A few weeks ago I heard an amazing story about a huge cargo train in America which somehow left the station without its driver.

It was chased for two hours until it was dramatically stopped when someone jumped on board.

As the train sped out of control through the country it was miraculous that no-one was hurt.

This image of a runaway train wreaking havoc in its path powerfully describes what I feel is happening in our society. Materialism is smashing through our values, causing more havoc by the day and no-one knows how to control it.

As a Bahá'í I believe that the runaway train of materialism can be controlled and used for the benefit of society, but only when spiritual principles are understood and applied.

In the following passage from the Bahá'í Writings we read about the importance of achieving a balance between the material and the spiritual in society.

"No matter how much the world of humanity advances in material civilisation, it is nevertheless in need of spiritual development … The material must be correlated with the spiritual …

"For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material civilisation; the other is spiritual power and divine civilisation. With one wing only, flight is impossible. Two wings are essential.

"Therefore, no matter how much material civilisation advances, it cannot attain to perfection except through the uplift of spiritual civilisation."

"O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being."