Country singer Dan Seals takes his flight to the worlds above

A most touching video, "We Are One", sung by Dan Seals, who passed away March 25, 2009:

Honor his blessed memory!

O my God, Thy Trust hath been returned unto Thee. It behooveth Thy grace and Thy bounty that have compassed Thy dominions on earth and in heaven, to vouchsafe unto Thy newly welcomed one Thy gifts and Thy bestowals, and the fruits of the tree of Thy grace! Powerful art Thou to do as Thou willest, there is none other God but Thee, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful, the Compassionate, the Bestower, the Pardoner, the Precious, the All-Knowing. I testify, O my Lord, that Thou hast enjoined upon men to honor their guest, and he that hath ascended unto Thee hath verily reached Thee and attained Thy Presence. Deal with him then according to Thy grace and bounty! By Thy glory, I know of a certainty that Thou wilt not withhold Thyself from that which Thou hast commanded Thy servants, nor wilt Thou deprive him that hath clung to the cord of Thy bounty and hath ascended to the Dayspring of Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the One, the Single, the Powerful, the Omniscient, the Bountiful.

—Bahá’u’lláh

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/BP/bp-37.html

Song text

We Are One

(Dan Seals)

In a bombed out room in Belfast
A young boy is crying
He’s alone and he don’t understand
How the teachings of one book
Built on love and understanding
Could cause the hurt and killing in his land

In an old part of Jerusalem
Two children are playing
They run and laugh
The way it’s meant to be
But one will wear the star and one will wear the crescent
And they’ll grow up and change from friends to enemies

Chorus

But we are one
Flowers of one garden
We’re one the leaves of one tree
Let the walls come down
And stand here together
We are one family

In a Pakistani village
A young boy on crutches
Takes a fall
And lies helplessly there
And he holds out his hand
But no one will take it
They won’t touch him
Or the clothes that he wears

On a side street in Selma
A black child is sitting
In a squad car
Protected from the whites
‘Cause they’re burning a cross
To send her a message
And you can see
The fear in her eyes

Chorus

But we are one
Flowers of one garden
We’re one the leaves of one tree
Let the walls come down
And stand here together
We are one family

Ponder in our hearts
How we were all created
From the same dust
And searching we will find
That spirit of the age
Has come to find us
To find us

Chorus

But we are one
Flowers of one garden
We’re one the leaves of one tree
Let the walls come down
And stand here together
We are one family

The multi-coloured parade of humanity in all its diversity, moving together as one soul in many bodies [UNITY], [REVERENCE], [SACRIFICE]

Excerpts from an enlightening and inspiring blogpost by Robert Weinberg on his eloquent blog Where the World's Going, on the historical event that transpired at Naw-Ruz this year. Highlighting added.

Circles of adoration

On the day of the first Naw-Rúz He celebrated after His release from captivity - 21 March 1909 - 'Abdu'l-Bahá had a marble sarcophagus transported to the vault He had prepared for it. In the evening, "by the light of a single lamp, He laid within it, with His own hands—in the presence of believers from the East and from the West and in circumstances at once solemn and moving—the wooden casket containing the sacred remains of the Báb and His companion," wrote Shoghi Effendi.

"When all was finished, and the earthly remains of the Martyr-Prophet of Shíráz were, at long last, safely deposited for their everlasting rest in the bosom of God's holy mountain, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Who had cast aside His turban, removed His shoes and thrown off His cloak, bent low over the still open sarcophagus, His silver hair waving about His head and His face transfigured and luminous, rested His forehead on the border of the wooden casket, and, sobbing aloud, wept with such a weeping that all those who were present wept with Him. That night He could not sleep, so overwhelmed was He with emotion."

Last Saturday, I was privileged to join some 1000 Bahá'ís – pilgrims, visitors, guests and staff of the Bahá'í World Centre - gathered on that same mountainside and, in an act of solemn reflection, circumambulate the Shrine of the Báb, 100 years to the day since 'Abdu'l-Bahá had completed that singular act which, wrote Shoghi Effendi, "indeed deserves to rank as one of the outstanding events in the first Bahá'í century." 

