On the Sun of Reality is One Sun: But it has different dawning places

 

 

 

October has arrived, but the sunshine belies the season. What to do on a Sunday? Get in an alpine hike before the snow starts falling up in the mountains, or go paddling on the Sound. We chose the latter. -gw

 

 

The Sun of Reality is one Sun, but it has different dawning places, just as the phenomenal sun is one although it appears at various points of the horizon. During the time of summer the luminary of the physical world rises far to the north of the equinoctial, in spring and fall it dawns midway, and in winter it appears in the most southerly point of its zodiacal journey.

 

'Abdu'l-Baha

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Victories Being Won: On the field and through the Institute Process

Karen, Gilmar and Kim at the game

 

 

The UTYA Tigers football teams are having a steller year, especially the 7th graders. They're winning games, but more than than, they are building character and acquiring viurtues. Everywhere you look, on the field or off, you see participants in the Baha'i-inspired Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programs among the players, cheerleaders, and family members there to cheer on the team. It is so heartening to the see the progress that has been made through the Institute Proceess here in Tacoma. -gw

 

Eliza

 

Jaylen (providing water)

 

Dante (on the right), age 13, who with Tigers cheerleader Jessica, aged 14, conducts a children's class every Monday in the Salishan neighborhood

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On This Google Earth: Even as education and progress travel from West to East, so does the spiritual fire travel from East to West

Bonita's travels on Google earth have taken her to Scotland and Norway this week. -g

 

In very age of great spiritual darkness, a light is kindled in the East. So once again the light of the teachings of God has come unto you. Even as education and progress travel from West to East, so does the spiritual fire travel from East to West.

Discourse by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given at the Unity Meeting of Misses Jack and Herrick. 

September 22nd, 1911.

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Stages of Development: Knowledge applied to understanding our littler spiritual beings

Asean receiving tender care from his father Sean

Inherent in the Baha'i worldview is the idea of stages of development. I was talking with Sean at Tiger's practice about it the other day. From Abraham, to Moses, to Christ, to Mohammed, to the Bab, to Baha'u'llah, humanity has evolved spiritually. Knowledge of the developmental stages that children go through, when understood, opens the doors to promoting optimal development with our littler spiritual beings. -gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On a Novel Addition In All Its Graphic Detail: I suddenly realized this was a very dynamic Faith

The first graphic novel by Baha'i Publishing. Pretty neat, huh! An excerpt from an interview with the author is below. -gw
+

+

As a kid, I couldn’t pay attention to any Baha’i classes. I was basically there to play and have fun. But something happened when our teachers started sharing Babi history- in all its graphic detail. I suddenly realized this was a very dynamic Faith. It was full of awesome heroism, terrible horror, and profound sacrifice. Stories of courage honor and valor beyond human capacity. Suddenly I felt the gravity of the Revelation. One so strong people cast their lives away like it was nothing. As I studied art later in life, I wanted this to be conveyed in a medium for youth and young adults. Something that would grip people and show them the power of the Faith through graphic novels.

+

http://www.nineteenmonths.com/reviews/zanjan-a-graphic-novel/
+

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Ludi Johnson At 90: Still pioneering and, yes, she's on Facebook

 

 

There were many stories shared at the University of Illinois Baha'i Club reunion, naturally. I was able to capture many of them on video -- I have 175 video clips to savor, some of which I must share. Like these of Ludi Johnson. -gw

 

 

 

A story about Ludi, as told by Mary Kay Radpour

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On The University of Illinois Baha'i Club Reunion: Oh yes, those were the days

Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days

 

George and Tink go way back

 

Ramin & Chuck

 

Group hug

 

Baha'i t-shirts quilt

 

Honoring Garreta

 

I had the bounty of going back in history last weekend. I attended a reunion of the University of Illinios Baha'i Club. Champaign-Urbana is where I first heard of the Faith in 1965 and where I declared my belief in Baha'u'llah in 1967. To see souls I haven't seen for 45 years gave a blessed jolt to my brain and tug on my emotions. The U of I Baha'i Club is one of the oldest Baha'i campus associations in the U.S. -gw

 

 

Circa 1965

 

Dancing back in the day

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Being Visited By Mr Big Bot: Next time, sign the guestbook, OK?

