Archive for September, 2010

On a Silicon Valley Neighborhood Baha’i Children’s Class: My neighbor joins me at church functions

By on Sep 30, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

 
Another Baha'i children's class in the 'hood  –  in this case, Silicon Valley — drawing together neighbors of all backgrounds. -gw
 

On Getting a Bead on Belief: I am equally Jewish and Mormon, but way more Quaker with a pinch of Baha’i

By on Sep 30, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

ebv

 Baha’i Faith (91%). 6. Liberal Quakers (88%) ….. I am equally Jewish and Mormon, but way more Quaker with a pinch of Baha’i. 1 day ago …
ebv.blogspot.com/ – 25 minutes ago

 
 
The Beliefnet quiz continues to stir things up in the minds of folks wanting to get a bead of just what do they believe. And then there is this report… -gw
 

 

JUDY WOODRUFF: There’s no doubt that faith and religion play a large role in American life. But a new survey out today shows that Americans’ basic knowledge about their religion and others is somewhat lacking.

 

On Addressing the Psychological Conflicts of Youth With Meaning and Purpose: Baha’i junior youth groups appreciated

By on Sep 30, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

I recently participated in a workshop sponsored by the local Baha’i community (www.bahai.org) titled ‘Animator Training for Junior Youth’.  I was expecting  a religious-based program with a narrow focus on the spiritual development of  adolescents.  I showed up to the program, and took my seat with the worries of a full day of psychiatric practice still running through my head. …

The purpose was not to create a utopia, but rather to work collectively towards a better world. The bonus was to find out that these programs and activities are going on all over the world!  Reports of the success of these wonderful young people were coming from places as varied as war-ravaged African countries and the  neighborhoods of Los Angeles in the U.S.

I left the gathering feeling hopeful about the future of our world.  I also felt rejuvenated to approach psychological conflicts and deficits in my patients within the wider context of the meaning and purpose of our lives.

 
It was nice to come across this blog on behavioral health, which is, essentially, my field, one that mentions the Faith. Baha'i Junior Youth groups really can be a counter to forces of society contributing to a the dysregulated emotional state of many youth. I remember Ferris' comments on the subject back at Neah Bay in 2008.
 
 
Here are two other posts Br Dr Sabet on this site that mention the Faith.  -gw
 
 

On Images From the Feast of Mashiyyat: Remembering the Feast orchid

By on Sep 30, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

The Dannells hosted feast Monday night, not at our home, but at the Salishan Family Center instead. I had the able help of Rochelle, Selena and brand new Baha’i Sara, attending her very first Feast, in helping to set up. I loved the fact that there was an exercise class going on in the same space right before, complete with booming boombox. I brought my own booming boxes for the evening, my big speakers, along with mixer, two-disk CD player, and amplifier, just purchased from the pawn shop, to make sweet Baha’i music. But I forgot the box with the speaker cords, power strip … 

 

… and an extension cord. I had to drive all the way home, keeping the friends waiting for Feast to start. But it all seemed worth it, once I powered my equipment up. The sound quality was great. The songs played, incorporating Baha’i prayers and writings by Nabilinho, Walter Heath, Chelsea-Lyne, Elika Mahoney and others, were exquisite.

Going back to the house I managed to also remember to bring the Feast orchid, that is watered every 19 days and travels from Feast to Feast, after being taken care of by the respective Feast host for the Baha’i month prior. Neat tradition, huh!

On Dreams and Their Interpretation: An analysis in the Baha’i religion

By on Sep 29, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

 
It never ceases to amaze me how many subjects have been addressed in conjunction with the Baha'i Faith. Here the venerable subject of dream analysis. -gw

On Jamie Frank’s Photos for the Month of Mashiyyat: The Baha’i teachings extol the supremacy of God’s Will

By on Sep 28, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

Yes, there is predestination in the Baha’i teachings, however, it is not viewed as an absolute force governing every detail of human life. The Baha’i teachings assert that God, through His Will, through His Divine Messengers, and in response to human prayers, influences the course of human history and causes some events to happen according to His Will. Baha’i teachings extol the supremacy of God’s Will:

“O thou who art turning thy face towards God! Close thine eyes to all things else, and open them to the realm of the All-Glorious. Ask whatsoever thou wishest of Him alone; seek whatsoever thou seekest from Him alone. With a look He granteth a hundred thousand hopes, with a glance He healeth a hundred thousand incurable ills, with a nod He layeth balm on every wound, with a glimpse He freeth the hearts from the shackles of grief. He doeth as He doeth, and what recourse have we? He carrieth out His Will, He ordaineth what He pleaseth. Then better for thee to bow down thy head in submission, and put thy trust in the All-Merciful Lord.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, p. 51)

The best thing a human being can do once he realizes the superiority of God’s authority is to turn heart and soul towards His Will and His Word.