How transformed is this rocky mountainside since the night when 'Abdu'l-Bahá brought the Báb's remains to their final resting place, close to that circle of cypresses, in a mausoleum befitting a Messenger from God Who had declared His mission on the very night of the very same year that 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself was born.

Last year alone, the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb attracted some 640,000 visitors and their beauty is being universally acclaimed. Last Monday, in Jerusalem, a special reception was held to celebrate the addition of the Bahá'í shrines and gardens to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Commenting on the achievement, Israel's Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, said that the shrines reflect peace, beauty and tolerance. He said it was not only an honour for Israel to have the Bahá'í Holy Places within its borders, but it was an honour for UNESCO to have them on its list of the world's most culturally significant places.

"The sacrifices of the Báb and the dawn-breakers of the Cause are yielding abundant fruit," wrote the Universal House of Justice at Naw-Ruz, the exact centenary of the interment of the Báb's remains on Mount Carmel, "The magnificent progress achieved over the past century demonstrates the invincible power with which the Cause is endowed."   

As we processed from the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, along the semi-circular arc path to the Shrine of the Báb, I turned back and glimpsed the multi-coloured parade of humanity in all its diversity, moving together as one soul in many bodies. I remembered the dramatic circumstances surrounding the Báb's own execution and the vain hope of the clergy and rulers of His land that, with His swift demise and the brutal massacre of some 20,000 followers, the fire He had ignited would be quenched. The vision of humanity I glimpsed on Saturday demonstrated to me the futility of such attempts to snuff out this inextinguishable light - efforts which persist in Iran to this day. "He doeth as He doeth and what recourse have we? He carrieth out His will, He ordaineth what He pleaseth."

'Abdu'l-Bahá's depositing of the remains of the Báb in the bosom of Mount Carmel marked the beginning of the World Centre of the Bahá'í Faith. It was an act of love and obedience carried out by a son on the instructions of His Father. A seed, still bursting with life and potential, had been salvaged from a savagely felled tree and planted in new soil where it could take root. The circle of cypress trees, silent witnesses to momentous events, are now overshadowed by the efflorescence of Carmel, both in the magnificence of the gardens that now adorn its slopes and the vibrant variety of human hues that gather there in their thousands to pay homage to the martyred herald of their Faith. Today, these are the fruits of that seed, of that act of obedience. 

As the Universal House of Justice noted, "It is but a portent of the ultimate realization of the oneness of humankind."

Read the whole post here.

Significances of the Naw-Ruz Festival

From writings and talks from the Bahá'í tradition regarding this great theme.

"... This sacred day, when the sun illumines equally, is called the equinox, and the equinox is the symbol of the Manifestation of God. The Sun of Truth rises on the horizon of Divine Mercy and sends forth its rays. This day is consecrated to commemorate it..."

--Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 301

The cycle of the year ends with a period of nineteen days of fasting to prepare for the coming of Naw-Ruz, the New Year, when both the physical and spiritual beauty blend and we advance to another year in which to mature the soul and prepare "for the everlasting kingdom".

--Compilations, Principles of Bahai Administration, p. 54

A TALK ON NAW RUZ (NEW YEAR'S DAY)

Given by Abdul Bahá, March 21, 1913 in Paris.

"I am extremely glad to see you on this Nau Rooz occasion. This day is the anniversary of many historical events...

"This day in Persia inaugurates a feast which continues for thirteen days and in which all take part, rich and poor alike. They adorn themselves with new clothes and their houses are open to all. Money is distributed, music is played and the houses are decorated with flowers, for it is a fête; work is put aside and enjoyment invited. Travelers in Persia feel this transformation, for the country is in a state of complete renewal. A town which seemed dead yesterday comes to life today. People who looked anxious yesterday, today have faces shining with gladness. The poor man of yesterday, with sordid garments, is well dressed today and the whole national life is infused with joy. From time immemorial this day has been consecrated, for in this there is a symbol.

