In this Cause consultation is of
vital importance, but spiritual conference and not the mere voicing of personal
views is intended.
(Abdu'l-Baha,
The Promulgation of Universal Peace:
68)
Spiritual
conference begins with the voicing of one’s opinion as explicitly formed by
spiritual qualities and consciously guided by spiritual principles. That is, such qualities as love, harmony,
humility, and purity of motive, are formative powers shaping how the opinion is
to be expressed, while spiritual principles are, or should be, the touchstone
and foundation of that opinion. The
first are the foundation of consultation itself, while the second are the
foundation of speech itself. By
emphasizing this distinction I mean to recall attention to the previous
statement from the Master that: “true consultation is spiritual conference in
the attitude and atmosphere of love.” We
can say that “attitude and atmosphere” are the inner and outer forms of love in
unity.
What is meant by “spiritual
principles”, and why are they important?
The House of Justice wrote: “There are spiritual principles, or what
some call human values, by which solutions can be found for every social
problem. Any well-intentioned group can in a general sense devise practical
solutions to its problems, but good intentions and practical knowledge are
usually not enough. The essential merit of spiritual principle is that it not
only presents a perspective which harmonizes with that which is immanent in
human nature, it also induces an attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration,
which facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical measures.
Leaders of governments and all in authority would be well served in their
efforts to solve problems if they would first seek to identify the principles
involved and then be guided by them.
“The
primary question to be resolved is how the present world, with its entrenched
pattern of conflict, can change to a world in which harmony and co-operation
will prevail.” As one example of
spiritual principle they state: “World order can be founded only on an
unshakeable consciousness of the oneness of mankind, a spiritual truth which all
the human sciences confirm.” (The Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace: para 37-39.
As
the House recommends: “Leaders of governments and all in authority would be
well served in their efforts to solve problems if they would first seek to
identify the principles involved and then be guided by them.” Hence the first step in speech is to be
identify the spiritual principles and be guided by them. These spiritual principles, also known as
human values, are just the requisites that ‘Abdu’l-Baha mentioned as being
necessary for victory to be vouchsafed.
The bringing forth of spiritual principle and establishing consultative
discussion upon them is, therefore, one part of the Master’s definition of
consultation as spiritual conference in an attitude and atmosphere of love and
fellowship. But there is more to
both this idea, and to a clarification of the notion of “victory”.
Recall that the aim and goal of
consultation is to find the truth. The end result of consultation is to act on
the decision arrived at. In order to
accomplish the goal of discerning the truth the House of Justice stated that
consultation, “requires all participants to express their opinions with
absolute freedom and without apprehension that they will be censured or their
views belittled.” Thus, to find the
larger truth, participants must each express the truth of their opinion, not
play devil’s advocate, nor speak to hide their real thought for fear of some
reprisal or threat, nor misdirect others’ into thinking they believe something
else.
The
Master admonishes: “They must, when coming together, turn their faces to the
Kingdom on high and ask aid from the Realm of Glory. They must then proceed
with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express
their views. They must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon
their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead
ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The
honoured members must with all freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in
no wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another, nay, he must
with moderation set forth the truth, and should differences of opinion arise a
majority of voices must prevail, and all must obey and submit to the majority.
It is again not permitted that any one of the honoured members object to or
censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any decision arrived at previously,
though that decision be not right, for such criticism would prevent any
decision from being enforced. In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony
and with love and purity of motive, its result is light, and should the least
trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness.... If
this be so regarded, that assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it shall lead
to coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One.... Should they
endeavour to fulfil these conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be
vouchsafed unto them, and that assembly shall become the centre of the Divine
blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall come to their aid, and they
shall day by day receive a new effusion of Spirit.” (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha: 87-89)
Within consultation every individual
has the right to self-expression and is obligated to be truthful about his
expression, yet to balance this right ‘Abdu’l-Baha warned: “He who expresses an
opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a
contribution to the consensus of
opinion, for the light of reality becomes apparent when two opinions coincide.
A spark is produced when flint and steel come together. Man should weigh his
opinions with the utmost serenity, calmness and composure. Before expressing
his own views he should carefully consider the views already advanced by
others. If he finds that a previously expressed opinion is more true and
worthy, he should accept it immediately and not willfully hold to an opinion of
his own. By this excellent method he endeavors to arrive at unity and truth.
Opposition and division are deplorable. It is better then to have the opinion
of a wise, sagacious man; otherwise, contradiction and altercation, in which
varied and divergent views are presented, will make it necessary for a judicial
body to render decision upon the question. Even a majority opinion or consensus
may be incorrect. A thousand people may hold to one view and be mistaken,
whereas one sagacious person may be right.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace: 68)
More in next post.
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