We often reflect on the purpose of our life, and wonder how one can achieve a full, happy and purposeful existence. A fulfilling and purposeful life, in the Bahá’í view, would have two aspects X our individual and intellectual, moral and spiritual development, and our contribution towards the betterment of our communities.
Furthermore, there is a connection between an individual’s sense of a purpose and an understanding that this earthly life is a small part of one that is eternal.
Through realising that the life beyond is a spiritual one, we become aware of the need to prepare ourselves spiritually, while we live in this physical world.
To have a vision of possibilities inherent in our soul helps us to shape our sense of purpose. Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, compares human beings to a mine containing many hidden jewels, waiting to be discovered.
He says: “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
Therefore, the purpose of education should be to enhance the potential capacities we all inherently have. It should facilitate our moral and spiritual empowerment, as well as our intellectual development. We develop our potential for our own empowerment and to help our communities to advance.
An important purpose of life is to contribute to the advancement of world civilisation – as Bahá’u’lláh says: “All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilisation.”
This implies progressing both materially and spiritually, together and simultaneously, since the two are complementary. It also implies that the processes of individual progress and social advancement, of promoting universal standards and fostering cultural diversity must be harmonised.
The statement from the Bahá’í Writings that all people “have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilisation,” implies that every person has both the right and the responsibility to contribute to this important enterprise of which goal is nothing less than the peace, prosperity and unity of humanity.
Bahá’u’lláh says that civilisation has evolved to the point where unity of mankind has become of paramount necessity. Therefore, it should be an important goal or purpose in our lives to work for unity for humanity, upon which depends our well-being, peace, and security.
As Bahá’u’lláh says: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
Furthermore, it is in relation to our Creator, the Almighty God, and the purpose which God has fixed for his creatures, that human existence has a meaning.
The purpose of our lives, according to the Bahá’í Writings, is to know God and to worship him, in addition to carrying forward an ever-advancing civilisation.
Knowledge and worship of God lead us to the love of God; love of God in turn leads us to obedience to His commandments and service in His path.
) Flora Teckie
is a professional architect
, a Bahá’í Faith follower,
and spiritual columnist.
