Spiritual Distinction: A Talk in New York
'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, (1922), Bahá'í Publishing Trust · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
New York (today: New York City, USA)
On the evening of the 15th of June, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gathered with the friends at 309 West Seventy-eighth Street in New York. Howard MacNutt, who would later edit the volume in which this talk was preserved, sat among the listeners as the Master spoke about imtíyáz — distinction.
It is true, He said, that the world prizes distinction of one kind: distinction of wealth, of family, of office, of physical bearing. But the friends of God should aim higher.
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.
The talk widened. The believers, He explained, were to be known not for what they possessed but for what they radiated — for the particular quality of their character among their neighbours.
You must become distinguished for loving humanity, for unity and accord, for love and justice ... for justice and fidelity, for firmness and steadfastness.
The talk ranged over the difference between worldly and spiritual eminence: the rich man may be celebrated for an evening; the saint for a century; but the soul who has acquired the love of God will be remembered, the Master implied, for as long as the human heart remembers anything at all. Wealth fades. Position changes hands. But the friend who has learned to love widely, to be just under pressure, to remain firm when others waver — that friend has acquired a distinction that no circumstance can take away.
He left the company that night with the call still ringing: become distinguished. Not in the world's sense. In the sense the world needs most.
Source: 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, talk of June 15, 1912 at 309 West Seventy-eighth Street, New York; notes by Howard MacNutt. Public domain text from the Bahá'í Reference Library.
Cite this story
'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1922). *The Promulgation of Universal Peace*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/
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