On the Verdure of the Earth Is For Everyone: Nature conservancy

I consider this to be one of my most beautiful video captures. Nature, pure and simple.

 

 

Last weekend Bonita and I visited a Nature Conservancy property in Kitsap County WA, the Foulweather Bluff Preserve. Such diversity of experiences to take in, even for a gray day in February. Freshwater, saltwater, forest, and beach, with lots of birdlife. Verdure, the kind Baha'u'llah would have loved to appreciate and Abdu'l-Baha spoke about, as in this excerpt drawn from the Baha'i Reference Library. -gw

 

 

God is not partial and is no respecter of persons. He has made provision for all. The harvest comes forth for everyone. The rain showers upon everybody and the heat of the sun is destined to warm everyone. The verdure of the earth is for everyone. Therefore there should be for all humanity the utmost happiness, the utmost comfort, the utmost well-being.

-- Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity

 

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On A Hét Völgy & Tárnoki Beatrix: Baha'i music from Hungary

A Hét Völgy & Tárnoki Beatrix's album Hova Mehet a Szerelmas? "has elements of Middle Eastern, Hungarian folk, Hungarian Roma, Spanish Roma, and Columbian music combined with modern influences of jazz and pop," to quote from the liner notes. All the lyrics, sung in Hungarian, are drawn from Bahu'llah's Hidden Words.

 

 

I am loving the album "Whither can a lover go?" by The Seven Valleys, the title song of which is performed in the video above. I love the inclusion of the the clarinet in the song performed in the video below.

 

How Long Art Thou To Slumber? / Meddig Szunnyadsz?

 

The album can be purchased from CD baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/switzermakay -gw

 

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On May God Protect Egypt and Her Decent People: حماها الله وشعبها الكرام

From Bilo's  blog Baha'i Faith in Egypt. -gw

 

Friday, February 11, 2011

 

A New Egypt is Born!

 

On this new day of freedom in Egypt, the shackles of inequality, injustice, corruption and repression have been removed. It is now time for peaceful transition to a society that guarantees civil and human rights and equal opportunity to all citizens regardless of their background, gender, color, race, belief, religion or any other difference in its diverse communities. 

 

http://www.bahai-egypt.org/2011/02/new-egypt-is-born.html

 

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On Dominion: Jaimie Frank's photo set for the Baha'i month of Mulk

Each month I look forward to see in my Flickr mail from Jamie the message that says, "It's ready." -gw

 

 

To understand the nature of the interacting processes that, in their totality, engender the expansion and consolidation of the Faith is vital to the successful execution of the Plan. In your efforts to further such understanding, you and your auxiliaries are encouraged to bear in mind a concept that lies at the foundation of the current global enterprise and, indeed, at the very heart of every stage of the Divine Plan, namely, that progress is achieved through the development of three participants—the individual, the institutions, and the community. Throughout human history, interactions among these three have been fraught with difficulties at every turn, with the individual clamouring for freedom, the institution demanding submission, and the community claiming precedence. Every society has defined, in one way or another, the relationships that bind the three, giving rise to periods of stability, interwoven with turmoil. Today, in this age of transition, as humanity struggles to attain its collective maturity, such relationships—nay, the very conception of the individual, of social institutions, and of the community—continue to be assailed by crises too numerous to count. The worldwide crisis of authority provides proof enough. So grievous have been its abuses, and so deep the suspicion and resentment it now arouses, that the world is becoming increasingly ungovernable—a situation made all the more perilous by the weakening of community ties.

 

The Universal House of Justice, 28 December 2010, To the Continental Boards of Counsellors, paragraph 40

 

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On There Are People Hurting: Transformation is not possible if we operate at comfortable distance from the problems of the world

Friend 1: "There's a lot of people out there who are really hurting. Emotionally and physically ther're damaged. And the healing message of Baha'u'lah can help resolve that damage."

 

Friends 2: "In the December 28 letter from the House they mention the kind of social transformation that Baha'u'llah brings not being possible when the community of individuals caring for that transformation operates at a comfortable distance from the rest of the the world. So it's wonderful to see that the Faith is taking steps little by little to provide for that. Because as anybody [knows] who goes out and teaches even in their own neighborhood -- the people that you live around, whether in your neighrhood or the next city over --  these issues are just everywhere."

