Material vs. Spiritual Civilizations

From: Talks of 'Abdu'l-Baha

14 April 1912 

Talk at Church of the Ascension
Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street, New York
Notes by Ahmad Sohrab and Howard MacNutt

In his scriptural lesson this morning the revered doctor read a verse from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face."

The light of truth has heretofore been seen dimly through variegated glasses, but now the splendors of Divinity shall be visible through the translucent mirrors of pure hearts and spirits. The light of truth is the divine teaching, heavenly instruction, merciful principles and spiritual civilization. Since my arrival in this country I find that material civilization has progressed greatly, that commerce has attained the utmost degree of expansion; arts, agriculture and all details of material civilization have reached the highest stage of perfection, but spiritual civilization has been left behind. Material civilization is like unto the lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp. If the material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together, and the outcome will be perfect. For material civilization is like unto a beautiful body, and spiritual civilization is like unto the spirit of life. If that wondrous spirit of life enters this beautiful body, the body will become a channel for the distribution and development of the perfections of humanity.

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Obedience - an address by Ian Semple

From: Baha'i Talks, Messages and Articles

26 July 1991
Baha'i World Centre

The International Teaching Centre has produced a wonderful compilation, which you've all received, of texts on the subject of obedience. I'm assuming that you're familiar with those, and therefore I want to approach the subject from a more general point of view--principally about obedience in relation to freedom of thought and also to discussing the importance of obedience both to the individual's spiritual development and to society as a whole.

Mankind has suffered appallingly from tyranny, throughout virtually its whole history, and obedience has often come to be equated with servility and acquiescence in oppression--or even worse, to be used as an excuse for taking part in oppression. You know, because of having lived in Israel for some time, how often this comes up when the question of the Holocaust is being discussed. Those who took part in the Holocaust said, "Well, I was just obeying orders; I am not the one to blame." Now, because of this history of oppression, obedience has become widely despised, and freedom and "rugged individualism" are prized as true goals of social life. What, then, are we to make of this statement of Baha'u'llah:

“What mankind needeth in this day is obedience unto them that are in authority, and a faithful adherence to the cord of wisdom.”

To understand this we need to see the other side of the picture. We need to appreciate the enormity of the problems mankind is grappling with, which are caused by violent nationalism and tribalism, by individual greed and ruthless competition in economic life, by unbridled permissiveness in morality, and by the ever-growing incidence of crime and terrorism. These are all distortions of freedom.

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Quiz 6

From: Baha'i Knowledge Hunt

• In which year did Baha’u’llah have a vision of a Maiden who told Him that He was a Manifestation of God? How does this incident compare to what previous Manifestations of God experienced?    Answer

• Why do Baha’i Temples have nine sides?    Answer 

• Which Baha’i book contains stories about Baha’u’llah and the early believers extracted from Adib Taherzadeh’s four fascinating books on Baha’u’llah’s Revelation?    Answer 

• Who was the first woman Hand of the Cause who also received the distinction of being the first American Baha’i martyr?    Answer 

• Considering the history of the Faith, can you cite an incident which clearly demonstrated Baha’u’llah’s intimate knowledge of the Qur’an and His respect for it, before He became a Manifestation of God?   Answer

• Is it true that most of the early followers of Christ were ignorant men, and that Peter, His greatest disciple, couldn’t even remember the days of the week?    Answer

• As we experience how our world is getting smaller, have you ever wondered what power is bringing peoples from the East and West together?    Answer

The impact of the sudden passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha on Shoghi Effendi

From: Insights from Messages to the Baha'i World Community - by Shoghi Effendi 

This servant, after that grievous event and great calamity, the ascension of His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the Abha Kingdom, has been so stricken with grief and pain and so entangled in the troubles (created) by the enemies of the Cause of God, that I consider that my presence here, at such a time and in such an atmosphere, is not in accordance with the fulfilment of my important and sacred duties. 

