Every conversation can evoke the spiritual if it’s informed by a sense of compassion, curiosity, imagination, humility, and wonder. In healthy conflict we find ways to work with others even if they hold opposing views or paradigms. Conversations, however, that do not evoke the spirit or give rise to compassion and cooperation tend to be adversarial in nature, operating from an ‘us vs them’ modality.
“In
this Cause consultation is of vital importance, but spiritual conference and
not the mere voicing of personal views is intended. ... consultation must have
for its object the investigation of truth. 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.”
Abdu’l-Baha
“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.”
Abdu’l-Baha
“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
“The
members who are consulting should behave in the utmost love, harmony and
sincerity towards each other.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
“The
prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive,
radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His Divine
Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and
long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
“The
members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for
ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member expresseth with
absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should any
one
oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully
discussed can the right way be revealed.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
“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.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
“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.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
“It
is again not permitted that any one of the honored 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.”
-Abdu’l-Baha
