Tag: decision-making

Daily Frameworks for 26 July 2026

Jamál, 14 Kalimát (Words), 183 B.E.

Quotes for Reflection

Clearly, the unity of thought and action that results from maintaining focus is not to be confused with uniformity. The framework of the Five Year Plan—“a Plan designed to fit the requirements of these times”[31]—provides ample room for the exercise of individual initiative as well as collective action. Within this framework the friends are encouraged to carry out activities “aimed at advancing the process of entry by troops.”[32] Each individual believer must decide for him or herself how to participate in this global enterprise. What is important is that his or her endeavors not go so far “beyond what the House of Justice had in mind when writing of encouraging individual initiative”[33] that they shatter focus and disrupt the work of the Plan. In this sense, by learning to work within the framework of the global Plans the friends are coming to a better understanding of how to contribute to the greater good. “The spirit of the approach to systematic programs of growth,” a letter written on behalf of the House of Justice advised, “is that of believers working together effectively for the common good.”[34] And another letter to an individual believer offered the following guidance: “Ultimately, the choice fruits of one’s striving are manifested in selfless service to the Cause, surrendering all personal interests and desires for the things that pertain unto God, subordinating one’s will to the common good and ever mindful of the pitfall of attachment to one’s own service.”[35] — Universal House of Justice [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 VI-f

Practical Starting Points for Voluntary Organizations

For voluntary and civil society organizations seeking to apply Bahá’í-inspired principles in practice, the following starting points reflect the accumulated Bahá’í experience:

Engage actively in public discourse

Do not remain silent about the conceptual frameworks that underlie public and private sector decisions. Offer evidence-based contributions to conversations about development, economics, governance, and justice — always from a position of service to the common good rather than partisan advocacy. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Footnotes

[1] Universal House of Justice. TURNING POINT: 1996-2006, SELECTED MESSAGES OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/917204140

[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 26, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/a/9ecfa362-6f2c-499e-b451-8198a188f127

[3] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE SECRET OF DIVINE CIVILIZATION. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/555673920

[4] Uplifting Words Staff. “Processes of Development: The Bahá’í Approach.” UpliftingWords, October 8, 2019. https://www.upliftingwords.org/post/processes-of-development-the-bahai-approach

[5] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. SOCIAL ACTION. August 2020. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/607834883

[6] Universal House of Justice. “24 July 2013 – The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/175830999

[7] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. SOCIAL ACTION. August 2020. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/602534881

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.

Daily Frameworks for 23 July 2026

Istijlál, 11 Kalimát (Words), 183 B.E.

Quotes for Reflection

The purpose is to emphasize the statement that consultation must have for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion, for the light of reality becomes apparent when two opinions coincide. A spark is produced when flint and steel come together. Man should weigh his opinions with the utmost serenity, calmness and composure. Before expressing his own views he should carefully consider the views already advanced by others. If he finds that a previously expressed opinion is more true and worthy, he should accept it immediately and not willfully hold to an opinion of his own. By this excellent method he endeavors to arrive at unity and truth. Opposition and division are deplorable. It is better then to have the opinion of a wise, sagacious man; otherwise, contradiction and altercation, in which varied and divergent views are presented, will make it necessary for a judicial body to render decision upon the question. Even a majority opinion or consensus may be incorrect. A thousand people may hold to one view and be mistaken, whereas one sagacious person may be right. Therefore, true consultation is spiritual conference in the attitude and atmosphere of love. Members must love each other in the spirit of fellowship in order that good results may be forthcoming. Love and fellowship are the foundation. — ‘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 VI-c

Practical Starting Points for Voluntary Organizations

For voluntary and civil society organizations seeking to apply Bahá’í-inspired principles in practice, the following starting points reflect the accumulated Bahá’í experience:

Practice consultation systematically

Make the quality of collective decision-making a conscious focus of organizational culture. Train all participants in principled dialogue. Evaluate decisions not only by their outcomes but by the quality of the process through which they were reached. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Footnotes

[1] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/408874573

[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 23, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/a/9ecfa362-6f2c-499e-b451-8198a188f127

[3] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. SOCIAL ACTION. August 2020. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/259331548

[4] The Bahá’ís of Papua New Guinea Office of External Affairs. “Governance with the Spirit of the Betterment of Society.” Media.Bahai.Org.PG. https://media.bahai.org.pg/2022/03/06/governance-with-the-spirit-of-the-betterment-of-society/

[5] Universal House of Justice. “24 November 2009 – To the Believers in the Cradle of the Faith.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/139238114

[6] Universal House of Justice. “24 October 2018 – To the Bahá’ís of Iran.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/554241431

[7] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. SOCIAL ACTION. August 2020. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/259331544

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.

Daily Frameworks for 03 July 2026

Istiqlál, 10 Raḥmat (Mercy), 183 B.E.

Quotes for Reflection

The purpose is to emphasize the statement that consultation must have for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion, for the light of reality becomes apparent when two opinions coincide. A spark is produced when flint and steel come together. Man should weigh his opinions with the utmost serenity, calmness and composure. Before expressing his own views he should carefully consider the views already advanced by others. If he finds that a previously expressed opinion is more true and worthy, he should accept it immediately and not willfully hold to an opinion of his own. By this excellent method he endeavors to arrive at unity and truth. Opposition and division are deplorable. It is better then to have the opinion of a wise, sagacious man; otherwise, contradiction and altercation, in which varied and divergent views are presented, will make it necessary for a judicial body to render decision upon the question. Even a majority opinion or consensus may be incorrect. A thousand people may hold to one view and be mistaken, whereas one sagacious person may be right. Therefore, true consultation is spiritual conference in the attitude and atmosphere of love. Members must love each other in the spirit of fellowship in order that good results may be forthcoming. Love and fellowship are the foundation. — ‘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 II-c

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.

Consultation as a Decision-Making Culture

One of the most distinctive Bahá’í contributions to the voluntary sector is the practice of consultation — a mode of collective decision-making that is principled, candid, fact-based, and directed toward the search for truth rather than the defense of predetermined positions. In consultation, “once you express an idea or an opinion during the consultative process, that concept belongs not just to one person, but to the entire group”; participants seek unity through a genuine search rather than through voting or negotiation. [3] [4]

This stands in sharp contrast to both the top-down authority structures of bureaucratic public institutions and the competitive power dynamics common in private organizations. The Ruhi Institute’s training materials explicitly cultivate consultation as a life skill and a community practice. When voluntary groups demonstrate that complex decisions can be made through principled dialogue — across lines of difference, without domination by the most powerful voices — they offer a living proof of concept that can inspire reform in other sectors. [5] [6] [7]

Footnotes

[1] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/507894527

[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] Sheppherd, Joseph Roy. “Letting Go of Your Ideas for the Benefit of Others.” BahaiTeachings.org. https://bahaiteachings.org/letting-go-your-ideas-benefit-others/

[4] Universal House of Justice. “Naw-Rúz 181 – To the Bahá’ís of Iran.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/283121780

[5] Lambshead, Jeremy. “Five helpful habits for effective consultation.” Bahá’ís of the United States, April 16, 2025. https://www.bahai.us/five-helpful-habits-for-effective-consultation/

[6] Australian Baha’i Community Staff. “Training Institute.” Bahai.Org.Au. https://bahai.org.au/index.php/what-bahais-do/building-vibrant-communities/training-institute/

[7] 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/959906385

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.