What we’ll be covering

A Baha’i approach to work

Choosing and mapping a career

Baha’i principles at work

Furthering the Faith

In most of contemporary thinking, the concept of work has been

largely reduced to that of gainful employment aimed at acquiring the means for the consumption of available goods. The system is circular: acquisition and consumption resulting in the maintenance and expansion of the production of goods and, in consequence, in supporting paid employment. Taken individually, all of these activities are essential to the well-being of society. The inadequacy of the overall conception, however, can be read in both the apathy that social commentators discern among large numbers of the employed in every land and the demoralization of the growing armies of the unemployed.

Not surprisingly, therefore, there is increasing recognition that the world is in urgent need of a new ‘work ethic’.

The Prosperity Of Humankind, A statement prepared by the

Bahá'í International Community's Office of Public Information.

What’s the point of working?

Earn a living?

Lots of Money?

Power and fame?

Pursue a craft?

To do a good job?

To provide a service?

Contribute to society?

Earn a Living

O MY SERVANT!

The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their

calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred

for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds.

The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh

Lots of MoneyI desire distinction for you. The Bahá'ís must be distinguished from others of

humanity. But this distinction must not depend upon wealth — that they should

become more affluent than other people. I do not desire for you financial

distinction. It is not an ordinary distinction I desire; not scientific, commercial,

industrial distinction.

For you I desire spiritual distinction — that is, you must become eminent and

distinguished in morals. In the love of God you must become distinguished from

all else. You must become distinguished for loving humanity, for unity and

accord, for love and justice. In brief, you must become distinguished in all the

virtues of the human world — for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice and

fidelity, for firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to

the human world, for love toward every human being, for unity and accord with

all people, for removing prejudices and promoting international peace…'Abdu'l-Bahá, "The Promulgation of Universal Peace"

Lots of MoneyWealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is acquired by an individual's own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, art and industry, and if it be expended for philanthropic purposes. Above all, if a judicious and resourceful individual should initiate measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people, there could be no undertaking greater than this, and it would rank in the sight of God as the supreme achievement, for such a benefactor would supply the needs and insure the comfort and well-being of a great multitude.

Wealth is most commendable, provided the entire population is wealthy. If, however, a few have inordinate riches while the rest are impoverished, and no fruit or benefit accrues from that wealth, then it is only a liability to its possessor. If, on the other hand, it is expended for the promotion of knowledge, the founding of elementary and other schools, the encouragement of art and industry, the training of orphans and the poor - in brief, if it is dedicated to the welfare of society - its possessor will stand out before God and man as the most excellent of stand out before God and man as the most excellent of all who live on earth and will be accounted as one of the people of paradise.

`Abdu'l-Baha: Secret of Divine Civilization

Power and Fame

Indeed, man is noble, inasmuch as each one is a repository of the sign of God. Nevertheless, to regard oneself as superior in knowledge, learning or virtue, or to exalt oneself or seek preference, is a grievous transgression.

Baha'u'llah --quoted in Messages of the Universal House of Justice p.376

Encourage the children from their earliest years to master every kind of learning, and make them eager to become skilled in every art — the aim being that through the favouring grace of God, the heart of each one may become even as a mirror disclosing the secrets of the universe, penetrating the innermost reality of all things; and that each may earn world-wide fame in all branches of knowledge, science and the arts.

Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet-translated from the Persian

Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation. Baha'u'llah -- Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Money, Power and Fame

"Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not

in the pageantry of wealth and riches... Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your personal interest.”

Tablet of Wisdom - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

Pursue a Craft

It behoveth the craftsmen of the world at each moment to offer a thousand tokens of gratitude at the Sacred Threshold, and to exert their highest endeavour and diligently pursue their professions so that their efforts may produce that which will manifest the greatest beauty and perfection before the eyes of all men.

Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá

To do a good job

In the Bahá'í Cause arts, sciences and all

crafts are counted as worship. The man

who makes a piece of notepaper to

the best of his ability, conscientiously,

concentrating all his forces on

perfecting it, is giving praise to God.

`Abdu'l-Bahá – Paris Talks

To provide a service

Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer.

