The above web site is possible one of the first, major examples of “spiritual capitalism” that integral theory predicts.

Such activities will cause a major paradigm shift in consumer culture toward an ethos of social and environmental responsibility and “ecological intelligence”.

(Note: I can't wait for Farhan to state that this was all somehow inspired by an obscure persian mystic.)

The above web site is possible one of the first, major examples of “spiritual capitalism” that integral theory predicts.

Such activities will cause a major paradigm shift in consumer culture toward an ethos of social and environmental responsibility and “ecological intelligence”.

(Note: I can't wait for Farhan to state that this was all somehow inspired by an obscure persian mystic.)

I completely agree. The specific bahai “context” is persian culture's regressive memes/paradigms, but they are quite “universal” otherwise.

e.g. George Bush re-enacted various elements of the medieval (“blue meme”) paradigm, including invoking a “crusade” against “non-believers” (the revival of which was a predictable historical anti-pattern).

The american people eventually (but not fast enough, IMO, I voted for Nader), figured out the Bush-Rove neo-con/oilogarchy scam and voted it out.

Here is one integralists “take” on the challenge of creating a post-modern/integral culture that can support a World Federation that would enforce human rights at the highest level of compassion:

http://wilber.shambhala.com/html/misc/iraq.cfm

In this scenario, the regressive tendencies of bahai administration (attacking the human rights of its followers) would be legally prohibited.

Which raises the tricky question: after you take away that kind of stuff, can a premodern or medieval religious system sustain any “authenticity” when its “metaphysics” have been undermined by consumerism and (hopefully)more “advanced” memes?

What does spiritually look like, as both daily individual practice and collective enactment of an ethos of compassion and altruism, in a postmodern/integral culture?

In the USA, we have the begining of “spiritual capitalism”. It is starting to “settle into” a slightly uncomfortable, but important and necessary, relationship with memes that have been wonderfully articulated by people like Sam Harris (an atheist who understands consciousness studies and new age culture fairly well.)

Farhan: Totally agree; the structure is a mere instrument for harmonising our efforts, although some administrators misunderstand their function of servitude with one of domination, a dysfunction imported from our prevailing world and totally alien to Baha’i principles

Pey: Btw, what great work has been done? Show me the number Farhan.

Farhan: I have provided numbers for France. I cannot do so for elsewhere, although I am well aware that when we change structures for a more complex one, we obviously go through a period of recession.

Pey: show me the development of the Mashriq's throughout the world.

Farhan: Pey, there are priorities we cannot do everything at one time. Some brilliant ideas I met 30 years ago are only just becoming viable. At this time humanity vitally needs spiritualization. We also believe that the earth is but one country, but we cannot go to the customs officer without a passport just yet. And we believe that in time many ailments will be prevented or cured by an appropriate diet, but contrary to what some misguided Baha’is believe, science is not advanced enough for that just yet.

Pey: how about no more advertising prominent individuals so that they continue to stay in the spotlight.

Farhan: I entirely agree