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Annual Theme Study Materials
1999 Annual Theme
Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: The Role of Community
Development
Defining Elements: The Organization of Human Society
The first of the three areas to explore in this theme document are the
desired elements in a Bahá’í community; in other
words, what qualities should Bahá’í communities
strive to achieve? As mentioned in the introduction, the umbrella under
which everything fits is love and unity. When love and unity exist, other
qualities are manifested such as intimacy and safety, and a sense of purpose
and belonging. When there is love and unity the community will be active,
dynamic, free of all prejudice, and consequently will promote growth.
The community, as distinguished from the individual and the institutions,
assumes its own character and identity as it grows in size. This is a
necessary development to which much attention is required both with respect
to places where large-scale enrollment has occurred and in anticipation
of more numerous instances of entry by troops. A community is of course
more than the sum of its membership; it is a comprehensive unit of civilization
composed of individuals, families and institutions that are originators
and encouragers of systems, agencies and organizations working together
with a common purpose for the welfare of people both within and beyond
its own borders; it is a composition of diverse, interacting participants
that are achieving unity in an unremitting quest for spiritual and social
progress. Since Bahá’ís everywhere are at the very
beginning of the process of community building, enormous effort must be
devoted to the tasks at hand.
Our task is to build the Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Undeflected by
the desperate expedients of those who seek to subdue the storm convulsing
human life by political, economic, social or educational programs, let
us, with single-minded devotion and concentrating all our efforts on our
objective, raise His Divine System and sheltered within its impregnable
stronghold, safe from the darts of doubtfulness, demonstrate the Bahá’í
way of life. Wherever a Bahá’í community exists,
whether large or small, let it be distinguished for its abiding sense
of security and faith, its high standard of rectitude, its complete freedom
from all forms of prejudice, the spirit of love among its members and
for the closely knit fabric of its social life. The acute distinction
between this and present day society will inevitably arouse the interest
of the more enlightened, and as the world’s gloom deepens, the light
of Bahá’í life will shine brighter and brighter
until its brilliance must eventually attract the disillusioned masses
and cause them to enter the haven of the covenant of Bahá’u’lláh,
Who alone can bring them peace and Justice and an ordered life.
Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation,
the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings.
Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath
that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God's revelation unto
man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation,
in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity
both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness,
the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress
of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty
and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers
elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth
the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with
unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love
is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher
of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable
glory upon every high-aiming race and nation.
Note ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs
of that family are conducted; what progress the members of that family
make, how they prosper in the world. Their concerns are in order, they
enjoy comfort and tranquillity, they are secure, their position is assured,
they come to be envied by all. Such a family but addeth to its stature
and its lasting honour, as day succeedeth day. And if we widen out the
sphere of unity a little to include the inhabitants of a village who seek
to be loving and united, who associate with and are kind to one another,
what great advances they will be seen to make, how secure and protected
they will be. Then let us widen out the sphere a little more, let us take
the inhabitants of a city, all of them together: if they establish the
strongest bonds of unity among themselves, how far they will progress,
even in a brief period and what power they will exert. And if the sphere
of unity be still further widened out, that is, if the inhabitants of
a whole country develop peaceable hearts, and if with all their hearts
and souls they yearn to cooperate with one another and to live in unity,
and if they become kind and loving to one another, that country will achieve
undying joy and lasting glory. Peace will it have, and plenty, and vast
wealth.
As we have said in an earlier message, the flourishing of the community,
especially at the local level, demands a significant enhancement in patterns
of behaviour: those patterns by which the collective expression of the
virtues of the individual members and the functioning of the Spiritual
Assembly are manifest in the unity and fellowship of the community and
the dynamism of its activity and growth. This calls for the integration
of the component elements—adults, youth and children—in spiritual,
social, educational and administrative activities; and their engagement
in local plans of teaching and development. It implies a collective will
and sense of purpose to perpetuate the Spiritual Assembly through annual
elections. It involves the practice of collective worship of God. Hence,
it is essential to the spiritual life of the community that the friends
hold regular devotional meetings in local Bahá’í
centres, where available, or elsewhere, including the homes of believers.
‘Until the public sees in the Bahá’í
Community a true pattern, in action, of something better than it already
has, it will not respond to the Faith in large numbers.’ When people
embrace the Cause, they should then, through the Teachings, develop their
relationships with each other and with their fellow-citizens to gradually
produce a truly Bahá’í community,
a light and haven for the bewildered.
It is certain that the greatest of instrumentalities for achieving the
advancement and the glory of man, the supreme agency for the enlightenment
and the redemption of the world, is love and fellowship and unity among
all the members of the human race. Nothing can be effected in the world,
not even conceivably, without unity and agreement, and the perfect means
for engendering fellowship and union is true religion.
Consider: Unity is necessary to existence. Love is the very cause of
life; on the other hand, separation brings death. In the world of material
creation, for instance, all things owe their actual life to unity. The
elements which compose wood, mineral, or stone, are held together by the
law of attraction. If this law should cease for one moment to operate
these elements would not hold together, they would fall apart, and the
object would in that particular form cease to exist. The law of attraction
has brought together certain elements in the form of this beautiful flower,
but when that attraction is withdrawn from this centre the flower will
decompose, and, as a flower, cease to exist. So it is with the great body
of humanity. The wonderful Law of Attraction, Harmony and Unity, holds
together this marvellous Creation.
All should recognize that entry by troops is an inevitable stage in the
development of the Cause. The nature of the process is clarified in the
compilation on the subject, whence it becomes apparent that the desired
outcome, a sustained entry by troops, cannot be achieved by a mere series
of spasmodic, uncoordinated exertions, no matter how enthusiastic. Confidence;
unity of vision; systematic, realistic, but audacious planning; acceptance
of the fact that mistakes will be made, and willingness to learn from
these mistakes; and, above all, reliance on the guidance and sustaining
confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh will advance this
process.
Unity of mankind is the pivotal principle of His Revelation; Bahá’í
communities must therefore become renowned for their demonstration of
this unity. In a world becoming daily more divided by factionalism and
group interests, the Bahá’í community
must be distinguished by the concord and harmony of its relationships.
The coming of age of the human race must be foreshadowed by the mature,
responsible understanding of human problems and the wise administration
of their affairs by these same Bahá’í
communities.
In every dispensation, there hath been the commandment of fellowship
and love, but it was a commandment limited to the community of those in
mutual agreement, not to the dissident foe. In this wondrous age, however,
praised be God, the commandments of God are not delimited, not restricted
to any one group of people, rather have all the friends been commanded
to show forth fellowship and love, consideration and generosity and loving-kindness
to every community on earth. Now must the lovers of God arise to carry
out these instructions of His: let them be kindly fathers to the children
of the human race, and compassionate brothers to the youth, and self-denying
offspring to those bent with years. The meaning of this is that ye must
show forth tenderness and love to every human being, even to your enemies,
and welcome them all with unalloyed friendship, good cheer, and loving-kindness.
The people of Bahá, who are the inmates of the Ark of God, are, one and
all, well aware of one another’s state and condition, and are united
in the bonds of intimacy and fellowship. Such a state, however, must depend
upon their faith and their conduct. They that are of the same grade and
station are fully aware of one another’s capacity, character, accomplishments
and merits. They that are of a lower grade, however, are incapable of
comprehending adequately the station, or of estimating the merits, of
those that rank above them. Each shall receive his share from thy Lord.
Blessed is the man that hath turned his face towards God, and walked steadfastly
in His love, until his soul hath winged its flight unto God, the Sovereign
Lord of all, the Most Powerful, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.
