Sermon-The soul: The final frontier

The human species has demonstrated its ability to conquer just about anything in the physical or material world. Our solar system is increasingly being probed and examined by scientists. The deepest depths of the ocean have had a human presence. There’s not a mountain that hasn’t been climbed. And a mechanism for world intercommunication and the dissemination of information (the internet) has been devised, reducing the world into a neighborhood. With each passing day, we gain mastery over the physical universe in which we live. Yet the realm of human experience that seems to lag behind is our self-discipline in mastering ourselves – i.e., our spiritual development in applying God’s primary purpose for our existence.

If we are going to fight and conquer the spiritual battles that lead to the development of our soul, we need a map to guide us on this journey – a map that tells us where we are and how we can get to the correct destination. And this map is religion – provided to us through the sacred writings – i.e., teachings that help us understand how to make choices that align with God’s purpose in creating us. In the Baha’i Faith, the map starts with some basic tenets. Here are nine fundamental principles of the Baha’i Faith: 1) the independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; 2) the oneness of the entire human race; 3) the basic unity of all religions; 4) the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; 5) harmony must exist between religion and science; 6) the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of humankind is able to soar; 7) the need for compulsory education; 8) the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; and 9)  the establishment of a permanent and universal peace. 

While the Baha’i Faith spells out the guidance in both tenets and also in hundreds of volumes of sacred writings (teachings), the fundamental spiritual principles of the Baha’i Faith can be found in the sacred writings of every religion. The map is, and has been, accessible for all humanity. Indeed, in respect to turning to the sacred writings of religion for embarking on the journey of spiritual development, Baha’u’llah, Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith indicated that the purpose of religion is “To effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself, both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions.”

Too often, in our daily struggles to survive, gain a living, and acquire a degree of comfort and security, our spiritual development gets squeezed out and put low on the priority list. We may have the map right in front of us, but taking the necessary steps to follow it and embark on a path toward inner personal transformation takes effort. However, if we want to make a positive difference in this world and, as the old adage says, “leave the campground better than the way we found it,” it stands to reason that world reform starts with personal reform. 

While the journey toward personal transformation takes effort and discipline, it is not hard. It is a matter making the right or best choices. The famous Greek philosopher, Aristotle, said, “Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act...”  Our ability to make a positive change in the world by transforming our characters is simply making those choices that will make today better than yesterday, and make tomorrow better than today. Indeed, developing our “soul” is a matter of striving to develop our own inner lives to a point where, day by day, our characters increasingly mirror the eternal spiritual teachings of God.   

Jacque and Kerry Hart

Baha’i Faith