from the idle sayings of men, and sanctified from every earthly affection, so that it may discover the hidden meaning of divine inspiration, and become the treasury of the mysteries of divine knowledge. Thus hath it been said: “He that treadeth the snow-white Path, and followeth in the footsteps of the Crimson Pillar, shall never attain unto his abode unless his hands are empty of those worldly things cherished by men.” This is the prime requisite of whosoever treadeth this path. Ponder thereon, that, with eyes unveiled, thou mayest perceive the truth of these words. — Bahá’u’lláh [1]
Question for Consideration
How does awareness of the material world’s illusory nature influence behavior in a culture of Bahá’í consultation? [2] [3]
Perplexity Computer Response: The consultative culture this feeds
Consultation in the Bahá’í writings is a spiritual discipline before it is a procedure. Its “prime requisites” are “purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering”. Its structural features are well documented: [4]
Frank expression within love and harmony
“Every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion,” with “the shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions”. [4]
Non-insistence
Participants “must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness… will lead ultimately to discord”. [4]
Ideas become common property
Once a view is contributed, “it belongs to the group as a whole, to use or set aside as best serves the issue at hand”. [5]
Empirical seriousness
Consultation, “understood as the collective investigation of reality, promotes detachment from personal views, gives due importance to valid empirical information, [and] does not raise mere opinion to the status of fact or define truth as the compromise between opposing interest groups”. [6]
Unity through action and reflection
The community operates through cycles of “study, consultation, action, and reflection,” cultivating “an instinctive posture of learning”. [7]
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. [8]
Footnotes
[1] Bahá’u’lláh. THE KITÁB-I-ÍQÁN. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/801173566
[2] Perplexity Computer. “Illusion, Detachment, and the Culture of Bahá’í Consultation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. October 19, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/tasks/f71ce073-8fcc-4591-b1cf-ae5edfb44412
[3] Transformative Leadership Education Staff. “Unite, Decide, Thrive: Using Consultation to Improve Decisions” (Free Online Course). Transformative Leadership Education. https://tinyurl.com/courseconsultation
[4] Kazemipour, Whitney White. “Even as the Waves of One Sea: Bahá’í Consultation’s Implicit Cultural Support for the Clash of Differing Opinions.” The Journal of Bahá’í Studies, Vol 33, No 3 (Fall 2023), 94-95. https://journal.bahaistudies.ca/online/issue/view/80/23
[5] Bahá’í Quotes Staff. “Consultation.” Bahá’í Quotes. https://bahaiquotes.com/subject/consultation
[6] Friberg, Stephen R. “Revelation as Scientific in its Method: Science, Diversity, Consultation, and Learning in Action.” The Journal of Bahá’í Studies, Vol 33, No 3 (Fall 2023), 28. https://journal.bahaistudies.ca/online/issue/view/80/23
[7] Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2016 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/468691680
[8] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/628985716
