Number One Across in the Universal crossword (as seen in the Toronto Star, the internet and probably other places) this week = Baha'i! So awesome!http://ms-slg.blogspot.com/2007/08/this-week-in-bahai-news.html
On a day before a three day weekend marking the traditional end of summer, I get the impression that no one is indoors reading blogs. But here I am, Lord, Google-ing "Baha'i" and finding many meaty offerings on the 'net. Some examples... -gw
"All historical epics," as Benjamin Friedlander notes in his analysis of Bahá’í poet Robert Hayden's epic, "are first of all affirmations of community." ... I can't help but agree with the sentiments of Joseph Campbell when he says: "each individual is the centre of a mythology of his own." As Baha'u'llah says, we each must find for ourselves the indwelling God, the Thou at the centre of our world--and the crossover, for the Bahá’í, the cornerstone of community, is symbolized by Baha'u'llah.
Small groups like the Baha’i are easily overlooked in Egypt but their right to freedom correspond to the freedoms of all the countries citizens, therefore Baha’i freedoms equal Egyptian freedoms. 
Muslims do not allow images of God or messengers which is a movement toward God being transcendent, which means that all description of God being in time or space is pure imagination. This also, is the Baha’i view of God which means that it is helpful to imagine where God is terms of virtue, but description of God is beyond all comprehension.Richard Hastings, "Where is God?" Radical Change
We believe that "seal of the prophets" did not mean that Muhammad was the last of the Manifestations, but rather more of a closing off of prophecy itself, or the "seal" as a kind of stamp of approval — or more accurately, of validation — of the previous prophetic messages. And we believe that while not all of the literal "signs of the return" may have accompanied the lives of the Báb's and Bahá'u'lláh, these various apocalyptic predictions are built up and exaggerated over the years.
Stephen A. Fuqua, "Missed Opportunity: Baha'i Connection to the Shi'a Mahdi," Safnet.com
An intesting side note and a pressing concern. -gw
im going to like world religions, and if i gain weight this semster, its all because of that class [teacher makes us bring in food], so tell me if i look fatter.
The more I listen to Arise by the Dawnbreaker Collective and the Temple of Light Vol 1 albums, the more I am aware of the tremendous gains that have been achieved in producing high quality Baha'i-inspired music. I absolutely love the creativity of the Arise collaboration and the diversity of selections on the Temple of Light compilation.-gw
"Ditmas Park mural: Recently dubbed 'the most diverse neighborhood in America' by U.S.News & World Report, Ditmas Park attracts a broad swath of individuals and families from a wide variety of cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds." Uploaded on September 17, 2006 by anniebee on flickr
The San Bernadino County Sun ran an article about "Open Mosque Day," reposted on the blog of Hussam Ayloush, the Southern California Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who was interviewed for the article. -gw
On his blog Only a Game Chris provides a listing of religions from the oldest to the youngest. If you view Discordianism as a "parody religion," as described on Wkipedia, then Baha'i is at the bottom of the list, the youngest. -gw
"Believers sang song or pray to God of Taoism & Buddhism at the temple, Taipei"
Uploaded on August 13, 2007 by Sunshine Junior on flickr
On his blog Iguana focuses on the intersect of economic development and spirituality in a fascinating post on what has been termed the Grameen methodology, or micro-credit programs, which aim at alleviating poverty. -gw
I became interested in the Grameen methodology through research into complementary or social currencies and later in community banking methods practiced by the Baha’i international community. ...
As I ask and look for answers to many new questions about economic development, I find that many older questions are sprouting up anew. Foremost among them are concerns about focusing a development strategy entirely on humanity’s material nature, relegating our spiritual yearnings to the realm of personal, emotional fulfillment. There is of course, nothing wrong with development strategies that aim at generating material prosperity. In fact if a development strategy didn’t have this aim, it would be guilty of the opposite, and equally imbalanced, offence.
