World is becoming increasingly Visionless, Faithless, & Restless—A Bahá’i Response
---Dr. A. K. Merchant*
We all walk on this planet that sustains us without realizing that all the while the earth itself remains humble. Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’i Faith, reminds us: “Every man of discernment, while walking upon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed, inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing which is the source of his prosperity, his wealth, his might, his exaltation, his advancement and power is, as ordained by God, the very earth which is trodden beneath the feet of all men. There can be no doubt that whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory.” Elsewhere, even more categorically, “…ye walk on My earth complacent and self-satisfied, heedless that My earth is weary of you and everything within it shunneth you. Were ye but to open your eyes, ye would, in truth, prefer a myriad griefs unto this joy, and would count death itself better than this life.”
It is hard to be proud or arrogant, Bahá’u’lláh seems to say, if all people acknowledge that the mere dirt beneath our feet gives us everything we need to live and to thrive. So how, the Bahá’i teachings ask, can we aspire to that same level of humility and service, and achieve the harmony we so badly need between human society and the natural world? The Universal House of Justice, supreme governing council of the Bahá’i Faith, commented on the subject in the context of climate emergencies affecting humanity in a communication dated 29th November 2017 highlighting the above issue in a new way: “One of the most pressing problems of humanity in the current century is how a growing, rapidly developing, and not yet united global population can, in a just manner, live in harmony with the planet and its finite resources. Certain biological realities present themselves when an organism negatively affects or exceeds the capacity of its ecosystem. The limited availability and inequitable distribution of resources profoundly impact social relations within and between nations in many ways, even to the point of precipitating upheaval and war. And particular arrangements of human affairs can have devastating consequences for the environment. The question of the impact of climate change, and to what extent it is man-made and its effects can be ameliorated, is today a major aspect of this larger problem. The Revelation of Baha’u’llah directly and indirectly touches on a range of such concerns in a manner that speaks to a harmony between society and the natural world. It is essential, therefore, that Baha’is contribute to thought and action regarding such matters.”
“Living in harmony with the planet and its finite resources”, is a powerful goal. It defines one of the main principles of the Bahá’i Faith: “For Bahá’ís the goal of existence is to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. Such a civilization can only be built on an earth that can sustain itself. The Bahá’i commitment to the environment is fundamental for all its followers.” However, given the grave, multi-pronged crises, how should people respond? How do we create a society that harmonizes with the natural world, rather than one that pollutes, fouls and destroys it?
How shall we remedy the pathetic conditions that affect vast multitudes everywhere? Once again, let me share what the Bahá’i Writings suggest, primarily focussed on spiritualizing one’s inner life: “Breathe ye into the world’s worn and wasted body the fresh breath of life, and in the furrows of every region sow ye holy seed … In the meeting place of life be ye a guiding candle; in the skies of this world be dazzling stars; in the gardens of unity be birds of the spirit, singing of inner truths and mysteries.”
Next important thing is to recognize the connection between the inner human reality—and begin to understand how that spiritual condition all experience has a tremendous effect and influence on the world’s outer conditions: “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 moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.”
The third point would be to do everything possible to bring about world unity, the foundational requirement of all global efforts to truly save our planet’s environment: “Until such time as the nations of the world understand and follow the admonitions of Bahá’u’lláh to whole-heartedly work together in looking after the best interests of all humankind, and unite in the search for ways and means to meet the many environmental problems besetting our planet, little progress will be made towards their solution ….”
The growing social and political unrest coupled with economic disruptions led by military conflicts and trade wars whether in Europe, the Middle-East, other parts of the globe, including India, have not resulted in an awakening and good sense especially among those who are at the helm of power and decision-making. Rather, it appears that more destruction and devastation must needs convulse the nations, stir the conscience of the world, further disillusion the masses to precipitate a radical change in the very conception of society, to coalesce ultimately the disjointed and shattered limbs of humankind into one whole, organically united. For, as Bahá’u’lláh wrote to the rulers and leaders of the world of His time: “This handful of dust, the earth, is one home. Let it be in unity. Forsake pride: it is a cause of discord. Follow that which leads to harmony.”
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*The writer is a social worker, independent researcher, & member of the Bahá’i Community of India.