For this reason, unable to do otherwise, I have left for a time the affairs of the Cause both at home and abroad, under the supervision of the Holy Family and the headship of the Greatest Holy Leaf [Bahiyyih Khanum, sister of 'Abdu'l-Bahá] until, by the Grace of God, having gained health, strength, self-confidence and spiritual energy, and having taken into my hands, in accordance with my aim and desire, entirely and regularly the work of service I shall attain to my utmost spiritual hope and aspiration. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a message dated May 1922; Baha’i Administration, p. 25; To see the entire message please visit Messages to the Baha'i World)

The Summons of the Lord of Hosts – Suriy-i—Haykal: Paragraph 1.3

From: Reflecting on Baha'i Writings - The Summons of the Lord of Hosts

“Blessed is He Who doeth as He willeth by a word of His command. He, verily, is the True One, the Knower of things unseen. Blessed is He Who inspireth whomsoever He willeth with whatsoever He desireth, through His irresistible and inscrutable command. Blessed is He Who aideth whomsoever He desireth with the hosts of the unseen. His might is, in truth, equal to His purpose, and He, verily, is the All-Glorious, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed is He Who exalteth whomsoever He willeth by the power of His sovereign might, and confirmeth whomsoever He chooseth in accordance with His good pleasure; well is it with them that understand!”

Comments:

It’s very interesting that Baha’u’llah ends this paragraph by saying “well is it with them that understand!” Let’s summarize what our finite minds could partially understand from this paragraph concerning the realm of God and His Manifestation:

   · “He … doeth as He willeth by a word of His command”;
   · “He .. is .. the Knower of things unseen”;
   · “He … inspireth whomsoever He willeth with whatsoever He desireth..”;
   · “ He .. aideth whomsoever He desireth with the hosts of the unseen”;
   · “He exalteth whomsoever He willeth by the power of His sovereign might”;
   · “He … confirmeth whomsoever He chooseth in accordance with His good

These potent announcements have a powerful impact on us mortal beings. They demand humility and submission towards God and His Manifestation. By acknowledging that the Manifestation of God is “the True One”, we become more inclined to weigh all our thoughts, feelings and aspirations in harmony with that Reality that the Manifestation of God brings to our attention.

October 1957: The Guardian visits London to order items for Archives Building and Gardens on Mount Carmel

From: Baha'i Calendar - this month in history

On October 20th, 1957, the beloved Guardian arrived in London, accompanied by Ruhiyyih Khanum, for the purpose of ordering some furniture and objects for the interior of the International Archives Building and the Gardens above it. He chose London because it is an international centre where objects from every country can be found at much cheaper prices than probably in any other one city of the world. He planned to remain a few days and then proceed to Haifa. As was the invariable custom of the beloved Guardian during his absence from Haifa, no contact was made with any Bahá'í. Ruhiyyih Khanum attended to his mail and carried out his orders as she always did. (Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Passing of Shoghi Effendi)

Photograph of 'Abdu'l-Baha taken during summer of 1919 by an English officer

From: 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land

'Abdu'l-Baha

Photograph taken during summer of 1919 by an English officer

The power that is bringing peoples from the East and West together

From: Gems of Insight from 'Abdu'l-Baha

The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh over sixty years ago proclaimed the glad tidings of universal peace. The Báb was martyred in the Cause of God. Bahá'u'lláh suffered forty years as a prisoner and exile in order that the Kingdom of love might be established in the East and West. He has made it possible for us to meet here in love and unity. Because He suffered imprisonment, we are free to proclaim the oneness of the world of humanity for which He stood so long and faithfully. He was chained in dungeons, He was without food, His companions were thieves and criminals, He was subjected to every kind of abuse and infliction, but throughout it all He never ceased to proclaim the reality of the Word of God and the oneness of humanity. We have been brought together here by the power of His Word -- you from America, I from Persia -- all in love and unity of spirit. Was this possible in former centuries? If it is possible now after fifty years of sacrifice and teaching, what shall we expect in the wonderful centuries coming? (‘Abdu'l-Baha, from a talk, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

Prayer -- a poem by L. Khai

From: Baha'i Songs and Poems

O Beloved!