"At this moment the sun appears at the meridian and the day and night are equal. Until today the north pole has been in darkness. This sacred day when the sun illumines equally the whole earth is called the equinox and the equinox is the symbol of the divine messenger. The sun of truth rises on the horizon of divine mercy and sends forth its rays on all. This day is consecrated to this commemoration. It is the beginning of the spring. When the sun appears at the equinox it causes a movement in all living things. The mineral world is set in motion, plants begin to sprout, the desert is changed into a prairie, trees bud and every living thing responds, including the bodies of animals and men.

"The rising of the sun at the equinox is the symbol of life and the human reality is revivified; our thoughts are transformed and our intelligence is quickened. The sun of truth bestows eternal life, just as the solar sun is the cause of terrestrial life.

"The day of the appearance of God's messenger on earth is ever a sacred day, a day when man commemorates his lord.

"Among the ancient Persians this day was looked upon as the holy day of the year — a day when hospitals and charitable institutions were founded, collections for the poor were made and every effort put forth that it might not be allowed to pass without leaving some divine trace and throughout Persia one sees these historical traces..."

--Abdu'l-Baha on Divine Philosophy, 74 http://is.gd/ohe2

Photo by Alex

Children's lesson plan on Steadfastness

This is from June's excellent blog Pearlz Dreaming.

Steadfastness

Posted: 23 Mar 2009 06:30 PM PDT

Adapting Ruhi lessons- an example lesson 7 book 3.

This term I have been working with the grade 1 lesson plans from book 3, but using these only as a basic building block for my lessons as they are grade 3-4 students.

One of the ways I have adapted the lessons is to extend the quote I draw from, pick a different quotation on the same theme, and vary the choice of stories. We also write the new words out on the board to learn to spell and say them.

Lesson 7 Steadfast (Ruhi book 3, lesson 7)

In this lesson I liked the story and thought it could do for any age but I read it over and over to adapt the telling style to the children I was sharing it with. This helped me to have the story firmly in my head.

***

There was 12 year old boy, Ruh'u'llah, who was just a bit younger than your older brother. He had the chance to meet 'Abdul-Baha. Imagine someone you have heard lots of stories about, and that they are very very kind.

What if you were going to meet Mahtma Ghandi (tell them who is if they don't know) or Mother Therese (tell them if they don't know who).

People often say upon meeting them they are inspired to do great things - like Steve Waugh (Australian Cricket Captain) meeting Mother Therese.

How would you feel if you were going to meet someone you know like this?
Could you sleep?

[Children: No we couldn't possibly sleep, we would be too excited]

So it was that Ruh'u'llah went with his father from Persia (Iran) to Akka to meet Abd'u'l-Baha. He loved being in his presence. It was just awesome. Ruh'u'llah said the prayers he knew by heart, and he learnt much in the presence of Abd'u'l-Baha.

Why is it important to learn prayers by heart?

[Children: Because you might not have a book all the time.
Teacher: Yes- remember that it's important for later in the story.]

Ruh'u'llah chanted beautiful prayers that he knew by heart. Ruhullah returned home and taught faith with his family through both deeds and words, both his mother and his father were kind and many people were attracted to listen and be with this family.

One day however both he and his father were imprisoned.

Life was very hard in the prison, they were both chained and the chains were very heavy – imagine those chains and such a little boy… he prayed, chanted, and made up poems of his love for Baha'u'llah.

[Children exclaimed about the chains: "and that's just so unjust."]

Cruelly his father was killed in front of him by a government official who asked even which he should kill first, Ruhullah's Father Varqa said "No take me first" and then the official tried to get Ruhullah not to be a Bahai any more

What do you think Ruh'u'llah did?

[Children: He stayed a Baha'i. Even if he dies he will be with his Father again and he will be a Baha'i and they can't hurt him anymore.]