The obvious dangers involved in integrating traditional and dogmatic religious concepts into development strategies have distanced most of those interested in creating and increasing prosperity from discussions about the role of spirituality in development. Rightly so, as traditional religious discourse too often only fans differences and generates discord. It is easier to focus on issues we all agree upon, especially when they are also the most visible and cause the most immediate impact.
Giving up this easily on spirituality, and on the human spirit, however leads us to visualize development within a context that equates prosperity with material well-being. It also equates prosperity with properly conceived and functioning public, private and social structures taking socialism as its model, either consciously, or more likely, unconsciously. It has also led us to a tragically flawed economic order that celebrates material comfort of a few at the expense of monumental suffering of the masses of humanity. Simplistic answers to questions about generating prosperity thus generate hasty and ultimately shallow results.
Even though it implies a more complex planning and execution process, the “powers of the human spirit responsible for some of the greatest accomplishments of humanity’s past such as the power of unity, of humble service, of noble deeds, of love, and the power of truth” can be released only when development efforts are “formulated and carried out in the context of an emerging world civilization.” Indeed, this is a great and complex process that needs carry humanity into the next stage of its evolution defined by “a dual cry … heard everywhere rising from the heart of the great masses of humanity … that demands the extension of the fruits of material progress to all peoples and, at the same time, it calls out for the values of spiritual civilization.”
Defining the hallmark of this civilization occurs when universally shared values are elevated to principle. The overriding principle that contextualizes and provides a practical aspect to this effort is the oneness of humankind. A collective life that foments dignity, justice, participation and joy, as exemplified by the harmonious integration of a huge variety of cells in the human body, happens as a “result of a gradual unfoldment of the potentialities of the human spirit,” as these spiritual notions touch the very depths of human motivation. This evolutionary process “will attain a stage of fulfillment when humanity is at last able to undertake the task of laying foundations for a unified and advanced civilization. Progress towards such a goal demands rapid and organic change in the very structure of society, accompanied by an equally profound change in human consciousness.”
*All quotes taken from “Science, Religion and Development”, pages 83 – 86, Dr. Farzam Arbab, FUNDAEC, 2001.
Iguana, "Grameen and Spirituality," Iguana Journal: Exploring the world as it is and might be...
{Re-posted with permission}
Marco, the Portuguese blogger of Povo de Baha, conveys the news of Baha'i Nelson Evora's achievement. Nelson won a gold medal for Portugal at the international track meet in Osaka, Japan. -gw
Uploaded on March 22, 2006 by Skip The Budgie on flickr
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I am thrilled to come across a blog by J.A. Mclean, scholar of Baha'i theology. We have a neat book of essays by him on our shelf downstairs. Since I started blogging, I've thought those essays in blog form would be a natural fit. This post takes on the subject of religious dissidents and ex-Baha'is, noting as part of his discussion the following. -gw
People, generally, do not object to organized government, to an organized judiciary, to organized political parties, to organized education, to organized medicine, clubs, associations and societies. But except for official members, the religious “organization” in a secular age has become definitely suspect. And for good reason. ...
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J.A. Mclean, "DISSIDENTS AND THE BAHA'I FAITH," Pilgrim Notes
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{Photo licensed by Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0}
Coercion has no place in religion. -gw
I find different groups and religions interesting. One day you will see me reading the bible, read on buddaism to the Baha'i religion because I think it is important to learn about others beliefs so you can make your own desicions on what you believe. It all falls under love, basic religions basically say the same thing, they all pray and fills our hearts with peace. If people stopped focusing on other people and forcing others to believe what others believe than I think this world would be a happier place ;-) PEace and Love.
http://www.myspace.com/Jenni1z
We Baha'is today should ask ourselves, do we want the Baha'i Faith to be just a select club or a spiritual community of the masses? This line of questioning has been posed to us in recent years by the Continental Counselors.