The Superlative of every good,

The Love that needs

No knowledge of face, or form, or speech,

The Love so great we can never touch Thy Reality

But whose touch has realized all things

And Whose knowledge molds life's essence --

Thou only art the Eternally Perfect

And the totality of beauty.

Out of eternity

Thou hast plucked the smallest grain

And called it time --

A speck of dust on Thy robe's hem

Is the material universe --

Thy thought in the space of an eyewink

Comprehendeth the spiritual universe.

O Thou! Who asketh for all we know

Yet givest all we know --

Infinity is not enough for all our praise of Thee,

O Most Adored One!

Origin of man's spirit --

Singular, yet All-Containing --

Though beyond any and all approach.

Thou art the life of every living soul.

(World Order, February 1947)

Dr. Susan Moody, Amatu’l-A’la (The Handmaid of the Most High), who “forged first link in (the) chain uniting (the) spiritual destinies” of Persia and the American Baha’i Community

From: Baha'i Heroes and Heroines

"In reality," says 'Abdu'l-Baha, "faith embodies three degrees: to confess with the tongue; to believe in the heart; to give evidence in our actions." In writing a brief account of the life of Dr. Susan I. Moody the real faith, as quoted here, is outstanding.

She was born November 20, 1851 in Amsterdam, New York, of Scotch-Covenanter parents. Here she received the usual schooling and orthodox religious training of the "best" families of the day. After graduating from Amsterdam Academy, she taught school, later entered the Women's Medical College in New York City. After her parents passed away, she made her home with her brother in Chicago where she studied music. Still later, Dr. Moody studied painting and sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago, then for three years in the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, then under the great painter Chase, in New York and finally, in the art schools studios of Paris, but she was not, however, to make art her life work for instead of following the professional art career, for which she was well qualified, she finally yielded to the constantly increasing urge which she felt and concluded her study of medicine, graduating from a Chicago medical college.

During those early days of her life in Chicago, she met friends who were attending the first classes formed for the study of the Baha'i Revelation, which classes she joined but did not become a confirmed believer until 1903, after making an intensive study of the teachings with Mrs. Isabella D. Brittingham, for the privilege of whose teaching Dr. Moody was always exceedingly grateful.

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Surih-i-Sabr, or Lawh-i-Ayyub - by Baha'u'llah

From: Baha'i Tablets --provisional translations

--- Provisional translation by Khazeh Fananapazir

[“… revealed as far back as the year 1863, on the very first day of His arrival in the garden of Ridvan …" (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah) “… the ‘Suriy-i-Sabr’ (Surih of Patience), revealed on the first day of Ridvan which extols Vahid and his fellow-sufferers in Nayriz …” (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By)]

This is the City of Patience. Strive ye to enter it, O concourse of the patient ones! 

In His name, the Exalted One, He Who is the Most Exalted. 

This is the remembrance of God in the City of Patience regarding Job, Our servant, Whom We sheltered under the shade of that Holy Tree planted in His heart, to Whom We demonstrated the fire ignited in His Own Essence, and to Whose Self We revealed Our Own Self by His Own Self. We called Job from this sacred Spot whose environs are sanctified with this call, "Verily, He is God, Thy Lord and the Lord of all things. He is All-Powerful over all things, the Self-Subsisting One." When Job's face was illumined by the fire burning in the sacred Tree, We clothed Him with the garment of Prophethood and commanded Him to instruct men in the essence of graciousness and bounty and to invite the people to the holy and beloved Shore. We established Job on earth and caused the waters of divine munificence to descend on Him so that through riches He became independent of all the inhabitants of the earth. We conferred on Him a bounteous fortune and made Him very wealthy in the kingdom. We caused Him to receive a portion of all wealth and strengthened His back with great power. We gave Him sons from his loins and established an exalted station for Him in all the lands.

