“May [your] actions serve as a reminder to a beleaguered and weary humanity of its high destiny and its inherent nobility.”—The Universal House of Justice, from a message dated 28 December 2010
Many of the structures that support our community and societal health are deteriorating, while at the same time, new structures and movements are rising up, to transcend patterns of corruption and division to grow something healthier. In turbulent times for people and the earth, how can we find a sense of purpose and an inspiring vision that will unite humanity?
See the nobility in all people
“O Son of Spirit! Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.”—Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words
To be noble is to have honorable moral qualities in conduct and character. When we talk of ‘inherent nobility’ this means seeing people as having innate worth, dignity, and greatness… whether visible in their current conduct or existing as dormant potential that can be called forth.
When we are influenced by prejudice, distrust, apathy or desire to control others, our ability to honor the inherent human dignity of every person gets clouded. How do we see beyond this to the innate goodness of each person and align how we treat each other with that?
“Persevere, therefore, with diligence and steadfastness along this path of endeavour. As you do so, strive to perceive the nobility in every human being—rich or poor, man or woman, old or young, city dweller or villager, worker or employer, irrespective of ethnicity or religion.”—The Universal House of Justice, from a message dated 28 July 2008
One view is that society is that society’s resources are scarce and humans have to compete with each other. The patterns of ‘in groups’ and ‘out groups’ stir up bias and prejudice. We identify so much with our group and we ignore or diminish the needs of other groups. Another view is that humans are all one, that our true identity is not our group, but the spirit.
Recognizing Our Own Nobility
When we see through the eyes of each person being noble, it challenges the internalized notion that we are not enough and challenges those who hold a view of superiority to widen their lens to see others more fully. We can make this a habit.
“It is possible to so adjust one’s self to the practice of nobility that its atmosphere surrounds and colours all our acts. When these acts are habitually and conscientiously adjusted to noble standards with no thought of the words that might herald them then nobility becomes the accent of life. At such a degree of evolution one scarcely needs to try to be good any longer; all our deeds are the distinctive expression of nobility.”—Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West