I had sent another email to Mary Ellen to invite her to our devotional meeting yesterday, but she didn't make it. As I learned this evening, Mary Ellen received instead a home visit from Counselor Murphy, our Auxiliary Board member Shawn, and our Assembly Chairperson Lori.
Our counselors, auxiliary board members, and local spiritual assembly members all make home visits, setting an example for us all. That's how important is teaching the Cause, given the urgency of the hour. Because Baha'u'llah did not intend for the Faith to be just a club.
Lori said, "It was a pretty amazing visit. Mary Ellen is reading the Gleanings that Shawn gave her at Chris and Shadi's, and she is talking like a Baha'i." -gw
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"Ye are even as the bird which soareth, with the full force of its mighty wings and with complete and joyous confidence, through the immensity of the heavens, until, impelled to satisfy its hunger, it turneth longingly to the water and clay of the earth below it, and, having been entrapped in the mesh of its desire, findeth itself impotent to resume its flight to the realms whence it came. Powerless to shake off the burden weighing on its sullied wings, that bird, hitherto an inmate of the heavens, is now forced to seek a dwelling-place upon the dust. Wherefore, O My servants, defile not your wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, and suffer them not to be stained with the dust of envy and hate, that ye may not be hindered from soaring in the heavens of My divine knowledge.(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 327) " Uploaded on August 22, 2006 by prema on flickr
{Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0}
This is long, but worth it. This Baha'i blogger writes of a teaching experience and, in so doing, exemplifies the passion and the love for all humanity with which Baha'is are called upon to approach the responsibility to teach, especially given the needs of the current Plan. -gw
at the ticket counter i was told that my flight is not until tomorrow. this made me feel very alone. suddenly my expectations went from getting on a plane and waking up in michigan and seeing my mom, to shivering through the cold dark city all alone from a lonely airport of strangers to a cold desolate, late night, end of the line, BART station, to the spooky civic center station ghetto, to the actual ghetto, to my home, where no one is expecting my return, not even my cat. it was nearly 11pm and i felt nothing but desolation and dissapointment as i wheeled my things to the elevator and got on the air train to journey back to my sad life.
"An approaching train in the Civic Center BART station," uploaded on February 11, 2007 by Jeremy Brooks on flickr
we had the greatest discussion. and i felt so lucky to have the things that i had with me. i had wanted to go to the book store and get materials to help teach my christian best friend in michigan. but i ran out of time, so just before leaving the bahai center i grabed a flyer called, "the Rumor of Christ's Return". i also had the book "Preparing for Christ's new Name" and i even had printed out the Lawhi Aqdas, the Most Holy Tablet aka the Tablet for the Christians. but i didn't have all the pages, so he gave me his email address to get the whole thing by email. To quote Stanley Black in "Os Quindos de Ya Ya" on the Something for Everybody sampler CD, these days "It's all video, video, video," and that's a good thing. All for YouTube stand up and holler! Good for teaching. Good for getting out the Baha'i message. Good for global communication. How powerful are the messages in the videos linked below? Thanks to John Conkling for bringing to my attention "Bahai Faith - A Way Forward" and Marco of Povo de Baha for "Egypt Tourism Ad." -gw
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BAHAI FAITH - A WAY FORWARD
EGYPT TOURISM AD
My morning all-Baha'i artists ipod shuffle. -gw
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Kiskadee
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"No Stopping Us Now," Kiskadee, Don't Look Back
"Call to Nations," Russ Salton, Hearts on Fire
"We Are the People," Khoshmashrab, Hatami, Ferdowsi, Sharing Circles Songs for Kids (Ruhi 3)
"Chahar Midrab," Rahmotallah Badiyi, Zamaneh (Era)
"As I Am," Suzy K, As I Am
"Sufi Mali," XCultures, One World One People
Masnavi," Amir Haghighi, Temple of Light, Volume 1
"Amame," Lenor Dely, Amame
"Prayer," Ali Akbar Furutan, Melodies from the City of the Covenant
"Hollow Reed," BMG, Voices from the Black Men's Gathering
"Kraing Chapey," Daran Kravanh, Music Through the Dark
"Lightning Tree," The Pearl Divers, Destiny
"Canto," KC Porter, Embrace the World
"Don't Be Foolish," Doug, Baha'u'llah's Way
"Audio Track #2," Chanchai Baran & Jack, Thai & Lao Baha'i Songs
"Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha, Ya-Ali'u'l-Allah," Baha'i Chorale, Songs of the Ancient Beauty
Sunday morning I had occasion to visit a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints church and observe youth and young adults among those at the 9 a.m. sacrament service. Today I note a fascinating discussion involving dozens of comments to a post on a blog called By Common Consent which addresses what might be called religious diversity issues affecting LDS youth. The 52nd commenter is Portia who had this observation to share among others. -gw
As far as sharing similar values, one of my closest friends was Persian and Baha’i. We had interesting discussions about our respective religions, and she had very good morals as far as modesty, drinking/drugs, sex, etc., and she wasn’t Christian, let alone Mormon.