The second attribute of perfection is justice and impartiality. This
means to have no regard for one’s own personal benefits and selfish
advantages, and to carry out the laws of God without the slightest concern
for anything else. It means to see one’s self as only one of the
servants of God, the All-Possessing, and except for aspiring to spiritual
distinction, never attempting to be singled out from the others. It means
to consider the welfare of the community as one’s own. It means,
in brief, to regard humanity as a single individual, and one’s own
self as a member of that corporeal form, and to know of a certainty that
if pain or injury afflicts any member of that body, it must inevitably
result in suffering for all the rest.
O friends! Be not careless of the virtues with which ye have been endowed,
neither be neglectful of your high destiny. Suffer not your labors to
be wasted through the vain imaginations which certain hearts have devised.
Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding, the breeze that stirreth
at the break of day, the soft-flowing waters upon which must depend the
very life of all men, the letters inscribed upon His sacred scroll. With
the utmost unity, and in a spirit of perfect fellowship, exert yourselves,
that ye may be enabled to achieve that which beseemeth this Day of God.
Verily I say, strife and dissension, and whatsoever the mind of man abhorreth
are entirely unworthy of his station
The essence of the matter is that divine justice will become manifest
in human conditions and affairs, and all mankind will find comfort and
enjoyment in life. It is not meant that all will be equal, for inequality
in degree and capacity is a property of nature. Necessarily there will
be rich people and also those who will be in want of their livelihood,
but in the aggregate community there will be equalization and readjustment
of values and interests. In the future there will be no very rich nor
extremely poor. There will be an equilibrium of interests, and a condition
will be established which will make both rich and poor comfortable and
content.
What a power is love! It is the most wonderful, the greatest of all living
powers. Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame in the heart
that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless and gladdens the hearts
of the sorrowful. In the world of existence there is indeed no greater
power than the power of love. When the heart of man is aglow with the
flame of love, he is ready to sacrifice all—even his life.
“...this community can do no better than to gird up afresh its loins,
turn its back upon the clamour of the age, its fears, confusion and strife,
step resolutely forward on its chosen path, unshakably confident that
with every step it takes, should it remain undeflected in its purpose
and undimmed in its vision, a fresh outpouring of Divine grace will reinforce
and guide its march on the highroad of its destiny.”
Love manifests its reality in deeds, not only in words—these alone
are without effect. In order that love may manifest its power there must
be an object, an instrument, a motive.
There are many ways of expressing the love principle; there is love for
the family, for the country, for the race, there is political enthusiasm,
there is also the love of community of interest in service. These are
all ways and means of showing the power of love. Without any such means,
love would be unseen, unheard, unfelt—altogether unexpressed, unmanifested!
Water shows its power in various ways, in quenching thirst, causing seed
to grow, etc. Coal expresses one of its principles in gas-light, while
one of the powers of electricity is shown in the electric light. If there
were neither gas nor electricity, the nights of the world would be darkness!
So, it is necessary to have an instrument, a motive for love’s manifestation,
an object, a mode of expression.
Unless and until the believers really come to realise they are one spiritual
family, knit together by a bond more lasting than mere physical ties can
ever be, they will not be able to create that warm community atmosphere
which alone can attract the hearts of humanity, frozen for lack of real
love and feeling.
See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity
come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness. And in this new and wondrous
age, the Holy Writings say that we must be at one with every people; that
we must see neither harshness nor injustice, neither malevolence, nor
hostility, nor hate, but rather turn our eyes toward the heaven of ancient
glory. For each of the creatures is a sign of God, and it was by the grace
of the Lord and His power that each did step into the world; therefore
they are not strangers, but in the family; not aliens, but friends, and
to be treated as such.
It behoveth thee to consecrate thyself to the Will of God. Whatsoever
hath been revealed in His Tablets is but a reflection of His Will. So
complete must be thy consecration, that every trace of worldly desire
will be washed from thine heart. This is the meaning of true unity.
The divine friends must be attracted to and enamored of each other and
ever be ready and willing to sacrifice their own lives for each other.
Should one soul from amongst the believers meet another, it must be as
though a thirsty one with parched lips has reached to the fountain of
the water of life, or a lover has met his true beloved. For one of the
greatest divine wisdoms regarding the appearance of the holy Manifestations
is this: The souls may come to know each other and become intimate with
each other; the power of the love of God may make all of them the waves
of one sea, the flowers of one rose garden, and the stars of one heaven.
This is the wisdom for the appearance of the holy Manifestations!
If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your
face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name’s sake and
as a token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause. We love
to see you at all times consorting in amity and concord within the paradise
of My good-pleasure, and to inhale from your acts the fragrance of friendliness
and unity, of loving-kindness and fellowship.
Another unity is the spiritual unity which emanates from the breaths
of the Holy Spirit. This is greater than the unity of mankind. Human unity
or solidarity may be likened to the body, whereas unity from the breaths
of the Holy Spirit is the spirit animating the body. This is a perfect
unity. It creates such a condition in mankind that each one will make
sacrifices for the other, and the utmost desire will be to forfeit life
and all that pertains to it in behalf of another’s good. This is
the unity which existed among the disciples of Jesus Christ and bound
together the Prophets and holy Souls of the past. It is the unity which
through the influence of the divine spirit is permeating the Bahá’ís
so that each offers his life for the other and strives with all sincerity
to attain his good pleasure.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace,
pp. 191-192
O my friends! Endeavor to your utmost ability that, day by day, unity
and harmony will increase and the love of God will so firmly capture the
hearts that they will forget all save Him and be engrossed, night and
day, in mentioning the Kingdom, the heavenly signs and the divine verses.
If love, friendship, association and unity be established among the believers,
the door of all significances will be opened and each believer of God
will be able to explain and interpret all of the holy Books.
Each community, from the earliest phases of its development, should be
fired by a vision of the glory of the Cause and imbued with the zeal to
achieve rapid and sustained expansion both in the locality itself and
in the nearby towns and villages.
We are striving with heart and soul, resting neither day nor night, seeking
not a moment’s ease, to make this world of man the mirror of the
unity of God. Then how much more must the beloved of the Lord reflect
that unity? And this cherished hope, this yearning wish of ours will be
visibly fulfilled only on the day when the true friends of God arise to
carry out the Teachings of the Abhá Beauty—may my life be a ransom
for His lovers! One amongst His Teachings is this, that love and good
faith must so dominate the human heart that men will regard the stranger
as a familiar friend, the malefactor as one of their own, the alien even
as a loved one, the enemy as a companion dear and close.…The meaning
is that they must treat all humankind even as they treat their sympathizers,
their fellow-believers, their loved ones and familiar friends.
Furthermore, those who enter the Faith must be integrated into vibrant
local communities, characterized by tolerance and love and guided by a
strong sense of purpose and collective will, environments in which the
capacities of all components—men, women, youth and children—are
developed and their powers multiplied in unified action.
-
The Universal House of Justice, Dec 26, 1995, To Counsellors,
¶ 1.3
O ye friends! Fellowship, fellowship! Love, love! Unity, unity!—so
that the power of the Bahá’í Cause
may appear and become manifest in the world of existence. My thoughts
are turned towards you, and my heart leaps within me at your mention.
Could ye know how my soul glows with your love, so great a happiness would
flood your hearts as to cause you to become enamored with each other.
It is my hope that all mankind may become similarly united in the bond
and agreement of love. Unity is the expression of the loving power of
God and reflects the reality of Divinity. It is resplendent in this Day
through the bestowals of light upon humanity.
Hold ye fast to the hem of God’s garment, and direct all your efforts
toward furthering His Covenant, and burning ever more brightly with the
fire of His love, that your hearts may leap for joy in the breathings
of servitude which well out from the breast of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Rally your hearts, make firm your steps, trust in the everlasting bounties
that will be shed upon you, one following another from the Kingdom of
Abhá. Whensoever ye gather in that radiant assemblage, know ye that the
splendours of Bahá are shining over you. It behoveth you to seek agreement
and to be united; it behoveth you to be in close communion one with the
other, at one both in body and soul, till ye match the Pleiades or a string
of lustrous pearls. Thus will ye be solidly established; thus will your
words prevail, your star shine out, and your hearts be comforted....
Thou dost observe that love among the Bahá’ís is very
great, and that love is the main thing. Just as love’s power hath
been developed to such a high degree among the Bahá’ís,
and is far greater than among the people of other religions, so is it
with all else as well; for love is the ground of all things.
World order can be founded only on an unshakeable consciousness of the
oneness of mankind, a spiritual truth which all the human sciences confirm.
Anthropology, physiology, psychology, recognize only one human species,
albeit infinitely varied in the secondary aspects of life. Recognition
of this truth requires abandonment of prejudice—prejudice of every
kind—race, class, colour, creed, nation, sex, degree of material
civilization, everything which enables people to consider themselves superior
to others.
The first remedy is to guide the people, so that they may turn unto God,
hearken unto the divine commandments and go forth with a hearing ear and
seeing eye. After this swift and certain remedy hath been applied, then
according to the divine teachings, they ought to be trained in the conduct,
morals and deeds of the Supreme Concourse, encouraged and inspired with
the gifts of the Kingdom of Abhá. The hearts should be purified and cleansed
from every trace of hatred and rancor and enabled to engage in truthfulness,
conciliation, uprightness and love toward the world of humanity; so that
the East and the West may embrace each other like unto two lovers, enmity
and animosity may vanish from the human world and the universal peace
be established!
O peoples of the world! The Sun of Truth hath risen to illumine the whole
earth, and to spiritualize the community of man. Laudable are the results
and the fruits thereof, abundant the holy evidences deriving from this
grace. This is mercy unalloyed and purest bounty; it is light for the
world and all its peoples; it is harmony and fellowship, and love and
solidarity; indeed it is compassion and unity, and the end of foreignness;
it is the being at one, in complete dignity and freedom, with all on earth.
Functions
of Community: Roots Which Sustain the Spiritual Life of the Community
What a community does on a collective level goes far beyond the basic
structure of community life. The Feast , which “represents the new
stage…to which the basic expression of community life has evolved
,” takes on a new dimension. A community strives to meet the spiritual
and educational needs of everyone living in its jurisdiction. Understanding
and responding to the issues of the times while celebrating diversity
and creativity are also functions of a community.
Every outward thrust into new fields, every multiplication of Bahá’í
institutions, must be paralleled by a deeper thrust of the roots which
sustain the spiritual life of the community and ensure its sound development.
From this vital, this ever-present need, attention must at no time be
diverted; nor must it be, under any circumstances, neglected, or subordinated
to the no less vital and urgent task of ensuring the outer expansion of
Bahá’í administrative institutions.
That this community, so alive, so devoted, so strikingly and rapidly developing,
may maintain a proper balance between these two essential aspects of its
development, and march forward with rapid strides and along sound lines
toward the goal of the Plan it has adopted, is the ardent hope of my heart
and my constant prayer.
O ye true friends! Your letter hath been received and it brought great
joy. God be praised, ye had made ready an entertainment and established
the feast which is to be held every nineteen days. Whatsoever gathering
is arranged with the utmost love, and where those who attend are turning
their faces toward the Kingdom of God, and where the discourse is of the
Teachings of God, and the effect of which is to cause those present to
advance—that gathering is the Lord’s, and that festive table
hath come down from heaven. It is my hope that this feast will be given
on one day out of every nineteen, for it bringeth you closer together;
it is the very well-spring of unity and loving-kindness.
The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh encompasses all
units of human society; integrates the spiritual, administrative and social
processes of life; and canalizes human expression in its varied forms
towards the construction of a new civilization. The Nineteen Day Feast
embraces all these aspect at the very base of society…The Feast may
well be seen in its unique combination of modes as the culmination of
a great historic process in which primary elements of community life-acts
of worship, of festivity and other forms of togetherness-over vast stretches
of time have achieved a glorious convergence. The Nineteen Day Feast represents
the new stage in this enlightened age to which the basic expression of
community life has evolved…Thus it can be seen that aside from its
spiritual significance, this common institution of the people combines
an array of elemental social disciplines which educate its participants
on the essentials of responsible citizenship…
The most important thing for the believers is, of course, to be united
and to really love each other for the sake of God, (Otherwise it is not
possible to love everyone). However, if communities wait until love and
complete harmony are established before teaching, the teaching work will
come to a standstill. Both sides must be cultivated; whilst actively teaching
the friends must themselves be taught and deepened in the spirit of the
Faith, which brings love and unity.
The paramount purpose of all Bahá’í activity
is teaching. All that has been done or will be done revolve around this
central activity, the “head corner-stone of the foundation itself,”
to which all progress in the Cause is due. The present challenge calls
for teaching on a scale and of a quality, a variety, and intensity outstripping
all current efforts. The time is now, lest opportunity be lost in the
swiftly changing moods of a frenetic world.
But a development of even greater moment to the Bahá’í
community is that a massive number of people are searching for spiritual
truth. Several recently published studies have been devoted to this phenomenon.
The ideologies that dominated the larger part of this century have been
exhausted; at their waning in the century’s closing years, a hunger
for meaning, a yearning of the soul, is on the rise.
The education of children in the teachings of the Faith must be regarded
as an essential obligation of every Bahá’í
parent, every local and national community and it must become a firmly-established
Bahá’í activity during the course
of this Plan. It should include moral instructions by word and by example
and active participation by children in Bahá’í
community life.
And among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is the
promotion of education. Every child must be instructed in sciences as
much as is necessary. If the parents are able to provide the expenses
of this education, it is all right; otherwise the community must provide
the means for the teaching of that child.
O ye friends of God! Exert ye with heart and soul, so that association,
love, unity and agreement be obtained between the hearts, all the aims
may be merged into one aim, all the songs become one song and the power
of the Holy Spirit may become so overwhelmingly victorious as to overcome
all the forces of the world of nature. Exert yourselves; your mission
is unspeakably glorious. Should success crown your enterprise, America
will assuredly evolve into a center from which waves of spiritual power
will emanate, and the throne of the Kingdom of God will, in the plentitude
of its majesty and glory, be firmly established.
Simultaneous and co-equal with this vast, ordered and ever-growing teaching
effort, the work of consolidation must go hand in hand. In fact these
two processes must be regarded as inseparable parts of the expansion of
the Faith. While the work of teaching inevitably goes first, to pursue
it alone without consolidation would leave the community unprepared to
receive the masses who must sooner or later respond to the life-giving
message of the Cause… A proper balance between these two essential
aspects of its development must, from now on, as we enter the era of large-scale
conversion, be maintained by the Bahá’í
Community. Consolidation must comprise not only the establishment of Bahá’í
administrative institutions, but a true deepening in the fundamental verities
of the Cause and in its spiritual principles, understanding of its prime
purpose in the establishment of the unity of mankind, instruction in its
standards of behaviour in all aspects of private and public life, in the
particular practice of Bahá’í life in such things as
daily prayer, education of children, observance of the laws of Bahá’í
marriage, abstention from politics, the obligation to contribute to the
Fund, the importance of the Nineteen Day Feast and opportunity to acquire
a sound knowledge of the present-day practice of Bahá’í
administration.