A physician ministering to the sick, gently, tenderly, free from prejudice and believing in the solidarity of the human race, is giving praise.

`Abdu'l-Bahá – Paris Talks

Contribute to Society

All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Central to your role in the present day is to give new vigor to the concept of service – being devoted to high ideals far removed from purely selfish interests, oriented to advancement of society, and committed to the welfare of humanity

Message from the Universal House of Justice

A coherent life

• Baha’i life, Social life, Work life …

• How can we keep these coherent?

• Average person will change career several times and change path within careers as well

A coherent career

• Does it incorporate your values?

• Does it give you flexibility for activities?

• Can it further the Faith?

• Can you bring a unique perspective as a Baha’i?

• Does it benefit mankind? Is it worth doing?

Incorporating Values

• What kinds of careers might inherently incorporate Baha’i values?

• What if your career doesn’t seem to naturally incorporate Baha’i values?

Baha’i activity

• Can a job help you participate in other Baha’i activities?• Work hours

• Time off

• Location

Can it further the Faith?

• Professional skills

• Contacts

• Leadership

• Resources

A Unique PerspectiveThere are spiritual principles, or what some call human values, by which solutions can be found for every social problem. Any well-intentioned group can in a general sense devise practical solutions to its problems, but good intentions and practical knowledge are usually not enough. The essential merit of spiritual principle is that it not only presents a perspective which harmonizes with that which is immanent in human nature, it also induces an attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration, which facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical measures.

The Promise of World Peace – Universal House of Justice

Benefitting Mankind

Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind.

Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá

Applying Baha’i Principles

• Pertinent Principles and Tests

• Office life

• Choices and situations

• Conduct

• Excellence

• Priority

• Training and Mentoring

• Wages and Salaries

Pertinent Principles

• No prejudice

• Truthfulness and Honesty

• Kindness

• Unity

• No backbiting and gossip

• Justice

• Non-involvement in partisan politics

• Use of the arts and media

• … LOTS!

On Tests and Trials

We must always look ahead and seek to accomplish in the future what we may have failed to do in the past. Failures, tests, and trials, if we use them correctly, can become the means of purifying our spirit, strengthening our characters, and enable us to rise to greater heights of service.From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi-- Lights of Guidance p.601

Office Life

• Gossip

• Cliques and groups

• Peer Pressure

• Backroom decisions and office politics

Choices and Situations

• Common but dishonest Business Practices

• Work that doesn’t agree with your beliefs

• Choosing on social value not just financial gain

Choices and Situations

Commerce is as a heaven, whose sun is trustworthiness and whose moon is truthfulness. The most precious of all things in the estimation of Him Who is the Sovereign Truth is trustworthiness: thus hath it been recorded in the sacred Scroll of God. Entreat ye the one true God to enable all mankind to attain to this most noble and lofty station.

Bahá'u'lláh, From a Tablet - translated from the Persian and Arabic

Choices and Situations

"I who am your example have been a merchant by profession. It behoves you in all your transactions to follow in My way. You must neither defraud your neighbour nor allow him to defraud you. Such was the way of your Master. The shrewdest and ablest of men were unable to deceive Him, nor did He on His part choose to act ungenerously towards the meanest and most helpless of creatures."

the Báb cited in The Dawn-Breakers: Nabil's Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá'í Revelation

Conduct

Say: Beware, O people of Bahá, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds. Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments. Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct.

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

Conduct

Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with ever-increasing potency ... in the business dealings of all its members, in their domestic lives, in all manner of employment, and in any service they may, in the future, render their government or people.Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice

Conduct Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad (known as the Báb) joined in business with His

uncle when He was 15 years old, and shortly after moved to the port town of Búshihr. At a very early age, He took over the complete management of the trading-house in Búshihr.

His scrupulous attention to detail and His undeviating fairness in transactions became widely known in the region. Once, a man who sold some goods to Him was astonished to find, when he received his money, that it was more than could be obtained at current prices. The man wanted to return part of the money. But the Báb told him that it was only fair and just that he should be given that amount, because his goods would bring in exactly that much if they had been offered for sale when the market was at its best.

