The nature of man is 3-fold, physical, mental and spiritual. Over or under-development of any of the three creates an imbalance and subsequent imperfect whole. The physical infant, totally unaware of this reality, is therefore controlled entirely by natural (animal) instincts that it gradually learns to control with maturation. The same applies to the spiritual infant, both captive to natural instincts, controlled only by innate fear until mature enough to understand to some degree, love-–the supreme governor of a spiritualized mature mankind (i.e. the universe)!
As the physical infant matures it becomes aware of progressive love – of parent, self, friends, mates and hopefully (at some point in between) of its Creator, depending upon culture, tradition and environment.
In today’s super modern society of unbridled freedoms–for most who are unprepared for it–the need for spiritualizing habits at earliest age becomes more apparent throughout society. This holds absolute sway over how our fledging love is directed, or misdirected. The fires of love of self, country and of material things are being perpetually fanned to keep us vulnerable and easily manipulated, whether seasonally to feed the economy, politically, or through other sensitive measures that keep us divided. How else can so few historically hold such control of the masses, regardless of the short or long term detriment?
We are taught from infancy as well as through physical reactions that we must nourish the physical body if it is to survive. Yet mere knowledge of this fact is insufficient. Not until such knowledge is acted upon does it become a reality.
Each year between sunset on April 20 and sunset April 21, Baha’i communities gather to conduct their Annual Meeting during which election of a Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA) is held in each locality consisting of nine or more members within any political subdivision. These Spiritual Assemblies serve as the governing body through which all administrative affairs of the Faith are handled.
Of particular note is the electoral process as outlined for the National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) -– in Wilmette, IL in the United States, as well as at the Universal House of Justice (UHJ) on the side of Mt. Carmel in Haifa, Israel. All the complicated affairs of the Faith throughout the world are handled through these three institutions of nine elected members each–through no campaigning on any level, no discussion of names and no monetary compensation upon being elected on any of the 3 levels! The results derive strictly from prayer only, preceding each election with no discussion of names–and the results are amazing (the embryonic electoral system of World Peace with no single individual within the entire system holding any individual rank or title! All decisions are made through consultation after prayer, ascertaining the facts, then studying the Baha’i Writings pertaining to them followed by frank and loving discussion.
Few can deny that the present system is lamentably flawed at this new maturity of mankind. In this new Day it is becoming uncommonly clear that “All things must be made new as in Springtime. Until material civilization becomes combined with Divine civilization, the fact that the desired results, which is the falicity of mankind, will never be attained through any present day political system, is fast becoming a new reality. (Investigate! 1-800-22unite)
