On Pierce County Push Pins: Going into Cycle 22

We measure our progress here in Pierce County, Washington, through push pins and Cluster Growth Profiles. Expansion of the Baha'i Community in the world is so much more rooted in systematic practices than when I worked as a staff member -- a "volunteer services coordinator," as I used to describe it in subsequent job applications -- in the U.S. Baha'i National Teaching Committee office back in the late 70's and early 80's.
+

+

Here's a Facebook group in memory of service provided "back in the day" by staffers at the Baha'i National Center in Wilmette / Evanston, IL. -gw
+

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Technology: Changes not only the functioning but the conception of society, indeed of existence itself

Revolutions in science and technology change not only the functioning but the conception of society, indeed of existence itself.

 

One Common Faith, Baha'i World Centre

 

My new computer.

 

Seriously, this computer below on display at the Royal BC Museum looks just like the one that Tim kindly loaned me to do my papers on back when I was working on my Master's back in the early 90's.

 

 

And this is the technology I embraced back in the early 70's to transcribe my father's autobiography on.

 

 

Baha'i teaching back in the early 70's often involved a filmstrip projector, pictured below, and a shoebox cassette tape recorder.

 

 

Bonita associates her father with one of these.

 

 

Her aunt had one of these cream separators on the ranch near Augusta, Montana. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Saturday Night: A good night to simultaneously keep dancing to the rock and roll and work on one’s spelling

A lifetime spent listening to music has taught me a lot about Saturday night. It is, for example, all right for fighting or going to the movies, not to mention a good night to simultaneously keep dancing to the rock and roll and work on one’s spelling, and those are just the pop songs.  

+
http://www.the9513.com/25-songs-about-saturday-night/
+

+

There was so much going on Saturday night after the Baha'i Cluster Reflection Meeting: Stephanie's graduation and pioneering to Tonga party, Gwen & Joe's devotional/watching avatar: the last airbender (the show) party, and Russ Salton and Friends performing at the Mandolin Cafe. I caught the later. -gw
+

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Striving to Be Darlings of the Baha'i Cause: Accompany, Reflect, Learn

Photos and video from yesterday's frank, open, and uplifting consultation at our quarterly Cluster Reflection Meeting is coming here on Baha'i Views. Here is an advance look. We strive to be darlings of the Cause. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On BJ Is Back: Meaningful tasks, memories for all time

 

It was so good seeing BJ. She is going to be meeting with one of our U.S. House of Representatives members regarding the persecution of Baha'is in Iran. We were reminiscing in the car on the way home from Reflection Meeting on the "historic" Baha'i Feasts in her home a few years back, memorries of which are positively burned in my brain for all time. -gw

 

http://flitzyphoebie.blogspot.com/2006/05/bahai-community-life-feast.html

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Rowing, Hiking, and Yoga: Addressing the chronic diseases of the wealthy West

Should I attend my morning rowing sessions on Tinaroo lake because it helps my weight control or even my back strength. While I am happy it does both of these, the enjoyment of the beauty around me when I row, the enjoyment of the challenge to build my skill at rowing, the enjoyment of the other people who row, these take me rowing.

I would not like to suggest for one moment that I have attained any nirvana of detachment, or that detachment equates with any ascetic practice. Rather that this is my insight, from my own life, my clinical experience, my own challenges and my successes, and a reflection on the teachings and mission of Baha’u'llah, in the hope that both clinicians, public health workers, and people everywhere will find something here that might change their approach to improving the chronic diseases of the wealthy west in a solution that consist of taking on the greater challenge of lifting the mind and body to more wonderful heights.

 

http://owen59.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/dieting-is-impossible/

 

Owen goes rowing on Tinaroo Lake.

 

Google

 

I go hiking in the Illahee Preserve.

 

http://hikingillahee.blogspot.com/

 

And tomorrow I start yoga, with instructor provided by my company, and right on campus, too,  at a very convenient time, the noon hour. I'll have to give up one of my Illahee hikes to attend the weekly class, but I think it will be worth it. -gw

 

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Feb. 13th, 1932. He was very glad to know that you have recovered your health and can resume your work as well as services to the Cause. We surely cannot afford seeing the competent servants of the Faith handicapped by their health. They are too few to be spared so easily. ...

 

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/LDG1/ldg1-23-printable.html

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Gotta Get Away? Done That Already: Ready for our collective Baha'i teaching campaign

Gotta get away?