Comment on "Teenagers and Mormon friends" by Portia, By Common Consent
{Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0}
"Ties that bind," uploaded on April 10, 2007 by quasarsglow on flickr
The blogger of Welcome to My Home invites his readers to view the video "George Airy and Abdul-Baha" on YouTube, and offers the following observations. -gw
http://www.toky.it/video_amatoriali_player.asp?video=sV8CxbDs3Qc&v=abdu
Saturday I spent the day manning the Baha'i Booth at the Asian Water Festival. The booth looked like 
+http://worldcitizensara.blogspot.com/
Sara and Greg are back from Indonesia and have posted again. I was reading a previous post of Sara's and continue to find remarkable the incredible detail of her description of visiting Baha'i communities in Mentawai, Sumatra, Indonesia. -gw
Oh, God! -gw
Hate and violence just increases,
We're so selfish, cruel and blind.
We fight and kill each other,
In your name, defending you.
Do you love some more than others?
We're so lost and confused.
"Hello God" on the Halos and Horns album
Written & Sung by Dolly Parton
Blogging and Baha'i. They go together like beans and rice. It's page one Blog Search news. -gw
Blog Action Day October 15th 2007
8 hours ago by Suzie Cheel: Collis is a Baha’i and Blog Action Day was inspired by the Baha’i belief in the unity of humanity.
Blog Action Day will be on 15 October 2007
8 hours ago by pelf Blog Action Day is a blogging event scheduled to take place on October 15th, where bloggers around the world will unite to post on a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Each blogger will post about the ...pelf-ism is contagious - http://chenpn.com
Blog Action Day 2007 - The environment
2 hours ago by John I have to say this sounds pretty interesting on October 15th is to be Blog Action Day where bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind. That is the issue that is our environment. ...John Michael Ryan's Technology Rants - http://johnmryan.com
Blog action day for environment
58 minutes ago by Mihai Let’s see what happens if a lot of bloggers write about the same thing in one day? Would it matter ? Would you make a difference. Blog action day, on October 15′th will be the day when thousands of blogs will write about the one thing. ...PatchLog - http://patchlog.com
Blog Action Day - October 15, 2007
8 hours ago by Myo Kyaw Htun Blog Action Day - October 15, 2007 Blog Action Day. What it is ? Bloggers around the world who participate in Blog Action Day will post a single topic on October 15, 2007. The topic is “Environment“. Your post can be anything which is ...Myo Kyaw Htun . com :: A programmer studies... - http://www.myokyawhtun.com
Blog Action Day needs you!
