If we Bahá’ís cannot attain to cordial unity among ourselves, then we fail to realize the main purpose for which the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and the Beloved Master lived and suffered. In order to achieve this cordial unity one of the first essentials insisted on by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is that we resist the natural tendency to let our attention dwell on the faults and failings of others rather than on our own. (From a letter dated 12 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, in Living the Life, pp. 5–7)
How much disunity exists in our Bahá’í communities, because we haven’t yet learned how to attain cordial unity among ourselves? My hunch is a lot, especially since a lot of people are opting out of participating in the core activities. Instead of just accepting this reality, I can dig a little deeper.
I love it when a quote tells me a problem and immediately gives a solution! In this case, unity is not just a nice concept we can all agree on (Bahá’u’lláh came to bring unity to the world), but it gives me something practical I can do: stop dwelling on the faults and failings of other rather than my own, and remember the main purpose for which the Bab, Bahá’u’lláh and `Abdu’l-Bahá lived and suffered. Sometimes easier said than done, particularly in a culture that values gossip and fault-finding.
We’re told our greatest tests will come from other Bahá’ís and really, these tests are a gift, not something to fear or become frustrated and judgmental. With every test comes an opportunity to grow spiritually, to grow closer to God and to attain the virtues we’ll need in the next world. Instead of focusing on the faults and failings of others, I could welcome and embrace the awareness it gives, knowing that this finger-pointing can act as a mirror for my own growth.
Turning my attention to the crises and victories that came to the lives of the Central Figures, I can learn to adjust my own behavior and I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read through today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Letting Go of Criticizing Others
What does cordial unity mean? Thank and thank you so again and again for assisting me in my dawn meditation. It’s priceless . With deepest love and gratitude . Nooshi
Great question Nooshi!
So often we take the words of the Writings for granted, and I always love when someone asks what they really mean. I don’t know of course. Bahau’llah has told us that every one of his words has 70+1 meanings, so what I suggest is just one of them and I’d love to get a discussion going to see what other people think.
I looked up cordial in the dictionary, and found it means:
• courteous and gracious
• warm
• invigorating the heart
• sincere
• heartfelt
Synonyms include:
• Pleasant
• Affectionate
• Friendly
Unity means:
• being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole
• oneness of mind, feeling
Synonyms include:
• Agreement
• Harmony
• Bond
So perhaps cordial unity could best be described as
• Friendly or sincere agreement
• Affectionate or courteous bonds
What do others think?
When I think about it some more, I wonder if my conceptions about unity are over-reaching. I guess I thought that unity is when we all get along with love – but this seems to suggest it’s more that we get along with kindness. I can be kind to someone without having them as my best friend.
What do others think?
Thank you for a wonderfully timely post.
The times we live in cry out in our desperate need for unity. So it looks like a great time to think about what “unity” means and pair that up with “unity in diversity”. How can I reflect that unity in love for each individual that crosses my path?
And when I think of the faults of others, am I seeing them with the eyes of love? Have I been truthful with myself about that? Have I been truthful with myself about recognizing my own faults?
The Master’s term “cordial unity” brings a sweetness that touches my heart.
It reminds me of the oneness of humanity, Kathy. When I remember we’re all one, we’re already in unity, and being kind to someone else is just like being kind to myself. If I can’t be kind to myself first, though, I can’t be kind to others.
Dearest Susan, my understanding of the word cordial is also what you have just mentioned . I think we can’t like everyone, but we can send them our love and prayers and wish them well . Besides, some people might not like us . We can’t impose ourselves, but we can wish them well . To be united with people, to me , does not necessarily mean spending time with them . Thank you so much dear for sharing your insightful thoughts . With deepest love ❤️ . Nooshi
Yes, that makes total sense, Nooshi! This reminds me of the analogy of the house which someone told me recently. A house is in perfect unity (or it wouldn’t stand), yet the basement never talks to the roof, and the windows don’t talk to the doors. So we can love everyone in our community from a distance. To be in unity doesn’t mean we have to be best friends with everyone. I really love the word “cordial” in front of unity. It changes everything I thought I knew about being united.