adminFlora Teckie A Bahá’í Perspective
Should it not be also a time for reflection, for new and noble resolutions on how to transform our spiritual lives and the society we live in?
In the Bahá’í view, spiritual transformation is the basis for lasting improvements in our lives and central in our approach to social change.
Our contemporary world, however, is often ruled by materialistic values and standards.
People equate success in the course of their lives with materialistic outcomes. Often material goals are the main goals they work towards, throughout their lives.
The lack of attention to spiritual reformation and the neglect of character development has been the cause of numerous problems in our societies and all over the world.
This is not to say material means are not important. However, it is not in the nature of the human being to be a material being alone, just as it is not in the nature of the human being to want to live in poverty thinking of the spiritual worlds only.
As stated in the Bahá’í Writings: “In this new year new fruits must be forthcoming, for that is the provision and intention of spiritual reformation. … of what avail is the reformation of physical conditions unless they are concomitant with spiritual reformations?
“For the essential reality is the spirit; the foundation is the spirit; the life of man is due to the spirit; the happiness, the animus, the radiance, the glory of man — all are due to the spirit; and if in the spirit no reformation takes place, there will be no result to human existence”.
Spiritual dimension of human nature
The spiritual dimension of our human nature can be understood, in practical terms, as the source of qualities that help us rise above narrow self-interest.
Such qualities include love, compassion, trustworthiness, courage, humility, co-operation and willingness to sacrifice for the common good, qualities that will also enable us to build a unified world civilisation.
Therefore, for building a peaceful world civilisation, we need to focus attention on our personal spiritual transformation and the development of our spiritual capacities and qualities.
As stated in the Bahá’í Writings: “… the world of spirit needs new life, the world of mind necessitates new animus and development, the world of souls a new bounty, the world of morality a reformation, the world of divine effulgence ever new bestowals. …thoughts must be lofty and ideals uplifted in order that the world of humanity may become assisted in new conditions of reform.
“When this reformation affects every degree, then will come the very Day of the Lord of which all the prophets have spoken. That is the Day wherein the whole world will be regenerated.”
Our spiritual well-being and advancement
Cultivation of a sense of spirituality — that mystic feeling which unites us with God — is essential for our spiritual well-being and growth.
We are all endowed with innate spiritual capacities, development of which is critical to human advancement. These capacities are capacities of the soul; the human soul which is eternal.
Spiritual growth is the process of developing our spiritual capacities.
Considering that man’s life on Earth is a preparation for the spiritual world to follow, as such the proper and full development of spiritual capacities should be the primary goal in our lives.
As the Bahá’í Writings assert: “ … we must strive to become more spiritual, more luminous, to follow the counsel of the Divine Teaching, to serve the cause of unity and true equality, to be merciful, to reflect the love of the Highest on all men, so that the light of the Spirit shall be apparent in all our deeds, to the end that all humanity shall be united, the stormy sea thereof calmed, and all rough waves disappear from off the surface of life’s ocean henceforth unruffled and peaceful.” In order to acquire spirituality we should first be aware of the existence of the spiritual realm.
Such awareness comes mainly through the knowledge of the Messengers of God, who are the link between man and the spiritual world.
Therefore the knowledge of the founders of world religions would be a natural starting point or the foundation in the process of our spiritual development.
The question then arises as to what steps to follow after the recognition of the Messenger of God. Even though the recognition of the Messenger of God is the most important, but this recognition alone is not a sufficient basis for spiritual growth.
Observing the laws and teachings of God is the next step in our path to spiritual growth. In other words our efforts to conform to the standards of behaviour, thought, and attitude expressed in the Scriptures should complement our belief in God and His Messenger.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: “… true spirituality is like unto a lake of clear water which reflects the divine. … There is another kind which is like a mirage, seeming to be spiritual when it is not.
“That which is truly spiritual must light the path to God, and must result in deeds. We cannot believe the call to be spiritual when there is no result.
“Every progress depends on two things, knowledge and practice. First acquire knowledge, and, when conviction is reached, put it into practice.”
In conclusion: Conscious belief, dependence upon God and obedience to His will are essential in our path to spiritual transformation.
Spiritual growth is an educational process for which one needs to assume responsibility and by which we learn to conform and act in accordance with the laws and teachings of God.
In this new year may we all, increase daily in spirituality, may we attain lasting joy at our homes, work places and in our societies, and contribute our share towards peace and tranquillity on earth and an ever advancing civilisation.
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