Moving Beyond Competition (Free Event)

While it does seem to be true that the striving to achieve and for excellence may be a basic part of human nature, does that success always have to come at the expense of others? Is it possible that our desire to cooperate and collaborate with others is just as much a part of our nature, our higher nature?

The impulse to act and to make decisions in what we perceive to be our own best interest, to compete with others – and even the promotion of this impulse – can be seen reflected all around us in the media, in our politics, in our economic and education systems, and so on. But for many, we also see perhaps more clearly than ever how interdependent we all may actually be, and that the well-being of every individual and of every segment of society is connected to the well-being of humanity as a whole.

Is it possible, then, that any definition of our innate nature that sees the source of all motivation as selfish – or primarily self-interested – falls short of understanding our higher, more spiritual nature? What would happen if we embraced and uplifted our more spiritual nature, moving beyond viewing life as a competition and instead fostering this interdependence, each of us striving for excellence, and helping others to also achieve their best, but together, and not at the expense of others? What kind of world could we create if we aspired to uplift each other together, working in collaboration with one another in ways that create opportunities for everyone to flourish and advance? What tools, what spiritual principles could help us foster this capacity in ourselves and in our communities?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on moving beyond a culture of competition and towards one of cooperation and collaboration. Please join us for a lively discussion as we explore how we can help create the conditions to promote the advancement of each one of us.

“The primary question to be resolved is how the present world, with its entrenched pattern of conflict, can change to a world in which harmony and cooperation will prevail.” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.