The primary purpose, the basic objective, in laying down powerful laws
and setting up great principles and institutions dealing with every aspect
of civilization, is human happiness; and human happiness consists only
in drawing closer to the Threshold of Almighty God, and in securing the
peace and well-being of every individual member, high and low alike, of
the human race; and the supreme agencies for accomplishing these two objectives
are the excellent qualities with which humanity has been endowed.
To be able to make a wise choice at the election time, it is necessary
for him to be in close and continued contact with all local activities,
be they teaching, administrative or otherwise, and to fully and whole-heartedly
participate in the affairs of the local as well as national committees
and assemblies in his country. It is only in this way that a believer
can develop a true social consciousness and acquire a true sense of responsibility
in matters affecting the interests of the Cause. Bahá’í
community life thus makes it a duty for every loyal and faithful believer
to become an intelligent, well-informed and responsible elector, and also
gives him the opportunity of raising himself to such a station.
The community must become imbued with a sense of mission and the Assembly
grow in awareness of its role as a channel of God’s grace not only
for the Bahá’ís but for the entire village, town or
city in which it serves.
-
The Universal House of Justice, Dec 26, 1995, To Counsellors,
¶ 1.21
The oneness of mankind which is at once the operating principle and ultimate
goal of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation, implies
the achievement of a dynamic coherence between the spiritual and practical
requirements of life on earth. The challenge of engaging in social and
economic development evokes the resourcefulness, flexibility and cohesiveness
of the many communities composing the Bahá’í
world The first steps to be taken must necessarily begin in the Bahá’í
community itself, with the friends endeavoring, through their application
of spiritual principles, their rectitude of conduct, and the practice
of the art of consultation, to uplift themselves and thus become self-sufficient
and self-reliant.
Effective measures have to be adopted so that the Local Spiritual Assembly
is properly elected year after year and consistent progress in its functioning
is made. The regular holding of Bahá’í
children’s classes should be given high priority. Indeed in many
parts of the world this is the first activity in a process of community
building, which, if pursued vigorously, gives rise to the other developments.
In all this, particular attention needs to be given to the youth, who
are often the Faith’s most enthusiastic supporters. The establishment
of these activities defines a first stage in the process of community
development, which, once attained, must be followed by subsequent stages
until a community reaches a point where it can formulate its own plans
of expansion and consolidation.
-
The Universal House of Justice, Dec 26, 1995, To Counsellors,
¶ 1.22
The time has come for the Bahá’í
community to become more involved in the life of the society around it,
without in the least supporting any of the world’s moribund and divisive
concepts, or slackening its direct teaching efforts, but rather, by association,
exerting its influence towards unity, demonstrating its ability to settle
differences by consultation rather than by confrontation, violence or
schism, and declaring its faith in the divine purpose of human existence.
In the human body, every cell, every organ, every nerve has its part
to play. When all do so the body is healthy, vigorous, radiant, ready
for every call made upon it. No cell, however humble, lives apart from
the body, whether in serving it or receiving from it. This is true of
the body of mankind in which God “has endowed each humble being with
ability and talent,” and is supremely true of the body of the Bahá’í
world community, for this body is already an organism, united in its aspirations,
unified in its methods, seeking assistance and confirmation from the same
Source, and illumined with the conscious knowledge of its unity. Therefore,
in this organic, divinely guided, blessed, and illumined body the participation
of every believer is of the utmost importance, and is a source of power
and vitality as yet unknown to us.
As the old order gives way to the new, the changes which must take place
in human affairs are such as to stagger the imagination. This is the opportunity
for the hosts of the Lord. Undismayed and undeterred by the wreckage of
“long-cherished ideals and time-honoured institutions”, now
being “swept away and relegated to the limbo of obsolescent and forgotten
doctrines”, the world community of Bahá’ís must
surge forward eagerly, and with ever-increasing energy, to build those
new, God-given institutions from which will be diffused the light of the
holy principles and teachings sent down by God in this day for the salvation
of all mankind.
The love which exists between the hearts of believers is prompted by
the ideal of the unity of spirits. This love is attained through the knowledge
of God, so that men see the Divine Love reflected in the heart. Each sees
in the other the Beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this
point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love. This love
will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the
stars of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will bring the
realization of true accord, the foundation of real unity.
Summon ye, then, the people to God, and invite humanity to follow the
example of the Company on high. Be ye loving fathers to the orphan, and
a refuge to the helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure for
the ailing. Be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression, the patrons
of the disadvantaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some service
to every member of the human race. Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection,
to disdain, hostility, injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely
kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre
his attention on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s
grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and
be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all,
and reorient the minds of men. In this way, the light of divine guidance
will shine forth, and the blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for
love is light, no matter in what abode it dwelleth; and hate is darkness,
no matter where it may make its nest. O friends of God! That the hidden
Mystery may stand revealed, and the secret essence of all things may be
disclosed, strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and ever.
Each one of you must have great consideration for the poor and render
them assistance. Organize in an effort to help them and prevent increase
of poverty. The greatest means for prevention is that whereby the laws
of the community will be so framed and enacted that it will not be possible
for a few to be millionaires and many destitute. One of Bahá’u’lláh’s
teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under
this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards
wealth and sustenance. For the community needs financier, farmer merchant
and laborer just as an army must be composed of commander, officers and
privates. All cannot be commanders; all cannot be officers or privates.
Each in his station in the social fabric must be competent; each in his
function according to ability; but justness of opportunity for all.
Let those of you who arise, even when you can find but a handful of believers
in a locality, gather them together, broaden their vision, and raise their
awareness of the greatness of the Cause they have embraced. Help the Local
Spiritual Assembly to launch the community on a path of systematic expansion
and consolidation, bringing in new recruits or revitalizing those who,
having accepted the Faith years ago, have seen their enthusiasm wane.
Remember, moreover, that in this process of community building the education
of children—without which the victories of a whole generation may
be lost—must be given due emphasis.
Turn to your Bahá’í brothers
and sisters, who are living with you in the kingdom. Indeed, the believers
have not yet fully learned to draw on each other’s love for strength
and consolation in time of need. The Cause of God is endowed with tremendous
powers, and the reason the believers do not gain more from it is because
they have not learned to duly draw these mighty forces of love and strength
and harmony generated by the Faith.
In brief, you must become distinguished in all the virtues of the human
world—for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice and fidelity, for
firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to the
human world, for love toward every human being, for unity and accord with
all people, for removing prejudices and promoting international peace.
Finally, you must become distinguished for heavenly illumination and for
acquiring the bestowals of God. I desire this distinction for you. This
must be the point of distinction among you.
The All-Merciful hath created humankind for the adornment of this contingent
world, so that men may array the earth with the manifold blessings of
Heaven; that the inner reality of the human being may, like unto a lamp
of the spirit, cause the community of man to become as a mirror for the
assemblage on high. It is clear that learning is the greatest bestowal
of God; that knowledge and the acquirement thereof is a blessing from
Heaven.
Look ye not upon the fewness of thy numbers, rather, seek ye out hearts
that are pure. One consecrated soul is preferable to a thousand other
souls. If a small number of people gather lovingly together, with absolute
purity and sanctity, with their hearts free of the world, experiencing
the emotions of the Kingdom and the powerful magnetic forces of the Divine,
and being at one in their happy fellowship, that gathering will exert
its influence over all the earth. The nature of that band of people, the
words they speak, the deeds they do, will unleash the bestowals of Heaven,
and provide a foretaste of eternal bliss. The hosts of the Company on
high will defend them, and the angels of the Abhá Paradise, in continuous
succession, will come down to their aid.
