[Baha'u'llah's] aim is to widen the basis of all revealed religions and to unravel the mysteries of their scriptures. He insists on the unqualified recognition of the unity of their purpose, restates the eternal verities they enshrine, coordinates their functions, distinguishes the essential and the authentic from the nonessential and spurious in their teachings, separates the God-given truths from the priest-prompted superstitions, and on this as a basis proclaims the possibility, and even prophecies the inevitability, of their unification, and the consummation of their highest hopes.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
On Bonita and the Blackbird Nest: Unraveling the mysteries
On Blue, Too: Butterflies and irises at Coffeepot Lake
Sometimes Coffeepot Lake was blue, just like the butterflies and the irises that grew along its shore. -gw
Wild iris at Coffeepot Lake – a set on Flickr
We marvelled when we beheld, among the things which that coffer contained, a scroll of blue paper, of the most delicate texture, on which the Báb, in His own exquisite handwriting, which was a fine shikastih script, had penned, in the form of a pentacle, what numbered about five hundred verses, all consisting of derivatives from the word “Bahá.”
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
On Why the U.S. Has a Sick Care System Not a Health Care System: Underuse of prevention and early intervention
- disrupted neurodevelopment,
- social emotional and conigitive impairment,
- adoption of health-risk behaviors,
- disease, disability and social problems,
- and early death.
He teaches that spiritual health is conducive to physical health, but physical health depends upon many factors, some of which are outside the control of the individual.
On an Incredible Answer to Violence in Our Society: Prevention
From His pen of glory flowed teachings for the prevention of war, and these have been scattered far and wide.
On Tacoma's Recent Intensive Expansion Campaign: Institute process update
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
On a Question for the Friends: What are we doing that might be keeping us small?
Monday, May 21, 2012
On an Impromptu Delegate's Report: Feast visitors tell all
Saturday, May 19, 2012
On Young Legs, Old Legs: Climb loftier summits
As the old world sinks beneath the weight of a crumbling old order, so must new world exponents of Bahá’u’lláh’s nascent, integrating World Order climb loftier summits of their sublime calling.
On Baha'i Devotionals: Vibrant, rocking or subdued, mellow
This new spiritual vitality accounts for the growing participation of people of divers backgrounds in devotional meetings, children’s classes and study circles, which, in many cases, has resulted in their recognition of Bahá’u’lláh as God’s Manifestation for this Day and in their declaration of faith.
On How to Play With Babies: Watch how the child adapts to your actions
Friday, May 18, 2012
On Competition:
PennywiseThe Fuse (2005)Competition SongWithin all of us is the instinct to surviveAnd to win at any costIn the fight to stay aliveWe fear the foreign culturesThat are different from our ownAnd make enemies from strangersWho are just people we don't know(2X)We fight amongst ourselvesWe obliterate ourselves yeah yeahAnd we compete until we dieEven though we don't know whyWe believe in ancient liesWe compete until we dieWe struggle against each otherTo get things in life we needAnd even more to give us the statusWhich in return will help us breedWe separate ourselves by the color of our skinAnd the country where we're bornAnd which god we believe in(2X)We fight amongst ourselvesWe obliterate ourselves yeah yeahAnd we compete until we dieEven though we don't know whyWe believe in ancient liesWe compete until we dieAnd we compete until we dieWe believe these ancient liesIf we could only change our mindsmaybe then we'd all survive
We live in a world, however, where from time immemorial obedience to the commands of the Prophets has been the exception rather than the rule; where love of self has been a more prevalent motive than love of God; where limited and party interests have taken precedence of the interests of humanity as a whole; where material possessions and sensual pleasures have been preferred to the social and spiritual welfare of mankind. Hence have arisen fierce competition and conflict, oppression and tyranny, extremes of wealth and poverty—all those conditions which breed disease, mental and physical. As a consequence, the whole tree of humanity is sick, and every leaf on the tree shares in the general sickness.