 

Last weekend we got away. We took no canoe, no hiking boots. We had the Port Angeles to Victoria ferry experience, staying overnight in beautiful downtown Port Angeles before leaving for BC at morning's light to spend the day at the Royal BC Museum. What great fun! Here is the whole 533 photo set on flickr.

 

 

This weekend we're going nowhere. We got business to take care of. The quarterly Baha'i Cluster Reflection Meeting is tomorrow meeting, as we gear up for another intensive phase which starts next weekend and runs for the following nine days. Which got me to reflecting of all that has happened since the last Reflection Meeting. I can't wait until the friends hears how much we were able to increase the number of active tutors and Ruhi Book 1's. They'll be thrilled. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On the Nature of Us: Finding the Divine in writing

http://natureofus.org/

The pieces on this blog are rooted in the work of a weekly gathering among friends. The purpose of the group is to improve in the craft of writing and to share pieces, both fiction and non-fiction, that explore the fundamentally spiritual nature of individuals, relationships and communities.

We long to write about humans in a way that does justice to them. We want to get better at describing the negative forces—the barriers, like greed and materialism—that keep us from fulfilling our potential, but we are also learning how to write about hope, about love and about the transcendental qualities of human nature with the same precision. A few of us meet every Friday in a Toronto apartment building, but we anticipate that those from distant places will be inspired to contribute as well. ...

http://natureofus.org/about/

 

Thanks to my anonymous source in the cold white north for the item above and the news below that Phyllis Ring is coming to the Pacific Northwest in connection with her book Life at First Sight and will also offer a workshop for writers at East West Bookshop in Seattle in early February.

 

Phyllis Edgerly Ring, author
Life at First Sight: Finding the Divine in the Details
www.phyllisring.com
"Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts."

 

http://books.bahai.us/Life-at-First-Sight

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Lives Lived: There is no honor, except what God may please to bestow

Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 97–8

 

 

Above is Jamie's photo set for the Month of Sharaf -- look deeply into the faces of these souls! --  and below the first half of the video I took at our Feast last Thursday. (Should have got this all posted sooner, but it was a "no Internet weekend" for Bonita and I up in Victoria.) -gw

 

They who are possessed of riches, however, must have the utmost regard for the poor, for great is the honor destined by God for those poor who are steadfast in patience. By My life! There is no honor, except what God may please to bestow, that can compare to this honor. Great is the blessedness awaiting the poor that endure patiently and conceal their sufferings, and well is it with the rich who bestow their riches on the needy and prefer them before themselves.

 

Baha'u'llah in Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On the Baha'i Feast of Honor: Souls, young and old, willing to learn and grow

 

The friends gather. It's cold. A bit of snow. At our "Baha'i center" at Salishan. The children. The stalwart and dedicated Tacoma Baha'is, a handful of souls willing to learn and grow. Louis's kind offer. Gwen's invitation for service. Consultation. Polin's much-viewed photo album. The "walking bus" into the night. A home-visit to a recuperating child on the way home. New year's wonder.

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Ruhi Crafts: A website dedicated to the role of artistic endeavours in the advancement of Baha'u'llah's cause

Laurie is bringing some great ideas to our Baha'i Ruhi 1 study circle, such as the use of scrapbooking for creating individualized "books" of prayers. Here is a web site devoted to the inclusion of craft activities as part of the Ruhi learning experience. -gw

 

http://ruhicrafts.blogspot.com/

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Immigration: Tell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor, lest heedlessness lead them into the path of destruction

 

Immigration is a controversial issue in so many parts of the world. In the U.S., certainly. But in many other places in the world, too. In the last several days I listened on radio to a program on the controversy in Malta.as part of a series on Nomadic Migration and Skin color on PRI's The World. Other' in the series:

• December 28, 2010 -- From Somalia to Denver, the long way
• December 30, 2010 -- The challenges faced by Africans living in Malta
• December 29, 2010 -- From Libya to detention in Malta
• December 30, 2010 -- Zimbabweans forced out of South Africa

 

People want to better their lives. People immigrate for economic reasons. And to feel safe. Someone after the devotional meeting on Sunday was saying, the greatest challenges in future years will come from conflict between the rich and poor. The gap between is growing. We know what Baha'u'llah had to say about that.

 

Here is an excerpt from a blog devoted to a man's efforts to immigrate with his family to Canada. Click over to read his entire post. It's a fascinating reflection. -gw

 

> About Me: Born and living in Guayaquil. Married, two children. Baha'i since December 25, 2008. English teacher for the last 7 years. TEFL trainer for the last 2 months.

 

They started washing my filthy car and I was standing there watching them and thinking to myself. I noticed they were getting water from a pipe in an unused house lot and the electricity from the street wires. They were working as fast as they could and doing their best. I started thinking about the things people do to make money. At least, these guys are doing something not criminal or endangering other people's lives.

 

I felt happy they had something to do and get money to eat. I felt happy I didn't and don't have to do this kind of jobs because I am a professional. Not that I could not do this job, it's just that I am making more money and my family feels safe. All of a sudden I thought I may have to do these in Canada. Could people do this in Canada? I mean, can you just go, connect your super pump in someone else's water pipe, hang some wires and get the electricity, and just start washing cars in the street and make a living out of it?

 

Will I end up doing this to provide for my family? How would my kids feel? One thing for sure is I won't let my loved ones just starve, I will do whatever necessary to feed them, anything provided it is legal, of course. I don't want to drift away from God.

 

http://cbarrera75.blogspot.com/2010/09/pondering.html

 

O CHILDREN OF DUST!

Tell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor, lest heedlessness lead them into the path of destruction, and deprive them of the Tree of Wealth.

Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.

– Bahá'u'lláh

http://agencyandchange.com/about-the-blog/

 

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Being Lifted Up to Such Wonderful Heights: Studying the letter from the Universal House of Justice

 

Last night I had the just-released 12-28-10 letter from the Universal House of Justice, the Baha'i world governing body, up on the computer screen when Tom and Renee came over for a visit. There was no Ruhi 1 study circle last night as we usually have each Wednesday, just some heart-felt conversation interspersed with a few songs at the end -- Tom played a great Hugh Masekela track.

 

My eye caught lines of text of the letter from time to time. I said to myself, "Everyone in this room is a part of this upcoming plan." Baha'is all over the world are studying the House's letter with awe and wonder. -gw

 

December 28th, 9:30 pm. I have just finished my first read of this Message, gasped at the number 5000, and been lifted up to such wonderful heights by the vision of the Universal House of Justice. There is so much I want to write, but I know that I need to go over this message again. And again. And again.

I have no doubt that what I want to say will shift and change as I really sit down and study it.

But my first thought, dear Reader, was of you. I wanted to encourage you to read this message as soon as you can, and study it with as many of the friends as you can. Read it section by section, and all the while look how to apply it. I'm sure you will, but I wanted to make sure to throw in a word of encouragement, just in case it takes that little extra nudge.

After my own first quick read of this letter, one thing in particular really stands out to me. It is found on page 14, or paragraph 37.

 

Read more: http://onebahai.blogspot.com/#ixzz19dU5KHxD

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Found on Flickr: Moon over Miami

For quite a few years now I've shared my Flickr account, Baha'i Views / Flitzy Phoebie, with my wife. (Our view count is up to 553,673, amazingly.)
+

The photos Bonita puts up surprise me sometimes. Like this one, Moonscape During the Equinox. I didn't even know she was interested in astronomy let alone that she was taking pictures of celestial objects. -gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Frangos and Study Circles on the Eve of Christmas: Christians in Bethlehem and Baha'is in Haifa

Just four days before Christmas, this is Renee, seller of Frango mint chocolates at Macy's, at study circle right after getting off an extra-long day's work.
+

+

So glad to have Deb as tutor and Laurie as support at our Wednesday combined Ruhi 1 Baha'i study circle.
+

+

Thursday was Christmas Party Two where I work. Not having participated in the Secret Santa gift exchange, and having truned down the opportunity at last minute to DJ for the party,  I found meaningful work to do taking pictures instead.
+

+

And then there is this, Brynne Annaë's delightful "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" post up on her blog this evening about her non-traditional gathering tomorrow.
+

+

http://bananabranmuffin.blogspot.com/2010/12/twas-night-before-christmas.html
+

 In the Holy Land Christians are gathered in Bethlehem, and Baha'is in Haifa. Just got an email from a Child of Africa who is on pilgrimage with her family. So wonderful to hear from her. -gw

We are currently in Israel on a 9-day pilgrimage to the Baha'i Holy Places visiting the final resting place of Baha'u'llah and the places associated with His exile, imprisonment and life here in the late 1800s at the end of the Ottoman Empire. Our visit has been an intensely spiritual and sacred experience as well as a little taste of paradise. The Baha'i gardens and holy places are exquisite in their beauty and refinement. We have had lots of time for refreshing personal reflection and prayer. A wonderful way to prepare for the New Year and the rest of our lives!

+ 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Nothing Like Gunfire to Make You Hike Faster: And other reasons to buy a Hummer

OK, so it was a joke. We didn't trade in the Transit Connect for a Hummer. Irony and humor doesn't come across very well on the 'net. But if I was going to decide to buy a Hummer, it would have been because of this experience hiking in the Capitol Forest.

 

 

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-100-printable.html

 

OK, so we were hiking right next to a shooting range. And it still is hunting season for some prey. What else should we have expected? As far as I can tell, no one was shooting a Krupp gun or a Mauser rifle. -gw

 

 

And among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is that although material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind, yet until it becomes combined with Divine civilization, the desired result, which is the felicity of mankind, will not be attained. Consider! These battleships that reduce a city to ruins within the space of an hour are the result of material civilization; likewise the Krupp guns, the Mauser rifles, dynamite, submarines, torpedo boats, armed aircraft and bombers—all these weapons of war are the malignant fruits of material civilization. Had material civilization been combined with Divine civilization, these fiery weapons would never have been invented. Nay, rather, human energy would have been wholly devoted to useful inventions and would have been concentrated on praiseworthy discoveries. Material civilization is like a lamp-glass. Divine civilization is the lamp itself and the glass without the light is dark. Material civilization is like the body. No matter how infinitely graceful, elegant and beautiful it may be, it is dead. Divine civilization is like the spirit, and the body gets its life from the spirit, otherwise it becomes a corpse. It has thus been made evident that the world of mankind is in need of the breaths of the Holy Spirit. Without the spirit the world of mankind is lifeless, and without this light the world of mankind is in utter darkness. For the world of nature is an animal world. Until man is born again from the world of nature, that is to say, becomes detached from the world of nature, he is essentially an animal, and it is the teachings of God which convert this animal into a human soul.

 

Abdu’l-Bahá, in Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Making a Move: We're now in a wide ride ( 86.5 inches wide)

We've sold the Ford Transit Connect and bought this instead. Bonita insisted. -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Outdated Medicine for Mankind: Old religion, should be discarded

I love Dr Sabets occasional posts citing the Baha'i Faith on his behavioral health blog. -gw

Expiration date … for religions?!

Posted in cultural issues, medicines - 19 December 2010 - No comment

We are warned about the dangers of taking medicines that are outdated and no longer effective. Some are downright dangerous for conditions they were originally designed for to treat. If the religions of the world are medicines to the ills of humanity, could it be that beyond a certain point they too cause the opposite effect of what they were originally meant to heal?

http://faridsabetmd.com/blog/?p=652

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Once in Every Week: Engage together in praising and glorifying the Lord

"Once in every week, gather ye the steadfast friends together in a meeting place, and there let them engage praising and glorifying the Lord."

 

--'Abdu'l-Baha, "The Importance of Obligatoy Prayer and Fasting"

 

I knew about the importance of choosing to recite one of the three obligatory prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah each day. These prayers are meant to be said privately. They are for the individual believer for his or her personal communion with God. And there are enumerable other revealed prayers we can draw on to have conversation with Him.

 

Today I learned -- I mean REALLY learned -- about the place that collective worship has in the Baha'i Faith.

 

We are called on by Baha'u'llah to gather together for devotional gatherings. The multiplication of devotional meetings is an essential element in the expansion of the Cause. The first act of service to our community that we can provide is to offer a devotional in our home. An outcome of participation in Ruhi Book 1, "Reflections on the LIfe of the Spirit," is the establishment by the graduate of his or her own devotional.

 

Gather ye together with the utmost joy and fellowship and recite the verses revealed by the mericful Lord.

-- Baha'u'llah, quoted in "Thje importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Undrstanding of the Faith"

 

...all should gather together, and, harmoniously attuned one to another, engage in prayer...

--'Abdu'l-Baha, "Star of the West, May 1919"

 

...the holding of regular meetings for worship open to all and the involvement of Baha'i communities in projects of humanitarian service are expressions of ... a further step in the implementation of the Law of God.

-- The Universal House of Justice, "Further Application of Devotional Laws, 28 December 1999

 

We're going to Tim and Deb's devotional tomorrow. What fond memories we have of their devotional over the years! -gw

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

On Christmas at Gil's: Warm and fuzzy

It is a tradition when the team I work with gathers for its annual Christmas party to have a gift exchange of previously owned (if not read) books.

 

 

This year we met at Gil's place. The low-light conditions gave me plenty of opportunity to come up with photos that have that fuzzy-painting look. Warm and fuzzy, like the feelings I have for my highly esteemed co-workers. -gw

 

 

 

Posted via email from Baha'i Views