It is evident that although education improves the morals of mankind, confers the advantages of civilization and elevates man from lowest degrees to the station of sublimity, there is nevertheless a difference in the intrinsic or natal capacity of individuals. Ten children of the same age, with equal station of birth, taught in the same school, partaking of the same food, in all respects subject to the same environment, their interests equal and in common, will evidence separate and distinct degrees of capability and advancement; some exceedingly intelligent and progressive, some of mediocre ability, others limited and incapable. One may become a learned professor while another under the same course of education proves dull and stupid. From all standpoints the opportunities have been equal but the results and outcomes vary from the highest to lowest degree of advancement. It is evident therefore that mankind differs in natal capacity and intrinsic intellectual endowment. Nevertheless although capacities are not the same, every member of the human race is capable of education.
~ Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 55
As an educator I can tell you that different children have different skills, talents and abilities. No matter what their upbringing, previous training, or experience, it seems that some children have a different capacity for learning some material and therefore excelling in activities that take advantage of those abilities. Perhaps this is an effect of their differing interests, but still… have different interest despite having the same treatment. God’s will in the development and maturation of a child fascinates me and is largely responsible for my own choice in profession and has guided my life.
TeacherJay Foundations of World Unity abilities, children, education, human capacity, independent investigation of truth, morals
Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him. Unless he teacheth his own self, the words of his mouth will not influence the heart of the seeker. Take heed, O people, lest ye be of them that give good counsel to others but forget to follow it themselves
~ Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 277
Baha’is use the term teach to refer to any time we are letting someone know about the Faith, whether it be through our words or our actions. Before teaching others though, it is important that we first teach ourselves what having faith, and devotion to leading a spiritual life is all about. For if we fail to do so, we can cause more harm than good by providing a poor example. We likely have all seen false prophets and those who would follow a “do as I say, not as I do” approach to spiritual teachings. It is my hope that Baha’is will take the high ground and become living examples of the spiritual teachings of Baha’u’llah.
TeacherJay Gleanings faith, morals
It is not just by means of morality and religious observances, not by great learning nor by attainments in meditation, nor by living alone, nor by thinking,"I am enjoying a spiritual happiness which ordinary people do not know" that a bhikkhu* achieves peace if he has not achieved the elimination of inflowing thoughts.
~ Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards)
I imagine those “inflowing thoughts” to be the temptations and desires of this world. The Baha’is are instructed to resist the desires of materialism and placing the accumulation of things above service to others and to God. But, in this Buddhist text we see that no matter what else we do in our efforts to become closer to God, such as adherence to observances, prayer and meditation will mean nothing if we cannot eliminate the inflowing thoughts.
* Bhikku is the term for an adult Buddhist monk.
TeacherJay Buddhism Buddha, materialism, meditation, morals, prayer, temptation, worship