On We Believe in Ancient Lies: We compete until we die
PennywiseThe Fuse (2005)Competition SongWithin all of us is the instinct to surviveAnd to win at any costIn the fight to stay aliveWe fear the foreign culturesThat are different from our ownAnd make enemies from strangersWho are just people we don't know(2X)We fight amongst ourselvesWe obliterate ourselves yeah yeahAnd we compete until we dieEven though we don't know whyWe believe in ancient liesWe compete until we dieWe struggle against each otherTo get things in life we needAnd even more to give us the statusWhich in return will help us breedWe separate ourselves by the color of our skinAnd the country where we're bornAnd which god we believe in(2X)We fight amongst ourselvesWe obliterate ourselves yeah yeahAnd we compete until we dieEven though we don't know whyWe believe in ancient liesWe compete until we dieAnd we compete until we dieWe believe these ancient liesIf we could only change our mindsmaybe then we'd all survive
We live in a world, however, where from time immemorial obedience to the commands of the Prophets has been the exception rather than the rule; where love of self has been a more prevalent motive than love of God; where limited and party interests have taken precedence of the interests of humanity as a whole; where material possessions and sensual pleasures have been preferred to the social and spiritual welfare of mankind. Hence have arisen fierce competition and conflict, oppression and tyranny, extremes of wealth and poverty—all those conditions which breed disease, mental and physical. As a consequence, the whole tree of humanity is sick, and every leaf on the tree shares in the general sickness.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
On Finding Super-moms: And paying them to foster young children
So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a proper way of life, the training which they receive later on will not take its full effect. It is incumbent upon the Spiritual Assemblies to provide the mothers with a well-planned programme for the education of children, showing how, from infancy, the child must be watched over and taught.
Do you have a pulse? That doesn't qualify you to be a foster parent. -gw
Zeneah laments, “The biggest disappointment in my career was in the 1980s, when relationships and relationship disorders were getting attention, but little research was done. We still don’t have good descriptions of relationships themselves, so we can’t communicate effectively about the problems we are dealing with. Even so, we know quality parenting matters. But when it comes to foster care parents, we’re desperate. Please take this kid. Do you have a pulse? Instead, we should figure out who’s really good at mothering and use marketing to recruit them. So much involves the commitment to the child. That’s one thing we can improve.”
He recommends finding and paying super-moms. By all means, do everything you can to improve mother/child relations. But if and when that fails, intervene with someone really good.
Harold’s behavior tells us his second foster parent has the super-mom chops. Support more of the likes of her. Create professional super-mom jobs AND develop a healthier bunch to join the workforce later on.
Monday, May 14, 2012
On a Celebration of the Struggle to Arise: We have capacity
'Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.' MLK jr. ........ 'Our duty is to encourage everyone in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth.' Swami Vivekananda .......... 'The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.' Albert Camus
On Believing Is Doing: A continual refinement
Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.
On the Role of the International Criminal Court: Faith in the possibility of justice being done
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established on July 1, 2002 with the intention of acting as a permanent tribunal for heinous international offenses (crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, and more recently, crimes of aggression). Unlike the International Court of Justice—the judicial branch of the United Nations—the scope of cases, jurisdiction and mandate of the ICC are extremely narrow. Given its limited function, it is not surprising that the ICC has only opened 7 cases and indicted 28 people. The utility of such a court has been the subject of much debate and continues to spark controversy in political, military and academic circles.
Throughout the twentieth century, the international community contemplated the establishment of a permanent tribunal as a means to bring justice for serious international crimes and to hold accountable the perpetrators of those crimes. Particularly after WWII, and then again following the genocides in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the outrage against these criminals drove many countries to take action. Ad hoc tribunals were established to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and massive ethnic killings. Although these temporary courts were deemed successful in their limited scope, further atrocities demanded consideration of a permanent judicial body that could potentially deter future crimes.
Olara Otunna, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, one of two keynote speakers, stressed the importance of the International Criminal Court as a mechanism for accountability, truth-seeking, and healing in cases of extreme conflict — especially those involving children.He also said that religious groups have a key role to play in healing and reconciliation. He said, for example, that religious leaders and women's groups were among the first actors to denounce rebel atrocities in Sierra Leone . Further, Mr. Otunna said, faith and religion were often the last resort of innocent people in the face of extreme conflict.http://www.onecountry.org/e154/e15412as_ICC_meeting_story.htm
On Fixing the Health Care System: A community mental health agency up to the task
Saturday, May 12, 2012
On an Alternative to Rushing Around: Refresh my Heart, O my God
Refresh my heart, O my God, with the living waters of Thy love and give me a draught, O my Master, from the chalice of Thy tender mercy. Let me abide, O my Lord, within the habitation of Thy glory, and suffer me, O my God, to emerge from the darkness in which Thy divine obscurity is shrouded. Enable me to partake of every good Thou hast vouchsafed unto Him Who is the Point and unto such as are the exponents of His Cause, and ordain for me that which beseemeth Thee and well becometh Thy station. Do Thou graciously forgive me for the things that I have wrought in Thy holy presence, and look not upon me with the glance of justice, but rather deliver me through Thy grace, treat me with Thy mercy and deal with me according to Thy bountiful favours, as is worthy of Thy glory.