 

While I was gone to Illinois and not checking my computer I was visited by a robot.

 

Internet bots, also known as web robots, WWW robots or simply bots, are software applications that run automated tasks over the Internet. Typically, bots perform tasks that are both simple and structurally repetitive, at a much higher rate than would be possible for a human alone.

 

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

 

Actually I am visited by one particular bot many times a day, one that goes by the name of "google.bot.com" in particular, according to my Baha'i Views Sitemeter statistics.

 

But someother mysterious bot visited my Flickr account and ran up my Flickr view counts for 9-7- and 9-8 astronomically. Whereas the average number of hits to Baha'i Views / Flitzy Phoebie on Flickr currently is around 2000 a day, on the 7th the actual number of hits was 17,748 and on the 8th 36,035. Every photo and video was visited 1 to 5 times. The net result was that my all-time view count advanced vigorously almost to the one and a half million mark.

 

I don't know what the bot was looking for. I trust there was no malevalent purpose. But, hey, next time Mr Big Bot, sign my guest book. OK? -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Make Peace, Build Community: Making an effort

A family tries to get to know their neighbors on a regular basis in the newest video uploaded to the Baha'i National Center YouTube channel.-gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Strengthen Thy People: Whereby the face of the Cause will radiate in Thy dominion

 

The friends gathered for the Cluster Agencies Meeting (the CAM) were in a not so rare state. They were laughing their heads off much of the evening, as the video clip above proves. But they got it together and managed to sing an incredibly lovely rendition of an excerpt of a Baha'i prayer often said to support expansion efforts. -gw

 

 

I beg of Thee, by that Word through which Thy proof was perfected among Thy creatures and Thy testimony was fulfilled amidst Thy servants, to strengthen Thy people in that whereby the face of the Cause will radiate in Thy dominion, the standards of Thy power will be planted among Thy servants, and the banners of Thy guidance will be raised throughout Thy dominions.

 

Baha'u'llah, Baha'i Prayers

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Behavioral Sleep Techniques to Help Infants Sleep Better: The news gets out

 

Below is a link to a fascinating article that came out online five days ago. Maybe you are reading about this news for the first time here. The reality is that there are already 463 sites that are touting this information --  in just 5 days -- my Google search informs me. That is the power of the Internet. Science can inform parenting practices. There is tremendous curiosity about how to be effective with children. Infant mental health need not be considered an esoteric subject. Its truths are of interest to the general public. -gw  

 

A new study by researchers from Murdoch Childrens Research Institute claims that "controlled comforting" and "camping out" (behavioral sleep technique) not only helps infants sleep better, it also reduces depression levels in mothers.

Researchers, who conducted the first ever study of its kind to have looked into the long term effects of these sleep techniques, say they are safe to be used in the long-term.

http://www.counselheal.com/articles/2812/20120910/controlled-comforting-infants-safe-study.htm

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Living the Life We Sing About: The tragic life of Amy Winehouse

If you love R&B and soul, you know about retro soul singer, Amy Winehouse. Her voice is compelling. Her story is tragic. Listen to her music and you are drawn right in. But her songs are hard to listen to because of the lyrical content. Hers is relationship music and you can see trouble coming in just about every song. People who live like the songs she sings suffer. There are laws of God. The spiritual laws of God are as real as the physical laws of God's universe. Ignore the laws and stuff happens. Lives can become unbearable.

 

As I am wont to say, quoting nationally recognized poet and Baha'i Robert Hayden in a World Order magazine from the 60's, there is art of affirmation and art of negation. There is a place for both. But some of artistic creations are positively toxic.

 

Did Amy Winehouse live like the songs she sang about? I don't know, I haven't researched her life, but I know she's gone.

