For the Yaran. For the flood-stricken in Pakistan. For the women of Congo. For everyone.
Lauded be Thy name, O my God! Thou beholdest how the tempestuous winds of tests have caused the steadfast in faith to tremble, and how the breath of trials hath stirred up those whose hearts had been firmly established, except such as have partaken of the Wine that is life indeed from the hands of the Manifestation of Thy name, the Most Merciful. These are the ones whom no word except Thy most exalted word can move, whom nothing whatever save the sweet smelling fragrance of the robe of Thy remembrance can enrapture, O Thou Who art the Possessor of all names and the Maker of earth and heaven!
I implore Thee, O Thou Who art the beloved Companion of Baha, by Thy name, the All-Glorious, to keep safe these Thy servants under the shadow of the wings of Thine all-encompassing mercy, that the darts of the evil suggestions of the wicked doers among Thy creatures, who have disbelieved in Thy signs, may be kept back from them. No one on earth, O my Lord, can withstand Thy power, and none in all the kingdom of Thy names is able to frustrate Thy purpose. Show forth, then, the power of Thy sovereignty and of Thy dominion, and teach Thy loved ones what beseemeth them in Thy days.
Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, the Most Great.
I started reading the Kitab-i-Iqan (Book of Certitude) again this week. It is one of Baha’u'llah’s most important books, and I realized that I hadn’t spent enough time with it, especially in light of questions that have been coming my way recently. I strongly recommend picking up a copy of Hooper Dunbar’s A Companion to the Study of the Kitab-i-Iqan if you really want to get into it.
“A model of Persian prose, of a style at once original, chaste and vigorous, and remarkably lucid, both cogent in argument and matchless in its irresistible eloquence, this Book, setting forth in outline the Grand Redemptive Scheme of God, occupies a position unequalled by any work in the entire range of Bahá’í literature, except the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book.” -Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By
“The significance and essential purpose underlying these words is to reveal and demonstrate unto the pure in heart and the sanctified in spirit that they Who are the Luminaries of truth and the Mirrors reflecting the light of divine Unity, in whatever age and cycle they are sent down from their invisible habitations of ancient glory unto this world, to educate the souls of men and endue with grace all created things, are invariably endowed with an all-compelling power, and invested with invincible sovereignty. For these hidden Gems, these concealed and invisible Treasures, in themselves manifest and vindicate the reality of these holy words: “Verily God doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.” -Baha’u'llah, Kitab-i-Iqan
“We may well emulate Bahá’í youth whose recent surge forward into the van of proclamation and teaching is one of the most encouraging and significant trends in the Faith, and who storm the gates of heaven for support in their enterprises by long-sustained, precedent and continuing prayer. We are all able to call upon Bahá’u'lláh for His Divine, all-powerful aid, and He will surely help us. For He is the Hearer of prayers, the Answerer.”
(The Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973, p. 90)
It is the Baha’i month of Perfection (Kamal in Arabic). The photos, captions, and quotations are up on Nineteen Months, so go check them out! Here is my photo.
I had the opportunity to volunteer at the 4th Annual Baha’i Choral Music Festival in May. It was wonderful to see so many people at the House of Worship. I was manning the main entrance for both performances, so I got to see everyone.
A number of my dear friends went on the Voices of Baha tour in India in June. Imagine 120 singers from around the world, traveling around India in the heat of summer just to sing! Seeing the photos and video made me wish I was with them.
I purchased my copy of The Baha’i Gardens by my friend Marco Abrar a few weeks ago, and received a copy of this gorgeous book soon after. It is a coffee table book that I think everyone should have. It has beautiful photos of the Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa & Akka, Israel, and it nearly brought tears to my eyes as I looked through the pages and remembered my time there.
Speaking of photobooks, you should definitely pre-order Hasten Forth, a photobook that takes you on a journey of Haifa and Akka, by my Haifa companions (and lovely friends) Ginous Alford and Anis Mungapen. I can’t WAIT until my copy arrives!
O ye who have turned your faces toward the Exalted Beauty! By night, by day, at morningtide and sunset, when darkness draweth on, and at early light I remember, and ever have remembered, in the realms of my mind and heart, the loved ones of the Lord. I beg of Him to bestow His confirmations upon those loved ones, dwellers in that pure and holy land, and to grant them successful outcomes in all things: that in their character, their behaviour, their words, their way of life, in all they are and do, He will make them to achieve distinction among men; that He will gather them into the world community, their hearts filled with ecstasy and fervour and yearning love, with knowledge and certitude, with steadfastness and unity, their faces beauteous and bright.
