Unity in Diversity

Guest Author - Sandy Mullins

One of the things I love about the Baha’i Faith is Unity in Diversity. Throughout the writings of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi there is the principle that we can all live together and cherish our differences. They each talk about flowers in a garden, how boring life would be if we only had one flower, one color in that garden, if everything looked alike. Then there is the analogy of leaves on a tree, how would the tree look if all the leaves were the same color. Think of the leaves in the fall how they change and how beautiful the trees all are when the leaves are all different colors and hues. Another, one is the drops of one ocean, the waves in one sea, together we are the human race, not just different races of people. When we work together not against each other, Only then can we become stronger and accomplish great things. When we can look past our differences and work together, then we can end ignorance, hunger and obtain World Peace. Celebrate the diversity of the people around you, learn what makes them who they are. Embrace the Human Race, embrace yourself.

Take a moment and see if these quotes touch your heart and soul like they do mine:

Please God, that we avoid the land of denial, and advance into the ocean of acceptance, so that we may perceive, with an eye purged from all conflicting elements, the worlds of unity and diversity, of variation and oneness, of limitation and detachment, and wing our flight unto the highest and innermost sanctuary of the inner meaning of the Word of God.
(The Báb)

That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled -- what harm is there in this?.
(Baha’u’llah, Proclamation of Baha’u’llah, p. viii)

"O people of the world, ye are all the fruit of one tree and the leaves of one branch. Walk with perfect charity, concord, affection, and agreement. I swear by the Sun of Truth, the light of agreement shall brighten and illumine the horizons. The all-knowing Truth hath been and is the witness to this saying. Endeavor to attain to this high supreme station which is the station of protection and preservation of mankind. This is the intent of the King of intentions, and this the hope of the Lord of hopes."
(‘Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveler's Narrative, p. 42)

The world of humanity is like a garden and the various races are the flowers which constitute its adornment and decoration.
(‘Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 268)

And when you pass by a garden wherein vegetable beds and plants, flowers and fragrant herbs are all combined so as to form a harmonious whole, this is an evidence that this plantation and this rose garden have been cultivated and arranged by the care of a perfect gardener, while when you see a garden in disorder, lacking arrangement and confused, this indicates that it has been deprived of the care of a skillful gardener, nay, rather, it is nothing but a mass of weeds
(‘Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - ‘Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 294)

All mankind are the fruits of one tree, flowers of the same garden, waves of one sea.
(‘Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 23)

If the flowers of a garden were all of one color, the effect would be monotonous to the eye; but if the colors are variegated, it is most pleasing and wonderful. The difference in adornment of color and capacity of reflection among the flowers gives the garden its beauty and charm. Therefore, although we are of different individualities, different in ideas and of various fragrances, let us strive like flowers of the same divine garden to live together in harmony. Even though each soul has its own individual perfume and color, all are reflecting the same light, all contributing fragrance to the same breeze which blows through the garden, all continuing to grow in complete harmony and accord. Become as waves of one sea, trees of one forest, growing in the utmost love, agreement and unity.
(‘Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 24)

The doves are white, black, red, blue; but notwithstanding this diversity of color they flock together in unity, happiness and fellowship, making no distinction among themselves, for they are all doves.
(‘Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 425)

"Consider the flowers of a garden. Though differing in kind, color, form and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm and addeth unto their beauty. How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruit, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape enricheth and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas and convictions of the children of men."
(Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 42)

The fact that he is by origin a Jew or a Christian, a black man or a white man, is not important anymore, but, as you say, lends color and charm to the Bahá'í community in that it demonstrates unity in diversity."
(Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 9)

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