It is said, one of the ways the earlier believers would teach the Faith, is to first teach that person what their religion truly was. If they're Christian, teach them first about Christ. If they're Muslim, teach them first about Muhammad.
How's this for starting with Christ? I shared it with my Christian friend earlier today, and we had an epic talk about the Baha'i Faith stemming from that. And I want to share this quotation with all of my Christian (and non-Christian friends too), not with the primary purpose of teaching them about the Baha'i Faith, but to share this overwhelming love I feel for Christ, in this beautiful passage - especially the latter half from Baha'u'llah.
Oh, to weep with a great weeping.
"As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized, that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended. The Founder of the Christian Faith is designated by Baha'u'llah as the "Spirit of God," is proclaimed as the One Who "appeared out of the breath of the Holy Ghost," and is even extolled as the "Essence of the Spirit." His mother is described as "that veiled and immortal, that most beauteous, countenance," and the station of her Son eulogized as a "station which hath been exalted above the imaginings of all that dwell on earth," whilst Peter is recognized as one whom God has caused "the mysteries of wisdom and of utterance to flow out of his mouth." "Know thou," Baha'u'llah has moreover testified, "that when the Son of Man yielded up His breath to God, the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however, a fresh capacity was infused into all created things. Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples of the earth, are now manifest before thee. The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered, the profoundest learning which any mind hath unfolded, the arts which the ablest hands have produced, the influence exerted by the most potent of rulers, are but manifestations of the quickening power released by His transcendent, His all-pervasive and resplendent Spirit. We testify that when He came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things. Through Him the leper recovered from the leprosy of perversity and ignorance. Through Him the unchaste and wayward were healed. Through His power, born of Almighty God, the eyes of the blind were opened and the soul of the sinner sanctified.... He it is Who purified the world. Blessed is the man who, with a face beaming with light, hath turned towards Him." -- Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 109
Showing posts with label Baha'i. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baha'i. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
re: I know I belong somewhere, but where?
Heya ^__^ Last year I found this awesome video about homosexuality and the Baha'i Faith. It explained the rationale for the position of the Baha'i Faith, and what this actually means. The video file is now, corrupted :(, but when I did find it, I actually copied down the words lol so... here are a couple of paragraphs from the talk :)
To understand the Baha'i Faith and its teachings, there's a very central theological concept about the Bahai Faith that needs be considered: that we are essentially spiritual beings that happen to be in a material matrix - that this world, the material world and its impulses are marginal - secondary to our purpose here, which is to develop spiritually. If you're spiritually atoned, you can really just see outside of this material construct. Realizing this is what will bring us closer to God, spirituality and spiritual growth; and contribute to the betterment of the world around us .
If we can break free from these material constructs, we can stop being so materially obsessed. Our passions for luxury and greed, and prestige and whatnot, these things that cause destruction in our world will also dissolve. Fundamentally, as individuals, we need to be free from this material construct.
Realizing we are spiritual beings in a material world, such impulses become marginal and we aren't slaves to them. This idea applies to all facets of Baha'i law. Our laws also keep us from exploiting our material impulses, we're to be free from that...we're to be free from obsessing over those material desires and impulses, we should be outside of that.
In a heterosexual relationship, you cannot have sexual acts outside of marriage, before marriage, and extramarital. For a heterosexual, you're supposed to have pure thoughts, you're supposed to atone yourself. While we can enjoy this material world, it should not be the primary determinant of our actions. However, this is a concept that is very deep and profound, requiring much reflection and study.
The Baha'i writings explain that the primary purpose of marriage is the procreation of children. That's the primary purpose of marriage, and within marriage, the sex impulse is contained. Outside of that, the heterosexual relationship say before marriage and outside of marriage, is exploitation of the material impulse – exploiting it, just seeking physical pleasure from it.
Likewise, in sexual acts of a homosexual nature – there's no practical purpose to it outside of material pleasure That's not to say the Baha'i faith has problems against homosociality – which is often appointed as one and the same as homosexuality. In the Baha'i Writings, when homosexuality is prohibited, it's specifically talking about the sexual impulse. Because this action is fundamentally exploitation of the material impulse.
