LETTER: The realization of our aspirations for 2021

We just started 2021 with new hopes and aspirations. Let us mark this new year with new thoughts and resolutions for the betterment of our communities, for the betterment of the world.

The realisation of our aspirations will greatly depend on reinforcing our material achievements with spiritual perfections. Therefore, the same way as we seek to renew and transform our material surroundings, let us also focus on the development of our spiritual capacities in the new year.

It is the Bahá’í view that, spiritual transformation is the basis for lasting improvements in our lives and central in our approach to social change.

In one of its statements, the Bahá’í international community asserts: “The profound and far-reaching changes, the unity and unprecedented cooperation, will only be possible by touching the human spirit, by appealing to those universal values which alone can empower individuals and people to act in accordance with the long-term interests of the planet and humanity as a whole. Once tapped, this powerful and dynamic source of individual and collective motivation will release such a profound and salutary spirit among the peoples of the earth that no power will be able to resist its unifying force”.

The practical and spiritual aspects of our lives are closely linked. The body is the instrument of the soul’s development in this earthly life, and as such physical health and development cannot be neglected. Material means are essential 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 betterment of our communities.

The spiritual principles that lie at the heart of religion – such as love, justice, tolerance, compassion, humility, sacrifice, trustworthiness, dedication to the well-being of others, and unity – are the foundations of progressive and peaceful communities.

Our current global challenges are complex and interdependent and none of them can be fully addressed without cooperation and coordination at all levels of society. Maintaining peace, and avoiding major conflicts on our planet remain as our main concerns of today. In the Bahá’í view, “the unification of the human race …is the overriding challenge of the present stage of history and the basic prerequisite for the solution of most social problems”.

“Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue; for the latter hath no importance, as the majority of men are, in speech, well-wishers, while action is the best”, state the Bahá’í writings.

The realisation of our aspirations in the new year will, therefore, greatly depend on reinforcing our material achievements with spiritual perfections, our cooperation and unity as, members of one human family.

For feedback please contact: tshwane@bahai.org.za; or call 083-794-0819, or visit www.bahai.org, www.bahai.org.za.