Collective Consciousness & World Civilisation
Baha'is are encouraged to see, in the revolutionary changes taking place in every sphere of life, the interaction of two fundamental processes. One is destructive in nature, while the other is integrative; both serve to carry humanity, each in its own way, along the path leading towards its full maturity The operation of the former is everywhere apparent-in the vicissitudes that have afflicted institutions, in the inability of leaders at all levels to mend the fractures appearing in the structure of society, in the dismantling of social norms that have long held in check unseemly passions, and in the despondency and indifference exhibited not only by individuals but also by entire societies that have lost any vital sense of purpose. Though devastating in their effects, the forces of disintegration tend to sweep away barriers that block humanity's progress, opening space for the process of integration to draw diverse groups together and disclosing new opportunities or cooperation and collaboration. Baha'is, of course, strive to align themselves, individually and collectively with forces associated with the process of integration, which, they are confident, will continue to gain in strength, no matter how bleak the immediate horizons. Human affairs will be completely reorganised, and an era of universal peace inaugurated. This view underlies every endeavour pursued by the Baha'i community. It is vital to accept that the principle that is to infuse all facets of organised life on the planet is the oneness of humankind, the hallmark of the age of maturity That humanity constitutes a single people is a truth that, once viewed with scepticism, claims widespread acceptance today The rejection of deeply ingrained prejudices and a growing sense of world citizenship are among the signs of this heightened awareness. Yet, however promising the rise in collective consciousness may be, it should be seen as only the first step of a process that will take decades-nay, centuries-to unfold. Forth principle of the oneness of humankind, as proclaimed by Baha'u'llah, asks not merely for cooperation among people and nations. It calls for a complete reconceptualization of the relationships that sustain society. The deepeningenvironmentalcrisis, driven by a system that condones the pillage of natural resources to satisfy an insatiable thirst for more, suggests how entirely inadequate is the present conception of humanity's relationship with nature. Deterioration of the home environment, with the accompanying rise in the systematic exploitation of women and children worldwide, makes clear how pervasive are the misbegotten notions that define relations within the family unit; the persistence of despotism, on the one hand, and the increasing disregard for authority on the other, reveal how unsatisfactory to maturing humanity is the current relationship between the individual the institutions of society The concentration of material w in the hands of a minority of the woCpopulation gives an indication of fundamentally ill-conceived relationship’s are, among the many sectors what is now an emerging global comnity. The principle of the oneness of humankind implies, then, an organ change in the very structure of socieBaha'is do not believe the transformation thus envisioned will comb-out exclusively through their owe forts. Nor are they trying to creatmovement that would seek to impo:society their vision of the future. Enation and every group-indeed, individual-will, to a greater or lessdegree, contribute to theemergencworld civilisation towards which humanity is irresistibly moving.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are A Baha'i Vision views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: A Baha'i Vision and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Collective Consciousness & World Civilisation
Baha'is are encouraged to see, in the revolutionary changes taking place in every sphere of life, the interaction of two fundamental processes. One is destructive in nature, while the other is integrative; both serve to carry humanity, each in its own way, along the path leading towards its full maturity The operation of the former is everywhere apparent-in the vicissitudes that have afflicted institutions, in the inability of leaders at all levels to mend the fractures appearing in the structure of society, in the dismantling of social norms that have long held in check unseemly passions, and in the despondency and indifference exhibited not only by individuals but also by entire societies that have lost any vital sense of purpose. Though devastating in their effects, the forces of disintegration tend to sweep away barriers that block humanity's progress, opening space for the process of integration to draw diverse groups together and disclosing new opportunities or cooperation and collaboration. Baha'is, of course, strive to align themselves, individually and collectively with forces associated with the process of integration, which, they are confident, will continue to gain in strength, no matter how bleak the immediate horizons. Human affairs will be completely reorganised, and an era of universal peace inaugurated. This view underlies every endeavour pursued by the Baha'i community. It is vital to accept that the principle that is to infuse all facets of organised life on the planet is the oneness of humankind, the hallmark of the age of maturity That humanity constitutes a single people is a truth that, once viewed with scepticism, claims widespread acceptance today The rejection of deeply ingrained prejudices and a growing sense of world citizenship are among the signs of this heightened awareness. Yet, however promising the rise in collective consciousness may be, it should be seen as only the first step of a process that will take decades-nay, centuries-to unfold. Forth principle of the oneness of humankind, as proclaimed by Baha'u'llah, asks not merely for cooperation among people and nations. It calls for a complete reconceptualization of the relationships that sustain society. The deepeningenvironmentalcrisis, driven by a system that condones the pillage of natural resources to satisfy an insatiable thirst for more, suggests how entirely inadequate is the present conception of humanity's relationship with nature. Deterioration of the home environment, with the accompanying rise in the systematic exploitation of women and children worldwide, makes clear how pervasive are the misbegotten notions that define relations within the family unit; the persistence of despotism, on the one hand, and the increasing disregard for authority on the other, reveal how unsatisfactory to maturing humanity is the current relationship between the individual the institutions of society The concentration of material w in the hands of a minority of the woCpopulation gives an indication of fundamentally ill-conceived relationship’s are, among the many sectors what is now an emerging global comnity. The principle of the oneness of humankind implies, then, an organ change in the very structure of socieBaha'is do not believe the transformation thus envisioned will comb-out exclusively through their owe forts. Nor are they trying to creatmovement that would seek to impo:society their vision of the future. Enation and every group-indeed, individual-will, to a greater or lessdegree, contribute to theemergencworld civilisation towards which humanity is irresistibly moving.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are A Baha'i Vision views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: A Baha'i Vision and Speaking Tree,Times of India