If they agree upon
a subject, even though it be wrong, it is better than to disagree and be in the
right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine
foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree
that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they agree and both parties
are in the wrong, as it is in unity the truth will be revealed and the wrong
made right.
(Bahá'í World Faith: Selected Writings of
Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá: 411)
Action
is the execution of the decision, the realm of social morality. It seems clear that, after true consultation,
the recipient of this gift has, in order to obey the pivotal principle of
unity, a responsibility to act according to its directives to know the truth of
it. Since human beings are not
infallible in thought and perception, the truth of any decision will only be
revealed when action is initiated-if that action is carried out in a spirt of
unity. Unity is absolutely essential at
every step and stage of the process.
This submission to the results of true consultation is the root of a
humble posture of learning and the foundation for a culture of encouragement.
Love,
fellowship, and unity are all prerequisites for consultation and are present
within consultation; and action carried out in a spirit of unity in response to
any decision completes the connection so the spiritual current of divine
assistance may flow and illumination result.
As the Master explained in the above quote—which is worth reading
again—if there is not unanimity in the decision, then fidelity to the principle
of unity is a higher, nobler way than to be correct: “If they agree upon a
subject, even though it be wrong, it is better than to disagree and be in the
right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine
foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree
that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they agree and both parties
are in the wrong, as it is in unity the truth will be revealed and the wrong
made right.”
As we have repeatedly seen in these
pages, in the human world, truth and unity are intimately interrelated: one
brings forth the other and each is context for the other’s appearance, somewhat
like the double helix of human DNA. That
is, truth builds harmony and harmony enables truth to come forth. The stronger the form of unity in
consultative decision making and execution the greater the likelihood the truth
will be revealed. Reciprocally, the greater the power of truth,
the stronger unity will be. “Truthfulness,”
says ‘Abdu’l-Baha, “is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of
humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds of
God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man,
all the divine qualities will also become realized.” (Baha'i World Faith: 384)
Thus
truthfulness in expression of opinion and fact is the realization of those
qualities of the heart that the members bring into consultation, is the
foundation of all those intellectual virtues that organize into consultation,
and the goal of consultation is, as we know, the finding of the truth. The goal of truth, in turn, is to build
vibrant communities: unity, as we saw, being the environment of truth, and
unanimity the strongest form of unity of thought, the one reality.
While
consciousness should ever seek truth, action should have fraternal harmony as
its purpose. Baha’u’llah explains: “If
in the first group of people who have gathered, unanimity is not achieved, new
people shall be added, after which a group equal in number to the Greatest Name
or fewer or greater shall be chosen from their midst by lots; whereupon the
consultation shall be renewed; whatever
is the result shall be obeyed. If the second time opinions again differ,
repeat the process a third time. This time obey the majority vote. Verily He
directeth whom He willeth to the straight Path.” (The Compilation of Compilations vol. I: 94) It is
clear, in this passage, that for Baha’u’llah unanimity is the preferred
outcome, but if that is impossible or unattainable, then a majority opinion is
the next best option. We read earlier
that this preference for unanimity was shared by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Recall, He
stated: If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously, well and good; but if the Lord forbid, differences of
opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail.”
It
is interesting to me that if unanimity is not attained among the first group
“new people” should be added, not some removed, and that from among this new
group the consultative members are chosen by lot. This return to choosing decision-makers by
lot, to what is known as sortation, a custom of classical Athenian society, is
not by chance. Choosing political
leaders in that way was because it was thought that power corrupts. But it was also considered a principle
characteristic of true democracy. The
promise of divine aid is not reserved solely for the action taken after the
decision, but throughout the process, from the foundational virtues, to the use
of spiritual principles, to the establishment of a truly democratic means of
forming groups.
Baha’u’llah
also emphasizes the responsibility of obedience to decisions that are the
result of consultation: whatever is the
result shall be obeyed. In the above
example given by Baha’u’llah, obedience begins with the second decision, even
as, perhaps, a third group convenes to discuss the matter further. Obedience continues up until this third group
renders its decision. Thus, in all cases, the one seeking a decision from the
process of true consultation is under a spiritual obligation to the community
to obey. So important may be this
principle, that if the one seeking answers to any problem or challenge is not
ready to accept wholeheartedly a decision, it may be better not to engage in
consultation at all, but, rather, simply ask for advice and suggestions,
leaving the final decision in his own hands.
This is especially true if the consulting body is the divine institution
of a Spiritual Assembly. “It is
incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the Spiritual
Assembly, and they must assuredly obey
with heart and soul its bidding and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly ordered and
well arranged. Otherwise every person will act independently and after his own
judgment, will follow his own desire, and do harm to the Cause. (Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages
1922-1932: 21)
As
repeatedly emphasized, consultation is no mere advice column of suggestions
from friends, or some decision-making machine.
It is a creative, organic means of discovering the truth of any matter,
carried out in an attitude and atmosphere of love and guided by spiritual principle,
and its decisions should be accepted on those terms to gain its full
benefits. As a reflexive process,
responsibility for truth to emerge is not limited to the final step of physical
behavior and movement, however. Because
it is an organic process, there are essential responsibilities for action
placed upon the shoulders of the members of, for example, a Spiritual Assembly
to achieve a certain attitude and create a certain atmosphere among themselves
even before actual discussion occurs.
Baha’u’llah lays these out: “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.” (Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages
1922-1932: 21)
When
carried out in good order, respect for the process of consultation, especially
the step of acting in the spirit of unity upon any decision arrived at, is a
means and a way for truth to be revealed, for truth to enter the realm of human
thought and life. Divine guidance exists
in the form of spiritual principles to influence discussion. However, what practical form those truths take
needs to be created, a solution devised.
Consultation works because Baha’u’llah is the hidden participant, the
aid-giver to whomsoever carries out His counsels.
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