Guilt and Transformation: Part I :: Baha'i Perspectives

Guilt and Transformation: Part I

geoffrey May 16th, 2008

guilt

The concept of guilt and shame is multi-faceted, and critical to understand when engaged in the field of civilization building, which is of course what we all are, consciously or unconsciously, part of and contribute to. It applies and has influence over every sector and sphere of human existence: personal, communal and global. It affects our psyche and mental capabilities, it affects us spiritually.

When attempting to begin a discussion on this topic, and see how it operates and functions within the construct of a Bahá’í perspective, one must envision the Bahá’í revelation as a sphere with the many points dotted across its surface. Some are on opposing sides, but still remain part of the entire matrix that represent the epistemological aspects of the Bahá’í Faith.

Thus when investigating the field and role of shame, one has to simultaneously look to what may seem as those opposite sides of the sphere – those points which can be identified as “encouragement”, “honor”, “justice” and “nobility”. From this perspective it is not possible to operate successfully in this world without understanding this balance and other counterweighing factors.

Indeed, there existeth in man a faculty which deterreth him from, and guardeth him against, whatever is unworthy and unseemly, and which is known as his sense of shame.

(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 63)

We can deduce from this statement that shame is a positive force that propels us through with a balanced perspective in life, and in fact guards us against what is “unworthy” of our being. This naturally flows into one of the foundational concepts of human existence: the nobility of man. Baha’u'llah states:

13. O SON OF SPIRIT!

I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.

(Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

One of the hallmarks found in the Bahá’í Writings is that we should continuously look to the positive aspects of our person. We should not dwell on, though we should identify, those lower aspects of our nature that result in actions that cause us to feel shame. Often times, we feel guilt for the outcomes of our actions, which I think is a distracting tendency. We should instead look to the root issue. It is the difference between administering to a symptom as opposed to addressing the disease or malady directly.

Again, when attempting to envision the concept of guilt through this chain of thought, it transforms shame from an oppressive force into a method, instrument or process that leads to upliftment. It begins a tool that reinforces the nobility of man and actually serves as a source of freedom.

In our current world, I do not believe we handle our guilt well. Not only does it operate as a rampant destructive force within individuals across sectors, many cultures and social norms inherently impose a strong notion of shame as a means of confinement, as opposed to a releasing of positive potential.

In Part II, I will elaborate further on this theme.