We know where the world is right now-on the precipice. So, why not try peace? How does the world do that? If negative principles of greed, fear, hatred are not working why not try the positive principles of justice, oneness, love, in other words, moral and ethical principles. The most important of these principles is the oneness of humanity with all its wondrous diversity.
Bahá’u’lláh has proclaimed to the world the solidarity of nations and the oneness of humanity. Addressing all mankind He has said, “Ye are all leaves of one tree and the drops of one sea.” The world of humanity has been expressed by Him as a unit—as one family”. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá-Promulgation of Universal Peace
Spiritual education is defined as the process that states that “…while man possesses powers in common with the animal, he is distinguished from the animal by intellectual attainment, spiritual perception, the acquisition of virtues, such as… “trustworthiness, truthfulness, rectitude of conduct, forbearance, love, and unity are among the spiritual qualities that form the basis of association between the protagonists of a new way of life, while efforts for social advancement are all shaped by Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of the oneness of humanity. Universal House of Justice-Nov.2023
Bahá’u’lláh’ wrote of spiritual education as it applied to the following spiritual principles “O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation”.
“..the primary challenge in dealing with issues of peace is to raise the context to the level of principle, as distinct from pure pragmatism. For, in essence, peace stems from an inner state supported by a spiritual or moral attitude. There 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…” Universal House of Justice..1985
The potential is immanent in every human. Baha’u’lláh wrote: “Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess…. The Great Being saith: 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.”
The benefit is peace, why not give it a try?