 

 

More evidence of the inspiration the December 28 letter of the Universal House of Justice is already having can be heard on these video clips of Baha'is gathered at a Cluster Reflection Meeting near Seattle a few weeks ago. -gw

 

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On an Ode to Ooooh: Whack

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Baha'i sisters making the "oooh" sound

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And here they are not making the "oooh" sound. -gw
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On ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Egypt: The atmosphere prevailing in Cairo at the time opened a way for frank and searching discussions

1920 - Baha'is of Alexandria with Shoghi Effendi
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The Baha'i Reference Library carries 196 results for "Egypt."  Here are some of them. -gw
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Because of the dramatic character of the events that occurred in North America and Europe, accounts of the Master’s historic journeys sometimes tend to overlook the important opening year spent in Egypt. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived there in September 1910, intending to go on directly to Europe, but was compelled by illness to remain in residence at Ramleh, a suburb of Alexandria, until August of the following year. As it turned out, the months that followed were a period of great productivity whose full effects on the fortunes of the Cause, in the African continent especially, will be felt for many years to come. To some extent the way had no doubt been paved by warm admiration for the Master on the part 15 of Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abduh, who had met Him on several occasions in Beirut and who subsequently became Mufti of Egypt and a leading figure at Al-Azhar University.

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An aspect of the Egyptian sojourn that deserves special attention was the opportunity it provided for the first public proclamation of the Faith’s message. The relatively cosmopolitan and liberal atmosphere prevailing in Cairo and Alexandria at the time opened a way for frank and searching discussions between the Master and prominent figures in the intellectual world of Sunni Islam. These included clerics, parliamentarians, administrators and aristocrats. Further, editors and journalists from influential Arabic-language newspapers, whose information about the Cause had been coloured by prejudiced reports emanating from Persia and Constantinople, now had an opportunity to learn the facts of the situation for themselves. Publications that had been openly hostile changed their tone. The editors of one such newspaper opened an article on the Master’s arrival by referring to "His Eminence Mírzá ‘Abbás Effendi, the learned and erudite Head of the Bahá’ís in ‘Akká and the Centre of authority for Bahá’ís throughout the world" and expressing appreciation of His visit to Alexandria. This and other articles paid particular tribute to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s understanding of Islam and to the principles of unity and religious tolerance that lay at the heart of His teachings.

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Despite the Master’s ill health that had caused it, the Egyptian interlude proved to be a great blessing. Western diplomats and officials were able to observe at first-hand the extraordinary success of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s interaction with leading figures in a region of the Near East that was of lively interest in European circles. Accordingly, by the time the Master embarked for Marseilles on 11 August 1911, His fame had preceded Him.

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The Universal House of Justice, Century of Light, 2001
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On Studying the Letter: The textual basis for what, how, and why we Baha'is do what we do

http://www.flickr.com/photos/philsquires/

 

We'll be doing this tomorrow in our community, just as they were doing in Stratford, Canada, studying together the recent December 28th letter from the Universal House of Justice to the Continental Board of Counsellors. -gw

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On Seeking Solutions for Iran: Keeping a spotlight on violation of international human rights standards

 

"It is important for us to cast a light on what is happening." Leo said. "It is outrageous and it is the kind of violation of international human rights standards the international community needs to come down on very hard."

Iraj Kamalabadi hopes his visit with the commission will keep pressure on Iran and keep a spotlight on the plight of his sister and the others. "I don't have the solution in my power," he said. "The ultimate solution would be for the government (of Iran) to stop persecuting the humanitarian-minded Baha'i who have committed no wrongdoing."

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/11/bahais-lobby-u-s-commission-to-help-them-survive-in-iran/

 

And in another country in Middle East, injustice reigns. -gw

 

 

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On Rulers: Unitedly arise for the reformation of this age

Pearl chose this prayer to read last night to conclude Baha'i devotions, so appropriate for the historical signficance of the day. -gw

 

Our hope is that the world’s religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth.  

 

The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.  

 

Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 168

 

By Desmond Leo  This photo was taken on February 5, 2011 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.

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On Jim Declares His Belief in Baha'u'llah in Uganda: Great news, great move!

 

I just heard that Jim became a Baha'i while on a visit to Kampala, Uganda. Great news!

 

And I understand he's getting married to a dear soul later this month in a Baha'i ceremony when he gets back in town. Great move!!

 

Jim's home, pictured below, has been the location for a Baha'i study circle in the past. I suspect there will be many more core activities occuring in this blessed home in the years to come. -gw

 

 

 

 

 

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On a Sin-Covering Eye: Finding that lovely detail about the other person

To be silent concerning the faults of others, to pray for them, and to help them, through kindness, to correct their faults. To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, to look at the ten and forget the one; and if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten.

