To begin, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan, the original inhabitants of Lingít Aaní. We pay respect to the Áakʼw Ḵwáan elders, both past and present, and honor the spiritual wisdom they bring to our society in this day.
In a world facing numerous environmental challenges, the Baha’i Faith offers a unique perspective on our relationship with nature. Baha’is believe in the oneness of humanity and nature, emphasizing that all things are interconnected and interdependent. This concept of unity provides a foundation for environmental stewardship, inspiring us to care for the Earth and its resources.
The Baha’i writings affirm the harmony between humans and nature. For example, Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, states, “By Thy glory! Every time I lift up mine eyes unto Thy heaven, I call to mind Thy highness and Thy loftiness, and Thine incomparable glory and greatness; and every time I turn my gaze to Thine earth, I am made to recognize the evidences of Thy power and the tokens of Thy bounty. And when I behold the sea, I find that it speaketh to me of Thy majesty, and of the potency of Thy might, and of Thy sovereignty and Thy grandeur. And at whatever time I contemplate the mountains, I am led to discover the ensigns of Thy victory and the standards of Thine omnipotence. ” This passage highlights the divine origin of nature and invites us to contemplate its wonders.
Within the Baha’i writings is the idea that we cannot separate ourselves from our environment. Shoghi Effendi (1897–1957) expressed “We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.”
Our very spiritual essence, the thing that makes us human, is inextricably bound to the nature of the world we live in.
Bahá’u’lláh also writes, “Every man of discernment, while walking upon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed, inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing which is the source of his prosperity, his wealth, his might, his exaltation, his advancement and power is, as ordained by God, the very earth which is trodden beneath the feet of all men. There can be no doubt that whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory.”
In light of this profound connection, we discover a sense of harmony and purpose in our efforts to care for the natural world. Each action we take to preserve and protect our environment becomes an expression of our spirituality, and our spiritual growth is nurtured in return. In essence, the work of environmental stewardship becomes a sacred act — a testament to our commitment to the unity and well-being of all creation. As we move forward on this path of environmental stewardship, let us embrace the opportunity to deepen our connection with the natural world and, in doing so, discover new depths of spiritual enrichment and fulfillment.
To learn more about the Baha’i Faith and its teachings on environmental stewardship, visit www.bahai.org or reach out to your local Baha’i community. Together, we can build a more sustainable and harmonious future for all.
And a very special thank you to the Juneau Empire for providing space for this column.
Much love to all.
• Adam Bauer is the secretary of Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Saturday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.