WHENEVER the faithful hear the verses of this Book being recited, their eyes will overflow with tears and their hearts will be deeply touched by Him Who is the Most Great Remembrance for the love they cherish for God, the All-Praised. He is God, the All-Knowing, the Eternal. They are indeed the inmates of the all-highest Paradise wherein they will abide for ever. Verily they will see naught therein save that which hath proceeded from God, nothing that will lie beyond the compass of their understanding. There they will meet the believers in Paradise, who will address them with the words ‘Peace, Peace’ lingering on their lips…
(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 62)
I have some friends who are really talented. And they made this great short film called Revival that I think that you should see. So many of my friends are in this little movie! I’ve embedded both parts here. Tell your friends about it!
It would be impossible at this stage to ignore the indispensability or to overestimate the unique significance of the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly – the pivot round which revolve the activities of the believers throughout the American continent. Supreme is their position, grave their responsibilities, manifold and arduous their duties. How great the privilege, how delicate the task of the assembled delegates whose function it is to elect such national representatives as would by their record of service ennoble and enrich the annals of the Cause!
(Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated 3 June 1925 to a National Convention)
In looking for quotations about National Convention, I found this touching story. I remember that a silk carpet was displayed in Foundation Hall when I was a child, but it is no longer hanging on the wall. I love this story about the House of Worship. It is an excerpt from “The Priceless Pearl”, the book that Shoghi Effendi’s wife, Ruhiyyih Khanum, wrote after his passing. She attended the dedication of the House of Worship in 1953 on behalf of the Guardian. I have chosen select passages, but I suggest reading the book in its entirety.
Although the first Temple was built according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’í own instructions in Ishqabad during his lifetime, the Guardian assured us that the first Temple erected in the New World was the holiest for all time because the Master Himself had laid its foundation stone during His visit to North America and it had been one of the undertakings dearest to His heart. By 1921, when Shoghi Effendi became Guardian, its foundations had been laid but the building ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had so longed to see erected before His passing was only a hideous black waterproofed cylinder, resembling a gas tank, sticking up above the ground.
The Guardian conceived it as one of his major duties to complete this sacred edifice as soon as possible. It took him thirty-two years to accomplish this task which he called the greatest enterprise ever launched by the western followers of the Faith and the most signal victory won during the Formative Period of the Bahá’í Dispensation. One of his first acts was to send 19 [pounds] to its Temple Fund in 1922, and in 1926 he says he is “joyously pledging 95 dollars per month as my humble share”; throughout the years he frequently contributed towards its erection…by 1923 the Convention was held in what became known from then on as Foundation Hall; to embellish its walls he sent as he gift beautiful Persian rugs from the Shrine of Bahá’u'lláh; until 1928, however, no progress was made in the erection of the Temple. To the Convention held that year he sent a strongly worded message pleading with the American believers to resume the construction of their great Temple and this influenced them to initiate what became known as the “Plan of Unified Action”, designed to raise money for the extremely costly work of the superstructure. In spite of this by 1929 the required sum had not been obtained and Shoghi Effendi, not himself at that time in a position to send a large amount, decided to sell the most precious thing the Faith possessed in the Holy Land. He cabled the Convention: “Am sacrificing the most valuable ornament Bahá’u'lláh’s Shrine in order consecrate and reinforce collective endeavours American believers speedily to consummate plan unified action appeal for unprecedented self-sacrifice.” It was typical of him that he first cabled the Persian donor of this priceless object: “Temple work America progressing three quarters sum required first storey actually subscribed. Strongly feel desirability sale silk carpet you donated. Wire views promptly regarding market and price. Appreciate your consent.” Only when he received a warm answer and advice to sell in New York did he inform America of his decision. So deeply touched were the Bahá’ís by this offering of their Guardian that they raised almost $300,000 before the Convention rose. Fearing that heavy debts might be incurred if the sum for the entire future work was not pledged in advance, Shoghi Effendi would not permit contracts to be signed. However, by the 1930 Convention the sum was pledged, the Guardian consented – and the Bahá’ís wanted to buy the precious carpet themselves, which in the meantime had reached the United States. His cabled replies were typical in every way: “Approve proceed construction entire Temple without external decorations provided believers are determined to consummate their sacrifice by adding decorations eventually. Feel we all should uphold design in its entirety as approved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” “Consecrated carpet need neither be sold nor returned. Dedicated as permanent ornament first Mashriqu’l-Adhkar of West.” The Convention, overwhelmed, cabled its “deep gratitude for matchless gift”. The enthusiasm Shoghi Effendi engendered by such messages and acts as these was not produced by policy on his part, but rather by the deep unselfconscious instinct of a born leader with a singularly pure motive and heart…
…Year after year the messages went out and the fabulous Temple went up, until, at the second and last great Centenary to be celebrated during Shoghi Effendi’s lifetime, I was able to read those words: “On behalf of the Guardian of the Faith of Bahá’u'lláh, I have the great honour of dedicating this first Mashriqu’l-Adhkar of the Western World to public worship…I greet and welcome you on behalf of the Guardian of our Faith within these walls…”
“The winds of the true springtide are passing over you; adorn yourselves with blossoms like trees in the scented garden. Spring clouds are streaming; then turn you fresh and verdant like the sweet eternal fields. The dawn star is shining, set your feet on the true path. The sea of might is swelling, hasten to the shores of high resolve and fortune. The pure water of life is welling up, why wear away your days in a desert of thirst? Aim high, choose noble ends; how long this lethargy, how long this negligence! Despair, both here and hereafter, is all you will gain from self-indulgence; abomination and misery are all you will harvest from fanaticism, from believing the foolish and the mindless. The confirmations of God are supporting you, the succor of God is at hand: why do you not cry out and exult with all your heart, and strive with all your soul!”
Arise, and proclaim unto the entire creation the tidings that He Who is the All-Merciful hath directed His steps towards the Ridvan and entered it. Guide, then, the people unto the garden of delight which God hath made the Throne of His Paradise. We have chosen thee to be our most mighty Trumpet, whose blast is to signalize the resurrection of all mankind.
- Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 31
The Festival of Ridvan lasts for 12 days, and is a wonderful time in the Baha’i community. There are 3 holy days (1st, 9th, and 12th days), there are the elections of the Local and National Spiritual Assemblies, and every 5 years the election of the Universal House of Justice occurs at Ridvan. It is hard to believe that 2 years ago at this time I was in Haifa, preparing for the 10th International Convention. This year, I am preparing for the National Convention in Wilmette for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, which will happen next week. I wander the gardens of the House of Worship (where the tulips are blooming!), instead of the gardens of the Shrines in Israel.
The other day I was searching for something random in the Baha’i Writings, and came across this passage from Baha’u'llah. It is just fascinating to me, and I thought I might share it with you. Baha’u'llah explains how language has changed, that there are things we don’t know anything about, but that in the end, we can’t allow the past and its confusion to get in our way.
“And now regarding thy question, “How is it that no records are to be found concerning the Prophets that have preceded Adam, the Father of Mankind, or of the kings that lived in the days of those Prophets?” Know thou that the absence of any reference to them is no proof that they did not actually exist. That no records concerning them are now available, should be attributed to their extreme remoteness, as well as to the vast changes which the earth hath undergone since their time.
Moreover such forms and modes of writing as are now current amongst men were unknown to the generations that were before Adam. There was even a time when men were wholly ignorant of the art of writing, and had adopted a system entirely different from the one which they now use. For a proper exposition of this an elaborate explanation would be required.
Consider the differences that have arisen since the days of Adam. The divers and widely-known languages now spoken by the peoples of the earth were originally unknown, as were the varied rules and customs now prevailing amongst them. The people of those times spoke a language different from those now known. Diversities of language arose in a later age, in a land known as Babel. It was given the name Babel, because the term signifieth “the place where the confusion of tongues arose.”
Subsequently Syriac became prominent among the existing languages. The Sacred Scriptures of former times were revealed in that tongue. Later, Abraham, the Friend of God, appeared and shed upon the world the light of Divine Revelation. The language He spoke while He crossed the Jordan became known as Hebrew (Ibrani), which meaneth “the language of the crossing.” The Books of God and the Sacred Scriptures were then revealed in that tongue, and not until after a considerable lapse of time did Arabic become the language of Revelation….
Witness, therefore, how numerous and far-reaching have been the changes in language, speech, and writing since the days of Adam. How much greater must have been the changes before Him!
Our purpose in revealing these words is to show that the one true God hath, in His all-highest and transcendent station, ever been, and will everlastingly continue to be, exalted above the praise and conception of all else but Him. His creation hath ever existed, and the Manifestations of His Divine glory and the Day Springs of eternal holiness have been sent down from time immemorial, and been commissioned to summon mankind to the one true God. That the names of some of them are forgotten and the records of their lives lost is to be attributed to the disturbances and changes that have overtaken the world.