 

Sometimes making a comparison is positively unfair. But when I think of the best of R&B/soul, I think of gems like "Wake Up Everbody." The songs of Amy Winehouse -- I pray for the progress of her soul -- are not in the same league as that Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes/Teddy Pendergrass wake-up call. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Distinguishing the Spring From the Autumn and Heat From Cold: The end of the camping season

It's not quite autumn yet, but the temperatures at night had us pulling the down comforters over us at our campsite at 4400 feet. We just got back from 3 days and two nights in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest three hours south of Tacoma. September camping is exquisite. Five years ago Bonita and I were up on both sides of the northern Cascades around this time, as this 2007 blog post on Flitzy Phoebie attests. We felt the nip of cold in the nighttime air that camping trip, too. I can distinguish heat from cold -- it was cold. -gw

Blackpine Lake

Diablo Lake

So great shall be the discernment of this seeker that he will discriminate between truth and falsehood even as he doth distinguish the sun from shadow. If in the uttermost corners of the East the sweet savours of God be wafted, he will assuredly recognize and inhale their fragrance, even though he be dwelling in the uttermost ends of the West. He will likewise clearly distinguish all the signs of God—His wondrous utterances, His great works, and mighty deeds—from the doings, words and ways of men, even as the jeweller who knoweth the gem from the stone, or the man who distinguisheth the spring from autumn and heat from cold. 

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Hairdressers As Natural Helpers: A Baha'i Views post from 2006

Baha'i study circles are an integral part of Baha'i life. I have been posting on their significance for as long as I have been doing this blog. It will be seven years this coming January. 

Read the rest of the story, the original post in its entirety here. -gw

http://bahaiviews.blogspot.com/2006/09/on-hairdressers-as-natural-helpers-she.html 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Eating Like an Egyptian: Traveling through time and space through food.

 

 

 

I haven't gone looking in people's lunchboxs, but I'll bet I'm the only person at my work who is eating like an Egyptian today, thanks to my wife's propensity to cook up some amazing international cuisine. Isn't it amazing how a meal can transport us to another place and time. I will be eating in Alexandria where Abdu'l-Baha visited when I eat the khoshari I've brought. After the main dish I will be traveling back to Washington State with blackberry cobbler. Yeah, Bonita and I picked 26 lbs of blackberries Sunday. -gw

 

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On No Hurricanes In Washington State: But we have a Hurricane Hill

 

 

We don't get hurricanes in Washington State, but we do have a Hurricane Ridge and a Hurricane Hill, where it can blow like crazy, although not the day we hiked to the top. . -gw

 

Be unrestrained as the wind, while carrying the Message of Him Who hath caused the Dawn of Divine Guidance to break. Consider, how the wind, faithful to that which God hath ordained, bloweth upon all the regions of the earth, be they inhabited or desolate. Neither the sight of desolation, nor the evidences of prosperity, can either pain or please it. It bloweth in every direction, as bidden by its Creator.

 

Gleanings From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Responding to the Inmost Longing of Every Heart to Commune With Its Maker: A devotional for families

 

 

We're "shaping a pattern of life distinguished for its devotional character" within the community of Tigers/ Invaders football players, coaches, and families on Tacoma's south and eastsides through the establishment of a weekly devotional. -gw

 

Thousands upon thousands, embracing the diversity of the entire human family, are engaged in systematic study of the Creative Word in an environment that is at once serious and uplifting. As they strive to apply through a process of action, reflection and consultation the insights thus gained, they see their capacity to serve the Cause rise to new levels. Responding to the inmost longing of every heart to commune with its Maker, they carry out acts of collective worship in diverse settings, uniting with others in prayer, awakening spiritual susceptibilities, and shaping a pattern of life distinguished for its devotional character. ... Aware of the aspirations of the children of the world and their need for spiritual education, they extend their efforts widely to involve ever-growing contingents of participants in classes that become centres of attraction for the young ... . They assist junior youth to navigate through a crucial stage of their lives and to become empowered to direct their energies toward the advancement of civilization. And with the advantage of a greater abundance of human resources, an increasing number of them are able to express their faith through a rising tide of endeavors that address the needs of humanity in both their spiritual and material dimensions.