That's not to say that homosociality, homoromantisism is something that's prohibited in the Baha'i Faith. In fact, the quote from Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, on homosexuality, defines that no matter how fine a love between two people of the same sex to let it take form in sexual acts, is really wrong. It's not saying that love between two people of the same sex is wrong. It's not saying that that relationship that you can have between two people of the same sex, is wrong.
It's referring strictly to the sexual act. It's just like two heterosexual people committing sexual acts outside of marriage. Homosexual Baha'is are completely welcome into the Faith, no one's going to tell them what to do...there's a choice, everyone knows what it is...they can participate in the Baha'i Community like anyone else. It's just that sexual act is prohibited in the Baha'i Faith... Just as heterosexuals cannot commit sexual acts that are prohibited in the Baha'i Faith.
Hope you find that interesting/helpful :-)
To understand the Baha'i Faith and its teachings, there's a very central theological concept about the Bahai Faith that needs be considered: that we are essentially spiritual beings that happen to be in a material matrix - that this world, the material world and its impulses are marginal - secondary to our purpose here, which is to develop spiritually. If you're spiritually atoned, you can really just see outside of this material construct. Realizing this is what will bring us closer to God, spirituality and spiritual growth; and contribute to the betterment of the world around us .
If we can break free from these material constructs, we can stop being so materially obsessed. Our passions for luxury and greed, and prestige and whatnot, these things that cause destruction in our world will also dissolve. Fundamentally, as individuals, we need to be free from this material construct.
Realizing we are spiritual beings in a material world, such impulses become marginal and we aren't slaves to them. This idea applies to all facets of Baha'i law. Our laws also keep us from exploiting our material impulses, we're to be free from that...we're to be free from obsessing over those material desires and impulses, we should be outside of that.
In a heterosexual relationship, you cannot have sexual acts outside of marriage, before marriage, and extramarital. For a heterosexual, you're supposed to have pure thoughts, you're supposed to atone yourself. While we can enjoy this material world, it should not be the primary determinant of our actions. However, this is a concept that is very deep and profound, requiring much reflection and study.
The Baha'i writings explain that the primary purpose of marriage is the procreation of children. That's the primary purpose of marriage, and within marriage, the sex impulse is contained. Outside of that, the heterosexual relationship say before marriage and outside of marriage, is exploitation of the material impulse – exploiting it, just seeking physical pleasure from it.
Likewise, in sexual acts of a homosexual nature – there's no practical purpose to it outside of material pleasure That's not to say the Baha'i faith has problems against homosociality – which is often appointed as one and the same as homosexuality. In the Baha'i Writings, when homosexuality is prohibited, it's specifically talking about the sexual impulse. Because this action is fundamentally exploitation of the material impulse.
That's not to say that homosociality, homoromantisism is something that's prohibited in the Baha'i Faith. In fact, the quote from Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, on homosexuality, defines that no matter how fine a love between two people of the same sex to let it take form in sexual acts, is really wrong. It's not saying that love between two people of the same sex is wrong. It's not saying that that relationship that you can have between two people of the same sex, is wrong.
It's referring strictly to the sexual act. It's just like two heterosexual people committing sexual acts outside of marriage. Homosexual Baha'is are completely welcome into the Faith, no one's going to tell them what to do...there's a choice, everyone knows what it is...they can participate in the Baha'i Community like anyone else. It's just that sexual act is prohibited in the Baha'i Faith... Just as heterosexuals cannot commit sexual acts that are prohibited in the Baha'i Faith.
Hope you find that interesting/helpful :-)
Life on other planets etc
Regarding the teaching that “every planet its own creatures”, it may be important to consider the meaning of the Persian/Arabic word “khaq”, which is translated as “creature” and can signify any created thing, animate or inanimate. Also, the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha state that even “minerals are endowed with a spirt and life according to the requirements of that stage…even as He saith in the Qur’an, ‘All things are living.’” Furthermore, Shoghi Effendi stated that “the creatures which Baha’u'llah states to be found on every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar [to] or different from human beings on this earth…It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures.” from http://www.onethread.org/arise/?p=132 n__n
I'm just going thru my old stuff@soulpancake.com and finding my favourite stuffs to move here :)
I'm just going thru my old stuff@soulpancake.com and finding my favourite stuffs to move here :)
What of 9?