Mention hath been made in certain books of a deluge which caused all that existed on earth, historical records as well as other things, to be destroyed. Moreover, many cataclysms have occurred which have effaced the traces of many events. Furthermore, among existing historical records differences are to be found, and each of the various peoples of the world hath its own account of the age of the earth and of its history. Some trace their history as far back as eight thousand years, others as far as twelve thousand years. To any one that hath read the book of Juk it is clear and evident how much the accounts given by the various books have differed.
Please God thou wilt turn thine eyes towards the Most Great Revelation, and entirely disregard these conflicting tales and traditions.”
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 174)
Last night I went to the Delorean & Miike Snow show at the Metro. It was fantastic. I enjoyed myself immensely. It was pouring rain when we parked and went in, my feet were aching at the end of the night, and a couple of guys started arguing in the middle of one of my favorite songs. I asked them to stop, and they did. These are the things that make a show, outside of the music itself, of course. If you don’t know who these bands are…check them out. Trust me.
In other news, Nineteen Months has been updated for the month of “Glory“. I am SO impressed with the talent involved in this project. Check it out, tell your friends! You can also join our Facebook page or add us on Twitter.
The story behind my photo: I was approaching the deadline, on my lunch break, and worried that I had nothing to contribute. After failing to capture anything that I liked by Lake Michigan or in the gardens of the Baha’i House of Worship, I went into the lower level of the House of Worship to say hi to friends. One lovely lady and her daughters were there, and as their mother worked on some things, I had a change to talk to the girls and take photos. Elsie, the littler one, insisted on seeing the photos after I took her picture. She is really rather young, but already knows about cameras. It made my day to see such lovely children, and I got my photo.
This coming weekend is the Religion Communication Congress, in which several Baha’is and publications will be receiving awards. I have several friends attending, and I can’t WAIT to hear their stories. I’ll also be reuniting with one of my dear friends that I served with in Haifa…she and I have some catching up to do!
Finally, I updated my blog layout. The previous one was rather awkward and this one is much cleaner. I also added a contact page.
I stepped outside and the air smelled like (home), like stone paths, the bay, flowers, and a breeze off the mountains and desert that lifts you up…
Warm and cool, the kind of cool that only requires a light sweater. Full of excitement. The gardeners watering plants as I walked up the mountain, past the wall of flowers, the silent woosh of doors as I stepped into the cool stone corridors.
The kind of morning where I would bounce into work, 8:30 am, ready to do what I was meant to do.
It is a little different here, this new home, my new place. My car transports me to work past elegant Victorian homes, antique shops, schools, and the train. The streets are wider, and I can’t see the water from here (but I know it is close). After the last few years of being able to sense the water nearby, it seems odd to ever consider living away from water again. Whether the Mediterranean or Lake Michigan, it seems right to base my orientation on the water.
I wanted to hold onto the feeling of a Haifa morning today, just walk with my eyes closed, pretend that I was still there. Pretend that the stones were digging through the thin soles of my shoes, that my flatmates and I were rushing out of our apartment to get to work (service), that I would walk up a flight of stairs to the lunchroom at 12 pm and the same old crew would be sitting at a big table. That I would take a walk around the Arc with a friend, would stop by the Food Center for an afternoon snack, and walk/slide down the steep slopes at the end of a long day to pray in the Shrine of the Bab before going home. Every late night conversation with my friends, staring out over the lights of a city on the mountain.
This is Chicago, though, I am half a world away and this is life, now. Some things are the same, and I still drink too much caffeine during the day, and I am working in a job that I love. This is my life, now. I don’t write or speak using British English anymore, I’ve reverted back to American. There are no hills or mountains here.
I am holding close the feeling of a Haifa morning, and feel grateful that I remember what it feels like.
We are a group of photographers from all over the world who are members of the Baha’i Faith. The 19 months of the Baha’i calendar each have a name, and the photographs for each month are based on those names. The first month of the Baha’i year is “Splendour”.
After participating in the nineteen days project for the second year in a row, I am extremely excited about the start of Nineteen Months, as they are sort of sister blogs. It is an amazing way to practice photography, feel connected with people from all over, and share with everyone our love of the Baha’i Faith and photography in one go!
