In a letter dated 29 December 1988, the Universal House of Justice calls for “a new birth of expression” where “exercise of freedom of speech must necessarily be disciplined by a profound appreciation of both the positive and negative dimensions of freedom, on the one hand, and of speech on the other.” The breakout session proposes to share insights identified by a Reading Group on the power of speech and the role of the Humanities in contributing to the intellectual life of the Baha’i community and the emergence of a renewed intellectual discourse in human society.
Language is more than a tool for communication—it shapes our very perception of reality. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and the Bahá’í principle of the power of words, this presentation explores how our emotional vocabulary influences our ability to connect, resolve conflict, and cultivate unity. Just as the Bahá’í Writings emphasize the transformative power of speech, expanding our emotional language refines our capacity for consultation, empathy, and detachment from ego in discourse. This talk challenges us to move beyond the limits of our learned communication habits and embrace the spiritual potential of words that uplift, clarify, and unify.