The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are, in a way,
like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly
dark condition spiritually; hatred and prejudice of every sort are literally
tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the
opposite forces, the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration,
and we must continually be on our guard, whether as individuals or as
an Assembly or Community, lest through us these destructive, negative
forces enter into our midst. In other words, we must beware lest the darkness
of society become reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all unconsciously.
Love for each other, the deep sense that we are a new organism, the dawn-breakers
of a new World Order, must constantly animate our Bahá’í
lives, and we must pray to be protected from the contamination of society
which is so diseased with prejudice.
For this reason must all human beings powerfully sustain one another
and seek for everlasting life; and for this reason must the lovers of
God in this contingent world become the mercies and the blessings sent
forth by that clement King of the seen and unseen realms. Let them purify
their sight and behold all humankind as leaves and blossoms and fruits
of the tree of being. Let them at all times concern themselves with doing
a kindly thing for one of their fellows, offering to someone love, consideration,
thoughtful help. Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them
ill, but think of all humankind as their friends; regarding the alien
as an intimate, the stranger as a companion, staying free of prejudice,
drawing no lines.
Because love for our fellowmen and anguish at their plight are essential
parts of a true Bahá’í life, we
are continually drawn to do what we can to help them. It is vitally important
that we do so whenever the occasion presents itself, for our actions must
say the same thing as our words-but this compassion for our fellows must
not be allowed to divert our energies into channels which are ultimately
doomed to failure, causing us to neglect the most important and fundamental
work of all. There are hundreds of thousands of well-wishers of mankind
who devote their lives to work of relief and charity, but a pitiful few
to do the work which God Himself most wants done: the spiritual awakening
and regeneration of mankind.
Serving
the Covenant: The Relationships Among Institutions, Individuals, and Community
“…All the forces in the universe, in the last
analysis serve the Covenant.”
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings
of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 228)
Each entity within a community has particular roles to play and responsibilities
toward one another—those of obedience and support. The attracting
force around which all the elements revolve is the Covenant. In addition
to exploring the relationships within one’s own community, we can
not forget the role and destiny of the American Bahá’í
Community in the world at large—its blessings and its challenges.
Do not disrupt Bahá’í unity, and know that this unity
cannot be maintained save through faith in the Covenant of God.
O contending peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards
unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you. Gather ye together,
and for the sake of God resolve to root out whatever is the source of
contention amongst you. Then will the effulgence of the world’s great
Luminary envelop the whole earth, and its inhabitants become the citizens
of one city, and the occupants of one and the same throne
Just as the human spirit of life is the cause of coordination among the
various parts of the human organism, the Holy Spirit is the controlling
cause of the unity and coordination of mankind. That is to say, the bond
or oneness of humanity cannot be effectively established save through
the power of the Holy Spirit, for the world of humanity is a composite
body, and the Holy Spirit is the animating principle of its life. Therefore,
we must strive in order that the power of the Holy Spirit may become effective
throughout the world of mankind, that it may confer a new quickening life
upon the body politic of the nations and peoples and that all may be guided
to the protection and shelter of the Word of God. Then this human world
will become angelic, earthly darkness pass away and celestial illumination
flood the horizons, human defects be effaced and divine virtues become
resplendent. This is possible and real, but only through the power of
the Holy Spirit. Today the greatest need of the world is the animating,
unifying presence of the Holy Spirit. Until it becomes effective, penetrating
and interpenetrating hearts and spirits, and until perfect, reasoning
faith shall be implanted in the minds of men, it will be impossible for
the social body to be inspired with security and confidence.
The Four Year Plan’s aim at accelerating the process of entry by
troops identifies a necessity at this stage in the progress of the Cause
and in the state of human society. With this perspective, the three inseparable
participants in the evolution of the new World Order—the individual,
the institutions, and the community—must now demonstrate more tangibly
than ever before their capacity and willingness to embrace masses of new
adherents, to effect the spiritual and administrative transformation of
thousands upon thousands, and, above all, to multiply the army of knowledgeable,
consecrated teachers of a Faith whose emergence from obscurity must be
registered on the consciousness of countless multitudes throughout the
earth.
-
The Universal House of Justice, Dec 31, 1995, To the World,
¶ 2.12
The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless
and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved
so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are
suffered to pass unheeded.
Through the power of the words He hath uttered the whole of the human
race can be illumined with the light of unity, and the remembrance of
His Name is able to set on fire the hearts of all men, and burn away the
veils that intervene between them and His glory. One righteous act is
endowed with a potency that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to
pass beyond the heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunder, and
hath the power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished....
Armed with the strength of action and the co-operation of the individual
believers composing it, the community as a whole should endeavour to establish
greater stability in the patterns of its development, locally and nationally,
through sound, systematic planning and execution of its work—and
this in striking contrast to the short-lived enthusiasms and frenetic
superficialities so characteristic of present-day American life. A Bahá’í
community which is consistent in its fundamental life-giving, life-sustaining
activities will at its heart be serene and confident; it will resonate
with spiritual dynamism, will exert irresistible influence, will set a
new course in social evolution, enabling it to win the respect and eventually
the allegiance of admirers and critics alike. These profound possibilities
reside in the will of the individual to take initiative, to act in accordance
with the guidance offered by Bahá’í institutions,
and to maintain such action regardless of the myriad distractions posed
by the disintegration of a society adrift in a sea of materialism. May
you with renewed determination and a rededication to spiritual values,
seize your chance, while there is yet time, to convey the Message of Bahá’u’lláh
thoughtfully, patiently and attractively to your fellow-citizens, whether
they be dwellers in the cities or rural areas, whether they be high or
low, lettered or unlettered, rich or poor.
If you attain to such a capacity of love and unity, the Blessed Perfection
will shower infinite graces of the spiritual Kingdom upon you, guide,
protect and preserve you under the shadow of His Word, increase your happiness
in this world and uphold you through all difficulties. Therefore, it is
my hope that day by day you will become more and more effulgent in the
horizon of heaven, advance nearer and nearer toward the Kingdom of Abhá,
attain greater and greater bounties of the Blessed Perfection.
The Word of God hath set the heart of the world afire; how regrettable
if ye fail to be enkindled with its flame! Please God, ye will regard
this blessed night as the night of unity, will knit your souls together,
and resolve to adorn yourselves with the ornament of a goodly and praiseworthy
character. Let your principal concern be to rescue the fallen from the
slough of impending extinction, and to help him embrace the ancient Faith
of God. Your behavior towards your neighbor should be such as to manifest
clearly the signs of the one true God, for ye are the first among men
to be re-created by His Spirit, the first to adore and bow the knee before
Him, the first to circle round His throne of glory. I swear by Him Who
hath caused Me to reveal whatever hath pleased Him! Ye are better known
to the inmates of the Kingdom on high than ye are known to your own selves.
Think ye these words to be vain and empty? Would that ye had the power
to perceive the things your Lord, the All-Merciful, doth see—things
that attest the excellence of your rank, that bear witness to the greatness
of your worth, that proclaim the sublimity of your station! God grant
that your desires and unmortified passions may not hinder you from that
which hath been ordained for you.
As translated into programmes and projects by national and local institutions,
the Plan, among other things, gives direction, identifies goals,
stimulates effort, provides a variety of needed facilities and materials
to benefit the work of teachers and administrators. This is of course
necessary for the proper functioning of the community, but is of no consequence
unless its individual members respond through active participation. In
so responding, each individual, too, must make a conscious decision as
to what he or she will do to serve the Plan, and as to how, where and
when to do it. This determination enables the individual to check the
progress of his actions and, if necessary, to modify the steps being taken.
Becoming accustomed to such a procedure of systematic striving lends meaning
and fulfilment to the life of any Bahá’í.
