A “turning point” that is either overlooked or as yet unknown in the evolutionary process of collective transformation, but is considered by many as when the rebirth process itself began, is the Revelation of Baha’u’llah in the mid-19th century. Could this have been the spark that ignited the “clarifying and unifying vision capable of transcending irresolvable religious conflicts”? Could the recent scientific and spiritual advances, and other far reaching changes the world has witnessed since then, be part of this release of creative energies?

            Though smaller in numbers than other world religions, with 7.5 million followers, the Baha’i Faith has expanded worldwide more rapidly than any other tradition, and is now the second most widespread religion in the world. Its teachings and universal spiritual principles have appealed to people of all backgrounds. People who follow the mystical traditions within the world’s religions (such as Kabbalah, Sufism, and Contemplative Christianity) as well as Indigenous peoples around the world resonate deeply with its primary emphasis on unity and oneness.

Profound changes certainly have taken place throughout the world since the beginning of this rebirth process that has borne much pain in all realms of civil life. Convulsions in society, fierce antagonisms among the entire range of identity groups representing the peoples of the world, the downfall of kings, the collapse of nations, the extinction of dynasties, the deterioration of time-honored institutions, world wars, and the rise of fanatical terrorism are all evidences of the travail that has characterized the slow but inevitable symbolic death of an aging civilization.

At the same time, a new consciousness of oneness is laboring to be born. Bearing the seed of a new world civilization, the Revelation of Baha’u’llah has as its foundation what have since become the core principles of our time: that one single Divine Being, known by hundreds of names, such as Brahman, Yahweh, God, and Allah, whose ultimate nature is unknowable, created the universe and all creatures and forces within it; that from this Supreme Being have flowed a continuous succession of Prophets to guide humanity toward understanding reality, around whom have formed the world’s religions and spiritual traditions; that all humanity is part of one human family; that, with only one reality, the discoveries and findings of science must be in harmony with the principles and beliefs of revealed religion, and vice versa; that the full equality and partnership of women and men is essential to human progress; that prejudice – whether racial, ethnic, national, religious, or economic – must be overcome if humanity is to establish a just global society; that there is an essential connection between equitable economic prosperity and the spiritual principles governing life; that without preconceptions we must acquire knowledge through our own efforts by independently investigating truth; and, that the longed-for goal of world peace, now the greatest need of our time, is within our reach.

Though it has taken us nearly a century and three quarters to get to this point of near-universal awareness of these principles, and though we are still awaiting the final shift in consciousness to bring this understanding into full acceptance and practice, we can find motivation and renewed energy in witnessing the widespread change that has and is continuously occurring in these directions in the world.