Man and Woman: Striving for Perfection

[Sassafras]

I have placed this topic in the MisFiT Lounge rather than the Religion section because it is a current issue for all of mankind and I didn't want the thread to get lost in the Religion area eventhough the equality of men and women is a principle of the Baha'i Faith.  I feel as though everyone deserves to have a chance to see it and read it and make their own observations.


This quote comes from the Baha'i Writings:

The world of humanity consists of two parts: male and female. Each is the complement of the other. Therefore, if one is defective, the other will necessarily be incomplete, and perfection cannot be attained. There is a right hand and a left hand in the human body, functionally equal in service and administration. If either proves defective, the defect will naturally extend to the other by involving the completeness of the whole; for accomplishment is not normal unless both are perfect. If we say one hand is deficient, we prove the inability and incapacity of the other; for single-handed there is no full accomplishment. Just as physical accomplishment is complete with two hands, so man and woman, the two parts of the social body, must be perfect. It is not natural that either should remain undeveloped; and until both are perfected, the happiness of the human world will not be realized.

What are your thoughts?

[User Name]

My thoughts are that this sort of concept is one that could/would be interpreted differently by whomever reads it.

It opens more questions than provided answers, especially when you put the idea into practice in the modern world. 

I'm sort of an individualist on this and think that perfection starts from within, but two perfect beings (man and woman) together could represent the best humanity has to offer... but i don't think either of them has to rely on the other for said perfection.

Thats just my jaded p.o.v tho.  I've grown more singly than i ever did "paired" but from those flawed pairings, it did give me the proper perspectives on what i needed to do as an individual to be the best i could be "singly"

Obviously, couples would have a different interpretation of this, i would imagine. 

Thought provoking, nonetheless.   

[misfitguy]

Your thoughts were also interesting.

This post, though, is about how we should respond to a relationship.  We should accept the need for strength in both the male and the female.  It is important for a relationship to develop healthily that this equality is recognized.  One of the ways 'Abdu'l-Baha described this was to use a dove, the body representing the relationship and the wings the man and the woman, as an example.  If both of the wings are equally strong, the dove will be able to soar with grace and control.  If either of the wings are weaker, the dove will have difficulty in achieving flight.  Then it would be important for health of the body, that both wings become equally strong. 

[Sassafras]

This interpretation by 'Abdu'l-Baha is commonly explained by using the wings of a dove to describe the male and female roles of a relationship.  If one wing is weak then the dove will not be able to fly to the heights of spirituality.  Only when the dove's wings are equal can the dove fly and soar.

So individually, growth is very important so to offer a relationship the opportunity to soar.  Within a relationship, it is important for both partners to pay attention to the other so to maintain equally within the relationship, especially while soaring, because if one wing of the dove becomes weak it will cause the dove trouble in flight.


Well, I just notice Mick posted a similar response.  I hope both posts are beneficial.

Sass

[User Name]

Well i can agree with that.  Relationships should be equal, and both genders do play a role.  Ideally i would want a very equal "half" but i rarely see many relationships this way.  I surely didn't grow up under one, so maybe that's a large part of my pessimistic outlook on it.  I keep thinking that one day someone will "change my mind" but not yet.

You'll have to excuse my ignorance of the religious aspects you guys speak of.  Its obviously a big part of who you guys are and that's awesome. 

[misfitguy]

Just so you don't feel threatened, let me explain. Sassafras and I are Baha'is.  by choice, not by heritage.  One of the laws of the Baha'i Faith is we do not proselytize.  On the other hand, the laws and the writings of Baha'u'llah have influenced both of us and we can, from time to time, make reference to these writings.  We are never trying to convince anybody about any aspect of their own spiritual search.  We are taught that we will find truth through self-investigation.  We both recognize that our journey is unique and our own as yours is yours and nobody else's. 

That said, I welcome you the the Misfits Forum.  I have enjoyed your input and hope that we can continue to share our thoughts.  Please feel free to invite others. 

warmly,

Mick

[Truthsayer]

This is only my opinion.

I believe every person is born with both male and female qualities. It is in the merging of both of these qualities within the individual that creates perfect balance.

[Sassafras]

Yes, there are good qualities of both male and female that both genders can possess.  And a good blend of these qualities can give an individual balance within life.  Though, when two people are working together, gender can sometimes get in the way.  That is what 'Abdu'l-Baha is talking about in this short quote.

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Just Me

Sass