People ask me all the time.
There's this nifty quote from Shoghi Effendi that really prevents the flourishing of myth, rumour and superstition, where he says,
"Concerning the number nine: the Bahá'ís reverence this for two reasons, first because it is considered by those who are interested in numbers as the sign of perfection. The second consideration, which is the more important one, is that it is the numerical value of the word "Bahá’...
"Besides these two significances the number nine has no other meaning. It is, however, enough to make the Bahá'ís use it when an arbitrary number is to be chosen."
:)
There's this nifty quote from Shoghi Effendi that really prevents the flourishing of myth, rumour and superstition, where he says,
"Concerning the number nine: the Bahá'ís reverence this for two reasons, first because it is considered by those who are interested in numbers as the sign of perfection. The second consideration, which is the more important one, is that it is the numerical value of the word "Bahá’...
"Besides these two significances the number nine has no other meaning. It is, however, enough to make the Bahá'ís use it when an arbitrary number is to be chosen."
:)
Another reason to fast
delayed gratification - to have the self discipline, to delay gratification for longer term good. Something so important that people often don't develop enough in their lives and is really necessary for success - Mum
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
To be religious
The purpose of being religious is to be a seeker of truth.
Then, people find truth in religion, in science etc. And they all have truth.
However, it isn't dichotemous, there isn't this truth, that truth. There isn't that religion, this religion. It's all one. There are man made boundaries that prevent us from exploring and embracing the truth in other traditions. Veils.
If we should have a truth, we should proclaim that truth, and offer it to others, as you would priceless jewels to a king. For, what is more valuable than truth?
Finding truth, embracing a religion. It's not a black and white process. It's a journey - a search for truth (we're all seekers). When we stop this search, thats when truths multiply and veils form. And if we find a truth greater than the one we possessed before, what else is there to do other than embracing this greater truth?
That is sacrifice - giving up something smaller for something greater - because we may not recognize its true worth at first.
And why to accept a religion? But to recognize truth in its origin, and truth with regards to its purpose.
The purpose of religion --
"God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established." (Baha'u'llah)
So, it is to enkindle the spiritual nature/qualities of our souls and enable the establishment of peace in our civilization.
There's a book - the Seven Valleys (by Baha'u'llah), which explores the spiritual jpurney of the human soul. The first stage of the journey is through the first valley - the valley of search. Here are some of my favourite quotations from this valley:
"The steed of this Valley is patience; without patience the wayfarer on this journey will reach nowhere and attain no goal. Nor should he ever be downhearted; if he strive for a hundred thousand years and yet fail to behold the beauty of the Friend, he should not falter...No bond shall hold them back, and no counsel shall deter them.
"It is incumbent on these servants that they cleanse the heart—which is the wellspring of divine treasures—from every marking, and that they turn away from imitation, which is following the traces of their forefathers and sires, and shut the door of friendliness and enmity upon all the people of the earth.
"The true seeker hunteth naught but the object of his quest, and the lover hath no desire save union with his beloved. Nor shall the seeker reach his goal unless he sacrifice all things. That is, whatever he hath seen, and heard, and understood, all must he set at naught, that he may enter the realm of the spirit, which is the City of God. Labor is needed, if we are to seek Him; ardor is needed, if we are to drink of the honey of reunion with Him; and if we taste of this cup, we shall cast away the world."
Then, people find truth in religion, in science etc. And they all have truth.
However, it isn't dichotemous, there isn't this truth, that truth. There isn't that religion, this religion. It's all one. There are man made boundaries that prevent us from exploring and embracing the truth in other traditions. Veils.
If we should have a truth, we should proclaim that truth, and offer it to others, as you would priceless jewels to a king. For, what is more valuable than truth?
