HH Workshop: Spiritual Principles of Development

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HH WorkshopSpiritual Principles of Development

• Laura Youngberg, Master of Divinity
• HH Administrative Coordinator

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What does it mean that HH is called a Bahai
inspired organization?

• The founders of HH were Bahai physicians who
  looked to their faith and its teachings in
  response to their frustration with the medical
  mission model of service delivery in the
  developing world.
• There they found guidance and inspiration to
  develop a new model for medical service building
  capacity within the underserved communities as a
  relationship of equal partners, rather than
  patron and benefactor, and committed to a long
  term development of this capacity.
• Although HHs values and origin are found within
  the Baha'i teachings, HHs work is not done "in
  the name of the Baha'i Faith." Rather, HHs work
  is service undertaken for the love of humanity.
• HH relies on the National Spiritual Assembly of
  the Bahais in the United States for support,
  including office space, and approval of Board
  members and policies

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What does it mean that HH is called a Bahai
inspired organization?

• HH looks to the Office of Social and Economic
  Development of the Bahais for models of good
  policy-making, organizational structure, and
  potential conflicts to be avoided.
• In accordance with clear guidance from OSED, HH
  is not involved in direct teaching the Baha'i
  Faith.
• It is clear that all people, willing to conduct
  their activities in line with HH principles, are
  cherished in the membership rolls of HH.
• In fact, HH wishes to attract a more diverse
  membership and eagerly embraces all partners,
  regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or
  gender.

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What do we mean by spirituality, anyway?

• Academic Definitions
• First is a belief in an essentially indefinable
  characteristic of human beings, the spirit or
  soul. The soul cannot be found by dissection or
  any other material means. It is impossible to
  measure or directly observe, yet is the very core
  of human existence. 
• Second is a belief that this indefinable
  characteristic the soul is connected to the
  ultimate reality of the universe. The soul has
  the ability to understand things beyond the
  perceptions of the senses.
• The life of the spirit leads to total fulfillment
  because it connects the individual to the very
  essence of existence itself. Through this
  understanding, the spiritual person gains
  fulfillment because all that is unimportant
  drifts away.

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What do we mean by spirituality, anyway?

• Definitions from Experience
• Interaction with God through our relationships
  and actions
• Both moments of transcendence and moments of
  the mundane
• The calling to live up to our fullest potential,
  and encourage/support others in living up to
  their potential
• The sense of participating in Divine work in the
  world, fulfilling Gods hope for humanity

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Why is spirituality an issue in development?

• Guides relationships between people, as
  individuals and groups we are equal before God,
  seeking same ultimate goals, and bring our own
  God-given gifts to the process
• Helps us avoid destructive power dynamics
  (through Moral Leadership model)
• Orientation toward the long term effect (sense of
  perspective)
• Provides point of connection between otherwise
  very different cultures and experiences

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Why is spirituality an issue in development?

• Helps us evaluate our own service experiences,
  and discern best use of our skills and passions
• Gives stronger motivation than simply enlightened
  self-interest (it helps me if I help others
  thinking) to focus beyond personal needs
• Service as a response to Gods abundance and
  blessing in our lives

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Break Out Groups 1

• Discuss what personal spiritual principles you
  bring to your work, both volunteer and
  professional. How do these affect your
  decisions, relationships, etc? How specifically
  do they relate to the work of Health for Humanity?

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What are the Spiritual Principles by which HH
does Development? (From HH Guidelines)

• Nobility of Humanity - People have an inherent
  capacity for nobility.
• Group Consultation- To appreciate the diversity
  and unique circumstances of various cultures, one
  cannot apply a single approach to all situations.
• Unified Service - When all come together and act
  in unison, the outcome is inevitably creative and
  leads to dramatic progress.
• Comprehensive Health - Emotional, intellectual,
  spiritual and physical well-being are all
  required for an individual or community to be
  truly healthy.

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Nobility of Humanity - People have an inherent
capacity for nobility

• If nurtured, noble qualities such as
  trustworthiness, compassion, selflessness,
  dedication, loyalty, sacrifice and service can
  triumph over baser impulses.
• It is critical to appreciate the unique
  contribution of each individual and culture,
  particularly that of women.

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Nobility of Humanity - People have an inherent
capacity for nobility

• Translated into health development, this means
  that people everywhere have the inherent capacity
  to shoulder the leadership for their own
  development and that they must be encouraged to
  identify their own needs, plan their own
  projects, and take leadership in implementation
  of plans.

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What are some examples of this principle in HH
projects?
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Group Consultation- To appreciate the diversity
and unique circumstances of various cultures, one
cannot apply a single approach to all situations.

• A collaborative effort at the local level is
  necessary to identity local needs and devise
  programs to address them.
• One powerful way of achieving this is through
  group consultation frank and open discussion
  occurring within the supportive atmosphere of
  common and agreed-upon goals.
• In practical application, this means that the
  best solutions can only emerge through group
  decision-making that permits all perspectives to
  be considered.

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What are some examples of this principle in HH
projects?
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Unified Service - When all come together and act
in unison, the outcome is inevitably creative and
leads to dramatic progress.

• The plans that emerge invariably gain wide
  acceptance.
• For the individual, these actions in support of
  the common good engender the development of
  nobility.
• In project implementation, this means that
  consensus must be developed among all
  stakeholders so that all will support the
  decision of the group and actively engage to
  ensure a successful outcome.

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What are some examples of this principle in HH
projects?
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Comprehensive Health - Emotional, intellectual,
spiritual and physical well-being are all
required for an individual or community to be
truly healthy.

• In particular, it is clear from more than a
  decade of Health for Humanitys development
  experience that technical knowledge is not enough
  to ensure positive change.
• Learning to apply the underlying ethical/moral
  principles seems to be just as essential.
• Moreover, wellness projects help individuals form
  communities which can address their health needs
  more effectively.

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What are some examples of this principle in HH
projects?
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Break Out Groups 2

• What HH projects are you involved in? How are
  these Spiritual Principles manifested in these
  projects?
• If some spiritual principles are missing or not
  as strong as they might be, how can they be
  introduced and nurtured in the project? What
  contribution can you personally make to doing
  this?

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Roundup Thoughts