On Blog Coverage of the Baha’i Regional Conferences: Continuing to pour in

Last weekend Payam and I drove down to Los Angeles to take part in a series of 41 conferences taking place literally all across the world. … I’ve been following the reports and was particularly moved by news of a gathering in the DRC which brought people to a war-struck community to deliberate on how they could best serve their friends, families, neighbors, and colleagues. I also love the perspective of this nine year-old in NYC who believes her friends really do question and care about “spiritual” ideas.

http://nuttygallery.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/a-meeting-of-global-proportion/

The Baha’i conference this weekend (more about this here) was inspiring in many ways and raised many thought-provoking questions. Though there is much I could blog about in relation to this, one of the things I’ve been thinking about lately, is the question of the need for an organized religion.

http://spiritualgleanings.blogspot.com/2008/12/organized-religion.html

ON THE MIND of every Baha’i around the world are the Regional Baha’i conferences that are happening all around the world.The official reports of the Regional Conferences as they come in, can be found here. You can also find Online videos of various Baha’i Regional Conferences Manila, Lumbashi, Bangalore, Johnannesburg, New Delhi, Atlanta, Anotfagusta, and more) as well as the classic source of YouTube videos on the Regional confereences.

For two of many touching personal recollections and reflections: one from the Baha’i Conference for the NorthEastern States (USA) and another from the Central Regional Baha’i Conference (Chicago) titled ‘I can do that too!‘

http://www.junior-youth.com/2008/12/21/best-bahai-posts-for-december.html

These words from the world governing council set the tone for the conference:

• Continue on the path of learning;
• Not to be distracted by the ephemeral pursuits of a bewildered society;
• Appreciate the value of the culture now taking root in the community that promotes the systematic study of the Baha’i Writings in small groups in order to build the capacity for service to others;
• And never forget the imperative to tend to the needs of the children of the world and offer them lessons that develop their spiritual faculties and lay the foundations of a noble and upright character.

http://www.hutchnews.com/Faith/wood2008-12-19T20-42-42

In my quest to understand the nature of feeling inadequate, I derived some inspiration from a talk given a couple of weeks ago at the Regional Conference held for the Southeastern United States in Atlanta, Georgia.  What I learned shifted my perspective considerably.

http://www.bahaiperspectives.com/principles-in-action/2008/12/26/undeflected-by-distractions-part-ii/

Running away for the weekend! * Sat at the conference * Speakers at the conference * Conference Break * Music at the conference

http://roosterintheroaster.blogspot.com/

My sunny Christmas started off with going through such a hang over and no, not the I drank too much type. I just haven’t been resting well for awhile. I can’t get out of bed, literally. I better get good sleep tonight cause it’s going to be a busy weekend with the Regional Conference going on. I’m ushering and singing in the choir. Ah, the joy of being a Baha’i youth.

http://inthewordsofthevixen.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-christmas-fools.html