Of these spiritual prerequisites of success, which constitute the bedrock
on which the security of all teaching plans, Temple projects, and financial
schemes, must ultimately rest, the following stand out as preeminent and
vital, which the members of the American Bahá’í
community will do well to ponder. Upon the extent to which these basic
requirements are met, and the manner in which the American believers fulfill
them in their individual lives, administrative activities, and social
relationships, must depend the measure of the manifold blessings which
the All-Bountiful Possessor can vouchsafe to them all. These requirements
are none other than a high sense of moral rectitude in their social and
administrative activities, absolute chastity in their individual lives,
and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with peoples of
a different race, class, creed, or color.
The Bahá’í conception of social life is essentially
based on the subordination of the individual will to that of society.
It neither suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point
of making him an anti-social creature, a menace to society. As in everything,
it follows the ‘golden mean’. The only way that society can
function is for the minority to follow the will of the majority.
Such a firmly-founded, busy and happy community life as is envisioned
when Local Spiritual Assemblies are truly effective, will provide a firm
home foundation from which the friends may derive courage and strength
and loving support in bearing the Divine Message to their fellow-men and
conforming their lives to its benevolent rule.
The divinely ordained institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly operates
at the first levels of human society and is the basic administrative unit
of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order. It is concerned
with individuals and families whom it must constantly encourage to unite
in a distinctive Bahá’í society,
vitalized and guarded by the laws, ordinances and principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s
Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts as the loving shepherd
of the Bahá’í flock.
The local assemblies should inspire confidence in the individual believers,
and these in their turn should express their readiness to fully abide
by the decisions and directions of the local assembly: the two must learn
to cooperate, and realize that only through such a cooperation can the
institutions of the Cause effectively and permanently function…The
spirit of the Cause is one of mutual cooperation and not that of a dictatorship.
The greatest need it seems everywhere inside the Cause is to impress
upon the friends the need for love among them. There is a tendency to
mix up the functions of the Administration and try to apply it in individual
relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House
of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings,
the affairs of the Community. But individuals towards each other are governed
by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp
this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual
Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual.
In all this exertion, the three components of the process—the individual,
the institutions and the community—must assume their respective responsibilities.
We especially expect you all to pursue every means at your disposal that
will bring about the realization of an organic unity between the Local
Spiritual Assembly and the community, and thereby establish a sharp contrast
to the fragmentation of present-day social life.
Now must those elected representatives arise to serve with spirituality
and joy, with purity of intent, with strong attraction to the fragrances
of the Almighty, and well supported by the Holy Spirit. Let them raise
up the banner of guidance, and as soldiers of the Company on high, let
them exalt God’s Word, spread abroad His sweet savours, educate the
souls of men, and promote the Most Great Peace.
The first quality for leadership, both among individuals and Assemblies,
is the capacity to use the energy and competence that exists in the rank
and file of its followers. Otherwise the more competent members of the
group will go at a tangent and try to find elsewhere a field of work and
where they could use their energy. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the Assemblies
will do their utmost in planning such teaching activities that every single
soul will be kept busy.
-
On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, August 30, 1930, To the National
Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada
Towards ensuring an orderly evolution of the community, a function of
Bahá’í institutions is to organize
and maintain a process of developing human resources whereby Bahá’ís,
new and veteran alike, can acquire knowledge and capacity to sustain a
continuous expansion and consolidation of the community. The establishment
of training institutes is critical to such an effort, since they are the
centers through which large numbers of individuals can acquire and improve
their ability to teach and administer the Faith. Their existence underscores
the importance of knowledge of the Faith as a source of power invigorating
the life of the Bahá’í community
and of the individuals who compose it.
The friends should be helped to overcome their problems, deepen in the
Faith, and increase their unity and their love for each other. In this
way you will find that your work goes ahead speedily, and that the National
Body is like the beating of a healthy heart in the midst of the Community,
pumping spiritual love, energy and encouragement out to all the members.
The community of the Greatest Name must increasingly become renowned
for its social cohesion, and for the spirit of trust and confidence which
distinguishes the relationship between believers and their institutions.
In the earliest years of his ministry, the Guardian stated, “...I
hope to see the friends at all times, in every land, and of every shade
of thought and character, voluntarily and joyously rallying round their
local and in particular their national centres of activity, upholding
and promoting their interests with complete unanimity and contentment,
with perfect understanding, genuine enthusiasm, and sustained vigour.
This indeed is the one joy and yearning of my life, for it is the fountainhead
from which all future blessings will flow, the broad foundation up which
the security of the Divine Edifice must ultimately rest.” Realization
of this longing requires that you commit yourselves to the wholehearted
support of your institutions. In turn, those of you called upon to serve
as members of such bodies should ever be mindful of the attitude and manner
prescribed for the conduct of their duties, and should strive continually
to approach the exalted standard set out in the Teachings.
I can only for the present place on record my profound conviction that
a community capable of showing forth such deeds, of evincing such a spirit,
of rising to such heights, cannot but be already possessed of such potentialities
as will enable it to vindicate, in the fullness of time, its right to
be acclaimed as the chief creator and champion of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
The resourcefulness which the national representatives of the American
believers have, in recent months, so strikingly demonstrated, as evidenced
by the successive measures they have adopted, has been matched by the
loyal, the unquestioning and generous support accorded them by all those
whom they represent, at every critical stage, and with every fresh advance,
in the discharge of their sacred duties. Such close interaction, such
complete cohesion, such continual harmony and fellowship between the various
agencies that contribute to the organic life, and constitute the basic
framework, of every properly functioning Bahá’í
community, is a phenomenon which offers a striking contrast to the disruptive
tendencies which the discordant elements of present-day society so tragically
manifest. Whereas every apparent trial with which the unfathomable wisdom
of the Almighty deems it necessary to afflict His chosen community serves
only to demonstrate afresh its essential solidarity and to consolidate
its inward strength, each of the successive crises in the fortunes of
a decadent age exposes more convincingly than the one preceding it the
corrosive influences that are fast sapping the vitality and undermining
the basis of its declining institutions.
The American Bahá’í Community,
exalted, singled out among sister communities of East and West through
revelation of the Tablets of the Divine Plan, is unavoidably approaching
a testing period, crucial, prolonged, potent, purifying, clearly envisaged
by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, different from but recalling in its
severity the ordeals which afflicted the dawn-breakers in a former Age.
The anticipated trials will enable its members to plumb greater depths
of consecration, soar to nobler heights of collective endeavor, and disclose
in fuller measure the future glory of their destiny.
Might not the strain, the stress, of the strenuous period now being ushered
in through inscrutable dispensations of Providence be productive of perspicuous
benefits and blessings reminiscent of the incalculable outpourings of
divine grace which followed closely in the train of the woeful trials
immortalizing the initial, the bloodiest, the most dramatic period in
the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation.
Let anyone inclined to either belittle the unique station conferred upon
this community, or to question the role it will be called upon to play
in the days to come, ponder the implication of these pregnant and highly
illuminating words uttered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and addressed
to it at a time when the fortunes of a world groaning beneath the burden
of a devastating war had reached their lowest ebb. “The continent
of America,” He so significantly wrote, “is, in the eyes of
the one true God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be
revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the
righteous will abide, and the free assemble.”
What other community has shown the foresight, the organizing ability,
the enthusiastic eagerness, that have been responsible for the establishment
and multiplication, throughout its territory, of those initial schools
which, as time goes by, will, on the one hand, evolve into powerful centers
of Bahá’í learning, and, on the
other, provide a fertile recruiting ground for the enrichment and consolidation
of its teaching force? What other community has produced pioneers combining
to such a degree the essential qualities of audacity, of consecration,
of tenacity, of self-renunciation, and unstinted devotion, that have prompted
them to abandon their homes, and forsake their all, and scatter over the
surface of the globe, and hoist in its uttermost corners the triumphant
banner of Bahá’u’lláh?
