Befriended Stranger

Last night I hosted the commemoration of the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha. Since getting people to come at 1am after Thanksgiving is probably unrealistic, I decided to host a Baha’i movie marathon.

We started by watching a gem I had been totally unaware of, a one man performance called “The Noble Thief”. This is a very touching story of spiritual transformation; a wonderful showcase of the convincing power of the arts. Since for the movie marathon Alissa let me use her video tape of “The Noble Thief”, I ordered my own DVD copy of the performance. I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to show it to the next seekers whose presence will blessed my home.

All I need to know about any place is whether there are people who have not yet heard of Baha’u'llah!

Next was the full length documentary “The Promise of All Ages”. it has a totally different mood than “The Noble Thief” — also professionally made but in the fashion of a History Channel program. A very informative and respectful portrait of the life of Baha’u'llah and the diversity of the community of His followers.

Since we still had some time until the start of the devotional program, we also watched “Pilgrimage: A Sacred Experience”,  a DVD which beautifully illustrates what happens during a Baha’i pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as expressed through visually-stunning vistas and the response of the pilgrims to being at the Most Holy Spot on Earth. Very appropriate for the closing of a Thanksgiving night, showing a different kind of pilgrims, and a different kind of pilgrimage.

Even though a few of the group of seven had fallen asleep, everybody was fully awake for the devotional program which we started with “Let All Associate” by New Creation:

Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden even as flowers grow and blend together side by side without discord or disagreement between them.
(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 68)

Around that time the clock showed 1 am, so a beautiful Arabic prayer by Shoghi Effendi was chanted by Ramin, followed by a selection of readings from the The Book of the Covenant of Baha’u'llah, the Covenant of Abdu’l-Baha and several of His tables, including His farewell talk given at the time of His departure from the United States:

These are the days of my farewell to you… I must, therefore, give you my instructions and exhortations today, and these are none other than the teachings of Bahá’u'lláh.

You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.

In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity. Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be quickened of God, be a Bahá’í.
(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 452)

We concluded with a reading of Abdu’l-Baha’s Visitation Tablet (Whoso recitheth this prayer with lowliness and fervor will bring gladness and joy to the heart of this Servant; it will be even as meeting Him face to face) and a marvelous recording of the angelic vocal trio SKY (Shirin, Karen, Yasmin) set to these words of Abdu’l-Baha:

Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul.
(Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 27)

SKY’s CD aptly named “A Cycle of Divine Love Songs” deserves a full review. Let me for now just briefly state that it is among the most beautiful Baha’i music I have ever heard! Buy it and enjoy it!

Counselor Rebequa Murphy was an outstanding teacher — of the Baha’i Faith, of human dignity and honor, of loving hearts. She had a sweet voice, a very pleasant intonation that reflected the warmth of her heart. You can hear her encourage the Baha’i youth (and every other Baha’i) to share the healing message of Baha’u'llah; If you don’t have an hour to listen to the full talk, seize your chance and listen to the last 10 minutes of it — you will be glad you did! She passed away to the Kingdom of Eternal Glory yesterday but her gentle lessons shall forever stay with us.

Rebequa Murphy was known for her public talks but 12 years ago I was lucky to be given a very silent, very personal lesson by her. I think the story of that lesson is worth remembering… Here is how I met Becky Murphy:

It was the spring of 1996 and I was a graduate student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I was also in the midst of my second investigation of the Baha’i Faith which resulted in my actual signing a Baha’i registration card (my first declaration had happened during a phone call from Bulgaria to Ukraine in 1990 but had not involved signing a card as there were no such cards then). I had become a regular attendant at the firesides hosted by Debbie and Bob Rosenfeld, who had told me that after declaring my Faith the main thing was to study the Covenant (I am writing this on the Day of the Covenant).

One Sunday morning I had arrived early and while waiting for the fireside to start I made myself comfortable and sat next to a very unassuming lady with skin darker than mine and curly hair, humbly dressed and sitting peacefully.