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1910: Delegates and friends invoking the Greatest Name at Chicago temple site

From: Worldwide Community of Baha'u'llah

Delegates and friends assembled at the geometrical center of the temple grounds and invoking the Greatest Name as their faces are turned towards Acca -- 1910

“Do ye not look upon the beginning of the affairs; attach your hearts to the ends and results.”

From: Counsels and Explanations by 'Abdu'l-Baha - Daily Readings

Do ye not look upon the beginning of the affairs; attach your hearts to the ends and results. The present period is like unto the sowing time. Undoubtedly it is impregnated with perils and difficulties, but in the future many a harvest shall be gathered and benefits and results will become apparent. When one considers the issue and the end, inexhaustible joy and happiness will dawn.

Live thou as far as thou art able according to the divine commands and advices, because they are conducive to eternal life. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha vol. 2)

Aqa Buzurg of Khurasan -- Badi (Wonderful), the Pride of Martyrs, an Apostle of Baha’u’llah

From: We are Baha'is

Aqa Buzurg-i-Nishapuri was the son of a devoted Babi. He was later given the title ‘Badi’ (unique, wonderful) by Baha’u’llah. Reputed to be a wild, unruly youth, he had no interest in his father's affairs until, during the visit to his home of a traveling teacher, Mulla Muhammadi-Zarandi (Nabil-i-A'zam), he listened to some verses from a long poem by Baha’u’llah and was so entranced that he devoted the balance of his life to serving Him. After his conversion he set out to visit Him, traveling on foot from Mosul to 'Akka. It was during this visit that he was chosen to deliver a letter (Tablet) from Baha’u’llah to Nasiri'd-Din Shah. (‘The A to Z of the Baha’i Faith’, by Hugh Adamson)

Shoghi Effendi describes these events in the following passage:

Aqa Buzurg of Khurasan, the illustrious "Badi" (Wonderful); converted to the Faith by Nabil; surnamed the "Pride of Martyrs"; the seventeen year old bearer of the Tablet addressed to Nisiri'd-Din Shah; in whom, as affirmed by Baha’u’llah, "the spirit of might and power was breathed," was arrested, branded for three successive days, his head beaten to a pulp with the butt of a rifle, after which his body was thrown into a pit and earth and stones heaped upon it. After visiting Baha’u’llah in the barracks, during the second year of His confinement, he had arisen with amazing alacrity to carry that Tablet, alone and on foot, to Tihran and deliver it into the hands of the sovereign. A four months' journey had taken him to that city, and, after passing three days in fasting and vigilance, he had met the Shah proceeding on a hunting expedition to Shimiran. He had calmly and respectfully approached His Majesty, calling out, "O King! I have come to thee from Sheba with a weighty message"; whereupon at the Sovereign's order, the Tablet was taken from him and delivered to the mujtahids of Tihran who were commanded to reply to that Epistle - a command which they evaded, recommending instead that the messenger should be put to death. That Tablet was subsequently forwarded by the Shah to the Persian Ambassador in Constantinople, in the hope that its perusal by the Sultan's ministers might serve to further inflame their animosity. For a space of three years Baha'u'llah continued to extol in His writings the heroism of that youth, characterizing the references made by Him to that sublime sacrifice as the "salt of My Tablets." (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By)

Christ’s crucifixion was “a ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the peoples of the earth.”

From: Baha'i Scriptures concerning Jesus & Christianity

That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of the All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness in the Faith of God and His detachment from all else but Him may be demonstrated unto men. The purpose of God, moreover, was to sacrifice him as a ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the peoples of the earth. This same honor, Jesus, the Son of Mary, besought the one true God, exalted be His name and glory, to confer upon Him. (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah) 

Baha’u’llah teaches how one’s attitude towards the Manifestations of God should be

From: Baha'i Stories

One day the youthful Blessed Beauty [Baha'u'llah] was present at a gathering convened by Mirza Nazar-'Ali, the Sufi murshid (spiritual guide) who was more highly esteemed at the court of Muhammad Shah [the Persian reigning monarch] than the prime minister himself, Haji Mirza Aqasi. The discourse of Mirza Nazar-'Ali had developed to the point of claiming: 'I shall be the last to hold the seat of mystical learning; the succession of great occupants will end with me, for I have attained such a degree of resignation that should Jesus Christ Himself suddenly appear in the doorway, it would cause no change in my state.'