It is therefore imperative for the individual American believer, and
particularly for the affluent, the independent, the comfort-loving and
those obsessed by material pursuits, to step forward, and dedicate their
resources, their time, their very lives to a Cause of such transcendence
that no human eye can even dimly perceive its glory. Let them resolve,
instantly and unhesitatingly, to place, each according to his circumstances,
his share on the altar of Bahá’í sacrifice, lest, on
a sudden, unforeseen calamities rob them of a considerable portion of
the earthly things they have amassed.
Now if ever is the time to tread the path which the dawn-breakers of
a previous age have so magnificently trodden. Now is the time to carry
out, in the spirit and in the letter, the fervent wish so pathetically
voiced by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who longed, as attested in the
Tablets of the Divine Plan, to “travel though on foot and in the
utmost poverty” and raise “in cities, villages, mountains, deserts
and oceans” “the call of Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá!”
The American Bahá’í Community,
undefeated as yet in the performance of any task undertaken collectively
by its members, in the course of its eventful history, is now entering
a period of grave emergency, that will try the mettle of every single
one of its members. Severe as the challenge will be, however prolonged
the test, no matter how distracting the condition of the world about them,
the issues which claim every ounce of their energy and call for their
sustained, wholehearted, concentrated attention are so weighty that none
can evaluate at present the influence they will exert on the course of
the community’s future destiny.
Our lot, dear brothers and sisters, is to be consciously involved in
a vast historic process the like of which has not ever before been experienced
by any people. As a global community, we have, thus far, attained a unique
and magnificent success in being representative of the full spectrum of
the human race—thanks to the inestimable expenditure of life, effort
and treasure willingly made by thousands of our spiritual forebears. There
is no other aggregation of human beings who can claim to have raised up
a system with the demonstrated capacity to unite all of Gods children
in one world-embracing Order. This achievement places us not only in a
position of incomparable strength, but more particularly in one of inescapable
responsibility. Does not every one of us therefore have a divine obligation
to fulfil, a sacred duty to perform towards every other one who is not
yet aware of the call of Gods latest Manifestation? Time does not stop,
does not wait. With every passing hour a fresh affliction strikes at a
distracted humanity. Dare we linger?
Developing the Theme
The role of the community in advancing the process of entry by troops
is intimately connected with all aspects of Bahá’í
life. There are numerous ways the school committees can focus their programs.
As mentioned in the Introduction, it seems important, however, to organize
the school and its program under the collective umbrella of the behavioral
manifestations of a loving, unified community engaged in service. In other
words, what would this sort of community look like? How would we treat
one another? What kinds of relationships would exist?
Our Supreme Institution explains that “the evolution of local and
national Bahá’í Assemblies at
this time calls for a new state of mind on the part of their members as
well as on the part of those who elect them, for the Bahá’í
community is engaged in an immense historical process that is entering
a critical stage.” (Ridván 153 Message to the Bahá’í
World, ¶ 24) How else will we develop “a
new state of mind” unless we openly re-examine old patterns of behavior,
old patterns of functioning and consciously set out to establish new ones?
A new state of mind will require concentrated effort and loving patience
with ourselves and each other as we attempt to fashion the kind of community
that embodies the kingdom of God on earth. Careful reflection is also
needed: give the participants time for quiet meditation and time to write
down their thoughts and feelings.
We urge you to study carefully the beloved Guardian’s instructions
in Centers of Bahá’í Learning
when developing your program. Shoghi Effendi said that the “institution
of the Summer School constitutes a vital and inseparable part of any teaching
campaign.” The school has an important function in supporting the
National Teaching Campaign by raising enthusiasm for service as well as
deepening the knowledge of the teachers of the Cause, which is everyone
of us.
This year’s theme lends itself particularly well to examining the
relationship between teaching and the vitality of community life where
transformation is the purpose of our lives. The Universal House of Justice
reminds us that “It is not enough to proclaim the Bahá’í
message, essential as that is. It is not enough to expand the rolls of
Bahá’í membership, vital as that is. Souls must be
transformed, communities thereby consolidated, new models of life thus
attained. Transformation is the essential purpose of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh,
but it lies in the will and effort of the individual to achieve it in
obedience to the Covenant. Necessary to the progress of this life-fulfilling
transformation is knowledge of the will and purpose of God through regular
reading and study of the Holy Word.” (The Universal House of Justice,
1989 Ridván Message)
Together individuals and Bahá’í institutions need
to create new patterns of Bahá’í life resulting in
communities that actively demonstrate Bahá’í ideals;
a community that is permeated with the spirit of service will then extend
beyond the Bahá’í community to the community at large,
and the Faith will expand organically as people are attracted and join
in this spirit of service. (Developing Patterns of Community Life,
Mottahedeh Development Services)
While planning your sessions, please also keep in mind the advice of
our Beloved Guardian: “Definite courses should be given along the
different phases of the Bahá’í Faith and in
a manner that will stimulate the students to proceed in their studies
privately once they return home, for the period of a few days is not sufficient
to learn everything. They have to be taught the habit of studying the
Cause constantly, for the more we read the Words the more will the truth
they contain be revealed to us.” (Centers of Bahá’í
Learning, no. 20, p. 8) Typically the more actively involved participants
are in a presentation, workshop, or activity, the more likely they will
remember what they have learned and will apply that information.
You may find that you will have a growing number of individuals interested
in the Faith attending your Bahá’í
school for the first time. Teachers and presenters should be reminded
to be careful about speaking in “Bahá’í
code.” References to Bahá’í institutions,
events or people should be spoken of in plain English; for example, avoid
referring to the “UHJ,” (the Universal House of Justice), or
even the “Beloved Guardian” when friends of the Faith are present.
Speaking in “code” can be alienating. To some extent we need
to blur the lines of distinction between Bahá’ís and friends of the
Faith; our goal is to be all inclusive and welcoming at the summer schools.
Remember that there might soon be more seekers than Bahá’ís in this
country!
As was mentioned at the beginning of this section, there are many possible
ways to focus your school programs. For your consideration, we offer the
following list of suggestions, ideas and resources for possible workshops
or classes. For specific contact information, see Human Resources
in the Resources section.
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Present all or some of the sessions in Part 3 of the Fundamental
Verities series: A New Civilization. We have included
a copy of the Overview of Part 3 for your information. Sessions 2,
6, and 7 in particular have direct relevance for this year’s
theme.
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Contact the Office of the Treasurer at the Bahá’í
National Center for a series of workshops (one to two days) on the
vital role of the Fund in community development, on what we tell seekers
and new believers about the Fund, and on the true meaning of money.
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Mottahedeh Development Services suggests that the first step in community
building is developing a shared vision. Spend time talking about how
to develop a community vision—where would you like to see the
community in one year? By the end of the Four Year Plan? In five years?
What steps do we need to take in order to make this vision a reality?
(See enclosed section “Step One: Developing a Vision of Bahá’í
Community Life” from Developing Patterns of Community Life,
Mottahedeh Development Services.)
Creating
a Learning Environment
Effective instruction methods will engage both the mind and the heart—the
intellect and the emotions. In addition to engaging the heart and the
mind, students should be actively involved with their own learning. “It
is only when participants learn to become active agents of their own learning,
rather than passive listeners, that the desired attitudes towards service
are born and develop…” (International Teaching Center, Nov.
2, 1989 to the Continental Board of Counsellors.)