Finding truth, embracing a religion. It's not a black and white process. It's a journey - a search for truth (we're all seekers). When we stop this search, thats when truths multiply and veils form. And if we find a truth greater than the one we possessed before, what else is there to do other than embracing this greater truth?
That is sacrifice - giving up something smaller for something greater - because we may not recognize its true worth at first.
And why to accept a religion? But to recognize truth in its origin, and truth with regards to its purpose.
The purpose of religion --
"God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established." (Baha'u'llah)
So, it is to enkindle the spiritual nature/qualities of our souls and enable the establishment of peace in our civilization.
There's a book - the Seven Valleys (by Baha'u'llah), which explores the spiritual jpurney of the human soul. The first stage of the journey is through the first valley - the valley of search. Here are some of my favourite quotations from this valley:
"The steed of this Valley is patience; without patience the wayfarer on this journey will reach nowhere and attain no goal. Nor should he ever be downhearted; if he strive for a hundred thousand years and yet fail to behold the beauty of the Friend, he should not falter...No bond shall hold them back, and no counsel shall deter them.
"It is incumbent on these servants that they cleanse the heart—which is the wellspring of divine treasures—from every marking, and that they turn away from imitation, which is following the traces of their forefathers and sires, and shut the door of friendliness and enmity upon all the people of the earth.
"The true seeker hunteth naught but the object of his quest, and the lover hath no desire save union with his beloved. Nor shall the seeker reach his goal unless he sacrifice all things. That is, whatever he hath seen, and heard, and understood, all must he set at naught, that he may enter the realm of the spirit, which is the City of God. Labor is needed, if we are to seek Him; ardor is needed, if we are to drink of the honey of reunion with Him; and if we taste of this cup, we shall cast away the world."
Monday, March 1, 2010
Spirit of the fast
Today was the first day of the Baha'i fast.
The Baha'i fast takes place during the last month of the Baha'i calendar (March 2 -> 20th). While the calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days, each month has a name that refers to one of Gods attributes. The name of this month is 'Ala, which means loftiness. The previous Dominion.
I was helping to organize the devotional programme for the month of Dominion, and I sat back and realized that I didn't actually understand what was meant by "Dominion". So, I looked it up. And even until now, I notice references to dominion in various quotations, and prayers. In particular, the prayer I found for my good friend who passed away some years back.
"Wert Thou to bestow on one of Thy creatures what would equal the kingdoms of earth and heaven, it would still not diminish by even as much as an atom the immensity of Thy dominion. Far greater art Thou than the Great One men are wont to call Thee, for such a title is but one of Thy names all of which were created by a mere indication of Thy will."
Reaching the month of 'Ala, in preparation for the fast, and the feast, I looked up the definition of Loftiness as well.
To be lofty, is to be "exalted in rank, dignity, or character; eminent." Our origin is of nobility, while our destiny is of loftiness.
So, I begin to appreciate, what of this fast, placed in a month with such an appropriate title. The purpose of the fast being to detach oneself from this world, to be exalted above it, attain a lofty station. I.e. to involve ourself in our true purpose. It's a time to really reflect on our spiritual journey.
Before, I would explain the fast as being something wonderful - something that would remove such an integral part of our life, so as to constantly remind us of our true life - that is, our spiritual life. It's a symbol, and symbols have power.
There is no real point behind the fast just being about not eating. That's not what it's about, although abstinence requires discipline and commitment (both being virtues). It's much more meaningful than that. When the Prophet Muhammad was asked, what is more important than fasting, He replied saying, "the spirit of the fast". And that's what I'll be exploring for the next 18 days :).
My plan for the fast, is to find a different family to break the fast with each evening of the fast, to really use these opportunities to build bonds of love and fellowship :). I have the next week fully booked which is pretty exciting.
