Istijlál, 18 Kalimát (Words), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
Beloved Friends: The momentum generated by this past year’s achievements is reflected not only in the opportunities for marked expansion of the Cause but also in a broad range of challenges—momentous, insistent and varied—which have combined in ways that place demands beyond any previous measure upon our spiritual and material resources. We must be prepared to meet them. At this mid-point of the Six Year Plan, we have reached a historic moment pregnant with hopes and possibilities—a moment at which significant trends in the world are becoming more closely aligned with principles and objectives of the Cause of God. The urgency upon our community to press onward in fulfillment of its world-embracing mission is therefore tremendous. Our primary response must be to teach—to teach ourselves and to teach others—at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further delay. The beloved Master, in an exhortation on teaching, said it is “not until the candle is lit that it can shed the brightness of its flame; not until the light shineth forth that its brilliance can dispel the surrounding gloom.” Go forth, then, and be the “lighters of the unlit candles.” — 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 VII-c
Limitations and Cautions
The Bahá’í perspective does not offer a naive optimism about the voluntary sector’s transformative potential. Several cautions are embedded in the teachings:
The voluntary sector cannot substitute for systemic change in public and private sectors.
Voluntary service can model alternatives, build capacities, and shift discourse — but it cannot, by itself, reform unjust economic structures or unaccountable political systems. The Bahá’í teachings envision all three sectors — voluntary, public, and private — eventually aligned around spiritual principles, with each contributing to and being transformed by the others. [3] [4] [5]
Footnotes
[1] Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 1989 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/257875634 / https://www.bahai.org/r/418242606
[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 29, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/computer/a/9ecfa362-6f2c-499e-b451-8198a188f127
[3] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. PARIS TALKS. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/412518768
[4] 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/834375804 / https://www.bahai.org/r/278400414
[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/082258886
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 