Spiritual Upliftment and Conversation
Considering the Link Between Material and Spiritual Progress
M
ore than a century ago, it was stated that while “material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind,” until it is “combined with Divine civilization, the desired result, which is the felicity of mankind, will not be attained.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’lBahá. Few would deny that material advancement is necessary for society to move forward. However, when we put a single focus on advancing prosperity, it often becomes personal and excessive and distracts from the desire to see prosperity for all people. During our three decades in business, my wife Laurice and I found that society’s accepted focus for business was on financial growth alone. It alone was the benchmark for success and society lavished abundant praise on those who achieved it. But we were never satisfied with our businesses achieving financial success alone. From our spiritual study and reflection, we knew that there needed to be balance between our wish for personal or corporate prosperity and the prosperity of those across the globe. We wished to see
universal material progress including education for all, assurance that the basic needs of food, shelter, health care and safety were met, and that initiatives that could uplift society were adequately funded. Thus, it was through our spiritual progress that we came to understand the need for balance in our material wants and needs. As Baha’is we believe that spirituality can be expressed in many ways – that it is foundational to who we are as humans, it cultivates our thirst to find truth, it can elevate work to the station of worship, and it tempers our selfish tendencies by prompting thoughts and acts of generosity and humility. I am thankful to be reminded of the importance of this link between material and spiritual development when I read the following quote from Baha’u’llah, the prophet/ founder of the Baha’i Faith, “All men have been created to carry forward an everadvancing civilization.” Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah.
Submitted by Tim Mock
Join us in offering prayers for the healing and upliftment of the world, and conversation on topics that support the establishment of unity and peace. We are three local Baha’i friends who meet on Zoom from 7:30 to 8:45 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
All are invited and welcome, whatever your spiritual path. Please call us for details and link: Tim/Laurice Mock, Lee Masters – (250) 748-2585
February Topics
February 9: Truthfulness and Trustworthiness February 23: Hope
So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. Baháʼu’lláh 53