If this blog were a video, here it would go into slow motion in order to be able to capture my thought process…

Since at that time I was at that turning point in life where the Baha’i teachings from an abstraction were becoming a guidance for living, I had decided to start applying them. Being somewhat aware that to overcome racism I needed to practice fellowship with people of other races, I approached that lady thinking to myself that I should be kind to her… The reason for that kindness was, of course, because I was now enlightened, and she seemed to be African-American. I am sharing my thoughts here because moments later I realized how prejudiced they had been; there was a certain arrogance in my desire to be kind to a strange lady because she happened to be of African decent…

I approached the lady and we started talking. I am not sure what my expectations must have been but they were clearly not high. I very well remember how within the first sentences of our conversation I was amazed and humbled by that lady’s poise and natural dignity. And I was very embarrassed of having realized my prejudice but since the embrace of her love was so inviting, there was no time for self-beating. Seize your chance seems to have been the theme of Rebequa Murphy’s life. For Rebequa Murphy was the name of the lady sitting next to me.

She asked me where I was from and where I studied, and soon after I had told her about my studies in the former Soviet Union, she told me about her childhood as the daughter of the Ethiopian ambassador to the Soviet Union and about her adventures in the Kremlin at the time of Khrushchev. The Soviet leader had held young Rebequa in his arms during a certain state dinner and had told her that if she was ever in trouble she could always ask him for help.  She had taken Khrushchev’s advice to heart and later on when her own mother had scolded her about something, Becky rushed to the Kremlin where she insisted to the Red Army guards that they should let her in to talk to Krushchev because that is what he had told her to do! She must have been invincible from early childhood on.

Becky spoke to me in fluent Russian that day but now that I look back on that event, I know she must have spoken to me in the language of the heart. I will remember that day forever. That was the day, when the former Baha’i representative to the United Nations (for that is who the unassuming lady sitting next to me was) taught me silently how to recognize and overcome at least two of my major prejudices.

That day Becky Murphy taught me a lesson in spiritual transformation — silently, lovingly and effectively. And for that I shall be forever grateful to her. Please pray for the progress of her radiant soul:

O Thou Kind Lord!  This dearly cherished maidservant was attracted to Thee, and through reflection and discernment longed to attain Thy presence and enter Thy realms.  With tearful eyes she fixed her gaze on the Kingdom of Mysteries.  Many a night she spent in deep communion with Thee, and many a day she lived in intimate remembrance of Thee.  At every morn she was mindful of Thee, and at every eve she centered her thoughts upon Thee.  Like unto a singing nightengale she chanted Thy sacred verses, and like unto a mirror she sought to reflect Thy light.

O Thou Forgiver of sins!  Open Thou the way for this awakened soul to enter Thy Kingdom, and enable this bird, trained by Thy hand, to soar in the eternal rose garden.  She is afire with longing to draw nigh unto Thee; enable her to attain Thy presence.  She is distraught and distressed in separation from Thee; cause her to be admitted into Thy Heavenly Mansion.

O Lord!  We are sinners, but Thou art the Forgiver.  We are submerged in the ocean of shortcomings, but Thou art the Pardoner; the Kind.  Forgive our sins and bless us with Thine abundant grace.  Grant us the privilege of beholding Thy Countenance, and give us the chalice of joy and bliss.  We are captives of our own transgressions, and Thou art the King of bountiful favors.  We are drowned in a sea of iniquities, and Thou art the Lord of infinite mercy.  Thou art the Giver, the Glorious, the Eternal, the Bounteous; and Thou art the All-Gracious, the All-Merciful, the Omnipotent, He Who is the Bestower of gifts and the Forgiver of sins.  Verily, Thou art He to Whom we turn for the remission of our failings, He Who is the Lord of Hosts.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Badasht is not just a CD anymore. As JB Eckl and Eric Dozier were sharing (and implicitly promising) during the Baha’i Thanksgiving Conference last November, the idea is encourage the use of arts in our devotionals and to enhance our community lives through music and participatory creativity. Here comes “Badasht Community“, a website providing “practical tools for enhancing the worship experience of the Bahá’í community worldwide and to promote  the implementation of the arts at the grassroots level”. The site features a growing collection of beautiful Baha’i songs, along with instructions and chords for guitar and piano:

• Say God Sufficeth
• He Maketh Victorious
• If Thou Lovest Me
• Unity Prayer
• Meek & Lowly
• Whither Can a Lover Go
• Ye Are the Stars
• As Ye Have Faith
• These Great Oppressions
• Fire & Water
• Remover of Difficulties

Truly amazing resources and generosity! Thank God for Baha’i artists!

Today a dear friend posted an old photo on Facebook; a photo which brought memories of one of the first and most concrete experiences of the power of prayer I’ve ever had.