Yes, that's true Ruh'u'llahremained true to his Faith, "no take my life – not my Faith." Ruhullah, although a child, gave his life for his Faith.

More questions (as teaching older children using theme from book 3)

Some questions
Do you know any more stories of steadfast Faith?
What about when Abdu'l-Baha's Father went into the mountains?
What about Tahirih?
How can you be steadfast?
What so far have we learnt is important about being a Baha'i?

[Examples raised by children, Joan of Arc]
[Examples raised by teacher, Buddha under the Bodhi tree, meditating and remaining steadfast, Ghandi in India steadfast in helping his people, the Wife of Baha'u'llah, Assiyih Khanum]

The discussion was very interesting and they then did some puzzles to learn quotations. We have a tanagram pack they work with- it is from Brilliant  Star.

I am really enjoying adapting the lesson plans.  The children have a memorization booklet which we mark when they attempt quotes and they are seeing how long it takes to remember each one.  They are absorbing the quotes very well.

If you have adapted a lesson please share your reflection (:

——June

Regarding the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and those who broke it

From a statement regarding certain individuals deemed Covenant Breakers due to their dubious claims to possess authority as individuals outside of the existing, established and continuous structure of successorship and administrative initiated by the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and perpetuated by Shoghi Effendi and, presently (and to last until the appearance of the next Manifestation of God, Who is not to appear before a full thousand years after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh in 1892), the Universal House of Justice.

Excerpts:

"In the perspective of more than four decades that have passed since Charles Mason Remey's violation of the Covenant, it is instructive to review the consequences to those who followed him down this barren path..."

"That reasonably intelligent men and women should be unable—after the passage of almost half a century—to free themselves from the relentless undertow of folly and ambition that has drowned every hope and scheme they ever cherished is a cautionary tale indeed. The fate of those who followed Charles Mason Remey is a case study in the nature and paralyzing effect of the virus of Covenant-breaking...

Statement 'MASON REMEY AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM' referred to by the UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

MASON REMEY AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM

Revised January 2008

INTRODUCTION

In addition to explaining the nature and dangers of violation of the Covenant, ShoghiEffendi several times reviewed briefly the fates of individuals and groups who had surrendered to this worst of human failings. To reflect on the consequences experienced by those who seekto undermine the unity of the Cause, he said, helps believers to appreciate more deeply the protecting power of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant. In the perspective of more than four decades that have passed since Charles Mason Remey's violation of the Covenant, it is instructive to review the consequences to those who followed him down this barren path.

I

COVENANT-BREAKING

The Nature of Covenant-breaking

What is Covenant-breaking? In a letter to an individual dated 23 March 1975, the Universal House of Justice wrote:

When a person declares his acceptance of Bahá'u'lláh as a Manifestation of God he becomes a party to the Covenant and accepts the totality of His Revelation. If he then turns round and attacks Bahá'u'lláh or the Central Institution of the Faith he violates the Covenant. If this happens every effort is made to help that person to see the illogicality and error of his actions, but if he persists he must, in accordance with the instructions of Bahá'u'lláh Himself, be shunned as a Covenant-breaker.1

The personal failings that lead people to violate the Covenant to which they know they have committed themselves have been described by the Guardian as "the blind hatred, the unbounded presumption, the incredible folly, the abject perfidy, the vaulting ambition"2 which, in varying degrees, afflict the persons concerned. While some of these may have been duped by others, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has said of them:

These do not doubt the validity of the Covenant, but selfish motives have dragged them to this condition. It is not that they do not know what they do—they are perfectly aware and still they exhibit opposition.3

The Danger It Poses

The Master has warned that, if unchecked, Covenant-breaking would "utterly destroy the Cause of God, exterminate His Law and render of no account all efforts exerted in the past". He sets this warning in the context of the fact that the central purpose of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation is to create unity:

Were it not for the protecting power of the Covenant to guard the impregnable fort of the Cause of God, there would arise among the Bahá'ís, in one day, a thousand different sects as was the case in former ages.4

2

Apart from the danger that Covenant-breaking poses to the development of the Cause, it represents a spiritual contagion threatening the well-being of the individual believer because of its subtle appeal to the human ego. 'Abdu'l-Bahá called for the complete exclusion from the Bahá'í community of anyone found to be infected with the virus of Covenant-breaking and urged all believers to shun any contact whatever with the persons involved.

