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Service to Humanity
Purpose
To understand that:
? Man's purpose is to work for the betterment of
the world.
? The value of one's service depends on the purity
of the inner condition.
? To achieve both of these we must draw on
spiritual powers through the use of prayer.
Section 1
Bahá'u'lláh teaches us that in order to fulfill our
purpose in life, we should work for the betterment
of the world:
"... the purpose for which mortal men have, from
utter nothingness, stepped into the realm of
being, is that they may work for the betterment
of the world and live together in concord and
harmony."
"Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns;
let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will
rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify
the hearts and souls of men."
"The betterment of the world can be
accomplished through pure and goodly deeds,
through commendable and seemly conduct."
True service springs from the spirit of altruism and
love for others; it requires an attitude of selflessness
and devotion. The effectiveness of our service
depends on our inner qualities and the purity of our
intentions. When service is motivated by love and
is free of self-interest, it bears excellent fruits and
exerts lasting influence in the world of humanity.
"The time is come when naught but the purest
motive, supported by deeds of stainless purity,
can ascend to the throne of the Most High and be
acceptable unto Him."
"Let them perform their services with complete
sanctity and detachment... Let them... seek
distinction in truthfulness, straightforwardness,
and the pursuit of virtue and excellence; for
vanity in riches is worthy of none but the base,
and pride in possessions beseemeth only the
foolish. To attain to true glory and honor, man
should exercise justice and equity, forbear to act
in an oppressive manner, render service to his
government, and work for the good of his fellow-
citizens."
1. What is the purpose for which mortal men
have, from utter nothingness, stepped into
the realm of being?
2. What should our thoughts be fixed upon?
3. What are some of the fortunes that the
human race has lost?
4. What can you do to rehabilitate the fortunes
of mankind? Give examples.
a)
b)
c)
d)
5. How can the betterment of the world be
accomplished?
6. In the words of Abdu'l-Bahá, what are some
of the qualities that we should possess in
order to render true service to our country
and fellow-citizens?
Determine if the following statements are true or
false:
1. True service is to perform those acts that
are of interest to us.
2. In order to perform true service we
should love every human being and
think of the welfare of others first.
3. We should serve in order to derive
personal benefit.
4. It is right to serve and in our hearts
expect some reward or praise from
others.
5. Our intention is pure when we endeavor
to better the condition of the world by
attracting the hearts of the people to
Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.
6. Only those who have time or money can
serve others.
7. If we purify our motives and improve
our character, our services will be more
effective.
Section 2
Moved by the conviction that the results of our
actions depend on our spiritual qualities, we find it
necessary to reflect often on our inner condition and
on our progress in degrees of spirituality. Such a
reflection helps us to recognize our own capabilities
and limitations and to identify that which leads us to
loftiness or to abasement. Reflection alone, of
course, is not sufficient. As our understanding is
deepened by reflection and meditation, we naturally
strive to purify our motives and improve the quality
of our actions. As we meditate, for example, on
how courtesy adorns the reality of man, we
intensify our efforts to show respect and courtesy to
others in our daily lives. As we realize that
integrity is among the most valuable treasures we
can possess, we attempt to be upright, honest and
trustworthy in all our dealings with others. This
continuous process of action, reflection, and action,
helps us to grow spiritually and fulfill the maximum
of our spiritual capacity.
1. What do we recognize when we reflect on our inner condition?
2. What do you think leads to our loftiness
or to our abasement?
3. Is reflection alone sufficient?
4. What will deepen our understanding and
how will this affect our actions? Give
examples.
Section 3
One of the most cherished fruits of constant
reflection on our actions and inner condition is the
recognition that we have been created noble and
that we share this nobility with the rest of humanity.
"0 Son of Spirit!
I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself
down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith
dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of
knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou
enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of
the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou
busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto
thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing
within thee, mighty, powerful and self-
subsisting."
"We must strive unceasingly and without rest to
accomplish the development of the spiritual
nature in man, and endeavor with tireless energy
to advance humanity toward the nobility of its
true and intended station."
Nobility is only one of the qualities that we have in
common with every other human being. Reflection
on spiritual matters will lead us to the knowledge of
numerous other divine qualities that potentially
exist in our souls. We become conscious of the
great bond of unity that connects us with every
human being, a unity whose powers we gradually
recognize. But the heart is not satisfied merely to
be connected with the rest of creation; it desires to
draw closer to the Source of all love, the
Unknowable Essence. Bahá'u'lláh shows us ways
to become closer to God and fulfill the most
intimate desire of our hearts. One of the most
compelling ways to achieve this closeness is
through prayer.
Shoghi Effendi writes concerning the chief goal of
the Baháí Faith:
"Its chief goal is the development of the
individual and society, through the acquisition of
spiritual virtues and powers. It is the soul of
man which has first to be fed. And this spiritual
nourishment prayer can best provide."
1. How have we been created?
2. What should we strive for?
3. What is the bond of unity that connects
us with every other human being?
4. Why do we pray?
5. How will individuals and society
develop?
6. What will we acquire through prayer?
Determine if the following statements are true or
false:
1. We potentially share all the divine
qualities with every other human being.
2. If we just reflect on our inner qualities,
they will grow by themselves.
3. Through reflection we discover that we
have numerous divine qualities latent in
us and through prayer and service we
can develop these qualities.
4. Through prayer we get closer to our
Creator.
5. It is not possible to acquire spiritual
virtues and powers through prayer.
References:
Bahá'ú'lláh in "Trustworthiness: A Cardinal
Bahá'í Virtue" (New Delhi: Bahá'í
Publishing Trust, 1987), p.11
Bahá'ú'lláh Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha'u'llah, rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í
Publishing Trust, 1984), XLIII, pp.93-94
Bahá'ú'lláh in "A Chaste and Holy Life",
Pages: 57-62)
The Báb The Dawn-Breakers: Nabil's
Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá'í
Revelation, trans and ed. by Shoghi Effendi
(Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1974),
p.94
'Abdu'l-Bahá in "Trustworthiness", p.13
Bahá'ú'lláh The Hidden Words, Arabic
no.13, pp.6-7
'Abdu'l-Bahá The Promulgation of
Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
'Abdu'l-Bahá during His visit to the United
States and Canada in 1912 2nd ed.
(Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982),
p.60
Shoghi Effendi Directives of Guardian, p.86-
87
For more information on serving humanity
internationally, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá'í
National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201
Eml: pioneer@usbnc.org; tel: (847) 733-3508; Fax:
(847) 733-3509
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