It was the end of the summer of 1991, a summer which brought the Baha’i Faith to my hometown, when a group of Baha’i youth, having served for a year at the Holy Land and before their return to the United States, blessed my home (and hometown) with their presence, and stayed for the summer to share their love for Baha’u'llah.

To celebrate the joy of our friendship, we organized a trip to the Rila Mountain, to visit the Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes. The hike was long and quite exhausting for we arrived at the mountain lodge way past sunset but the vista in the morning was well worth it. We said morning prayers near the lake and after some snacks started decending down the mountain slopes to the closest village where we could catch a bus back to the city.

What was our surprise when we saw the last bus pass us without even stopping. What used to be an adventure turned into an anxious concern, as we had to deliver safely home on time, as promised, a group of youth whose parents had entrusted us with.

Then somebody suggested we say prayers (I remember thinking, “You guys are totally out of your mind! How would a prayer help,  when we need a bus?”):

Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!
- The Báb

The moment the prayer was said, out of nowhere a little bus showed up. We were stunned but we were able to rent it. We arrived at the train station on time, took the train and made it safely to my hometown…

So, there we are in that blast from the past photo, sitting in the bus, having just experienced the power of prayer, traveling safely back home:

Thou seest, O my Lord, this stranger hastening to his most exalted home beneath the canopy of Thy majesty and within the precincts of Thy mercy; and this transgressor seeking the ocean of Thy forgiveness; and this lowly one the court of Thy glory; and this poor creature the orient of Thy wealth.
- Bahá’u'lláh

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth a million words. But what if these are words by the Blessed Beauty:

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, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 207)

A powerful new video of a beautiful new song by Devon Gundry:

Devon Gundry - “Armed” from Justin Baldoni on Vimeo.

Spiritual laws work, just as the laws of physics. Today I have witnessed a powerful proof of God’s Justice. I know God is merciful too but there is a certain resignation and relief in knowing that His Justice is also unfailing. I don’t want to write much; just to remember this day.

He who dealeth faithlessly with God shall in justice meet with faithlessness himself; he, however, who acteth in accordance with God’s bidding shall receive a blessing from the heaven of the bounty of his Lord, the Gracious, the Bestower, the Generous, the Ancient of Days.
(Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 55)

Nothing is accidental in my life, it seems, including the timing of the events, for today is the Birth of Baha’u'llah. Very timely too, is this video of the song “The bird which soareth” by Elika Mahony:

O My servants! Could ye apprehend with what wonders of My munificence and bounty I have willed to entrust your souls, ye would, of a truth, rid yourselves of attachment to all created things, and would gain a true knowledge of your own selves — a knowledge which is the same as the comprehension of Mine own Being. Ye would find yourselves independent of all else but Me, and would perceive, with your inner and outer eye, and as manifest as the revelation of My effulgent Name, the seas of My loving-kindness and bounty moving within you. Suffer not your idle fancies, your evil passions, your insincerity and blindness of heart to dim the luster, or stain the sanctity, of so lofty a station. Ye are even as the bird which soareth, with the full force of its mighty wings and with complete and joyous confidence, through the immensity of the heavens, until, impelled to satisfy its hunger, it turneth longingly to the water and clay of the earth below it, and, having been entrapped in the mesh of its desire, findeth itself impotent to resume its flight to the realms whence it came. Powerless to shake off the burden weighing on its sullied wings, that bird, hitherto an inmate of the heavens, is now forced to seek a dwelling-place upon the dust. Wherefore, O My servants, defile not your wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, and suffer them not to be stained with the dust of envy and hate, that ye may not be hindered from soaring in the heavens of My divine knowledge.
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 326)

Last night’s celebration of the Baha’i Shrines becoming UNESCO World Heritage Sites was an outstanding event. It was both inspiring and humbling to watch a beautiful video presentation about the Baha’i Holy Sites and to hear Sovaida Ma’ani Ewing reflect on the significance of the sites and their recognition by UNESCO, and Anita Chapman — who is a such a treasure herself — share stories about the outstanding services her father, Leroy Ioas, rendered for the Baha’i Faith and the world. It amazes me how many people of outstanding capacity live in this community and how their achievements is enhanced by their extreme humility. Among the audience, very unassuming, was Mr. Glenford Mitchell, who until recently served on the Universal House of Justice! Indeed, accomplishments not only in this physical world, but even in the world of spiritual service are relative. Sovaida, after being introduced so eloquently by the MC, made a joke that all her titles would mean nothing one day when she is to meet her Maker; what will matter is the virtues developed, the services rendered, and the true bonds of love with other human beings.