Everyone nodded and murmured assent except Baha'u'llah, Who addressed the speaker: 'Jinab-i-Hakim, [your honor, the wise one] I shall ask you a question, and I urge you to give a truthful reply. If, without your consent, the curtain should be raised and the royal executioner enter, sword in hand and advancing towards you, would this affect your composure?'

After a moment's reflection Mirza Nazar - 'Ali replied, 'Yes, it would affect me.'
‘In that case’, Baha’u’llah stated, ‘you should not have made such a claim.’
(Recorded by Nabil; Stories of Baha’u’llah, compiled by Ali-Akbar Furutan) 

Teaching children to “peruse the divine verses every morn and eve”

From: Daily Verses of God

Teach ye your children so that they may peruse the divine verses every morn and eve. God hath prescribed unto every father to educate his children, both boys and girls, in the sciences and in morals, and in crafts and professions.... (Baha’u’llah, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 1, Extracts from the Writings concerning arts and crafts)

A small wool money purse which belonged to the Báb

From: Baha'i Sacred Relics

A small wool money purse which belonged to the Báb

We need to free our souls from the “bondage of self”

From: Human Soul and Its Eternal Journey

Deliver your souls, O people, from the bondage of self, and purify them from all attachment to anything besides Me. Remembrance of Me cleanseth all things from defilement, could ye but perceive it. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude)

We should remember our parents during our prayers

From: Teachings of the Baha'i Faith

It is seemly that the servant should, after each prayer, supplicate God to bestow mercy and forgiveness upon his parents. Thereupon God's call will be raised: 'Thousand upon thousand of what thou hast asked for thy parents shall be thy recompense!' Blessed is he who remembereth his parents when communing with God. There is, verily, no God but Him, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved (The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

'Abdu'l-Baha at the home of Howard MacNutt, June 17, 1912

From: 'Abdu'l-Baha Visits the West

'Abdu'l-Baha at the home of Howard MacNutt, June 17, 1912

Significant Ages ...

From: Baha'i Points of Interest

* The Bab was 25 years old when He declared His Mission.
* Baha’u’llah was 27 years old when He embraced the religion of the Bab.
* ‘Abdu’l-Baha was 9 years old when He recognized Baha’u’llah’s station.
* Shoghi Effendi was 23 years old when he became the Guardian.

'Abdu'l-Baha recognized Baha'u'llah when He was only 9 Years Old

From: Baha'i Historical Facts

Bahá'u'lláh departed from Tihran for Iraq on 12 January 1853. Among those who accompanied Him in His exile was His eldest son, nine-year-old Abbas, who later assumed the title of Abdu'l-Bahá (Servant of Baha). He had such spiritual insight that, as a young boy, He intuitively recognized the station of His Father. So highly did Bahá'u'lláh esteem Him that in Baghdad He used to address Him, while still in His teens, as the Master -- a designation which Bahá'u'lláh had also used for His own father while in Tihran. (Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 1, p. 13)

Christ's essential teaching

From: Christian themes in Baha'i Literature

His [Christ's] essential teaching was the unity of mankind and the attainment of supreme human virtues through love. He came to establish the Kingdom of peace and everlasting life. Can you find in His words any justification for discord and enmity? The purpose of His life and the glory of His death were to set mankind free from the sins of strife, war and bloodshed. ('Abdu'l-Baha, excerpt from a talk, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

The duty of kindness and sympathy towards strangers and foreigners – a talk by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

From: Talks of 'Abdu'l-Baha

October 16th and 17th, 1911, Paris

When a man turns his face to God he finds sunshine everywhere. All men are his brothers. Let not conventionality cause you to seem cold and unsympathetic when you meet strange people from other countries. Do not look at them as though you suspected them of being evil-doers, thieves and boors. You think it necessary to be very careful, not to expose yourselves to the risk of making acquaintance with such, possibly, undesirable people.

