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

The Restorative Power of Love

There’s a deep spiritual hunger in the world - an epidemic of emotional/spiritual heart disease, a profound sense of loneliness, isolation and alienation but the medicine is right there inside each one of us!

“Where there is love, nothing is too much trouble and there is always time.”

-Abdu’l-Baha

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

- Corinthians

“Radiate boundless love towards the entire world.”

- the Buddha

In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love.”

- Baha’u’llah

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

-Dalai Lama

I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit.”

-K. Gibran

“A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home.”

-Author Unknown

“Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful.”

― Abdu'l-Bahá

“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path”

― Abdu'l-Bahá

“The more you are motivated by Love, The more fearless & free your action will be.”

-Dalai Lama

“The only way you can conquer me is through Love and there I am gladly conquered”.

-Bhagavad Gita

“There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don’t you?”

-Rumi

“The intellect is good but until it has become the servant of the heart, it is of little avail.”

― Abdul-Baha

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

-Maya Angelou

“Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds...”

― Abdu'l-Bahá

“Love the creatures for the sake of God and not for themselves. You will never become angry or impatient if you love them for the sake of God. Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God, you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and complete mercy. Therefore, do not look at the shortcomings of anybody; see with the sight of forgiveness. The imperfect eye beholds imperfections. The eye that covers faults looks toward the Creator of souls.”

-Abdu’l-Baha

Spirituality in the Midst of a Health Crisis

The virus has made the need for a positive spiritual response ever more urgent. The dread of disease and death have us continually questioning the meaning and purpose of our existence as we turn more and more to spirituality as a source of strength, hope and faith.

“We have gone ahead at breakneck speed, feeling powerful and able to do anything. Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things, and lured away by haste. We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet. We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick.” -Pope Francis, March 27, 2020 

 “This endless universe is like the human body, and all its parts are connected one with another and are linked together in the utmost perfection.” -Abdu’l-Baha 

 “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” - Krishnamurti  

“Anybody can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, it is the proof of nobility.” - Abdu’l-Baha   

 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -Corinthians   

 “Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.” -Buddha 

 “We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life molds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it.” -Shoghi Effendi   

 “We become loveable by being a loving person. We find ourselves by devoting our lives to the service of other people.” -Kilroy J. Oldster   

 "Let us have love and more love, a love that melts all opposition, a love that conquers all foes, a love that sweeps away all barriers, a love that aboundeth in charity, large-heartedness, tolerance, and noble-striving, a love that triumphs over all obstacles, a boundless, resistless, sweeping love.” -Abdul-Baha 

“When day comes we step out of the shade, Aflame and unafraid The new dawn blooms as we free it For there is always light, If only we’re brave enough to see it If only we’re brave enough to be it.” -Amanda Gorman

Envisioning a Peaceful Global Reality

Our present-day challenges - specifically the pandemic, the climate crisis, racial and human rights issues - are fundamentally and inherently global in nature. 

Envisioning a Peaceful Global Reality
Soul Cafe Victoria, BC
Gita Badiyan

These issues cannot be solved in any meaningful way without a level of cooperation that transcends national boundaries and interests. Our current global institutions, however, are not in any way prepared or equipped to deal with such threats. 
So what options do we have? And what actions can we take? 

Creating Soulful Spaces

Spaces where there is authentic encouragement towards open dialogue and integrity of self, create safe cultures that are the foundation to trust-based communities. Demonstrating a high value for human dignity by embracing people as unique and whole, has a transformative effect whether you are at work, at home, in a church or any other community.

“My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosoever enters here must become illumined. This is the home of knowledge: the one who enters it must receive knowledge. This is the home of love: those who come in must learn the lessons of love; thus, may they know how to love each other.”

-Abdu’l-Baha

 

 

“O Children of Men! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other… Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.”

-Baha’u’llah

 

 

“Magnify not the faults of others that thine own faults may not appear great.”

-Baha’u’llah

 

 

“Love the creatures for the sake of God and not for themselves. You will never become angry or impatient if you love them for the sake of God. Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves.”

-Abdu’l-Baha

 

 

“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”

-Abdu’l-Baha

 

 

 

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Elevated Conversation

Obviously, we all have a thirst for deeper exploration and a yearning for profound connections. But how do we introduce elevated and meaningful conversations in our day-to-day? How do we go about heightening social consciousness in a natural way -with our families, friends and colleagues? 

Most people in our society don't operate at an elevated level. It's been said that ‘Downstream is mainstream’.  Somehow, in our society, we allow our lower nature to rule and dominate. But if we are spiritual beings, it implies everything in our lives, including our conversations, have a spiritual dimension.  If we’re here for a higher purpose, we wouldn’t want to allow ourselves to be drawn down. It is, however, not so easy to do -somewhat like having to resist junk food!

Given that conversation is an outward expression of our thoughts and feelings, elevated conversations need elevated thoughts and feelings. That means our mental, spiritual and emotional diets need to be more wholesome. When our thoughts are turned towards the light, our words reflect that light.

 

Elevated speech is not supposed to be supercilious, arrogant or patronizing. When we're trying to have an elevated conversation we're not necessarily trying to inject a spiritual theme into every conversation or spin a moral connection from every discussion. 

An elevated conversation is more about coming into a conversation from a place of connection with our higher self; it's about being principled when we speak and listen. It requires sharing in a meaningful way, exposing dichotomies in a thoughtful manner, transcending differences, learning from others and working towards solutions that unite.

“Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.”

–The Buddha

“Whensoever they gather in their meetings let their conversation be confined to learned subjects and to information on the knowledge of the day. If they do thus, they will flood the world with the Manifest Light, and change this dusty earth into gardens of the Realm of Glory."

– Baha’u’llah

“You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts.”

–K. Gibran

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” 

–Christ

"All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.”

—Kahlil Gibran

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” 

– Plato

“Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the speaker or expounder should carefully deliver his words at the appropriate time and place, for the impression which each word maketh is clearly evident and perceptible.”

– Baha’u’llah

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

-Colossians 4:6

Racial Harmony

Now, more than ever, there’s a deep desire to experience humanity as one race, one soul, one body! People around the world want freedom from racial prejudice. They want to cast away the fallacious doctrine of white superiority, with all its misery, confusion and suffering. It is time to tear down barriers, free ourselves of this social cancer and recognize our oneness.

“The happiness of mankind lieth in the Unity and the Harmony of the Human Race”      

-‘Abdu’l-Baha

“All beings tremble before violence. All fear death, all love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?” 

-The Buddha

“The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.  If you meet those of different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness.  Think of them as different coloured roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them.      

–‘Abdu’l-Baha

“The tabernacle of unity has been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers.  Ye are the fruits of one tree and leaves of one branch.” 

-Baha’u’llah

“A white has no superiority over black nor a black any superiority over white -except by piety and good action.” 

–Prophet Mohammad

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

–the Bible

“Racism retards the potentiality of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress. If this problem is to be overcome, the oneness of humanity must be universally upheld and protected by law and through social policies.”

-The Universal House of Justice

“For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.” 

–The Bhagavad Gita