Spiritual growth

Spiritual growth, or spiritual development, is the process of strengthening the powers of the soul, especially through the development of virtues, praiseworthy qualities of character, and other moral capacities. It is an active, purposeful and conscientious process that takes place when one chooses to live in accordance with the teachings of God. That choice requires one to learn about the teachings of God, to act, and to reflect on those actions and hold oneself accountable for them. This cyclical process of action, reflection and learning allows the soul to develop new and greater capacities that help it draw closer to God.

Spiritual growth and development is the responsibility of every individual. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says it is our "most vital duty" to purify our character, correct our manners and improve our conduct. He continues by saying "The purpose is that earthlings should turn into the people of Heaven, and those who walk in darkness should come into the light, and those who are excluded should join the inner circle of the Kingdom, and those who are as nothing should become intimates of the everlasting Glory.

Requisites for spiritual growth

A letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice summarized the primary requisites for spiritual growth as follows, based on the teachings expounded by Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá:

“

1. The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.
2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.
3. Prayerful meditation on the teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfil them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.
4. Striving every day to bring our behaviour more into accordance with the high standards that are set forth in the Teachings.
5. Teaching the Cause of God.
6. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession.

” — From a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Norway

Spiritual growth through tests

Bahá’u’lláh states that God will "never deal unjustly with any one, neither will He task a soul beyond its power. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful."

Essential characteristic of the physical world

“ Every believer needs to remember that an essential characteristic of this physical world is that we are constantly faced with trials, tribulations, hardships and sufferings and that by overcoming them we achieve our moral and spiritual development; that we must seek to accomplish in the future what we may have failed to do in the past; that this is the way God tests His servants and we should look upon every failure or shortcoming as an opportunity to try again and to acquire a fuller consciousness of the Divine Will and purpose. ” — The Universal House of Justice

Share of attention to tests

The House of Justice writing to an individual who had asked a question regarding masturbation stated:

“ You should remember, however, that it is only one of the many temptations and faults that a human being must strive to overcome during his lifetime, and you should not increase the difficulty you have by over-emphasising its importance. We suggest you try to see it within the whole spectrum of the qualities that a Bahá’í must develop in his character. Be vigilant against temptation, but do not allow it to claim too great a share of your attention. You should concentrate, rather, on the virtues that you should develop, the services you should strive to render, and, above all, on God and His attributes, and devote your energies to living a full Bahá’í life in all its many aspects. ”

Spiritual growth a daily task

“ Day by day may you receive these concepts; day by day may you inherit this new state of consciousness till you become immersed in the sea of divine light. This station is the ultimate result of human life; this station is the true fruit of existence; this station is the pearl of human consummation; the shining star toward which human destiny points. ” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá