On a Last Reminder: The inspired parody, Quiet Shoes, premieres at the Rialto, Saturday June 19, 7:00pm

Baha'i Artists whose works were devoted to crime... Here is my short list:

1. Contemporary crime writer Burl Barer, of course.
2. Former Continental Board of Counselors member and crime and mystery writer Florence Mayberry.
3. Isaac Olsen, filmmaker of the film noir Quiet Shoes.

Film noirs encompass a range of plots—the central figure may be a private eye (The Big Sleep), a plainclothes policeman (The Big Heat), an aging boxer (The Set-Up), a hapless grifter (Night and the City), a law-abiding citizen lured into a life of crime (Gun Crazy), or simply a victim of circumstance (D.O.A.). Though the noir mode was originally identified among American productions, films now customarily described as noir have been made around the world. From the 1960s onward, many pictures have come out that share attributes with film noirs of the classic period, often treating noir conventions in a self-reflexive manner. Such latter-day works in a noir mode are often referred to as neo-noirs. The tropes of film noir have inspired parody since the mid-1940s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir

Let's make some noise about Quite Shoes, the film noir making its debut in Tacoma Saturday. This work is a reflection of the creative process of Baha'i Isaac Olsen. -gw

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Hey Family and Friends –

Just one last email before the BIG PREMIERE this
Saturday…

Thanks to everyone who got tickets in
advance. We’ll look forward to seeing you on Saturday night! I think
we are all going to have quite a good time.

If you’re still planning to come but don’t have tickets, you can buy them
online until Friday at http://www.schnelluloid.com/ (will call pickup at the Rialto
box office), or through Saturday at the Grand Cinema, or at the door on the
evening of the show (cash or checks only).

There will be “merch” available in the lobby: Quiet Shoes t-shirts and CDs by
the musicians involved in the movie (also cash or checks only).

There will be more press in the next few days, so be on the look
out!

Tiptoe into danger!

Deb & Tim

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On a Lotus Temple Inaugeration Songs Reprise: Ravi Shankar composer

I've greatly enjoyed the Shankar tunes on this album. -gw

Hindustan TimesWed, Jun 16 09:00 AM

Mumbai, June 16 -- This Friday, the city will be treated to some rare classical music - 10 Hindi songs composed by sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar that have not been sung since 1986. Written especially for the inauguration of Delhi's Baha'i (Lotus) Temple 24 years ago, these songs are now being brought back to India by the Voices of Baha, an international choir that will perform at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) on Friday. "The songs are based on classical Indian ragas, but have been adapted for the choir by adding Western classical harmonisation," said Tom Price, renowned US-based composer and conductor of the choir, who had collaborated with Ravi Shankar for the fusion elements of the songs. "Ravi Shankar combined all the spiritual ragas for these songs, such as Bhairavi, Todi, Yaman and Kedar. We sang it at the Lotus Temple without any music, which was a challenge," said Indian composer Ashit Desai, who had conducted the Indian choir in 1986. On Friday, Desai, his wife Hema and 13 Indian singers will accompany the 120 members of Price's choir along with a blend of Indian and Western instruments. The Voices of Baha, which has toured over 35 countries globally since Price founded it in 1992, is primarily a Baha'i choir. Most of its members belong to the Baha'i community founded in Iran in the 19th century. There are over five million Baha'is in the world, though the community in Mumbai is only about 500. The songs of this choir are spiritual - drawing from the teachings of various faiths, but mostly translations of Baha'i scriptures in various languages and styles ranging from gospel to pop and now Indian classical. Coming from at least 20 countries around the world, choir members have decided to uphold the Bahai spirit of celebrating diversity by dressing in their various national dresses for the Mumbai concert.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/32/20100616/1053/tnl-baha-i-choir-to-sing-ravi-shankar-s_1.html

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On There's a Train A-Coming: People, are you ready?

While Facebook strives for privacy, 4Chan features anonymity. Below is a question, what is the Baha'i Faith, posed on 4Chan, "The Anti-Facebook In The World Of The Open Graph," which has drawn some 25 responses at the time of my reading it.  Some on the responders are sympathetic to the Faith, some are mocking, and some are vulgar. Some of the perceptions are right on and some are way off. The responses illustrate, nevertheless, how the Faith continues to penetrate the consciousness of mankind and are indicative of issues that people will bring up in their investigation of it.  People, are you ready, there's a train a-coming. -gw

 Anonymous 06/16/10(Wed)08:30 No.1369476  

Hey /int/

What can you guys tell me about the Baha'i faith? I've heard a bit about it, but it's not too prominent in my country. Think it's something I should look into?

http://boards.4chan.org/int/res/1369476

 

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On Buddhists, Sikhs, and Baha'is: A June 12th multi-religious devotional remembering the Baha'is in Iran

June 12, 2010 - Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital, Petaling Jaya. Multi religious devotional programme entitled "Remembering the Prisoners of Conscience: The Persecution of the Baha'is in Iran."

Just posted to YouTube yesterday... -gw

In this video, members of the Baha'i community chanting in Tamil. Baha'i chants were also made in various languages, namely Mandarin, English, Bahasa Malaysia, Semai, and Iban.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ameiakl#p/u/0/ViCFFepeZiE

In this video, the Sikh community leading the prayers/chants.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ameiakl#p/u/1/-LRNalhmJXY

In this video, Buddhist monks leading Buddhist chants.

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On Two Key Metrics to Gauge Stability in Islamic Societies: How women and religious minorities are treated

Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, imprisioned Baha'i

Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, imprisioned Baha'i

In the Muslim world, few issues are as accurate a barometer of societal dynamism as the status of women. As recent scholarship convincingly shows, women have consistently been at the forefront of societal change in the region. Whatever their political orientation, countries that reward (or at least permit) this behavior, such as Tunisia and post-Saddam Iraq, tend to be vibrant and hopeful places. Those that do not, like Saudi Arabia, are stagnant and sclerotic. ...

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Another key metric in gauging stability in Islamic societies is the disposition of religious minorities. In places where political Islam has crowded out alternative views, other faiths have found themselves under siege. The plight of Zoroastrians and Baha'i in today's Shi'ite Iran and of Shi'a Muslims in contemporary Sunni Saudi Arabia are sorry reminders of this truism.

http://www.ilanberman.com/7615/a-counterterrorism-ally-in-north-africa

May Iran become a vibrant and hopeful place again. -gw

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On First Baha'i Homeowner in Tacoma: Nathan Ward Fitzgerald is the correct answer!

From: Northwest BahaiLibrary

Nathan Ward Fitzgerald is the correct answer!

So Deb and Tim came up with the correct answer to the question posed by Robert, whose Baha'i home is this?

Congratulations!! -gw

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On Attaining The Dynamics of Growth: Entire Baha'i photo series is online

Photos & text copyright Baha'i World Centre

In urban centers and rural villages,

in homes, schools, businesses, and community centers across the globe, Bahá’ís hailing from every walk of life are engaged, as members of growing, vibrant communities, in promoting at the grassroots the well-being of the entire human race. Through a series of activities involving children, junior youth, youth, and adults, these citizens of the world are rallying their friends and neighbors, their families and co-workers to participate in the transformation of society. The vital spirit of these efforts has been captured in a collection of images from every continent, which you are invited to view here.

http://www.bahai.org/attaining/

Nothing conveys the reality of Baha'i life like pictures. Nothing conveys the secret to the vigorous growth of the Baha'i Communty like the photos included in Attaining the Dynamics of Growth that document the core activities in place around the world. Thanks for the reminder, Alex. -gw

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From: Alexander

You may already be familiar with the document from the Baha'i World Center on Attaining the Dynamics of Growth...

Are you aware of this page on the bahai.org site?

http://www.bahai.org/attaining/

~Alex

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

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On the Tacoma Invaders vs the Northwest Terminators: The other football giving meaning to the human experience, too

I have been madly processing the photos and videos, more than 500 altogether, I took at last Saturday night's exciting Tacoma Invader's football game. I've skinnied down the total and have finally uploaded to Flickr the 252 photos which are now in the set below. I have probably only a quarter of the video up, so there is a lot more uploading to go. I haven't included any video clips into the set yet, but I will do so when I have them all to work with. My goal is to replicate what I did after the previous Invader's game I attended, putting the photos and videos together into slideshow form. so you can view the chronological march of the game from beginning to end, quarter by quarter. Really, I love what you can do with Flickr slideshows.

It was my friend Charles, who is a co-general manager of the team and a Baha'i, who got me into following the Invaders in the first place. Attending the games and taking n the crowd, msot of whom are family and friends of players on the field, provides a window into a fascinating cultural experience. Whereas at the moment of this writing the eyes of the people all around the globe are focused on another kind of football, the World Cup of soccer being played in South Africa, the American version of football is uniting souls and giving meaning to their lives. Sport has a unique place in the human experience.

The game was played on a brilliantly sunny evening starting after 6 p.m. It ended just before 10 p.m. under the lights. Here is my first installment on the game. -gw



Here are the links to previous Tacoma Invaders football pics I took...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/85934826@N00/collections/72157623988289338/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85934826@N00/collections/72157624002740952/

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On the First Baha'i Home in Tacoma: The homeowner met 'Abdu'l-Baha in 'Akka about 1902

Thankfully, Robert is forthcoming with some clues to the mystery posed in a post earlier today. Who's home is this? -gw

 

From: Northwest BahaiLibrary

 

 Some clues:

• The father of the family that lived in this home made a pilgrimage and met 'Abdu'l-Baha in 'Akka about 1902.
• The home was built in 1910.
• The family lived in another home in Tacoma for about five years before this one was built for them.
• Their first residence in Tacoma has yet to be located.

Attached is a map showing where the home is located.

 

Robert

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On Poised to Censure: U.N. Rights Council prepared to name and shame Iran

 

On the heels of the trial of the seven Baha'i Leaders which appears to have ended after a 4th session on Saturday is the news of this action by the United Nations Human Rights Council. -gw

 

The draft text voices concern at "events including the violent suppression of dissent, detention and executions without due process of law, severe discrimination against women and minorities including people of the Baha'i faith and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion".

Tehran should allow freedoms of expression, of the media and of assembly, protect religious minorities, respect prisoners' rights and ensure equal treatment of women and girls, it reads, also calling for Iran to conduct "an independent investigation" into killings, arrests and detentions since the elections.

The text also urges Iran to make good on its promise to allow visits by U.N. human rights investigators.

"It is a strong political statement," said one activist.

The 47-member Human Rights Council, dominated by developing nations wary of interference in their own records, rarely "names and shames" states.

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-49292820100614

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On Soulpancake the Book: A spin-off from soulpancake.com to be published soon

Sometimes when I'm searching for inspiration I like to go to Soul Pancake. Usually, I'll find a thought or question that'll provoke a response that'll end up being the spark for something.

Today it's this question: Does there have to be a reason for everything?

Is it necessary for everything within a belief system to fundamentally trace back to a creator or a genesis or even a big bang, a huge raison d'etre for everything? Or can we handle the idea that some things might exist independently of an owner and a cause?

http://www.dummocrats.com/archives/001904.php

 

The word on the street is that Soul Pancake will be coming out as a book. -gw

 

Since its launch in the spring of 2009, SoulPancake.com has already had more than 2 million visitors, more than 6.4 million pageviews, more than 100,000 visitors per month, and more than 27,000 registered users. 

SoulPancake follows the site's bold, conversational tone and will feature 80% original material, as well as a series of artistic challenges that give the reader an outlet to express creativity.

Rainn Wilson has nearly 2 million followers on Twitter, where he frequently mentions SoulPancake.

 

http://www.hyperioncatalogs.com/Hyperion/1279_1423_333038343338.htm#readmore

 

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On the First Baha'i Home in Tacoma: In fact, one of the first in the Northwest

From: Northwest BahaiLibrary

Here is a photo taken in late April 2007 of the first Baha'i home in
Tacoma. It was one of the very first in the entire Northwest Region,
too.

Before revealing the name of the family who lived there, when they
lived there, and exactly where it is, please make a guess.

Robert
Northwest Baha'i Library

Well, dear readers, what's your guess? I'll post the answer in the comments section, when Robert clues us in. -gw

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On the Way Forward as a Baha'i Community: Each lover's steps fall so differently

We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/IfIShouldFallBehind.html

 

Up the hill ..... Uploaded on June 12, 2010 by james eugene frank on flickr

 

Sometimes as a Baha'i we can either feel like we're falling behind or we're waiting for someone to catch up. But the reality is, when we love each other and are obediant to Baha'u'llah, we're all in this together. -gw

 

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On Riding High in a Lowly Canoe: Paddling Herron Island

Low tide. Primoridal soup. Strange creatures. An island. A little ferry boat. Stone beaches. Streamlets. Sea birds. Warm sunshine. Families walking on the beaches with dogs. Riding high in a lowly canoe. You get the pictures. -gw

 

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On Be Steadfast in Thy Cause: Photos by Michael Frank

Tags: Washington * West Hylebos Wetlands Park * prayer * Baha'i

Assist, Uploaded on April 19, 2010 by mlfrank99 on flickr

Last night our Baha'i study circle completed Ruhi Book 8, Part 1. The quote incorporated into this photo by Michael Frank goes to the heart of the purpose of book.

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On the DAWNING PLACE DEEPENING STUDY CLASS: Tarry no longer

Not to be missed. -gw

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010

TIME: 2:00PM

PLACE: ROBERT AND LYNDA'S HOME

THEME: THE TORCH OF FAITH AND TARRY NO LONGER

FACILITATORS: ROBERT & LYNDA

ELRICO &TOSCA

MAIN SCRIPTURES: GOD PASSES BY, page 91, para.2-4

page 93, para.1-3

page 94 para. 1

REV. 9:12, 11:12, etc., etc.

GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH

SEC. XIV, para.1,3,5 ( ST.JOHN 3:3-8 )

SEC. XXVI, para. 1-4

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES:

GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH

SEC. XXXIV, para.5

SEC. LXXXV, para. 2

SEC. CXXVI, para. 1,2,3,4

SEC. CXXV, para. 5

SEC. CXXIV, para. 3, TIME AND PLACE

KITABI IQAN, pg.104 para. 3,4,5 on pg. 105, pg. 118 para. 1,2, pg. para. 1,2,3,4

ECCLES. 3:1,17; 8:6

BAYAN pg. 102, para.2

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND PLEASE BRING YOUR BOOKS

ROBERT / LYNDA

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On Definitions of Spirituality That Are Too Narrow: Baha'i is outside the box

 

Dwight Schrute, aka Rainn Wilson, is “sick of spirituality having to be hippy-dippy, airy-fairy and uber-precious”.

Instead, he wants to take on life’s big questions, de-lamify talking about God & religion, and stop being idiots & judging each other.

Though what Soul Pancake is going to be all about is still mostly a mystery, and it’s still tough to tell how serious this site is going to be, you can at least start by uploading your “spatufist” to the site (the symbol of Soul Pancake), and see what others have done with their spatufist.

[Soul Pancake]

Tagged as: Airy-Fairy, Dwight Schrute, God, Hippy-Dippy, Judging, Life's Big Questions, Mystery, Rainn Wilson, Religion, Soul Pancake, Spatufist, Spirituality, Uber-Precious

Remember how Rainn Wilson introduced Soul Pancake in conversations with the likes of Oprah Winfrey? I thought of that when I listened to Peter Khan's comments about spirituality. -gw

 

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On a Prayer for the Departed: Remembering Ernie Lobato

 

Ernie died on Tuesday at home surrounded by his family. Last night the friends gathered to say the Baha'i Prayer for the Departed and to share memories of him. -gw

 

 

 

 

 

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On a Devotional for Young Soccer Aficionados: Baha'i soccer

 

[Whisper, whisper] ... World Cup ... soccer fans ... you might be interested in this... -gw

From: Facebook
Date: Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 11:42 PM
Subject: Jheniefeer shared a link on your Wall...
To: George Wesley Dannells

hi george! i thought you might like this...

BIFA
http://www.facebook.com/l/70284;bahaisoccer.blogspot.com/

The past couple of weeks Ottawa has started a weekly soccer
devotionals and has been very successful.

 

http://bahaisoccer.blogspot.com/

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On Support from India: June 12th event for the Yaran in Madurai, India

Tomorrow is the announced day of the 4th session of the trial of the seven Baha'i leaders in Iran. -gw

From: praveen

Subject: Demonstration for the Yaran in Madurai by Peoples Watch Group

• Fascinating  to see that there is a 12 June event for the Yaran in Madurai , TN by people's Watch Group. details at http://12june.org/?p=236
• About the 12 June Movement http://12june.org/?cat=12
• Message from Shirin Ebadi for the program http://12june.org/?p=787

http://spraveenitpro.blogspot.com 

 

http://12june.org/?p=236

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On Maintaining the Health of the Body and Soul: Get some exercise, in nature

 

I worry about the health of my friends. Sometimes they don't look well-rested. Like they are moving up the date of their arrival in the Abha Kingdom by not taking a breather. I want to tell them to go do something fun. Get some exercise. In nature, preferably. It can be positively prayerful. -gw

 

 

Since the body is the vehicle of the rational soul in this life on earth, it is important to maintain and care for it. Bahá'u'lláh strongly discouraged any form of asceticism or extreme self-denial. His emphasis was on healthy discipline. Therefore the Bahá'í writings contain a number of practical laws relating to the care of the human body: proper nutrition, regular bathing, and so forth. Underlying these, as with many other aspects of Bahá'í belief, is the principle of moderation: things that are beneficial when kept within the limits of moderation become harmful when taken to extremes.

 

http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-0-9.html

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On Death, Eternity and Fibromyalgia: How to keep my end up here on earth

There's a story here. -gw

 

http://judithwesterfield.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/death-eternity-and-fibromyalgia/

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On Compromise As a Lost Art in American Politics: The world has a tough row to hoe to get to unity

I was minding my own business and eating my lunch in the staff room at work, looking at an issue from February 2007 of Behavioral Healthcare, a trade magazine for the mental health field, which I'm in. I found an editorial in the magazine to be rather prophetic, predicting that universal healthcare in the U.S. would face "an uphill battle." What really caught my eye was the following:

 

Political compromise for the greater good seems to be a lost art in current American politics, and such an ambitious expansion of heacare coverage would require broad support from lawmakers (and their supporting interest groups) on both the left and the right. Such consensus doesn't seem likely after what probably will be a very contentious presidential race.

 

The world has a lot to learn from the Baha'i way of avoiding conflict and contention and getting to agreement. Consultation is a spiritual art practiced among believers looking to build a new world order. As pointed out in a recent post on the subject,  as covered in Ruhi Book 8, defensiveness, a lack of generosity, contempt for other people's ideas, and a lack of faith in other people, all fuel contention. The world has a tough row to hoe to get to unity. -gw

 

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On Top Requested Baha'i Song: I Loved Thy Creation

 

I'd say this song, caught in live performance during our Ruhi Book 8 Study Circle and posted below, is the Top Most Requested Baha'i Song in our region currently. It's a remake, I believe, of an old song from the mass teaching days of the 70's.

 

 

And more study circle flava... -gw

 

 

 

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On the Attributes of Youth: An altruism, an acute sense of justice, and eagerness to learn

 

http://www.nwjunioryouth.com/The_Program.html

 

The recent message from the Universal House of Justice says it all. -gw

 

The rapid spread of the programme for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth is yet another expression of cultural advance in the Bahá’í community. While global trends project an image of this age group as problematic, lost in the throes of tumultuous physical and emotional change, unresponsive and self- consumed, the Bahá’í community—in the language it employs and the approaches it adopts—is moving decidedly in the opposite direction, seeing in junior youth instead altruism, an acute sense of justice, eagerness to learn about the universe and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world. Account after account, in which junior youth in countries all over the planet give voice to their thoughts as participants in the programme, testifies to the validity of this vision. There is every indication that the programme engages their expanding consciousness in an exploration of reality that helps them to analyse the constructive and destructive forces operating in society and to recognize the influence these forces exert on their thoughts and actions, sharpening their spiritual perception, enhancing their powers of expression and reinforcing moral structures that will serve them throughout their lives. At an age when burgeoning intellectual, spiritual and physical powers become accessible to them, they are being given the tools needed to combat the forces that would rob them of their true identity as noble beings and to work for the common good.

 

The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 2010

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On the Circle of Security: Trustworthiness is the door of security for all that dwell on earth

The fourth Taráz concerneth trustworthiness. Verily it is the door of security for all that dwell on earth and a token of glory on the part of the All-Merciful. He who partaketh thereof hath indeed partaken of the treasures of wealth and prosperity. Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people. In truth the stability of every affair hath depended and doth depend upon it. All the domains of power, of grandeur and of wealth are illumined by its light.

 

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/TB/tb-5-printable.html

 

The Circle of Security is a program that has had a great influence on my work with young children. Our sense of trust develops in the earliest days of life. Visit www.circleofsecurity.org.

 

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On Ten Deadly Sins: Causes of contention and conflict in community

Wikipedia: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things is a painting by Hieronymus Bosch, completed in 1485

What is destructive of community? My Ruhi Baha'i study circle is currently addressing the subject, our workbook listing ten "traits of character and individual shortcomings that are often causes of contention and conflict."

1. Desire to dominate others
2. Desire to control everything
3. Desire to be the center of attention
4. Ambition for prestige
5. Inflexibility
6. Defensiveness
7. Jelousy and envy
8. Lack of generosity
9. Contempt for other people's ideas
10. Lack of faith in other people

As obviously bad as these 10 "deadly sins" are, to attribute these qualities to an individual is contrary to the Baha'i teachings. That, in itself, would contribute to disharmony. We are invited to, instead, in the words of the Ruhi book, "view such characteristics as signs of immaturity or as habits of thinking and behavior that individuals carry with them into the Faith." But even then, we should not "dismiss others as immature." We are all on a path towards greater maturity, afterall, and this immaturity is simply "one of the features of the current stage in the unfoldment of our collective life." -gw

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On Thursday Afternoons at Salishan: Baha'i children's class

 

I arrived late, but not so late I wasn't able to catch the flavor of the Thursday Salishan Baha'i children's class facilitated by Deb, Chris & Lisa. After class the children were taken to their homes on the "walking bus." And finally Lisa had her home all to herself once again. -gw

 

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On Passivity and It's Opposite: More reflections on the Ridvan Message

The couple that Levitates together... Uploaded on June 3, 2010 by **Kel-Z** on flickr

 

This from a blogger who became a Baha'i in Korea and is now living in the States. -gw

 

We also went over the Ridvan (pronounced riz-wan) message today.

Each year our [Univeral House of Justice] writes a message for us- Army folks, think of it as an AAR of sorts. It's comprised of what we've done, what we intended to do, and what our strengths and weaknesses are. We, as a global community, are told what we need to focus on to strengthen our communities and spirits. This year's message was quite long, and, so, we only got to go through a couple paragraphs today.

 

This passage caught my attention and hit me like a sucker punch hits a drunk: "Let no one fail to appreciate the possibilities thus created. Passivity is bred by the forces of society today. A desire to be entertained is nurtured from childhood, with increasing efficiency, cultivating generations willing to be led by whoever proves skilful at appealing to superficial emotions."

 

Tell me that's not the truth. This sprung a conversation amongst our group about the state of music today. Music is now an industry, whereas it was once an event, a practice, a ritual. Mrs. Yoon, a very kind lady of a generation before my own, commented that she went to a festival at the local college not so long ago and it was almost upsetting to her to see these younger folks sit, separated, and watching people dance. 'I felt the generation gap,' she told us, as she explained that music has always been a participatory thing to her, and here were these young people passively letting themselves be entertained by watching someone else enjoy music. I couldn't help but agree.

 

http://charlisnoangel.blogspot.com/2010/05/declaration-and-passive-passion.html

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On the Adornment of the Superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab: 11,000 new guilded tiles will last two centuries

Uploaded on February 15, 2010 by Ezra S F on flickr

 

With gladdened hearts, we hasten to share with you the attainment of a significant milestone in the restoration work being undertaken on the Shrine of the Bab. Following an extensive and exacting search for a suitable manufacturer--a search that ended successfully in Portugal--a contract has been signed for the production of eleven thousand gilded tiles to cover the dome of that exalted Sepulchre, replacing the set which, after nearly sixty years' exposure to the elements, had suffered irreparable erosion. Stringent laboratory tests on the replacement tiles indicate that they will be fit to adorn the superstructure of the Shrine for no less than two centuries.

 

Word from the Baha'i World Centre. -gw

 

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On a Persian Poetry Celebration in Tacoma: I'm thinking Persian roses & nightengales

The Persian arts, both poetry and music, are being celebrated in my town. Thanks, Deb, for passing on this item from the Arts Tacoma listserve. -gw

Monday June 21, 2010 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.Enjoy food, ...music, and Persian poetry as United for Peace of Pierce County and People for Peace, Justice, and Healing hold a joint fundraiser in a beautiful enclosed rose garden in North Tacoma. We'll celebrate poetry that has deeply infused Persian culture and inspired many other cultures, including that of the West. Our celebration, with classical and modern poetry read both in English translation and in the original, will allow ample time for conviviality, music, and refreshment. A fascinating program will include Solh Tours founder Abdi Sami, cinematographer for "Life in Iran with Rick Steves."

United for Peace of Pierce County

The oldest of the historic monuments in Tehran, the Golestan Palace (The Rose Garden Palace) belongs to a group of royal buildings. Uploaded on April 11, 2010 by CsabX on flickr

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Read mystical poet Hafez while gathered in a circle in the gardens of the Mausoleum of Hafez in Shiraz… Join young people singing Persian songs of longing under the glowing arches of the seventeenth-century Khajoo Bridge in Esfahan by night...

http://www.solhtours.com/

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I would love to do this and more: Visit freely the Baha'i Holy Places in Iran. The time will come. -gw

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On Finding Room for Football: The cadence of life

 

It's been a while since I have been able to visit with Coach Charles, so I slipped over to the Tacoma Invader's practice. Deb was able to come by, too; Deb was the first person to be able to meet Charles at his doorstep during a previous Baha'i intensive teaching campaign.

The Invaders quaterback was injured a few games ago so the team has encountered a rough patch, but there are a bunch of games left in the season, and Coach Charles is positive.

In case you hadn't figured it out, football is in his blood. He and his buddy William are now coaching little league football on Wednesdays and Saturdays.. The Invaders have their team meeting on Monday, practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, have their team walk-through on Fridays, and play on Saturdays. Charles said he is going to try to join the Rui Book 1 Baha'i study circle at Jeff's on Fridays after walk-through. -gw

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On Bruce Answered Questions: The Return was of the Christ Spirit, not of the man Jesus/Yeshua

http://www.bahaullah.org/

 

Bruce on Religious Forums, responding to participants on the thread "Is Bahaullah the Promised Messiah?" -gw

 

It is quite true that Baha'u'llah didn't fulfill the prophecies of the Second Coming literally!

But what is being overlooked here is that Jesus didn't literally fulfill the prophecies of the First Coming, either, because that's now how these scriptural prophecies work!

His name wasn't Emmanuel; He never reigned as King over Israel; and so forth and so on....

But He Himself pointed out that prophecies aren't to be taken literally, as when He assured others that John the Baptist was indeed the return of Elijah/Elias despite John's own denial of this!

And just as the "whole earth" didn't see the Second Coming (when Baha'u'llah appeared), so the whole earth didn't "see it together" when Jesus Christ appeared. These are spiritual and metaphorical statements, not literal ones. The Return was of the Christ Spirit, not of the man Jesus/Yeshua.

As to personal characteristics, Baha'u'llah was indeed renowned for His selflessness and charitable works even before His ministry began--which works were largely terminated when the Persian government arrested Him for His religious activities and confiscated everything He owned.

I will also point out that BOTH the Jewish and Christian scriptures promise that the Spirit will have a New Name! I refer you specifically to Isaiah 62:2, Revelation 2:17, and Revelation 3:12. So the literal Return of the man Jesus isn't expected even by Baha'is.

Finally, we Baha'is accept the Bible as legitimate, God-sent scripture and therefore fully agree with its warning about false prophets to come!

But what folks are overlooking is that it ALSO gives criteria for recognizing TRUE prophets: both the "fruits test" (and the related list of spiritual fruits in Galatians), and the key criterion in First John 4:2, which states clearly that someone affirming that Christ came in the flesh is of God (which Baha'u'llah clearly does stipulate)!

So I invite all and sundry to investigate the Baha'i Faith sincerely and without prejudice ("pre-judging") and come to informed conclusions absent influence from others--be then friends, family, or clergy!

Here are a few Baha'i sites that will assist in this (there are many others that I won't list here):

www.bahai.org
www.bahai.us

Many regards, and please feel free to keep the questions coming: we LOVE 'em! :-)

Bruce

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/2031683-post25.html

 

See : http://www.bahai.us/bahaullah

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On Baha'i Cast As an Infidel: What a concept for a movie

Is Omid Djalili's Film , The INFIDEL a ground breaking film?

OK, is it? You decide. -gw

I just watched THE INFIDEL, it's a comedy with substance, about the superficial absurdities of dogmatic Religion that divides all peoples.
It is a film that speaks to the times we live in with intelligence and humour; hopefully it will make people think about our human similarities and heightens our awareness about those who have always been the cause of religious dogma and division, solely for power and self gain.

http://www.iranian.com/main/blog/faryarm/omid-djalilis-new-film-infidel-ground-breaker

 

 

 

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On He Was a Baha'i & a Lousy Liar: Surprisingly successful despite the handicap of honesty

Uighur men bargaining over veggies, Kashgar Sunday Market, Kashgar, NW China.  Uploaded on December 17, 2006 by EJ Waterhouse on flickr

 

I went to get my manager, a kind and generous man who was a good teacher and a lousy liar, and surprisingly successful in the car business despite the handicap of honesty.

 

The tropical fish exporter sized him up immediately.

 

"You are from Iran."

"Persian, yes."

"But not Islamic."

"No, I am Baha'i"

 

The Israeli gave him a nod, satisfied.

 

They settled in to an exchange of stories, laughter and the most agreeable conversation possible. Only...underneath it all...you could feel an age old dance, a negotiation that was working on levels I understood on a primal level, like an ancient part of my DNA responded to it, but my Western "civilized" middle class brain was not fully grasping.

 

The car was sold. The tropical fish exporter happy. Both men exhilarated and exhausted, as if satisfied to have engaged in a form of combat that left them both richer.

 

 http://takingthelastshot.blogspot.com/

 

Like he said, some people know how to bargain.  -gw

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On Paula Proclaims She Is a Baha'i: To avoid going to Mass

 

Ah, the challenge of interfaith marriage. -gw

 

Paula gets bored at Mass and begins to fidget. Joel tells her to sit still. She plays with the kneeler. Joel begins to get angry. He threatens to take her outside if she doesn't behave. This sounds great to her! Joel has lost his temper with her almost every time they've gone to Mass and on at least one occasion she's been spanked.

What is my role in this debacle? I'm not Catholic, and as far as I'm concerned I have no jurisdiction when it comes to how Joel wants to share his Faith with his daughter. He certainly doesn't interfere with the Baha'i children's classes, Feasts, study circles, holy days and other events Paula and I regularly participate in.

Paula enjoys going to the Baha'i events. She proudly proclaims that she is a Baha'i and she follows Baha'u'llah. This morning she used this rationale in an attempt to avoid going to Catholic Mass.

I told her that as a Baha'i she is also a follower of Jesus, that worshiping God in Jesus' house is an act that pleases Baha'u'llah. I told her to show everyone there what it means to be a Baha'i child: reverent, respectful, full of love. I also suggested she take a small notebook in which to draw or write when she got bored so she wouldn't bother others.

 

http://julietma.livejournal.com/61700.html

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On Desert Experiences in Washington State: The perfections of God are like the sun, which is respendent in the desert

Without doubt each being is the center of the shining forth of the glory of God: that is to say, the perfections of God appear from it and are resplendent in it. It is like the sun, which is resplendent in the desert, upon the sea, in the trees, in the fruits and blossoms, and in all earthly things.

 

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/BWF/bwf-24-printable.html

 

 

We live in Washington State and love the desert. Figure that, in a state known for RAIN. But there are plenty of desert experiences to be found on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. See: http://www.bentler.us/eastern-washington/recreation/default.aspx

 

 

The first group of photos from the trip Bonita and I took to Jameson lake over the Memorial Day weekend for canoeing and camping are up on flickr. -gw

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On Something Else for the International Media to Watch for on June 12th: Iran's trial

APTOPIX Mideast Iran Election

 

The 4th session of the trial of the seven Baha'i leaders is set for June 12th. It was a year ago on that date that Iran held its disputed elections. Probably not a coincidence that the government made the decision to continue the trial on that date. -gw

 

See http://www.jeunestreet.com/2010/06/01/iran-mobilising/ and this comment:

 

It is also worrying, that the trial of seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders falls on the same day. If a decision be taken regarding their fate on that day, it will be much less noticed in the international media amongst the reports of turmoil on Tehran’s streets. They are choosing their dates wisely.

 

Neysan Zolzer

June 1st, 2010 at 12:50 pm 

 

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On the Value of Being Sweet and Gentle: And asking tough questions

We must find a path in which it is not offensive to [ask] politely and sweetly and gently with big smiles to everybody in sight, what is the authority?

 

Baha'i bloggers have special opportunities to practice "pollite forms of speech," to use Peter Khan's phrase from his recent talk on subjects much broader than mere blogging. Baha'is walk a sometimes "difficult path." "We need not be too hyper-sensitive" to the responses we get. Well-meaning souls may ascribe to the Faith ideas that are, in fact, spurious. We need to be prepared to raise the question, what is the reference, what is the authority to back up what is said about the Baha'i Faith? The question of authentic religious authority is crucial, Peter pointed out. Just look at the fractured history of religion. The Baha'i Faith is textually based.

 

We need a culture that protects the integrity of the authority of the House of Justice by politely and kindly and quietly asking for the reference, but get a fencer's mask when you start doing that.

 

 

 

 

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On a Community That Embraces: Baha'is in Lewis County

Thanks Judy and Jill for passing this on. -gw

 

Subject: The Chronicle article: Baha'i, 22 May 2010

Friends,
In case you didn't see it, here is the article done by Centralia/Chehalis' The Chronicle on 22 May, 2010. Despite the possible  impression that Baha'i Faith is a Native American faith group (erroneous) or that Baha'is from other faith backgrounds "retain their own religious customs and holy days" (reporter  misunderstanding), we thought that the article was fair and factually pretty accurate. This is the first time anyone from the Chronicle has initiated any contact with or invited information about The Baha'i Faith, so we were pleased with the outcome.

BTW, Baha'is are frequently involved in multi-cultural activities, usually focused on whatever cultural groups are prevalent in an area. Additionally, Baha'is from other faith backgrounds are neither required to nor prohibited from participating with their families in celebrations from their previous faith traditions.

Enjoy!
Jill

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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On Meditational Camping: Appreciating the clear guidance for Baha'is

 

I took the current issue of the American Baha'i with me on our camping trip over the weekend. Gorgeous issue, as usual! I studied the Ridvan 2010 Message from the Universal House of Justice included in it, the Ruhi book on the Covenant, and other deepening materials, which I also brought along. It was a glorious experience reading in the tent while Bonita cooked up scrumptious East Indian food for our lunch. We had listened to a recording of the talk by recently retired member of the Universal House of Justice member Peter Khan at the Baha' National Convention on the drive over to Eastern Washington. I feel so grounded in the Covenant, so blessed. There is such clear guidance for Baha'is. If we have a question, there are institutions whose function and purpose are clearly defined by the Central Figures of our Faith to which we can turn. Even when I have a question about blogging as a Bahai, I can request guidance (where I live, the Office of Communications at the U.S. Baha'i National Center), which can come instantly, thanks to e-mail. -gw

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On Remembering the Family of Man: Still amazed everyday

 

Nobody does portraits like my friend James Eugene Frank. -gw

 

I've spent the past 25 years working for an on location family portrait studio .... probably 20-30,000 families ..... and I'm still amazed every day by the american family .... these are freelance/personal sittings over the years ....

 

 

 

Remember Edward Steichen's The Family of Man? I am a Baha'i today because of magazines like the National Geographic and published collections like Steichen's. In 1955 Edward Steichen organised the Family of Man exhibition in New York. Held at the Museum of Modern Art, the exhibition consisted of 508 photographs.

 

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