“Whatsoever He, the Well-Beloved, ordaineth, the same is, verily, beloved. To this He Who is the Lord of all creation beareth Me witness.” (Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 21-22)

 
Aligning our lives in accordance with what God wishes of us is a challenge we all face. Here is Jamie’s set of photos for the Baha’i month of Will which begins today. -gw
 

Puget Sound petroglyph, Wa.

Puget Sound petroglyph 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leicabokeh/sets/72157624789403225/

 

Mashiyyat….sept. 27, the Baha’i month of ‘Will’ …. the will of ‘god’ is evident to me in Nature and children, and occasionally in adults …. – james eugene frank  · Sets

On DJ-ing for a Bonifide Baha’i Barn Dance: The high points

By on Sep 28, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

A WORD ABOUT INSULATION…

ComfortTherm batts are sized to fit standard cavities. You can cut JM ComfortTherm insulation easily with an ordinary utility knife to fit nonstandard cavities, and install it by simply pressing in place between studs or joists. You can secure the insulation by stapling the flanges to wood studs. ComfortTherm is also available in a reverse-flange underfloor configuration with the vapor retarder toward the floor.  

 

Time is at a premium these days. I have a major home project that is going to take many hours to complete: reinsulating our crawl space. It’s gotta be done. My window for blogging is going to diminish even further than it has of late, although there is a lot to blog about. Like DJ-ing last night for a bonifide Baha’i barn dance.
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Baha'i Barn Dance 021+

The high points for me: (1) that Tom and Renee came, the couple who came to our devotional on Thursday …

Baha'i Barn Dance 044

 

… (2) that two young women, Kim’s daughter and Karen’s daughter, who have become fast friends, were able to receive impromptu instruction in Persian dance from Feloria. -gw
 

Baha'i Barn Dance 034

The whole set Baha’i Barn Dance on flickr

On Taking a Hike in the Neighborhood: A team building exercise in its own right

By on Sep 28, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

I work for a wonderful community mental health agency. I am assigned to the Community Support Team. Given the significance that community-builidng has for Baha’is, the name holds a special buzz for me.
 
Thursday our team went on retreat. We met at the home of a colleague. When the rain stopped, after our team consultation,  we took a hike in the neighborhood, a team-building exercise in its own right.  -gw
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Community Support Team Retreat 165

The Community Support Team retreat set on flickr

On an Offline version of iMemorize: Just released

By on Sep 22, 2010 in All categories | comments(1)

 
Dear George, I wanted to let you know that we have just released an offline version of iMemorize. You can get it here:

In addition to the offline support, includes a few updates — most notably it now supports other langage characters. So although the pre-populated quotes are still in English, users can add their own quotes in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.

Warmest regards,
B

To be able to cite the Baha'i Writings by heart is always an asset. I keep thinking, if I were thrown in prison for being a Baha'i, what prayers would I have in my heart I could draw on at any time? Those that I have memorized. -gw 

On a Change of Address: Moving in support of the Plan

By on Sep 22, 2010 in All categories | Comments Off

 
"a shift in consciousness"
"building community"
"capacity building"
"the new national Baha'i website"
"updates on the web"
"new book"
"in support of the Plan"
"a natural progression"
"a shift in consciousness"
"reaching the goals of this Plan"
"children, parents and the friends get involved together"
"love for the Baha'i revelation dissolves barriers"
"change of address"
 
These are all phrases to be found in the headlines in the current issue of the American Baha'i. Notice a theme?
 
We're asked to raise up 308 pioneers before the end of the Plan next spring. Some of the friends are moving to fulfill that goal. But, really, all Baha'is are called upon to move, both cognitively and spiritually, in support of the plan. What is your change of address? -gw

 
 
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