On Better Than Any Party: This
On Outdoors, a Place to Visit: And have spiritual conversations

Thursday night I set up the canopy at the Tacoma Invaders practice and got a charcoal grill going. That's all I had to do. Kim took over, grilling 28 smoked sausage and polish dogs for families and players. I had a chance to talk junior youth with Coach Bruce, and visited with Quanda, Sharp, Mookie, Charles, Kim, Gianna, Isaiah, Eliza, Matt, Karen.... Mookie could come to junior youth Friday, if can be picked up. Trying to figure out when to have the Book 1 so Sharp can attend. -gw
On Outdoor Play: As good as any book
At the 2012 Early Childhood Conference in Tacoma attendee Oralia, a bilingual family resource coordinator for early intervention birth to three, describes a visit she made to Mexico to visit family in which she sees a boy playing outside by the side of a road and notes just how unique and special that experience can be for a child -- and for the adults who love that child.
Hers is a passionate plea. Reading books to children is great, but taking time to be outside is just as valuable, if not more so. There is so much to see. When is the last time you saw a cow, a deer, a muskrat, an owl, a squirrel, a red-winged blackbird? Have you ever seen a flock of pelicans soaring high in the air? - gw
... make ye an effort in order that these children may be rightly trained and educated and that each of them may attain perfection in the world of humanity.
On Focusing on the Grassroots: Both in the Faith and on the blog
The new Councils, serving, in most cases, a somewhat more limited number of clusters will thus be in a better position to work more closely with the friends laboring at the grassroots.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
On Camping Cook Station: He had kindled a fire
One day, in the course of one of His riding excursions into the country, Bahá’u’lláh, accompanied by His companions, saw, seated by Me roadside, a lonely youth. His hair was dishevelled, and he wore the dress of a dervish. By the side of a brook he had kindled a fire, and was cooking his food and eating it.
On Sometimes Math Isn't a Problem: If children seek the solution
Monday, May 07, 2012
On Biggest Moon of the Year: Conforming to the good-pleasure of God
THE acts of Him Whom God shall make manifest are like unto the sun, while the works of men, provided they conform to the good-pleasure of God, resemble the stars or the moon…
On Matt & Christy Are Excellent Animators:
On a Here Today Dog: Perfect in its own place
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “Even the most developed dog has not the immortal soul of the man; yet thedog is perfect in its own place. You do not quarrel with a rose-tree because it cannot sing!”
On Crime Happens in Every Neighborhood: As to the difference between that material civilization now prevailing
Divine civilization, however, so traineth every member of society that no one, with the exception of a negligible few, will undertake to commit a crime. There is thus a great difference between the prevention of crime through measures that are violent and retaliatory, and so training the people, and enlightening them, and spiritualizing them, that without any fear of punishment or vengeance to come, they will shun all criminal acts. They will, indeed, look upon the very commission of a crime as a great disgrace and in itself the harshest of punishments. They will become enamoured of human perfections, and will consecrate their lives to whatever will bring light to the world and will further those qualities which are acceptable at the Holy Threshold of God.
On What Sensitive Teachers of Young Child Do: Anticipate, notice, respond & provide support
On Our Hawaii: Eastern Washington
The year was 1913, and Miss Alexander recalls: “My only desire was to serve His Cause. The words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rang in my ears: ‘I have a lamp in My Hand searching through the lands and seas to find souls who can become heralds of the Cause. Day and night I am engaged in this work.’ |
“I prayed that His lamp might find me. For nearly twelve years I had been privileged to assist in establishing His Cause in Hawaii. Now the time had come when I was free to go forth to serve in other parts of His lands…" http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/JWTA/jwta-3.html.utf8?query=hawaii&action=highlight#gr1 |
Friday, May 04, 2012
On We Are Lovers of Sunlight: And so we go east of the mountains
We must recognize the sun, no matter from what dawning point it may shine forth, be it Mosaic, Abrahamic or any personal point of orientation whatever, for we are lovers of sunlight and not of orientation. We are lovers of illumination and not of lamps and candles. We are seekers for water, no matter from what rock it may gush forth. We are in need of fruit in whatsoever orchard it may be ripened. We long for rain; it matters not which cloud pours it down. We must not be fettered. If we renounce these fetters, we shall agree, for all are seekers of reality.
Seventh Avenue and Fourteenth Street, New York