There is no shortage of advice available
from popular magazines and books on how to become healthier, more beautiful,
wealthier, have a successful career and to acquire other things that are
believed to offer happiness. But a life spent in pursuit of materialistic and
self-centred goals alone is superficial and not truly satisfying.
There is a part of human nature — the
intellectual and spiritual aspect — that gives us the ability to develop powers
that are on a completely different level from the animal. It is only in developing this higher aspect of our nature that we
can fulfil the deepest purpose of our existence. A human being needs food for
the soul as well as the body.
The animal is completely governed by the
laws of nature, but the human mind has the power to discover nature's laws and
make use of this knowledge — by developing technology, for example as
'Abdu'l-Báhá observed:
The sun itself
with all its majesty is so subservient to nature that it hath no will of its
own and cannot deviate a hair's-breadth from the laws thereof. In like manner
all other beings, whether of the mineral, the vegetable or the animal world,
cannot deviate from the laws of nature, nay, all are the slaves thereof.
Only the human being, "though in body
the captive of nature is yet free in his mind and soul, and hath… mastery
over nature." However, this human ability to be
free from nature is a potential that needs to be developed. Natural impulses,
such as greed and anger, need to be overcome, and replaced with spiritual
qualities such as generosity and kindness.
A primary pathway for spiritual growth is
service to others. Bahá'u'lláh wrote: "When anyone occupieth himself in a
craft or trade, such occupation itself is regarded in the estimation of God as an
act of worship...". 'Abdu'l-Báhá said that "service in love for mankind
is unity with God." He also said "This is worship: to serve mankind
and to minister to the needs of the people."
To encourage people to strive for
excellence in service to others is one of the significant roles performed by
religion. 'Abdu'l-Báhá highlighted religion's power of inspiring people to give
of their best:
Universal
benefits derive from the grace of the Divine religions, for they lead their
true followers to sincerity of intent, to high purpose, to purity and spotless
honour, to surpassing kindness and compassion, to the keeping of their
covenants when they have covenanted, to concern for the rights of others, to
liberality, to justice in every aspect of life, to humanity and philanthropy,
to valour and to unflagging efforts in the service of mankind.
By encouraging the ideal of service to
others, religion becomes a force not only for individual happiness and
salvation, but also for the progress of society as a whole. The purpose we have
been created for is " to carry forward an
ever-advancing civilization," wrote Bahá'u'lláh. The advancement of
society is tied to the practice of virtue by its individual members, and in
turn, the spiritual development of a society brings out the best in its
citizens.
Paradoxically, giving up our selfish
interests to work for the good of the whole, enables us to become our true
selves. The greatest individuals are those who do the most for others.
It is
appropriate and befitting that in this illumined age — the age of the progress of
the world of humanity — we should be self-sacrificing and should serve the human
race. Every universal cause is divine and every particular one is temporal.
"Every universal cause is divine"
for the reason that God is the Creator of all that exists, including the whole
of humanity. Love for God draws us out of our limitations and gives us an
ever-widening vision. The ultimate purpose of life is to journey towards our
Creator, which is an unlimited journey of inner growth.
Becoming closer to God involves expanding
our understanding of the universe and increasing our love for our
fellow-creatures. The knowledge of God is found in observation of nature, which
reflects the glory of God. Even more than in nature, God's attributes are
reflected in the noble qualities that human beings are capable of, so in this
sense we can find God within ourselves and in others. And, supremely, we can
know God through study and meditation on the teachings of the Manifestations of
God (Prophets), who in their lives show the God-given noble qualities of the
human race in their highest form.
The purpose of life is summed up in the
concept that we are created to know and worship God. 'Abdu'l-Báhá said:
God manifested
His Love by creating man in His own image. Man must manifest this love by
developing himself and others in the image of God.
Regarding the Manifestations of God, the
Founders of the great religions, Bahá'u'lláh wrote:
Whoso
recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath
hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their
Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself.
He also wrote:
These Essences
of Detachment, these resplendent Realities are the channels of God's all-pervasive
grace. Led by the light of unfailing guidance, and invested with supreme
sovereignty, They are commissioned to use the inspiration of Their words, the
effusions of Their infallible grace and the sanctifying breeze of Their
Revelation for the cleansing of every longing heart and receptive spirit from
the dross and dust of earthly cares and limitations. Then, and only then, will
the Trust of God, latent in the reality of man, emerge, as resplendent as the
rising Orb of Divine Revelation, from behind the veil of concealment, and
implant the ensign of its revealed glory upon the summits of men's hearts.
Quotations in context
Click on the links below to search for
quotations from this page, in Bahá'í reference websites.
