The heart is a divine trust

We are living in a world in which it's almost impossible to escape the trappings of a material identity of one's self. The essence and purpose of one's true identity as a soul is lost somewhere in the promotion of one's material image and the expectation that unavoidably follows for how many likes it will receive if not rooted in one's spiritual identity. Youth are particularly vulnerable to this; they are naturally drawn to connecting with peers and wanting to belong, so they become absorbed in whatever current trends surround them. 

Social media is like a drug that creates addictive behavior almost instantly. Snapchat, Instagram and Tiktok have set the stage for many to feel or believe this is the only true reality of one's life, all based on one's image and outer displays of personality -- and the number of responses to whatever is posted becomes the measuring stick as to one's value. Meanwhile, the heart that is led astray along this unfulfilling path leads many into the resultant trappings of depression and loneliness, an insatiable desire for more attention, and an emptiness that can never be satisfied no matter how many likes or views, shares or streams.

"The heart is a divine trust; 
 cleanse it from the stain of self-love." 

 ~ 'Abdu'l-Bahá 

As godlessness runs rampant and irreligion prevails, the materialistic values of society are like false gods which have taken reign over many hearts, glorifying the egoistic nature of man without respectful boundaries that protect one from the promptings of self-love -- ie., worshipping one's self. The ego reigns supreme and all that pertains to promoting it are ensnared by social media, consumerism, promoting one's self over others, and participating in a frenzy of self-love that blames anything or anyone that attempts to bring that soul back to its birthright of nobility and free it from the addictive, unfulfilling nature of materialistic pursuits.

The promotion of one's ego self may take on an extreme form if one adopts the values of the society with little regard for divine guidance. This is when the heart is completely lost in the material world of illusion vs. divine reality and has saturated itself in itself. It is as if a soul has exchanged the divine elixir for the cancerous invasion of a materialistic view of one's self: that it matters more what one looks like, how much attention one is receiving for that look, or what popularity is gained for promoting one's artistic expression, than it does the nobility, dignity, honor and purpose of the soul.

The Bahá'í Writings explain that self-love is kneaded into the clay of man and that we must battle against the insistent self, the evil promptings of the human heart. In other words, it's already hard enough to live as a soul who is able to subdue one's lower or animal nature. This is the inner work we all must do even without the materialistic society that distracts and engulfs our minds. We must make a conscious effort to protect our heart as a trust from God, and to discern the insidious effects of materialism that can take root ever so unconsciously without a spiritual framework that shields and subdues the ego self from the negative forces at work in the material world:

Crass materialism.. lays excessive and ever-increasing emphasis on mate rial well-being, forgetful of those things of the spirit on which alone a sure and stable foundation can be laid for human society.

Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it.         ~ Bahá'í Writings

Our heart was created to love. If that love is not flowing from one's love for God, the Creator, then it is limited like a gravitational force to itself and the world in which it directs its attention. The divine trust is veiled by the ego and its offspring, self-love, forsaking the qualities of the soul which serve to enlighten, illumine, awaken and transform the heart into its highest expression of love: selflessness.

"God has created man in order that he may be resuscitated through the breaths of the Holy Spirit and become the light of the world. How debased the soul which can find enjoyment in this darkness, occupied with itself, the captive of self and passion, wallowing in the mire of the material world! How degraded is such a nature! What an ignorance this is! What a blindness! How glorious the station of man who has partaken of the heavenly food and built the temple of his everlasting residence in the world of heaven!" ~ 'Abdu'l-Bahá  

 "Man is submerged in the affairs of this world. His aims, objects and attainments are mortal, whereas God desires for him immortal accomplishments. In his heart there is no thought of God. He has sacrificed his portion and birthright of divine spirituality. Desire and passion, like two unmanageable horses, have wrested the reins of control from him and are galloping madly in the wilderness. This is the cause of the degradation of the world of humanity. This is the cause of its retrogression into the appetites and passions of the animal kingdom. Instead of divine advancement we find sensual captivity and debasement of heavenly virtues of the soul. By devotion to the carnal, mortal world human susceptibilities sink to the level of animalism."  ~ The Promulgation of Universal Peace