By george wesley dannells on May 28, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
What are the lamentable trends in contemporary life? Peter Khan's observations are incredibly astute, as summarized here: http://natcon2010.usbnc.org/2010/05/02/peter-khan-its-vital-to-balance-constancy-and-change/. -gw
The tendency of an increasing proportion of the world’s population to regard religion as irrelevant in solving issues.
Forms of conduct we regard as improper even as society has come to accept them as normal and appropriate.
The side-effects of the blessings bestowed by technology, including a devaluing of real-life social interaction.
An abject failure of collective decision making and governance, with an associated decline in respect for authority.
A pervasive sense of insecurity that manifests in a lack of confidence in the future, a deep-seated animosity among opposing parties, an increasing vulnerability to demagogues, and an emotional adherence to simplistic solutions.
A Flickr gallery to illustrate these observations… -gw
- Uploaded on May 24, 2010 by Baha'i Views / Flitzy Phoebie
- Uploaded on February 16, 2009 by netmen!
- Uploaded on Uploaded on August 9, 2009 by Batikart
- Uploaded on May 3, 2010 by james eugene frank
- Uploaded on November 30, 2008 by POS'n_studio45_Illustra tions
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By george wesley dannells on May 28, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
Bonita's "soul food" of the day: "Preparing Kala Chana"
Get three cooks together at a Baha'i devotional meeting and what do you get in addition to prayers? Cooking talk. Having the Smith family over was a delight. Gene cracked open a Baha'i prayer book and found the experience positive. -gw
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By george wesley dannells on May 26, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
… the function of a gardener is to till the soil of the mineral kingdom….
What a wonderful metaphor, to till the soil…. -gw
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By george wesley dannells on May 26, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
To mistakenly identify Baha'i community life with the mode of religious activity that characterizes the general society — in which the believer is a member of a congregation, leadership comes from an individual or individuals presumed to be qualified for the purpose, and personal participation is fitted into a schedule dominated by concerns of a very different nature — can only have the effect of marginalizing the Faith and robbing the community of the spiritual vitality available to it.
The Universal House of Justice, Aug 22, 2002
A congregational experience is passive. A Baha'i community is not a congregation. Baha'is are geared towards action and individual empowerment. Baha'is are forever in a process of change, and the process is long term.and systematic. Have you listened to Peter Khan's talk at the U.S. Baha'i National Convention? Go to the administrative website to listen and download. It's all about change.
The principle of the Oneness of Mankind—the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve…does not constitute merely the enunciation of an ideal, but stands inseparably associated with an institution adequate to embody its truth, demonstrate its validity, and perpetuate its influence. It implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced. It constitutes a challenge, at once bold and universal, to outworn shibboleths of national creeds—creeds that have had their day and which must, in the ordinary course of events as shaped and controlled by Providence, give way to a new gospel, fundamentally different from, and infinitely superior to, what the world has already conceived.
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By george wesley dannells on May 26, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
One of the very first things you can do to improve the nature of your home is the tidy up your area. This not only improves hygiene and makes it safer for you and your family to live, but can actually alter your mentality in a positive way. Our brains are affected by their surroundings, so if their surroundings are all over the place, ugly and unpleasant to be around, this will be reflected in your mental state. Some religions, such as Baha’i, even place living in a clean area as a vital spiritual necessity.
My meaning is this, that in every aspect of life, purity and holiness, cleanliness and refinement, exalt the human condition and further the development of man’s inner 147 reality. Even in the physical realm, cleanliness will conduce to spirituality, as the Holy Writings clearly state. And although bodily cleanliness is a physical thing, it hath, nevertheless, a powerful influence on the life of the spirit. It is even as a voice wondrously sweet, or a melody played: although sounds are but vibrations in the air which affect the ear’s auditory nerve, and these vibrations are but chance phenomena carried along through the air, even so, see how they move the heart. A wondrous melody is wings for the spirit, and maketh the soul to tremble for joy. The purport is that physical cleanliness doth also exert its effect upon the human soul.