I ask you not to think only of yourselves. Be kind to the strangers, whether they come from Turkey, Japan, Persia, Russia, China or any other country in the world.

Help to make them feel at home; find out where they are staying, ask if you may render them any service; try to make their lives a little happier.

In this way, even if, sometimes, what you at first suspected should be true, still go out of your way to be kind to them -- this kindness will help them to become better.

After all, why should any foreign people be treated as strangers?

Let those who meet you know, without your proclaiming the fact, that you are indeed a Bahá'í.

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September 1964: Message from the Universal House of Justice

From: Messages to the Baha'i World Community - by the Universal House of Justice

To the Bahá'ís of the world

Dearly loved friends,

In our message to you of April, 1964, announcing the Nine Year Plan, we called attention to two major themes of that Plan, namely "a huge expansion of the Cause of God and universal participation by all believers in the life of that Cause."

The enthusiastic vigour with which the believers throughout the world, under the devoted guidance of their National Spiritual Assemblies, have, arisen to meet the challenge of the Plan, augurs well for the huge expansion called for. We now ask you to bend your efforts and thoughts, with equal enthusiasm, to the requirements of universal participation.

In that same message we indicated the meaning of universal participation: "the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá'í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. In the words of our beloved Guardian, 'One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendour of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh.'"

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The attitude that Spiritual Assembly members (“counselors”) should maintain

From: Insights from Messages to the Baha'i World Community - by Shoghi Effendi

In the Most Holy Book is revealed: -- "The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha, and should it exceed this number it does not matter. It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath the Lord your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that perceive." (Excerpt from a letter by Shoghi Effendi, dated March 5, 1922; Baha'i Administration, pp. 17-25) (To read the entire message please visit Messages to the Baha'i World)

The Most Great Favour, The Most Perfect Bounty

From: Portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Render thanks unto God, O people, for His appearance; for verily He is the most great Favour unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and through Him every mouldering bone is quickened. ( Baha'u'llah, Tablet of the Branch)

'Abdu'l-Baha

Commentary on the Islamic Tradition "I was a Hidden Treasure and loved to be known. Therefore I created the Creation that I might be known." (Tafsír-i-Hadith-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfíyyan) – by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

From: Baha'i Tablets -- provisional translations

--- provisional translation by Moojan Moomen

[Prelude]

. . . And to continue: To him who looks understands these indications, it is well known with respect to the request of that traveller upon the paths of guidance, that bondsman of the King of Divine Authority, that seeker of the hidden Divine secrets, that knower of the secret Heavenly signs, that lover of the household and family of his holiness Mustafa [i.e. Muhammad], the favoured friend of the wayfarers and he who has clung to the Firmest Handle of God [urwatu'llah al-wuthqa] and to the Strongest Rope, `Ali Shawkat Pasha son of the late Agha Husayn Pasha (may God designate for him whatever He wishes), that he has wished this wayfarer upon the Path to write a brief explanation and a short beneficial commentary upon the Holy Tradition [hadith-i qudsi]: "I was a Hidden Treasure and loved to be known. Therefore I created the Creation that I might be known." 

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The soul is God’s Sanctuary -- reason is God’s Throne

From: Human Soul and Its Eternal Journey

The soul is the Sanctuary of God; Reason is His Throne. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a conversation recorded by Julia Grundy during her pilgrimage, ‘Ten Days in the Light of Acca’)

We should adhere to the spiritual laws revealed to humanity in each age by the Manifestation of God the same way that we pay attention to laws governing our physical lives

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it. (The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated 6 February 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)