On the Power of Mind | The Baha’i Faith and the Psychology of Peace

Navid Pourmokhtari and Evan Goodwin discuss the role of the human mind and thoughts in moving humanity toward a greater peace.

*** The views shared by the speakers reflect their perspectives of the Baha’i Writings and not an official view of the Baha'i Faith.

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Quotes:

"There is, however, a faculty in man which unfolds to his vision the secrets of existence. It gives him a power whereby he may investigate the reality of every object. That’s the power of mind" (Abdu’l-Bahá, Soul, Mind and Spirit).

"Man must turn away from ideas which degrade the human soul, so that day by day and hour by hour he may advance upward and higher to spiritual perception of the continuity of the human reality” (Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy).

"Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness. If you desire with all your heart, friendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will spread; it will become the desire of others, growing stronger and stronger, until it reaches the minds of all men. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content” ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks).

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Description:

This discussion delves into the transformative power of the mind and its role in fostering peace, unity, and global consciousness, drawing on insights from the Baha'i teachings. The conversation highlights the critical relationship between thoughts, human development, and societal harmony.

Key Themes:
The Mind’s Role in Transformation: The mind is a central tool for growth and positive change, influencing both personal well-being and collective progress.

Avoiding Negative Thinking: Degrading thoughts lead to tension and conflict, while positive, pure thoughts promote peace and elevate the human spirit.

Daily Practice for Peace: Peace is achieved through consistent effort, focusing on daily positive thought patterns and spiritual practices.

Love as a Foundation for Unity: Love is a powerful force for creating harmony and transforming human consciousness, countering negativity and fostering unity.

Peace Beyond Politics: Lasting peace requires changes in thought patterns and global consciousness, not just political or economic solutions.

Education as a Catalyst: Education plays a key role in shaping a peace-centered mindset and inspiring individuals to work for global unity.

Unity and Global Vision: Expanding perspectives from self-interest to global welfare is essential for fostering unity and achieving peace.

Key Works Referenced:

The Promulgation of Universal Peace (Abdu'l-Baha)
Paris Talks (Abdu'l-Baha)
The World Order of Baha’u’llah (Shoghi Effendi)
The Promise of World Peace (Universal House of Justice)
The Revelation of Baha’u’llah (Adib Taherzadeh)
Theory of International Politics (Kenneth N. Waltz)
Man, the State, and War (Kenneth N. Waltz)


This conversation underscores the importance of transforming individual and collective thought patterns to create a more peaceful and unified world. By focusing on love, positivity, and education, we can cultivate global consciousness and contribute to lasting harmony.

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