An excellent way to ensure the involvement of both these faculties is
by using the arts. “…the Cause (will) spread like wildfire when
its spirit and teachings are presented on the stage or in art and literature
as a whole. Art can better awaken such noble sentiments than cold rationalizing,
especially among the mass of the people.” (Shoghi Effendi, quoted
in “In Its Full Splendor,” Bahá’í
News, May 1973, p.7). The resource book, Foundations for a Spiritual
Education, offers many instructional methods and learning tools culled
from the Writings of the Faith, as well as suggesting an organizational
schema for developing classes and programs. The following is a brief listing
of some suggestions; please review the Foundations book for fuller
explanations.
Establish a Loving Environment. Demonstrating love and
kindness will bring joy to the hearts of your students and open them
up for greater learning. The presentation of the room and the presentation
of your materials and program are connected in the learner’s experience.
Use the Bahá’í Sacred Writings. Direct use of the
sacred Writings allows us to develop our own understanding of the truths
they contain. Memorizing prayers and tablets and reciting them by heart
in sweet tones is encouraged.
Encourage Continuing and Private Study of the Writings Once the
School Session is Over. Students must be encouraged
to study the Bahá’í Writings regularly. This
study is not to be limited to short periods of formal instruction; it
needs to occur privately, at home, daily.
Engage the Mind and the Heart. The Bahá’í
teachings are to be understood with both mind and heart—the intellect
and the emotions. Effective instructional methods will engage both.
Consultation. Bahá’u’lláh has provided humanity
with consultation as a powerful tool for the acquisition of understanding
and the development of human affairs. Such a tool, when applied to education,
will greatly enhance the students’ capacity to understand and learn
the concepts, verities, and history of the Faith. The use of consultation
will also develop the attitudes, qualities, and skills that will enable
the friends to serve effectively as members of administrative groups
and institutions.
Questioning and Peer Teaching. This interaction among
students themselves in the learning process is closely related to consultation.
Often thought of as an adult exercise, this activity works quite well
with children.
Memorization and Recitation are important learning tools.
This includes memorization and recitation of prayers and tablets in
the noble and beautiful words of the Founders of the Faith and the preparation
and delivery of speeches.
Meditation and Reflection. Meditation is a key to opening
the heart and mind to inner mysteries. It enables us to understand the
greatness of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation and sets us on
a spiritual path that leads to certitude. Allowing time for meditation
and reflection in a learning environment can greatly facilitate insight
and perception.
Parables and Stories. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suggests
using parables to help students understand the complex and hidden meanings
embedded in the sacred Writings. Stories are also important tools for
learning about the Bahá’í revelation and about previous Dispensations.
They are a means of guiding actions, for they provide powerful models
for our lives.
Employ Creativity and the Arts. The creative impulse
is both an indication and an outcome of our spiritual nature. Art and
literature play an important role in the development of sensitivity
and creativity.
Music. Music can awaken a deeper understanding of spiritual
matters. This can be used in the children’s classes as well as
during general assembly and evening programs.
Drama. In all its forms of expression, drama is an important
tool in spiritual education, both in engaging the performers in the
action and in capturing the hearts of the audience.
Engage Students in Science and in the Investigation of the World
of Nature. As a student contemplates science and nature, truths
about the majesty of God and His creation unfold, providing insight
into spiritual realities.
The Importance of Play and the Use of Manipulatives is
important in freeing the mind to explore possibilities.
Recreation is necessary in providing a well-rounded program
appealing to the mind, body, and spirit.
Use Travel and field trips, actual or virtual, to broaden
knowledge and understanding. Evoke a sense of place through pictures,
slides, and video if travel itself is not a viable option.
Resources
Unless otherwise specified, all materials may be obtained
from
the Bahá’í Distribution Service, telephone: 800-999-9019.
Community/Unity Building
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Danesh, Hossain, Unity: The Creative Foundation of Peace,
Bahá’í Studies Publications, Ottawa (Historical
examination of the quest for peace and discussion of the need to establish
unity as a prerequisite to peace.)
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Developing Patterns of Community Life, Mottahedeh Development
Services (Training manual for facilitators assisting communities to
develop a vision, initiate social and economic development projects—available
Spring 1999.)
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Ellis, Steven E., Overcoming Barriers to Unity—An Essay on
Group Harmony, The Alaska Bahá’í Bookshop
(A discourse on the dynamics of unity and disunity along with a set
of “red flags” so we may learn to recognize when our behavior
is not conducive to building unity.)
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Lample, Paul, Creating a New Mind, Palabra Publications (Reflections
on the relationships between the individual, institutions, and the
community.)
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Smith, Melanie and Paul Lample, The Spiritual Conquest of the
Planet—Our Response to Plans, Palabra Publications (Study
guide focusing on the spiritual mission of the Faith, offering an
indispensable perspective for communities, institutions and individuals
in planning and initiating work in the plans of God.)
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Taylor, Morris, Helping Joe Strong, Bahá’í
Publishing Trust (An engaging way of presenting practical tips for
more effective Assembly functioning—applicable to general community
functioning as well.)
Resources for 19-Day Feast and Holy
Days
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Fundamental Verities, Part 3, “A New Civilization”—
see session 7 on Feasts, Holy Days and Devotional Meetings
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Series of small books from Kalimat Press on many of the Holy Days:
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
Days of Ridván, Declaration of the Báb, Martyrdom
of the Báb, and Naw Rúz. (These are a treasure-house of
prayers, tablets, eye-witness accounts and descriptions of many of
the important events of the Faith compiled from a variety of sources.)
Video
Look for the new videos as part of the national media initiative on the
power of prayer and gender equality—coming out in the Spring.
Cassette Tapes
These tapes could be used as a course with a facilitator, but may best
be used as background information or inspiration for instructors and facilitators.
They are available from Images International—telephone: 800-470-4525.
The order numbers are in parenthesis.
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The Coming Transformation of Global Society by Dr. Ervin Laszlo
(CAB133)
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Unity Paradigm by Hossain Danesh (CAB674)
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Unity and Equality: The Responsibility of the Family by Hoda
Mahmoudi and Richard Dabell (CAB358)
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Rebuilding Our Families & Communities: (1) and (2) Overcoming
Violence Panel Discussion (CAB1003 and CAB1004)
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Developing Strong Bahá’í Community—The Challenge
by Morris Taylor (CGL125)
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Extra Ordinary Community Relations by Morris Taylor (CGL124)
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While There is Yet Time to Build Bahá’í Family Life by
William Roberts (CNC31)
Human Resources
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Core Curriculum Teacher Trainers, Race Unity Trainers, Marriage and
Family Life Facilitators, Parenting Facilitators—contact the
National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Bahá’í
School, tel: (801) 653-5033, FAX: (801) 653-7181, or e-mail: louhelen@usbnc.org
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Stewardship and Development Seminar Trainers and facilitators for
workshops showing the relationship of the Fund to community building—contact
the Office of the Treasurer at the Bahá’í
National Center, tel: (847)733-3421, or e-mail: FINANCE@usbnc.org
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Facilitators for the Mottahedeh Development Services program,
Developing Patterns of Community Life—contact Maureen
Page, tel: (770) 323-1182, c/o Bahá’í Unity
Center, 2370 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur, GA 30035, or e-mail: MDSSED@MSN.COM
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Ms. Karen Ann Webb, Wilmette Institute graduate is offering to teach
courses on Islam, the life of Mohammed, and the holy Qur’án.
E-mail: caros@aros.net Telephone:
(801) 298-4507
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Cindy Pacileo, Core Curriculum Trainer, specializes in developing
intergenerational activities. She will mail or e-mail materials upon
request. E-mail: JoeCPacileo@skybest.com
Telephone: (828) 297-6222
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