16 Aug 2007 Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future. Blog Action Day is about MASS participation.Computerlove - Connecting Creative Talents - http://www.cpluv.com/ - References
Blog Action Day - October 15th - Topic: The Environment
6 hours ago by Andy Merrett On October 15th, the first annual “Blog Action Day” will take place, offering an opportunity for bloggers around the world to write about a common subject in whatever way is appropriate to them and their blog. ...The Blog Herald - http://www.blogherald.com
Blog Action Day
5 hours ago by PR Design An interesting concept, can all bloggers talk about the same thing at the same time? Or more importantly, will it work? It's a good notion but I'm not too sure whether it will have any impact... See what you think: Blog Action Day.Graphic Design Forum and Web Design Forum - http://www.graphic-design-forum.com
Blog Action Day 2007
16 Aug 2007 by Cyan Today is the launch of Blog Action Day! Blog Action Day is an initiative of Collis (our design guru) and Leo (our productivity guru). They are asking bloggers around the world to unite on October 15th, 2007 to post about the environment ...Freelance Switch - http://freelanceswitch.com - References
Blog Action Day, October 15th.
20 hours ago by CableGirl Sadly, there are some people out there who don’t. Don’t be one of them. If you have a blog and you want to help make the world a safer more inhabitable place, participate in the Blog Action Day. The idea [...]42 - http://cablegirl.wordpress.com
Bina took the challenge. She's a Baha'i now. -gw
40) 'Come Now, Let Us Reason Together (Saith the Lord)' by Hushidar Hugh Motlagh, Ed.D. ~ 08/15/07 247 pages. I actually became a Baha'i during reading this (yes, it's taken me a couple of months to get through lol), so this answered a lot of questions I had. This book basically explains the revelations of Christ fulfilled by Baha'u'llah. It's also a great book to read if you're wanting to learn more about The Baha'i Faith. +Bina+
Books Accomplished: 40 / 50 books. 80% done!
Pages Read: 7371 / 10000 pages. 74% done!
Days Used: 226 / 365 days. 62% done!
Current Mood: good
http://community.livejournal.com/50bookchallenge/8295525.html
This ad prompted the following post. "Religion should be the cause of love and unity." Indeed. -gw
http://malaywomen.blogspot.com/2007/08/bahai-faith-organization-is-spreading.html
When I first started blogging I thought readers always started with the top post. What I've come to know, but only when I got Sitemeter, is that readers come to blogs via as many doors as there are posts. Another benefit to sticking with a blog day after day, year after year. It is my hope that every post can be an avenue to investigation of the Faith. Another post, another door.
Bahai Views
The uniquely future-oriented Faith of Baha'u'llah was featured on Future Radio, according to this blurb. -gw
With my heightened awareness of the availability of music by Baha'i artists on the 'net, I am taking special notice of sites like this one. Hippity hop over. Excerpts from all the songs from "Set It Off" can be heard. -gw
When we arrived at Chris and Shadi's, the door was open, the lights were out in the living room, and nobody was there. Our hosts showed up momentarily and the lights were turned on. Our attention immediately went to the 88-key Yamaha electric piano in the corner of the room. Myong had brought a book of sheet music. She started practising, going through song after song, becoming familiar with the piano.
Judith and Shadi, November 2006 fireside - photo by Flitzy Phoebie
I had met Mary Ellen at the Ethnic Fest booth along with Kathy. I had been trying to get Mary Ellen to our devotional. But here she was with Debbie. She had been serious about getting connected with the Baha'is again. She had inadvertantly missed Deb and Tim's monthly waffle breakfast devotional this morning. I hadn't known she had planned to attend. I had no idea at all she might show up at the fireside. It was so good seeing her.
The fireside began with a song by Myong, nicely warmed up by the time she was called upon. Kay was the speaker. Kay has been supporting our Ruhi 1. In fact, our whole circle was there. With Kay came artist Jim, long-time friend of the Faith from Tacoma. Our Auxiliary Board member Shaun was there, and another radiant Gig Harbor Baha'i and her daughter, as well as our hosts.