 

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/o/BNE/bne-68-printable.html

 

 

So many of my photos are blurry. Bonita hates that. But my salvation is in cropping. You can take a lousy picture, but there is almost always a corner, a detail, that is interesting, or even lovely.

 

It occurs to me that this is the way Baha'i are supposed to look at others. Find the detail, the lovely corner, and notice that.

 

Here is a photo set from the Feast of Sultan. There were a lot of radiant souls there, but my photos were terrible. Cropping saved the day. -gw

 

 

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On Baha'i Community Choirs: Best album

 

What could be the best Baha'i community choir? Best community choir album? Is it this one? The envelope please... -gw

 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nwuens

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-New-World-Unity-Ensemble-NWUE/348286105521

 

http://bahaiunitycenter.org/NewWorldUnityEnsembleChoir.aspx

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On Drive-By Teaching As Not the Future of the Faith: Listening more, talking less

 

These are from our most recent, inspiring, and fruitful Baha'i intensive phase, 9 days of teaching in the neighborhoods. -gw

 

 

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On New Music: Acompáñame

http://bahaicoherence.blogspot.com/2010/07/accompaniment-and-changing-conceptions.html

Accompany to serve. Our watchword.   

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Music-Album-Acompaname-a-Servir/164230910291500

Just out. Looks interesting. Can't wait to hear it in full. -gw

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/acompaname

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On New Music: Acompáñame

http://bahaicoherence.blogspot.com/2010/07/accompaniment-and-changing-conceptions.html

 

Accompany to serve. Our watchword.   

 

 

Just out. Looks interesting. Can't wait to hear it in full. -gw

 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/acompaname

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Music-Album-Acompaname-a-Servir/164230910291500

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On Singing and Dancing Enhance Baha'i Devotions: Like hot sauce on a Taco

Try watching this and not singing!

As planned, after checking in and a round of prayers at the house, our Thursday Baha'i devotional took a field trip to nearby Fircrest to hear Trio Tropical with our own Tom Brooks on the baritone ukelele. Singing, dancing, and carrying on go together with prayers like hot sauce on a taco. Tom and his wife Renee are rounding the bend and heading to the finish line in Ruhi Book1 on Wednesday nights in our home. Great fun. -gw

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On Singing and Dancing Enhance Baha'i Devotions: Like hot sauce on a taco

 

Try watching this and not singing!

 

As planned, after checking in and a round of prayers at the house, our Thursday Baha'i devotional took a field trip to nearby Fircrest to hear Trio Tropical with our own Tom Brooks on the baritone ukelele. Singing, dancing, and carrying on go together with prayers like hot sauce on a taco. Tom and his wife Renee are rounding the bend and heading to the finish line in Ruhi Book1 on Wednesday nights in our home. Great fun. -gw

 

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On Party Like It's the Chinese New Year: Tacoma's Baha'i Feast of Mulk

 

Another unusual and lovely Baha'i Feast last night, this one at Joseph and Christan's home up near Pt Defiance. Can't wait to see what core activities we will be able to get started in that Tacoma neighborhood.

 

We had all the excitement I've come to expect our Feasts to have, thanks to lots of children and youth, relatively speaking, and the usual mix of sometimes unruly and cantakerous old people like Bonita and me. (OK, perhaps a slight exaggeration there). Throw in the howls of a blue-eyed dog into the mix, and you got a party. 

 

 

The dog leaped into the room like a rabbit, which was apropriate, because we gave homage to Chinese New Year's with the bright red envelopes that Debbie had available for the friends to put their Baha'i Fund contributions in.. It may have been the Feast of Mulk, and not Naw Ruz, the Baha'i New Year, but it happened to be the beginning the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese calendar. -gw

 

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On Racing to the Top: Russ Salton & Friends at Mandolin Cafe 011

 

There are many mysteries of life. A mystery to me of late has been, why is this photo racing to the top of our most viewed list on our Baha'i Views / Flitzy Phoebie account on Flickr. In just two months Russ Salton & Friends at Mandolin Cafe 011  has arrived at the No. 3 spot, behind only "Radiant yuut" at No. 2, and Basa Swai Fillets with Veggies in the top spot. The referral site is unkown, but the visits keep coming. The photo is a cropped detail of a larger photo. It's got interesting composition in the juxtapostion of the chimes with the guitar neck, but its terribly blurry. What's the deal here? The Internet is a mysterious place. -gw

 

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