Spirituality

Some believe it should be defined as a religious construct while others feel it is related to an individual’s personal orientation about the world and their relationship with others without any metaphysical dimension.

The writings teach that “Man is in reality a spiritual being…” and this spiritual nature is rooted in the soul. Therefore, the essential purpose of man’s life extends beyond physical and intellectual development. In fact, those capacities are a means to something greater and more enduring—a progressively greater attraction or “love” for God and certitude with regards to His counsels and commandments. In the Bahá’í view, developing this connection is synonymous with spiritual progress or “spirituality.”

This process of spiritual development is by no means random. It requires purposeful intent to live one’s life according to a method that is not defined by science but, rather, a prescription revealed in the teachings of divine religion. This also requires an understanding of the soul’s nature and purpose within the context of human existence. The most fundamental role of religion, in its purest sense, is to define this purpose and provide us with a blueprint for the soul’s development. Our responsibility is to understand, accept, and purposefully follow that blueprint.

Bahá’u’lláh teaches that it the soul is a “mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel.” However, the Bahá’í writings—often through analogies—provide us with glimpses of some of its characteristics. This allows us to better understand how the way we live our lives can hinder or advance us spiritually. Throughout history, the progressive revelation of God’s will to man though religion has provided mankind with the spiritual guidance necessary for individual and collective spiritual progress.

The fundamental purpose of fasting, then, is to nurture us spiritually. Studying the writings provides us with a framework or paradigm to better understand the mystical nature of our spirituality. Following the counsels outlined in the writings regarding fasting will allow us to enjoy the spiritual benefits that each of us are meant to derive from this practice.