Kay powered up a PowerPoint and we all gathered around a flat-screen TV in the family room. Her presentation was on the purpose of religion. It was succinct, interactive, and focused on the Writings, and you can't do any better than that for a fireside. Mary Ellen oohed and aahed at one quote Kay provided. Myong was nodding her head throughout. Jim posed thoughtful questions. Everybody had something to add.
After her presentation, came happy birthday and the cake. Oh, what a cake! Oh, what a night! -gw
The folks at Gairu.com offer some sage advice. -gw
Blue Scholar’s album, Bayani, starts off with a Baha’i healing prayer which might throw some off guard. Just hit the skip forward button.
http://www.gairu.com/2007/08/12/blue-scholars/
"Busy at work: children's classes, Rangel, Luanda, Angola"
Uploaded on May 10, 2007 by Ali the Bird Coral on flickr
Salvatore has posted a comprehensive piece on the importance of the spiritual education of children on his blog unsolopaese in Italian. English speakers can use Language Tools for a translation. -gw
http://www.rationalresponders.com/
From the post in Vox Cosmicos: Observing transformations. Thoughts on religion and society in a globalising era. I learn of an insightful commentary on Dawkin's book from a Baha'i perspective. -gw
I read Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion" some time ago and I've had it in mind to write a post commenting on this book. But meanwhile, a brilliant review of it has appeared in"One Country", a newsletter of the Baha'i International Community, and anything I might have written seems redundant.
http://voxcosmicos.blogspot.com/2007/08/unravelling-god-delusion.html
Catch study circle fever by visiting Study Circles, the blog. -gw
▼ August (3)
Ruhi Book 6 - Teaching the Cause!
Video of Practices of Ruhi Book 2
Home Visit Part II on Saturday, 28 August 2007
► July (2)
Teaching Teams!
Ruhi Book I in NW!!!
► June (3)
June Youth Initiative: Practices!
June Youth Initiative - Carrying out the Practices...
Study Circles!!!
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http://studycirclehc.blogspot.com/
Dear George, Allah'u'Abha.
cheers!! -Praveen
For these young adults, Saturday afternoons
Hi George. As an avid reader of your Baha'i Views blog, I thought you might be interested in this post from the blog Paleo-Future , which provides insights into yesterday's thinking about tomorrow (retro-futurism). It mentions that a prediction for the future in the 1972 book Futures Conditional was that Nigeria, Dahomey, Ivory Coast, and Guinea would become Baha'i countries. Very interesting ;-) Best regards, Rory
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Thank you, Rory. Paleo-Future: A look into the future that never was. What a fascinating blog subject. Matt, the blogger, invites people "to talk about their favorite visions of the future from the past." There are no Baha'i countries, of course. Yet. Is the Baha'i Faith a vision of the future that has passed (past!) by the wayside? Or were the futurist's predictions for Africa just a little early? And how about the rest of the world? Baha'u'llah says that the world will be united into one commonwealth. When will it be? When will it come to pass? Baha'is know peace is inevitable, even if God has to raise up a new race of men to accomplish it. -gw
"Baha'i Gardens in Haifa, some of the most amazing I've ever seen" - Caroline
Caroline visited Israel while in the Middle East and provides wonderful detail in her text and photos. -gw
It's impossible to not be moved by the sprituality in this country. It means so much to so many people and so much of its identity is wrapped up in symbols and manifestations of God, Yahweh, Allah, Gaia, etc,. representatives of religions that have crafted so much of our world. It ceases to be about simple land and economic benefit, though there's certainly an aspect of that, but my first experience of this country was like being hit over the head and heart with a spiritual hammer. Maybe bludgeoned. There were times when my practical sense dominated and I saw buildings, churches, as simply pretty man-made constructions, but then there were other times when I could feel what the building was retaining within its walls, the intent behind its construction. I know, I sound crazy. But it was a crazy experience. This could all have something to do with the fact that I went to Mass more times in this one week then I have in maybe my entire life.