Haha interesting development in my life - I will be doing a JY group. I swore at the end of last year that I wouldn't, but they need someone, and I can manage. So that's... 3rd year med, weekly devotionals, weekly discussion groups, weekly ruhi book one, and weekly epistle to the son of the wolf study. And I still have a couple more weeks of B7 to go. :)
It'll be suhw33t! n__n
The Baha'i fast takes place during the last month of the Baha'i calendar (March 2 -> 20th). While the calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days, each month has a name that refers to one of Gods attributes. The name of this month is 'Ala, which means loftiness. The previous Dominion.
I was helping to organize the devotional programme for the month of Dominion, and I sat back and realized that I didn't actually understand what was meant by "Dominion". So, I looked it up. And even until now, I notice references to dominion in various quotations, and prayers. In particular, the prayer I found for my good friend who passed away some years back.
"Wert Thou to bestow on one of Thy creatures what would equal the kingdoms of earth and heaven, it would still not diminish by even as much as an atom the immensity of Thy dominion. Far greater art Thou than the Great One men are wont to call Thee, for such a title is but one of Thy names all of which were created by a mere indication of Thy will."
Reaching the month of 'Ala, in preparation for the fast, and the feast, I looked up the definition of Loftiness as well.
To be lofty, is to be "exalted in rank, dignity, or character; eminent." Our origin is of nobility, while our destiny is of loftiness.
So, I begin to appreciate, what of this fast, placed in a month with such an appropriate title. The purpose of the fast being to detach oneself from this world, to be exalted above it, attain a lofty station. I.e. to involve ourself in our true purpose. It's a time to really reflect on our spiritual journey.
Before, I would explain the fast as being something wonderful - something that would remove such an integral part of our life, so as to constantly remind us of our true life - that is, our spiritual life. It's a symbol, and symbols have power.
There is no real point behind the fast just being about not eating. That's not what it's about, although abstinence requires discipline and commitment (both being virtues). It's much more meaningful than that. When the Prophet Muhammad was asked, what is more important than fasting, He replied saying, "the spirit of the fast". And that's what I'll be exploring for the next 18 days :).
My plan for the fast, is to find a different family to break the fast with each evening of the fast, to really use these opportunities to build bonds of love and fellowship :). I have the next week fully booked which is pretty exciting.
Haha interesting development in my life - I will be doing a JY group. I swore at the end of last year that I wouldn't, but they need someone, and I can manage. So that's... 3rd year med, weekly devotionals, weekly discussion groups, weekly ruhi book one, and weekly epistle to the son of the wolf study. And I still have a couple more weeks of B7 to go. :)
It'll be suhw33t! n__n
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Pangs of Rebirth
For each significant Baha'i event I attend (significant in participation, as any action that is Baha'i inspired is truly significant), I experience pangs of rebirth.
For several reasons.
1) It challenges me: is this what I really want? Where is my place in the Baha'i community? Where is my place to serve?
2) The standard of service: in such an environment, to be consciously striving to push ones endeavors that much closer to.... well, the Baha'i standards of service, joy, love and humility.
These challenges remind me of a quote that we often referred back to in classes relating to children (which could be either with children, or about child rearing):
"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." (Baha'u'llah)
When you're getting gems out of the rock, it's a painful process. Chipping away the rock, sanding the rough gem with grit, scraping & scraping.
As for me, such experiences are intensified within Baha'i endeavours, I always come away in many ways exhausted. Pangs of rebirth as I remold my character. Reset goals and adjust to my new self until I rise once more to face further challenges.
"O SON OF SPIRIT
Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix of love soar into the firmament of holiness. Renounce thyself and, filled with the spirit of mercy, abide in the realm of celestial sanctity." (Baha'u'llah)
If only this bursting was a single event :) as opposed to it being a lifelong process to wear the bonds of the cage down, and be liberating ourselves from it ever so slowly.
One of the conclusions that I've been coming back to is the answer to why I am Baha'i: out of my love for Baha'u'llah. This is my love for God, and from whence all desire to serve, and love others comes from.
Deep breath in, deep breath out. With that, nothing can deter me:
"Armed with the power of Thy name, nothing can ever hurt me; and with Thy love in my heart, all the world's afflictions can in no wise alarm me." (Baha'u'llah)
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