Preparing the Heart Before We Speak: My Thoughts on the 7 Prerequisites for Consultation

Whenever I’m in the holy land visiting the Shrines, there’s an undeniable pull that draws me. I can’t linger in the reception centres or get caught up in conversations. I get physically anxious—my soul knows where it needs to go, and any meandering unsettles me.

But this time was different.

I found myself in the reception area of Bahji, stepping into the visitor centre before heading to the Shrine for prayers. In the library, a particular book caught my attention. It was a collection of writings on the prerequisites of consultation. I sat down, intending to skim through it briefly before making my way to the Shrine.

Instead, I was completely absorbed. The words pulled me in, unveiling something I hadn’t yet understood in its fullness. For the first time, I nearly missed my prayers. This was unusual—unheard of for me. The fact that my soul felt an urgency to immerse itself in these words, rather than to go directly to the Shrine of Baha’u’llah, felt deeply significant.

The more I navigate daily life, the more I realize that consultation is one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate more and more.

Consultation isn’t about persuading, proving, or defending. It’s about putting ideas in the centre of the room and genuinely wanting to hear them, to see them from different angles, to discover something bigger than what we individually brought.

And yet, I think consultation isn’t just about how we speak—it’s about how we prepare. It demands something from us before we ever open our mouths. Abdu’l-Baha lays out seven essential prerequisites for effective consultation:

“The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in difficulties, and servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes, victory from the unseen Kingdom of Baha shall be vouchsafed to them.”¹

Let’s explore these seven prerequisites as the spiritual groundwork for any meaningful consultation:

1. Purity of Motive

From what I understand, purity means being clean, untouched by hidden agendas. Purity is often the first condition before any action:

“My first counsel is this: possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart.”²

“First in a human being’s way of life must be purity… First must the stream bed be cleansed, then may the sweet river waters be led into it.”³

Without purity, our contributions risk being coloured by ego, fear, or desire for control.

2. Radiance of Spirit

Radiance is the outward glow of inner joy. It’s the kind of presence that uplifts others. Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes this demeanour even when reading Scripture:

“To read one verse, or even one word, in a spirit of joy and radiance, is preferable to the perusal of many Books.”⁴

I believe that when our spirit is radiant, our words carry light instead of weight.

3. Detachment from All Else Save God

True consultation isn’t about being right. It’s about letting go. Detachment frees us from clinging to our ideas, identities, and fears. It centres us in trust:

“Know that thy true adornment consisteth in the love of God and in thy detachment from all save Him…”⁵

We are not the source of truth—we are its seekers. Detachment in consultations opens the door to discover what we could never see alone.

4. Attraction to Divine Fragrances

The “divine fragrances” are subtle spiritual influences that awaken the heart. These may come through scripture, noble souls, beauty, or the silent voice of the spirit. To be attracted to these fragrances is to be sensitive to the sacred.

It’s a practice of listening—not just to others, but to the quiet truths being stirred within. I believe that it’s love, not logic, that draws the soul near.

5. Humility and Lowliness Among His Loved Ones

This is where the ego steps aside. To consult effectively, we must come not as experts or persuaders, but as servants—humble, receptive, and aware of the greatness in others. Consultation is not a place for hierarchy, but for harmony. Abdu’l-Baha says:

“The obligatory prayers are binding inasmuch as they are conducive to humility and submissiveness…”⁶

Obligatory prayer is one of the daily spiritual tools we can use to practice and cultivate this inner posture. By placing ourselves in a state of reverence, we are reminded that we are not the centre, but servants in a greater unfolding. Prayer can soften the heart and prepare us to meet others with openness and respect.

In humility, we acknowledge that others may carry the piece of the puzzle we are missing. In lowliness, we make space for truth to emerge—not from status, but from sincerity.

6. Patience and Long-Suffering in Difficulties

Growth doesn’t often come easily. It takes time. It takes discomfort. And it takes enduring difficult moments with grace.

“The laborer cuts up the earth with his plough, and from that earth comes the rich and plentiful harvest. The more a man is chastened, the greater is the harvest of spiritual virtues…”⁷

In consultation, disagreements and misunderstandings may arise. Patience allows us to pause instead of push. Long-suffering helps us stay steady when our buttons are pressed. Through this, unity can rise out of complexity.

7. Servitude to His Exalted Threshold

I believe that service is the ultimate posture.

To engage in consultation is an act of worship when done in the spirit of service. We come not to advance ourselves, but to serve the collective good.

“Especially when performed in the spirit of service, it is according to Baha’u’llah a form of worship.”⁸

Service keeps us grounded in purpose. It transforms consultation from discussion into devotion—from opinion into offering. When we serve the process, rather than control the outcome, I believe we open space for the Divine to work through us.

In conclusion, I believe that these seven prerequisites are not just ideals—they are spiritual practices that guide our words, centre our intentions, and invite unity into the space between us.

1. Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Administration [↩]
2. Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words [↩]
3. Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha [↩]
4. Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, Q. 68 [↩]
5. Baha’u’llah, Summons of the Lord of Hosts [↩]
6. Abdu’l-Baha, Additional Tablets, Extracts, Talks [↩]
7. Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks [↩]
8. Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas [↩]

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Nahal Haghbin

Nahal Haghbin is a certified Integrative Yoga Therapist based in Vancouver, BC, offering online and in-person meditation classes on the Seven Valleys & Yogic Chakras, as well as a 12-week breath program she created. With a background in tropical infectious disease control, she has contributed to global health efforts during outbreaks such as H7N9, MERS-CoV, and Ebola. Now, she is passionate about supporting others through the healing practices of yoga, breath work, and meditation.