More on this subject is available here:http://info.bahai.org/article-1-3-3-4.html

Photo essay and quotations on serving at the Bahá'í World Centre

From the Baha'is of Tacoma, Washington blog.

 

You, too, may be of service

Posted: 21 Mar 2009 08:04 PM PDT

There lay concealed within the Holy Veil, and prepared for the service of God, a company of His chosen ones who shall be manifested unto men, who shall aid His Cause, who shall be afraid of no one, though the entire human race rise up and war against them. These are the ones who, before the gaze of the  dwellers on earth and the denizens of heaven, shall arise and, shouting aloud, acclaim the name of the Almighty, and summon the children of men to the path of God, the All-Glorious, the All-Praised. Walk thou in their way, and let no one dismay thee. Be of them whom the tumult of the world, however much it may agitate them in the path of their Creator, can never sadden, whose purpose the blame of the blamer will never defeat.

                                                                                                                         Bahá'u'lláh

 

George Bowers (England), Phil Trutza (USA and Samoa), and Denver Morgan (Wales), inspect work being done on the roof over the ante-chamber beside the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.

 

 

 

 

Therefore we also must strive in this pathway of love and service, sacrificing life and possessions, passing our days in devotion, consecrating our efforts wholly to the cause of God, so that, God willing, the ensign of universal religion may be uplifted in the world of mankind and the oneness of the world of humanity be established.

                                                                                                                 'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

Carpenter Wolfgand Nieland (Germany and Canada), standing in the middle, helping to restore the roof above the ante-chamber to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.

 

 

 

 

Immerse me, O my God, in this most bounteous, rolling Ocean; give me to drink of this sweet, abundant Water; cause me to enter this Gateway of Righteousness; ordain me for this praiseworthy Station; cause me to obtain this Cup which is overflowing with the living water; light in the crystal of my heart this Lamp which is giving forth its illuminating, brilliant radiance; and strengthen me for the service of Thy Cause, O my Lord, the Forgiver!

                                                                                                               'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

Daryoush Hadjiyoussef (Germany), head of the ironshop, standing on the ladder, re-installs a refurbished lamp at Bahji.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wert thou to consider this world, and realize how fleeting are the things that pertain unto it, thou wouldst choose to tread no path except the path of service to the Cause of thy Lord. None would have the power to deter thee from celebrating His praise, though all men should arise to oppose thee.

Go thou straight on and persevere in His service. Say: O people! The Day, promised unto you in all the Scriptures, is now come. Fear ye God, and withhold not yourselves from recognizing the One Who is the Object of your creation. Hasten ye unto Him. Better is this for you than the world and all that is therein. Would that ye could perceive it!

                                                                                                                 Bahá'u'lláh

 

 

Blaine Reed (Alaska), right, inventory controller and keeper of the supplies used by the Operatons Office (and purchased by the Supply Office), fulfills an order by Daryoush Hadjiyoussef.

 

 

 

 

O army of God! Whensoever ye behold a person whose entire attention is directed toward the Cause of God; whose only aim is this, to make the Word of God to take effect; who, day and night, with pure intent, is rendering service to the Cause; from whose behaviour not the slightest trace of egotism or private motives is discerned — who, rather, wandereth distracted in the wilderness of the love of God, and drinketh only from the cup of the knowledge of God, and is utterly engrossed in spreading the sweet savours of God, and is enamoured of the holy verses of the Kingdom of God — know ye for a certainty that this individual will be supported and reinforced by heaven; that like unto the  morning star, he will forever gleam brightly out of the skies of eternal grace.