Be a clean machine. -gw
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By george wesley dannells on May 25, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
For my wife, viewing Google Earth is a profound meditational exercise. She is forever sitting at the computer looking up places she reads about or hears about on TV. Dick Proenneke's cabin: she knows right where it sits on Twin Lakes in Alaska. Japan: it's her favorite country to view from the satellite perspective. Last night I got to bed an hour later because I thought I would spend a few minutes looking for our next camping spot in Eastern Washington. Well, those few minutes turned into a whole lot more. Ever check out the Baha'i Houses of Worship on Google Earth? James has all the coordinates on his site. Click over. -gw
Back in 2006 I posted
this article giving the locations of various Baha’i sites for anybody wanting to zoom in on them in Google Maps or Google Earth. Back then a couple of the buildings were obscured by clouds, those clouds are now gone and, if you have 3D Buildings turned on, you can now fly around 3D models of the exteriors to most of the buildings.
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By george wesley dannells on May 25, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
“Commiting suicide is like arriving uninvited at a party.” I don’t know where I first heard this, but it is in keeping with Baha’i belief. There are many worlds of God, the soul progressing from one to the next. ”Death is a messenger of joy,” the Baha’i Writings tell us, but taking one’s life is contrary to God’s wishes for us. -gw
From The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
One of the purposes of life is to develop spiritually. To end one’s life before the unfolding of one’s full potential would, therefore, hinder the soul’s progress. God is the creator of life and He alone determines when the soul is ready to move to the next plane of existence.
Life is never stagnant. During times of sorrow or grief, life may feel unbearable and thoughts of suicide as a means of escape may seem the only way out. We are counseled to turn to God and pray for assistance.
The following Baha’i writings provide comfort and assurance:
“Grieve not, for I am thy true, thy unfailing comforter. Let neither despondency nor despair becloud the serenity of thy life or restrain thy freedom.”
“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… I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.”
Posted in Local on Monday, May 24, 2010 11:45 pm | Tags: Spiritual Leaders, Suicide, http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/article_6799a6e2-67d7-11df-9589-001cc4c03286.html
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By george wesley dannells on May 24, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
A Baha'i's testimony. -gw
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By george wesley dannells on May 24, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
“Bahá’í marriage is union and cordial affection between the two parties. They must, however, exercise the utmost care and become acquainted with each other’s character. This eternal bond should be made secure by a firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony, fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting life.” |
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The best conceptual approach to address marital conflict, in my view, can be found in the work of University of Washington professor John Gottman, whose advice, based on extensive research, is in keeping with what Abdul-Baha, no doubt, would call upon Baha'i partners to do. -gw
The Gottman Institute — January 20, 2010 — You've approached your partner in a gentle manner, to bring up an issue you want to discuss (called a "softened startup"). What if you get negative response? Listen to Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman explain how to work around this. For more information visit www.gottman.com.
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By george wesley dannells on May 24, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off
The term study circle has become common terminology in the Bahá'í Faith to describe a specific type of gathering for the study of the Bahá'í teachings, with an emphasis on "promoting the well-being of humanity."[1]
Study circles are a form of distance learning designed to systematically bring education about spiritual concepts to the grassroots level. Because they are intended to be sustainable and reproducible on a large scale, study circles shy away from formally taught classes, opting instead for participatory methods. They are usually led by a tutor whose role is not to act as an expert but rather to facilitate the rhythm and pace of the study circle. In this way, attendees of study circles are expected to become active participants in their own learning process.
Another foundational principle of study circles is a heavy emphasis on the Bahá'í writings as a means of finding unity of vision and action by focusing on the essentials of Bahá'í belief.
We drive to a home on a hillside for a day-long intensive. At the beginning of the morning we stand at about the half way mark in our book, but by the end of the day we only have 11 sections left, which we should be able to complete in about four more weeks. It looks like we'll be done by the end of June. That is our goal.
These pictures capture a bit of the ride to Sequim, the location for our intensive, the actual intensive sessions, the beauty of the home we are in with its orchids and objects of arts, and the sumptuous fare we enjoyed during our lunch and breaks. Thanks to our hosts. -gw
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