June 29, 2001
Kingdom Conference Workshop:  
Walking Practical Paths with a Spiritual Map:  Fun, Hands-on 
Applications of the Principle of Consultation


From Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 87-
89:

43. The prime requisites for them that take counsel together 
are purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all 
else save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility 
and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-
suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. 
Should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes, 
victory from the unseen Kingdom of Baha shall be vouchsafed 
to them.

Purify our motives
Have radiant spirits
Be detached from all else save God
Be attracted to His Divine Fragrances
Be humble and lowly amongst His loved ones
Be patient and long-suffering in difficulties
Be of servitude to His Exalted Threshold

44. The members thereof must take counsel together in such 
wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This 
can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute 
freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. 
Should anyone oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not 
until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. 
The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of 
differing opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried 
unanimously well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, 
differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must 
prevail.

Be free from ill-feelings and discord
Express our opinion with absolute freedom and set for our 
arguments
Not feel hurt
Strive for unanimity

45. The first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst 
the members of the assembly. They must be wholly free from 
estrangement and must manifest in themselves the Unity of 
God, for they are the waves of one sea, the drops of one river, 
the stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees of one 
orchard, the flowers of one garden. Should harmony of 
thought and absolute unity be nonexistent, that gathering shall 
be dispersed and that assembly be brought to naught. The 
second condition is that the members of the assembly should 
unitedly elect a chairman and lay down guide-lines and by-
laws for their meetings and discussions. The chairman should 
have charge of such rules and regulations and protect and 
enforce them; the other members should be submissive, and 
refrain from conversing on superfluous and extraneous 
matters. They must, when coming together, turn their faces to 
the Kingdom on high and ask aid from the Realm of Glory. 
They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, 
dignity, care and moderation to express their views. They must 
in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their 
own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one's views 
will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth 
will remain hidden. The honoured members must with all 
freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in no wise 
permissible for one to belittle the thought of another, nay, he 
must with moderation set forth the truth, and should 
differences of opinion arise a majority of voices must prevail, 
and all must obey and submit to the majority. It is again not 
permitted that any one of the honoured members object to or 
censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any decision arrived 
at previously, though that decision be not right, for such 
criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced. In 
short, whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love 
and purity of motive, its result is light, and should the least 
trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness 
upon darkness.... If this be so regarded, that assembly shall be 
of God, but otherwise it shall lead to coolness and alienation 
that proceed from the Evil One.... Should they endeavour to 
fulfil these conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be 
vouchsafed unto them, and that assembly shall become the 
centre of the Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine 
confirmation shall come to their aid, and they shall day by day 
receive a new effusion of Spirit.

Strive towards have absolute love and harmony
Be wholly free from estrangement and must manifest in 
ourselves the unity of God
Elect a chair
Create and be submissive to guidelines and by-laws
Refrain from conversing on superfluous and extraneous 
matters
Turn our faces to the Kingdom on high and ask aid from 
the Realm of Glory.
Express our views with the utmost devotion, courtesy, 
dignity, care and moderation
In every matter search out the truth and not insist upon 
our own opinion,
Express our thoughts with freedom
Not belittle the thought of another
Set for the truth with moderation
Obey and submit to the majority
Not object to or censure any decision arrived at previously




















Superfluous: Being beyond what is required or sufficient.
By-laws: Laws or rules governing the internal affairs of an organization. 
Guideline: Any guide or indication of a future course of action
Estrangement:  To turn away in feeling or affection; alienate








June 29, 2001

Workshop Agenda

?	Song 
?	Activity 1:  Building harmony of thought and language 
using tinkertoys.
?	Discuss Bahá'í consultation
?	Activity 2: Use principles of Bahá'í consultation to build 
an efficient and effective egg package.
?	Be brief – what aspects of the principle did your group 
implement effectively?  What aspects need improvement?  
What is something new that you have learned about the 
process of Bahá'í consultation
?	Test egg packages