Please spread the word (blog, twitter, FB, smoke signal, etc). We are Baha’is, but the photos are meant for everyone to enjoy.
This is the Baha’i new year (167 B.E.). I am feeling…settled, at peace. I seek out peaceful things, spaces, and sometimes people these days. Other times, I want to be surrounded by crowds.
The Naw-Ruz post for nineteen days is up: AMAZING photos. I am sad that the project is over, but so glad I had the opportunity to participate.
I spent the day cooking yesterday in preparation for the Naw-Ruz celebration in Chicago. I will make a blog post about that soon (with photos). I had an amazing dinner at The Sitdown (they have a gluten-free menu!!) with some lovely ladies, then went over to the Smart museum for the Chicago Baha’i community’s celebration. After the program of music and prayers, we wandered around the museum for a bit, then there was food and dancing. I think I danced TOO much. Exhausted today!
I attended the devotional (prayer) gathering at my friends’ house today, which was small and joyful event, and we laughed a lot. A nice, low-key day. I am looking forward to this next (Baha’i) year.
“Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Rúz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto Thee. Grant, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee.” -Baha’u'llah
My photos are up over at nineteen days, the photoblog about the Baha’i Fast. Check it out, leave a comment (here or there), and definitely check out the photos from the 6 days of the Fast so far. I’m stunned at how amazing the other contributors are.
I went to the Baha’i House of Worship at around 6 am this morning to take photos for the “sunrise” photo. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and I was scrambling to find a decent shot. I finally got some, but I was worried that none of them would work out!
The “sunset” photo was a bit easier, since the barista was a rather pleasant gentleman who suggested that I come behind the counter to avoid shooting through the glass. Thanks, if you get a chance to read this!
As I did errands tonight, the towns around me slowly filled with fog. It would have been perfect for some photography, but it was already too late and I had groceries in the car. Another time, I hope. I love fog, it makes everything a little scary and closed in.
I was talking to my hilarious, beautiful cousin Sahar J on the phone a few nights ago (she lives in New York City), and as we talked about how we celebrated Ayyam-i-Ha this year and how the fast is going so far, she mentioned that she has this amazing photo from an Ayyam-i-Ha party in Cardiff by the Sea.
Of course, she is the little girl holding the bat, waiting to hit the pinata. I love so many things about this photo…the “One Planet, One People…Please” t-shirt, the kid in the glasses who looks like he is going to throw something, the little boy in the checked hat, the guitar-playing guy in the background. Most of all, I love the look on my cousin’s face as she waits to attack that pinata.
Her smile is a bit more mischievous now, but it isn’t any less adorable! Thanks for sharing this, Sahar.
As I was reflecting on the Baha’i Fast, I remembered my time in Haifa, Israel. I was lucky enough to participate in two years of the fast while serving there. The photo below was taken from my flat one early morning during the fast in 2007 as the sun was rising over the mountains bordering Lebanon.
This year, like last year, I am participating in the Nineteen Days photoblog project. There are 38 photographers this year, however! I am SO excited.
A photo book was created from the submissions from last year, which you can order here.
Speaking of photos, the latest photoblog entry from the Baha’i photographers project, Nylon Parla, is up. The theme this month was “Gifts”. I’m looking forward to some fantastic changes to the project that are coming next month.
This is, O my God, the first of the days on which Thou hast bidden Thy loved ones to observe the Fast. I ask of Thee by Thy Self and by him who hath fasted out of love for Thee and for Thy good-pleasure—and not out of self and desire, nor out of fear of Thy wrath—and by Thy most excellent names and august attributes, to purify Thy servants from the love of aught except Thee and to draw them nigh unto the Dawning-Place of the lights of Thy countenance and the Seat of the throne of Thy oneness. Illumine their hearts, O my God, with the light of Thy knowledge and brighten their faces with the rays of the Daystar that shineth from the horizon of Thy Will. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. No God is there but Thee, the All-Glorious, Whose help is implored by all men.
Assist them, O my God, to render Thee victorious and to exalt Thy Word. Suffer them, then, to become as hands of Thy Cause amongst Thy servants, and make them to be revealers of Thy religion and Thy signs amongst mankind, in such wise that the whole world may be filled with Thy remembrance and praise and with Thy proofs and evidences. Thou art, verily, the All-Bounteous, the Most Exalted, the Powerful, the Mighty, and the Merciful.
These are the things that make a show, outside of the music itself, of course. If you don’t know who these bands are…check them out. Trust me.