 

The Universal House of Justice

 

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Where To Have a Spiritual Conversation: Anywhere

 

 

 

It is possible to have a spiritual conversation just about anywhere. Even at a football game. -gw

 

There is no time like the present to make a change for the better anyway

 

Put forth the effort for our kids and community

 

We have to open our eyes and question. There were things taught to me as a younger man that were weren't true.

 

We need to share for the better

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Such Clarity Above the Clouds: The appearance of that immortal Beauty

 

 

 

We can achieve such clarity when we get up above the clouds. -gw

 

 

By the term “clouds” is meant those things that are contrary to the ways and desires of men. Even as He hath revealed in the verse already quoted: “As oft as an Apostle cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, ye swell with pride, accusing some of being impostors and slaying others.” [Qur’án 2:87.] These “clouds” signify, in one sense, the annulment of laws, the abrogation of former Dispensations, the repeal of rituals and customs current amongst men, the exalting of the illiterate faithful above the learned opposers of the Faith. In another sense, they mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in the image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and drinking, poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and waking, and such other things as cast doubt in the minds of men, and cause them to turn away. All such veils are symbolically referred to as “clouds.”

 

J.E. Esselmont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era

 

Somewhere in Switzerland

 

Ski lift leftovers

 

Two fawns sharing one head

 

Don't try this at home, folks!

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On She Can Change Me: The Holy Spirit as the divine feminine

 

She can do anything at all /
Have anything she pleases /
The power to change what she thinks is wrong /
What could she want with me yeah /

 

Wait just one minute here /
I can see that she's trying to read me /
Suddenly I know /

[Chorus]

 

She's going to change the world [Repeat: x3] /
But she can't change me /
No she can't change me /

 

She has the daylight at her command /
She gives the night its dreams yeah /
She can uncover your darkest fears /
Make you forget you feel them /

 

Wait just one minute more /
I can see that she's trying to free me /
Suddenly I know /
[Chorus]

 

Suddenly I can see everything that's wrong /
With me yeah /
What can I do I'm the only thing I really have /
At all /

 

Wait just one minute here /
I can see that she's trying to need me /
Suddenly I know /
[Chorus]

Chris Cornell, "Can't Change Me" 

 

For possibly the first time in recorded religious history, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, as it has appeared to the Prophet, has explicitly taken form as the divine feminine. - bahaistudies.net/patfem.html

 The holy spirit can change me. - gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On They Came From Every Direction To Be There: The friends converge for Feast in Salishan

 

 

 

 

I can assure you, Baha'i feasts never looked this way in Tacoma 5, 10, or 15 years ago. Last night we met outdoors in Salishan. Children and youth from the neighborhood came from every direction to be there. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Become a Source of Social Good: Is any larger bounty conceivable than this

And the honor and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good. Is any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking within himself, should find that by the confirming grace of God he has become the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete delight.

 

Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization

 

 

During their weekly devotional gathering in a small apartment on the Eastside of Tacoma a group of children, youth, and adults, all members of the Tigers / Invaders football community, reflect upon becoming an even greater source of social good in their neighborhood. -gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On My Favorite Jimi Hendrix: I'm gonna wave my freak flag high, high

They're hoping soon my kind will drop and die,

But I'm gonna wave my freak flag high, high.

Wave on, wave on

My favorite Jimi Hendrix, "If 6 Was 9." I like number 9 - always have. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On I Move On to Another Day: To a whole new town with a whole new way

Ice-age, heat wave, can't complain
If the world's at large, why should I remain? 
Walked away to another plan 
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand
I move on to another day
To a whole new town with a whole new way

http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858500298/

Some modest rock poetry can open the door to a whole new world. -gw

Let all be set free from the multiple identities that were born of passion and desire, and in the oneness of their love for God find a new way of life.

Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha 

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Challenges to Reading the Baha'i Writings Morning and Night: Finding a quiet and seculuded place

Baha'u'llah says to pray every day and meditate upon the Baha'i Writings. Coach Matt describes a challenge he faces in his household to do so. -gw

 

 

 

...he sent out a letter expressing his wish to be alone for a time, in a quiet and secluded place, away from the noise and turmoil of everyday life--there to pray and supplicate and urgently beg for help from the realm of the All-Glorious. ...

 

Bahiyyih Khanum about Shoghi Effendi

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On the Tigers/Invaders Family Weekly Devotional: Letting nothing interfere with the regularity of our devotions

 

 

 

The football-playing Tigers/Invaders family is holding its weekly devotions after the Tigers game at Matt and Christy's in the Sunrise Apartments Saturday night, a new day, time, and place, after months of meeting at Lisa's in Salishan. We held our first one last Saturday with 19 in attendance. -gw

 

 

High seas and the complete absence of comfort could neither interfere with the regularity of His devotions nor perturb the peacefulness of His meditations and prayers.

 

The Dawn Breakers: Nabil's Narrative of the Early Days of the Baha'i Revelation

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Cheerleading As a Good Thing: Encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race

Cheerleading gets a bad rap. "Oh, he's just cheerleading." (See "cheerleading," definition 2. "one who expresses or promotes thoughtless praise; an adulator.") But, c'mon, wouldn't it be great to be greeted upon awakening by a cheerleading squad to get you started on your day? -gw

 

 

encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race, invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-subsistent Lord and deliver eloquent speeches.

 

Tablets of Abdul Baha-Abbas

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On a Generation That Didn't Agree: We will go down in history

The political season is upon us AGAIN. These stories on NPR about the presidential campaign and these eternal stories of conflict and strife involving congress. Makes me think AGAIN of my favorite System of a Down lyric. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Be It the Butterfly or Bear Grass: We clamber to get to the top

At the Cluster Agencies Meeting last night, we discussed whether we achieved the goals we set out for ourselves at the beginning of our recent intensive expansion campaign.

 

The friends must be made to realise that the urgency of the task ... is not only acute but temporary. Once they make this final effort, and clamber to the top of their goal, they can rest. - From a letter of Shoghi Effendi

 

 

We hike to get to the top, but it may be the butterfly or the bear grass in bloom along the way that we remember the most. -gw

 

 

 

The complete hike...

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Tickling and Teasing: Disrespecting young children

"We've all seen this at the beach" -- this month we spend so much time outdoors and in public recreational areas -- "screaming toddlers and preschoolers ... carried to be thrown into the water" to their intense distress. This is not how to play with a child. -gw

 

How does one follow the lead of the child? By respecting that young children need to explore, discover, and construct their own learning and understanding, and by allowing them opportunities to do so.

 

http://playcoach.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/following-the-childs-lead/

 

Adults need to remember that they should not over-stimulate their children. Observation is key. The clearest example of over stimulation is tickling. Kids love to get tickled. But then they reach a point where they become over stimulated and it's no longer fun for them. You have to watch for physical signs and cues that kids have reached their breaking point. Babies will turn their gaze and their bodies away, older kids will say "no," "stop" or "no more." Crying, tantrums, any behavior - even laughing - where the child's emotion is escalated indicates over stimulation. It's just another reason observation skills are so important.

 

http://aplaceofourown.org/question_detail.php?id=415

 

... it’s certainly common for adults or older kids to tease young children unmercifully, to justify their actions by saying they’re “just teasing”, and to become angry and even punish the child who displays distress when teased intensely. School-age children exposed to this treatment usually learn how to evade the adult’s attention, but younger ones naturally respond to distress by approaching the people who ought to be protecting them--  the very ones who are tormenting them.  We’ve all seen this at the beach, as screaming toddlers and preschoolers are carried to be thrown into the water, or in other situations where an adult picks up a child and won’t put her down, or threatens to throw away a toy or harm a pet. These situations often conclude with some type of punishment of the child, who is then characterized as a “wimp” or a “sissy”.

