The Bahá'í Faith, like all other Divine religions, is…
fundamentally mystic in character. Its chief goal is the development of the
individual and society, through the acquisition of spiritual virtues and
powers. It is the soul of man that has first to be fed. And this spiritual
nourishment prayer can best provide. Laws and institutions, as viewed by
Bahá'u'lláh, can become really effective only when our inner spiritual life has
been perfected and transformed. Otherwise religion will degenerate into a mere
organization, and become a dead thing.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 8 December 1935
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, published in
"Bahá'í News" 102, August 1936; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol.
II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)