  Adapted from The Báb by H.M. Balyuzi

Excellence

Exert every effort to acquire the various branches of knowledge and true understanding. Strain every nerve to achieve both material and spiritual accomplishments.

'Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet-translated from the Persian

As for what the Supreme Pen hath previously set down, the reason is that in every art and skill, God loveth the highest perfection.

Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations

PriorityOne of the most important instructions of Bahá’u’lláh in regard to the economic question is that all must engage in useful work. There must be no drones in the social hive, no able-bodied parasites on society. He says:—

It is enjoined on every one of you to engage in some occupation—some art, trade or the like. We have made this—your occupation—identical with the worship of God, the True One. Reflect, O people, upon the Mercy of God and upon His Favors, then thank Him in the mornings and evenings…

…How much of the energy employed in the business world of today is expended simply in canceling and neutralizing the efforts of other people—in useless strife and competition! And how much in ways that are still more injurious! Were all to work, and were all work, whether of brain or hand, of a nature profitable to mankind, as Bahá’u’lláh commands, then the supplies of everything necessary for a healthy, comfortable and noble life would amply suffice for all. There need be no slums, no starvation, no destitution, no industrial slavery, no health-destroying drudgery.

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era by J. E. Esslemont

Training and Mentoring

It is not desirable that a man be left without knowledge or skills, for he is then but a barren tree. Then, so much as capacity and capability allow, ye needs must deck the tree of being with fruits such as knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech.

Bahá’u’lláh

Wages and SalariesShoghi Effendi elucidates the distributive implications of this teaching, writing that "wages should

be unequal…and [men] should receive wages that correspond to their varying capacities and

resources.”

The Bahá'í system does not, to use economic jargon, sever the wage-productivity link. Neo-

classical theories of distribution emphasize that efficiency, and thus welfare, is maximized when

wages are equated with the marginal productivity of labour. That is, a wage earner should be paid

an amount equal to the additional contribution he will make to an enterprise. Therefore, wages in

the Bahá'í system are earned.

… The severing of the ties between productivity and labour generally occur because the market

does not embody complete and perfect information, or simply because people deliberately usurp

its functioning. Put simply, there are many examples of exploitation in the world; whether it is a

senior executive exploiting corporate shareholders or a local landowner exploiting peasants. To

refer to the passage quoted above: "When we see poverty allowed to reach a condition of

starvation it is a sure sign that somewhere we shall find tyranny."

The Bahá'í Faith and economics: a review and synthesis by Bryan Graham

Furthering the Faith

• Organizational Skills

• Professional Skills

• Using Business as a Vehicle

• Using Contacts and Networks

Furthering the FaithIn some instances Bahá’ís of a particular profession have come together in special conferences or organized themselves into an association for this purpose. This also allows them to support one another as Bahá’ís and to take advantage of their professional status to promote the interests of the Faith. Current examples of professional associations of this type are the Bahá’í Justice Society and the Bahá’í Medical Association, both in the United States. Special encouragement should therefore be given to believers of unusual capacity to consecrate their abilities to the service of the Cause through the unique contribution they can make to this rapidly developing field of Bahá’í endeavour.

18 April 1989 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly

Organizational Skills

The eagerness of the friends to serve, often carries them away, and they forget that a sound sense of business management is also much needed, if we are to harbour our resources and accomplish all our goals.Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance

Organizational Skills

High aims and pure motives, however laudable in themselves, will surely not suffice if unsupported by measures that are practicable and methods that are sound. Wealth of sentiment, abundance of goodwill and effort, will prove of little avail if we should fail to exercise discrimination and restraint and neglect to direct their flow along the most profitable channels. Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration

Professional Skills

• How could you use the skills you develop

as a professional to help the Faith? • Organizational skills

• Financial skills

• Media skills

• Craftsmanship

• Event organization

• …

Professional Skills

…the Cause needs now, and will ever

increasingly need, souls of great ability who can bring it before the public at large, administer its ever-growing affairs, and contribute to its advancement in every field.

Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny

Business as a Vehicle

• Provides flexibility

• Using resources to drive projects / services in line with the Faith’s goals

Contacts and Networks

• Media contacts

• Contacts for use on projects

• General networking

The End!