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Caroline, "Israel, the Land of a Thousand Faces," Jordan 2007
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{Re-posted with permission}
I encourage Baha'is to blog, in case anyone is wondering. It contributes to spreading the fragrances of Baha'u'llah the world over. I remind myself that, if I don't post just about every day, it better be for a good reason, like teaching locally. The opportunities for face-to-face and heart-to-heart teaching and community-building in the places where we reside are precious and not to be by-passed. And our efforts, no matter how small, are blog-worthy.
Our study circle Wednesday night was lovely, and our devotional meeting last night was the best so far. I picked up one dear soul I had met at Ethnic Fest and brought her to our home for prayers, music, and a Baha'i video. Kathy was raised Baha'i but fell out of touch at an early age. By her calculations it has been 28 years since her last contact. There she was in all her radiant glory. She is hoping to come with us to Chris and Shadi's fireside Saturday evening.
Blogging, journaling on the web, can be like breathing, and your post like a breath of fresh air to your reader. Anne has been thinking about her blog. -gw
Since blogging has become a growing social force, I thought it might be fun to also think of another purpose for the blog. I'm having a hard time defining it exactly, but I would like it to be about creating a positive future: for ourselves as individuals, for families and communities, and for the planet.
Anne, "Thinking about the blog...." Let It Shine
{Re-posted with permission}
স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda
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Thanks to Praveen for calling my attention to mentions of the Faith in the venerable Times of India. Here is one of many. -gw
The Baha'i faith seems to fulfil Swami Vivekananda's sentiments that if there is ever to be a universal religion, it must be one which will be infinite, like the God it will preach, whose sun will shine upon the followers of Krishna and of Christ, on saints and sinners alike; which will not be Brahmanic or Buddhistic, Christian or Mohammedan, but the sum total of all these, and still have infinite space for development.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/An_eclectic_faith_that_transcends_barriers/articleshow/msid-2000284,curpg-1.cms
Are Bahá’ís required to tithe a portion of their income? As an element of their life of service, Bahá’ís contribute regularly to the funds that support the work of the Faith in accordance with their means. This is a spiritual duty and a matter of individual conscience, without coercion or overview by the community. 
Participating in a Baha'i devotional meeting is part of the rhythm of Chad's life. -gw
This week I have been unable to escape the fact that I am most definitely an adult, with all the responsibilities that go with it. My parents have been away on holiday for just over a week, leaving me and my two brothers behind to fend for ourselves. All of a sudden my mind is cluttered with all sorts of things. I have to keep a running mental inventory of the fridge and pantry, think of meal ideas, remember to go shopping, cook dinner, make sure the VCR is set up to record Mum's favourite TV shows, and keep track of a "To Do" list that keeps getting longer by the day. That is not to mention the tafe course that I recently started, which I am finding quite interesting, insightful, and challenging. Two days a week on campus and ideally another 10 hours non-contact adds up to 24 hours a week. Not that I'm complaining. Life isn't boring, and I can still find time to pursue my hobbies; namely digital photography and surfing the web. I'm also involved with the activities of the local Baha'i community including an Adelaide-based devotional meeting. Throw in a game of squash, and outings to the pool hall (currently fewer than I would like) or the cinema and you'll just about have me covered.
Chad, "Responsibility," inspektorgadget: A Bloggish Blog
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{Re-posted with permission}
The Baha'i Faith impresses even an "unrepentent Marxist" much involved in political analysis, even though the Baha'is shun partisan politics, and Marxism is described in the Baha'i texts as destructively material in nature, part and parcel of "a process of social and spiritual degradation" that has been plaguing the planet for the past century and a half. -gw
"Cutting hair," uploaded on May 22, 2007 by toryp. on flickr
I first encountered the Baha’i in the early 1980s when I discovered that my barber was a member of the sect.... Back in the 1980s, when I went to Baha’i services in New York about every 2 or 3 months, I came away very impressed with their beliefs–all except of course their silly notion that there was some kind of deity controlling the destiny of humanity and the world.
