Two calls to success, prosperity in 2021
We just began a new year with new hopes and expectations for success and prosperity in 2021. New year is often associated with change, improvements, and renewal.
IT is usually associated with decisions on how we want to change our material lives for better. It should also be a time for reflection, for new and noble resolutions on how we want to transform our spiritual lives and the society we live in.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: “Two calls to success and prosperity are being raised from the heights of the happiness of mankind . . . the one is the call of civilisation, of the progress of the material world. This pertaineth to the world of phenomena, promoteth the principles of material achievement, and is the trainer for the physical accomplishments of mankind?…
The other is the soul-stirring call of God, Whose spiritual teachings are safeguards of the everlasting glory, the eternal happiness and illumination of the world of humanity, and cause attributes of mercy to be revealed in the human world and the life beyond.
This second call is founded upon the instructions and exhortations of the Lord and the admonitions and altruistic emotions belonging to the realm of morality which, like unto a brilliant light, brighten and illumine the lamp of the realities of mankind. Its penetrative power is the Word of God”.
In our world today, even though the health challenges make one to remember the spiritual aspects in life more frequently, however, materialistic values and standards often seem to be the dominating aspect.
Prosperity in its fullest sense
It is the Bahá’í view that, prosperity, in its fullest sense, can only be achieved through combination of spiritual and material well- being. It can be attained when material and spiritual civilization advance together. Humanity has well advanced in material aspects.
However, there is need to reinforce the material achievements with spiritual perfections, as stated in the following quotation from the Bahá’í Writings: “. . . until material achievements, physical accomplishments and human virtues are reinforced by spiritual perfections, luminous qualities and characteristics of mercy, no fruit or result shall issue therefrom, nor will the happiness of the world of humanity, which is the ultimate aim, be attained”.
We can develop our spiritual capacities through individual relationship with God. This relationship can be fostered through prayer, meditation, regular study of the Holy Writings, moral self-discipline, and service to humanity.
Acceptance of the teachings of the Messengers of God and obedience to the laws They reveal are the essential requirement for success in our spiritual development and growth. Cultivation of our spiritual side has many benefits: the individual develops more and more those qualities that lie at the foundation of human happiness and social progress.
Such qualities include faith, courage, love, compassion, trustworthiness and humility. As these qualities become increasingly manifest in individuals, society as a whole advances.
Link between the practical and spiritual aspects of life
There is an important link between the practical and spiritual aspects of life. The body is the instrument of the soul’s development in this earthly life, and as such physical health and development cannot be neglected.
On the other hand, our spiritual capacities and qualities, being part of the immortal soul, will eternally endure, while the body and its capacities will not.
Therefore proper and full development of our spiritual capacities should be the most worthwhile possible goal in our lives.
One can compare the body to a vehicle which is being used by the soul for its journey through earthly life.
As such it is important to cater for the needs of both the body (the vehicle) and the soul (the driver).
Material means are necessary for humanity to be able to pursue its spiritual and other goals, as long as we use our material means towards the primary goal in life, which is fostering our soul’s progress, and contributing towards the spiritual transformation of our societies.
“The fundamental spiritual truth of our age is the oneness of humanity”, states the Bahá’í International Community.
Belief in the oneness of humanity provides both a unifying vision and the foundation for a new system of values.
Only when we, as individuals, see ourselves as members of one human family, sharing one common global homeland, will we be able to commit ourselves to the far-reaching changes, on both individual and collective levels, which an interdependent and rapidly changing world necessitates.
The realisation of our hopes and dreams in the new year will, therefore, greatly depend on reinforcing our material achievements with spiritual perfections. We can each contribute towards harmony and peace on earth and towards building of a better world.
As the Bahá’í Writings state: “. . . only if material progress goes hand in hand with spirituality can any real progress come about, and the Most Great Peace reign in the world”.