                                                                                                                  'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

 

Gaston Mattheus (Belgium), head of the paint shop, installs gold leaf as a finishing touch on a beautiful iron gate manufactured by our ironworkers according to the architect's plans, just prior to its installation. 

 

 

 

 

Bahá'u'lláh proclaims in the Hidden Words that God inspires His servants and is revealed through them. He says, "Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My manifestation." Therefore, we learn that nearness to God is possible through devotion to Him, through entrance into the Kingdom and service to humanity; it is attained by unity with mankind and through loving-kindness to all; it is dependent upon investigation of truth, acquisition of praiseworthy virtues, service in the cause of universal peace and personal sanctification. In a word, nearness to God necessitates sacrifice of self, severance and the giving up of all to Him. Nearness is likeness.

                                                                                                                      'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

 

Zhena Goharriz-Zainy (England), secretary of the Operations Office, keeping tight control over all of those male craftsmen who came from around the world to serve at the World Center of their Faith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The words thou hadst written have, as soon as they were read in My Presence, caused the ocean of My fidelity to surge within Me, and the breeze of My forgiveness to be wafted over thy soul, and the tree of My loving-kindness to overshadow thee, and the clouds of My bounty to rain down upon thee their gifts. I swear by the Day Star that shineth above  the horizon of eternity, I sorrow for thee in thy grief, and lament with thee in thy tribulation…. I bear witness to the services thou hast rendered Me, and testify to the various troubles thou hast sustained for My sake. All the atoms of the earth declare My love for thee.

                                                                                                               Bahá'u'lláh

 

 

Painter Tony Verderosa (United States), right, restoring windows from one of our holy places.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We must partake of the bounty and grace of the Lord, for the Báb has admonished us to arise in service to the Cause of God, to be absolutely severed from all else save God during the day of the Blessed Perfection, Bahá'u'lláh, to be completely attracted by the love of Bahá'u'lláh, to love all humanity for His sake, to be lenient and merciful to all for Him and to upbuild the oneness of the world of humanity.

                                                                                                             'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

 

 

Painter Gerhard Gross (Austria) applies gold leaf to ironwork made by our ironworkers at the workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today there is no greater glory for man than that of service in the cause of the Most Great Peace.

                                                                                                                    'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

 

 

Carpenter David Simons (Canada) and Aziz Ghalili (Iran and the USA), work on the restoration of the roof over the ante-chamber to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.

 

 

 

 

Senses and faculties have been bestowed upon us, to be devoted to the service of the general good; so that we, distinguished above all other forms of life for perceptiveness and reason, should labor at all times and along all lines, whether the occasion be great or small, ordinary or extraordinary, until all mankind are safely gathered into the impregnable stronghold of knowledge.

                                                                                                             'Abdu'l-Bahá

 

 

 

 

Bonnie Reed (Alaska) serves on her day off by doing some weeding in the Monument Gardens.

 

 

 

 

You, too, may be of service to Bahá'u'lláh, by serving at the Bahá'í World Center in Haifa, Israel, at your National Office or any of its agencies, or by serving the Faith in your own community.

 

 

Staff members from the Bahá'í World Centre enjoying a boat trip in the gulf off of Eilat. 

 

Photos circa 1984/85 by the Webmaster

 

Anticipating distress and difficulty in the path of spiritual growth

This is an intelligent juxtaposition of two Baha'í writings by Mitko on his thoughtful blog Befriended Stranger.

 

Calamity and growth

Posted: 15 Mar 2009 02:21 PM PDT

51. O SON OF MAN!
My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.

(Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

When a person becomes a Baha'i, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God…. Naturally there will be periods of distress and difficulty, and even severe tests, but if that person turns firmly toward the divine Manifestation, studies carefully His spiritual teachings and receives the blessings of the Holy Spirit, he will find that in reality these tests and difficulties have been the gifts of God to enable him to grow and develop.

(From a letter dated 6 October 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)