 

http://childmyths.blogspot.com/2012/02/slapping-teasingand-play.html

“O THOU KIND LORD! THESE LOVELY CHILDREN ARE…” O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness. Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Sacred Music: And the no tech sound

 

Turn up the treble, don't forget / Getting dizzy, sitting around / Sacred trickster and the no tech sound / I wish I could be / Music on a tree / Noise Nomads and me

 

Sacred Trickster by Sonic Youth

 

Don'tcha love a lyric? - gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Captured Moments: Documenting the Baha'i Institute Process

 

I’ve been accumulating videos that portray the expansion efforts of the Baha’is in my community since 2009.  They constitute quite a “slice of life,” each an in-the-moment recording of a bit of history unfolding. My preference will always be for “raw footage,” the spontaneous expressions of the friends. Any polishing of these clips into something more refined can be done by others at some point in the future. My interest is in capturing the moment.  Some more examples... –gw

 

I'm choosing to spend my free time this way

On Tacoma's Eastside we have 5 new children's classes starting or started

Henri introduces the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program

Baha'is more deeply involved in the social & economic interests of society

Strive

They who are the repositories of the pearls of His knowledge

I'm here because I feel this is my place & I want to serve

Neither will he be frightened by the hardships and calamities of that day

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On As Local As You Can Get: Baha'is support expansion by moving into receptive neighborhoods

What a concept: Find a receptive neighborhood, find Baha'is willing to move into that neighborhood to open their home to support the core activities. When Lisa opened her home to teaching activities in her Salishan neighborhood a few years ago, our teaching effort turned a corner. In the last six months, believers have moved to apartments right in the middle of the areas of current expansion. This is Baha'i "pioneering" in this day. As local as you can get. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On the Joy of Teaching: Providing answers to questions

 

It is always exciting to be able to share the Baha'i vision. Knowing I'm Baha'i, a co-worker stopped by my desk today with the question: what are the similarities and differences between Unity, Unitarianism-Universalism, and the Baha'i Faith. I did my best to answer.

 

Yesterday it was Tyler who had all the questions. He is participating in a Baha'i study circle that includes his fiancee Michelle. Using a booklet designed for such a purpose, Rick took some time after study circle to go over the history of the Faith with Tyler. We started talking about wsebsites he could visit and then I remembered I had some books in the car about the Bab and Baha'u'llah and an introductory book about the Faith as well. I was able to pass them on to him. The Internet is great, he said, but there is nothing like a book. You don't have to plug it in. -gw

 

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Of Times Past and Future: The prophecy of Daniel

 

In this meditative short video clip by my son Taraz, my grandson Daniel is featured . What a great name he has to try to live up to, considering the personage of Daniel in the Bible. - gw

 

The interpretation of prophecy is notoriously difficult, and on no subject do the opinions of the learned differ more widely. This is not to be wondered at, for, according to the revealed writings themselves, many of the prophecies were given in such a form that they could not be fully understood until the fulfillment came, and even then, only by those who were pure in heart and free from prejudice. Thus at the end of Daniel’s visions the seer was told:—

 

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. … And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

—Daniel xii, 4–9.

 

J.E. Esselmont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Making Mention of God: And canoeing around Herron Island

 

 

Homes line the thousands of miles of Puget Sound. Nevertheless, nature abounds for paddlers on this contorted inland sea. Here we circumnavigate Herron Island and make mention of God. -gw

 

 

Blessed is the spot, and the house,

and the place, and the city,

and the heart, and the mountain,

and the refuge, and the cave,

and the valley, and the land,

and the sea, and the island,

and the meadow where mention

of God hath been made,

and His praise glorified.

 

Bahá’u’lláh

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views