Bahá'u'lláh's Seven Valleys and Developmental Psychology : Toward a Conception of Spiritual Development
Material type:
TextSubject(s): Online resources:
In:
The Journal of Bahá'í Studies 21, 29-71Abstract: Previous research outlines the processes of human development with significant detail. In contemporary developmental discourse, Bahá'í perspectives on spiritual development are virtually nonexistenT. In The Seven Valleysa Bahá'u'lláh offers many insights regarding the dynamics of spiritual development. This article (1) creates a dialogue between classical and contemporary theories of developmental psychology and Bahá'í philosophical perspectives; (2) explores the evolution of the "self," and (3) examines the emergence of spiritual striving in human phylogeny and ontogeny. It is argued that developmental studies may benefit from a deeper understanding of spiritual development as a core domain of human life.
Previous research outlines the processes of human development with significant detail. In contemporary developmental discourse, Bahá'í perspectives on spiritual development are virtually nonexistenT. In The Seven Valleysa Bahá'u'lláh offers many insights regarding the dynamics of spiritual development. This article (1) creates a dialogue between classical and contemporary theories of developmental psychology and Bahá'í philosophical perspectives; (2) explores the evolution of the "self," and (3) examines the emergence of spiritual striving in human phylogeny and ontogeny. It is argued that developmental studies may benefit from a deeper understanding of spiritual development as a core domain of human life.