What makes Bahá’í consultation different from other types of group decision-making is its spiritual dimension. People involved in the Bahá’í consultative process require certain spiritual prerequisites and conditions. Such requirements are defined in a Tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Prime Prerequisites for Baha'i Consultation As previously mentioned, Bahá’í consultation is a spiritual process. This requires that those who consult possess specific spiritual qualities. These have been referred to by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the prime prerequisites for those that consult and include:   Purity of motive ..read more

Need for Education Every human being is born with predestined potentials and capacities. Education is the only means to discover and develop such capacities. Without education, all the predestined capacities remain unattained. Bahá’u’lláh describes man as a mine and that the capacities latent in man as valuable gems hidden in this mine. These gems can be obtained only from the mine through Education: Divine Education ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes the three realities of man as—physical, intellectual and spiritual:     Every reality of man needs education to unravel its capacities. Humanit ..read more

‘Abdu’l-Bahá provides some spiritual laws for the participants in consultation in a Tablet [1]:   This is the process of establishing facts and developing a better understanding of the problem. Consultation is not about imposing one’s opinion on others but it is the process of finding the truth with full openness and frankness. Insisting on one’s opinion will not only cause disunity and conflict but will prevent the truth from being revealed.     While the participants in the consultative process are expected to express their views “with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity ..read more

A compilation from the Baha'i writings on the virtue of courtesy to be used as a Baha'i Feast devotional program. The Baha'i faith emphasizes finding a balanced middle ground in all things, as reflected in their quotes on moderation. 1. The Great Being saith: Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets. B ..read more

Consultation is in essence the synergy of the views expressed by the members of a group of people on a specific topic. In consultation, the members of the group describe their concerns and understanding of the topic under discussion. Through a mysterious process, the shining spark of truth emerges from the clash of opinions until consultation reaches a conclusion. The outcome of true consultation may not closely resemble any of the opinions expressed by the members during consultation but rather reflect the strength of all the members.   The views expressed by the members can be comple ..read more

The Baha'i faith emphasizes finding a balanced middle ground in all things, as reflected in their quotes on moderation. 1. The Great Being saith: Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets. Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 2. Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limit ..read more

A compilation from the Baha'i writings on the virtue of courtesy to be used as a Baha'i Feast devotional program. The Baha'i faith emphasizes the importance of courtesy as a cornerstone of respectful and harmonious relationships. Here's a selection of quotes from the Baha'i writings on the virtue of courtesy: 1.O people of God! I admonish you to observe courtesy, for above all else it is the prince of virtues. Well is it with him who is illumined with the light of courtesy and is attired with the vesture of uprightness. Whoso is endued with courtesy hath indeed attained a sublime station ..read more

Virtue of courtesy The Baha'i faith emphasizes the importance of courtesy as a cornerstone of respectful and harmonious relationships. Here's a selection of quotes from the Baha'i writings on the virtue of courtesy: 1.O people of God! I admonish you to observe courtesy, for above all else it is the prince of virtues. Well is it with him who is illumined with the light of courtesy and is attired with the vesture of uprightness. Whoso is endued with courtesy hath indeed attained a sublime station. It is hoped that this Wronged One and everyone else may be enabled to acquire it, hold fast unto ..read more

No individual in the Bahá’í Faith has the authority to make decisions for others. Spiritual Assemblies have the authority to make decisions for their communities. A decision is reached through the spiritual process of Bahá’í consultation. Consultation, if carried out according to the principles laid down in the Faith, is a spiritual process used to arrive at the truth of a matter and to make correct decisions regarding what actions to take. Consultation has been given a great deal of importance and significance in the Faith.   Bahá’u’lláh has emphatically stated: In the same Tablet, ju ..read more

A Holistic Approach to Well-being The Bahá’í International Community is pleased that women’s health was identified as a critical area of concern in the Beijing Platform for Action and that the Commission on the Status of Women is focusing global attention on this vital issue. The Bahá’í International Community, which actively collaborates with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNIFEM, and other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on promoting women’s health, participated most recently in the Expert Group Meeting on Women and Health: Mainstreaming the Gender Perspective ..read more