Louis Proyect, "The Jews and the Baha'is," Louis Proyect: The Unrepentant Marxist
I am not just listening to old music ... or music for old people. I'm listening to new and almost new songs by Baha'i artists. Here is a song I am loving right now, Gyenyame's musical rendition of a Baha'i healing prayer. -hw
"The Sufficing, the Healing" by Gyenyame
Here is a video performance by Gyenyame on YouTube, and here is an explanation of the meaning of "gyenyame". The group's website is here. On MySpace they are here. -gw
More Ipod love here. More love, period. Love is everywhere. Thank you Baha'u'llah. -gw
"Love Train" 
"Pure and Easy" 
A Change Is Gonna Come" 
"Revival" A 21-year-old Baha'i dies in a car accident and is remembered by his father in stories, as reported in an online news article and echoed elsewhere on the Internet. -gw
On another occasion, two men tried to mug him, but Aram had no money in his wallet. He told the men that if they needed money for food, they could instead come to a Baha’i study circle that night to get something to eat. One man showed up. The other came to the next meeting. Both became regular participants.
http://bhs70s.blogspot.com/2007/08/life-lived-fully-in-21-years.html
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http://www.projo.com/news/content/STUDENT_BURIED_07-14-07_H86CEPR.31588ba.html
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http://www.digg.com/world_news/Citizen_of_the_world_Aram_Adlparvar
Bahia's grateful reflections. -gw
so i have a few minutes before i head out to my last friday of work. i just read the latest few entries i wrote, and felt inspired to update.
i don't know. so much has happened since even the end of this year. this past year was, i guess, the second hardest year of my life, in a completely opposite way that my year of service was. and when i say hardest, i don't mean because it was the worst, or the most "hardship", but it was because i had made the decision to face myself. and i did. no distractions, no excuses. my year of service was discovery, while this past year was more trial and error---who i want to be vs. who i don't. and of course some overlapping in between.
what's most amazing to at this point in time, is putting all of my theories that i've taken my whole life to dream up (which go hand in hand with the baha'i faith) and finally, after 20 years, putting them into practice. the most fulfilling part of all of it, is seeing it work. it's like i'm watching this new person i've created successfully tackle problems she's struggled her whole life to understand, change, and master. i could never, in my life, express how happy i am. how much i see the miracle in life and the baha'i faith. and never, in my life have i felt so much love for so many people at one time. my heart is ready to burst with feeling that i'm pretty sure i've deprived myself of again, my whole life.
i'm in a constant state of amazement, and i feel more ready than ever before to take everything that everyone has ever given me, wrap it up in a small bundle kept securely in my pumping heart and bring it with me wherever i go. i'm pretty sure i want to go everywhere. i don't know what i'm doing or where my life is leading me, but i am so excited and finally see and really understand what it means to have my whole life ahead of me. it's pumping through every vein in my body and i thank every single human being that ever took the time to smile at me, talk to me, hug me, love me, write to me, teach me, dance with me, play with me---because every single one has helped to shape me into the person i am today and that will forever be priceless to me in every inch of my soul.
i love you so much, i could never, ever, ever fully express it.
http://bahria.livejournal.com/20292.html?view=10820#t10820
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{Re-posted with permission}
A most welcome blog has emerged to explore the interface between the Baha'i Faith and 12-Step. Read "What's in a Name? Part 1: Pearl Bearer" for the beginning of this blogger's story. -gw
I am blessed to be a member of two amazing global communities; the Baha'i Faith and various 12 Step Recovery Fellowships. I’m excited about exploring the intersections between the two movements in this blog. In fact, I believe they have a great deal to teach one another and I hope this page can help establish a mutually beneficial bridge between them.
http://pearlbearer.blogspot.com/
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Photo tag: "AA," Uploaded on July 20, 2007 by smussyolay on flickr
