Archive for August, 2010

I have noticed that those people who judge the followers of any one faith by a few fanatics or terrorists, also tend to be the very ones who are fanatical about their own path whether they are Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Baha'i, or any other path you care to name.

For myself, I tend to hold as sacred what you do for the mere fact that you hold it as sacred. In fact, when discussing interfaith matters, I try to make sure my shoes are off, for I am walking on sacred ground.

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Prince Ali, Dr. Michael Beckwith, Other Celebrities Have Confirmed Attending Operation Confidence's United We Serve Fair in Support of Consuella Mackey, Founder/Event Planner. Other guests include Peter Rafelson, writer/ music producer, Tierra Crockwell, 8 yr old 2010 National Champion and World record holder, Keith Robinson, star of 'Dreamgirls' and Sara Stokes, P Diddy's 'Making the Band'

Prince Ali, renowned international pop artist and social activist, twice-platinum composer and singer joins in support of The United We Serve Fair and brings with him Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Founder of Agape International, featured teacher in the movie "The Secret," Peter Rafelson, writer/music producer with legendry artists that include Madonna, Britney Spears and most recently the "Glee" soundtrack, and son of Hollywood legend Bob Rafelson, and Tierra Crockwell, the 8-year-old running phenomenon representing the U.S. Also supporting and attending will be Keith Robinson, star of "Dreamgirls," Sara Stokes from P Diddy's 'Making The Band," and Iceman of Iceman Music Group/Koch.

Operation Confidence's free community event will take place this Saturday, August 14th, at Exposition Park on the Figueroa Pad, (directly in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena), 3939 Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90037, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Consuella Mackey, Founder and Executive Director of Operation Confidence, a local nonprofit organization, took heed to President Barack Obama's inaugural speech when he said, "Go back to your townships, villages and cities, and band together in support of each other, all races and ethnicities to encourage volunteerism. Then show the world what America is all about, the practice of being a humanitarian and working together side by side to bring our nation back to its greatness."

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I don’t approve of groups of chanting Baha’i blocking my way through public facilities, but I tolerate them on free speech grounds (among other reasons).

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Forgot to mention, last Sunday evening I went to my first Baha'i study circle meeting. There were only three of us, including the leader, but there may be additional people joining up. I enjoyed it very much. It consisted of us using a workbook to read various quotes from their prophet and/or his son, and answering questions about them, like what the quotes meant on a deep level. It was interesting to tease out what certain words meant to each person; no two (or should I say, three) perspectives were alike. The other non-leader participant was kind of cute. I think he is of Iranian descent though he grew up in the states. He's divorced, so hey, he might be available! But hey, I am not looking for romance, so it's just fine if he's not, or if I'm not his type, or whatever!!

 

By "accident" I bought some new clothes yesterday. >__> I meant to go out and buy one dress that I liked, but I ended up buying half a new wardrobe. Oopsie? Anyway, my closet seems to be getting more crowded. (The closet is actually bigger; I just had trouble opening the doors all the way today…)

Uploaded by Happily Candied on 16 Jul 10, 9.38PM PDT on flickr

I am reading some Baha'i writings, and they talk quite a bit about detachment – not being wrapped up in the material things of this world, that are temporary and ultimately meaningless. As I look about my bedroom, overrun by dirty clothes bags (even as my closet overflows with clean clothes), I realize how misplaced my value of clothes (and shoes, which have also taken over my apartment) has been. In an effort to fill an empty place inside, and/or motivated by manic frenzies in which I wanted every pretty thing to wear that I saw, I have amassed more clothes than 10 women could ever need in a lifetime. Or worse. I can't even find any of my jeans in my mountains of dirty clothes, so I can't do "casual week" at my workplace. Now, THAT is definitely a sign that I have way too many clothes!

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Say: O children of dust! He Who is the Spirit of Purity saith: In this glorious Day whatsoever can purge you from defilement and ensure your peace and tranquillity, that indeed is the straight Path, the Path that leadeth unto Me. To be purged from defilement is to be cleansed of that which is injurious to man and detracteth from his high station—among which is to take undue pleasure in one’s own words and deeds, notwithstanding their unworthiness. True peace and tranquillity will only be realized when every soul will have become the well-wisher of all mankind. He Who is the All-Knowing beareth Me witness: were the peoples of the world to grasp the true significance of the words of God, they would never be deprived of their portion of the ocean of His bounty. In the firmament of truth there hath never been, nor will there ever be, a brighter star than this

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As devout as she was, I do not recall her ever judging a human being or even taking herself too seriously. We always attended the Baha’i community’s 19-day Feast. It was inevitable that during the opening devotional portion of Feast, as everyone’s eyes were closed and their foreheads furrowed in a serious expression as someone recited a prayer, there would be a suspicious sound—someone’s stomach rumbling, a bare leg moving awkwardly on a leather chair, anything. I would hear the sound and my eyes would fly open and search the room for Maman Bozorg. And there she would be, eyes still closed, lips pressed firmly together, but the entire trunk of her body bouncing up and down in silent laughter.

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The value of being at the conference, for me, was that I was reminded, again, that I am not alone in feeling a sense of the presence of the Divine. I was amongst over a thousand people, gathered from all over the continent and beyond (several Australians, even!), whose sole purpose was to participate in an event designed to raise our spirits in the sense of unity provided when listening to elevating thoughts, participating in wonderful conversations, and meeting old and new friends, most of whom are adherents of the Baha'i teachings. A panel of scholars from the First Nations offered insights into breaking down barriers between cultures; a Canadian-Iranian lawyer gave a profoundly deep assessment of the gravity of the human rights situation for the Baha'is of Iran, based in his extensive work with peacekeeping and important organizations; a Chinese choir came and sang and several of the women danced in a gorgeous traditional piece; an excerpt was offered from a play by the Asplunds; various wonderful musicians, including Eric Harper, Mo Carlton, RoseMarie Peterson, and Nancy Ackerman, performed a wide-range of types of music; I was offered the opportunity to share my poems with a thousand people, along with fellow poet Jim West; we were addressed by a woman who serves to counsel and encourage the Baha'is of the world

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