Last night was also a happy occassion to celebrate another bond of love — that of a new believer in the Teachings of Baha’u'llah. Rakesha had seen a TV ad about the Baha’i Faith years ago, when she was still in Louisiana. The message of the oneness of God and His ever unfolding religion, and the promise for unity in diversity had resonated with her and she kept it in her heart for a long time until recently she connected with us through the Arlington Baha’i website. Having exchanged emails with Nancy, she eagerly joined us for one of the Prayer Station devotional gathering. A number of obstacles had prevented her from participating in the Ruhi 1 study circle so far but she kept on reading the books we had given her, and she kept on sharing her inspired insights with us. I had felt very strongly that on November 10th we were going to have another declaration and sure enough that is what happened. I arranged to meet with Rakesha after work; we sat at a cafe and while waiting for our ride we went over the first third of the Visual (Anna’s) Presentation up to this quote by Abdu’l Baha:

Bahá’u'lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us.
(Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 53)

When I asked Rakesha what she felt about this all, she said “I don’t know what to say, I agree with everything”; when I asked her if she would like to join us in our work for unity, she said yes, and right there and then signed her declaration card. As she was writing her name on the card, Nancy and Trey called to say that they were waiting for us across the street, where we all embraced our new sister in Faith. During the ride to American University, Rakesha and I completed the presentation and by the time we arrived, we all were truly ready to celebrate.

Wert thou to incline thine inner ear unto all created things, thou wouldst hear: “The Ancient of Days is come in His great glory!” Everything celebrateth the praise of its Lord.
(Baha’u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 60)

I’ve been longing for peace of heart today. I found the perfect quote to guide me:

The purpose underlying the revelation of every heavenly Book, nay, of every divinely-revealed verse, is to endue all men with righteousness and understanding, so that peace and tranquility may be firmly established amongst them. Whatsoever instilleth assurance into the hearts of men, whatsoever exalteth their station or promoteth their contentment, is acceptable in the sight of God. How lofty is the station which man, if he but choose to fulfill his high destiny, can attain! To what depths of degradation he can sink, depths which the meanest of creatures have never reached! Seize, O friends, the chance which this Day offereth you, and deprive not yourselves of the liberal effusions of His grace. I beseech God that He may graciously enable every one of you to adorn himself, in this blessed Day, with the ornament of pure and holy deeds. He, verily, doeth whatsoever He willeth.

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 205)

Friday movie night was dedicated to Tinkerbell, “the spunky, rebellious, impatient, impulsive, determined, persistent, temperamental… yet still charming and lovable fairy” which was born out of Disney’s unlimited ability to branch out stories and produce brand-able characters. Tinkerbell, like all other fairies, is given a unique talent symbolized, in her case, by a… hammer. When she discovers the meaning of this all, she is quite disappointed. For she is a tinkering fairy, not a “fancy” one. Tinkering fairies are basically the engineering type fairies — hardworking, creative (but not in the artistic sense, rather in the fixing things sense). The problem is, Tinkerbell really wants to be somebody else; in fact, she would want to be any kind of fairy but the tinkering one.

The movie is fun, at times even funny. I hope it will be embraced by organizations striving to encourage girls to go into engineering for I well remember when I was in my electronics design class there were only three girls out of a class of ninety…

Back to Tinkerbell and the moral of her story… She chases a dream: to go to the Mainland where humans live. And she is so eager to get there, she would try to learn any other fairy’s skill (no matter how incapable she might be at that) in order to prove that she is worthy of being allowed the flight back to the world of humans. So she tries being others, miserably fails at anything that is not her true calling, all along ignoring her own talents, always wishing for something others have. Finally, through tests and difficulties, she is given an opportunity to use her so-far-ignored but true talent in service to others and… she finds happiness.

If this all sounds like a Disney movie, well, it is a Disney movie. But it delighted me with the message that finding who you are and being content with that is so important, for you can never predict the wonderful adventures ahead of you. Pity the ones who are neither aware of their true self, nor able to find happiness in it.

True loss is for him whose days have been spent in utter ignorance of his self.
(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 155)

17. O SON OF MAN!

Be thou content with Me and seek no other helper. For none but Me can ever suffice thee.
(Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

As I am observing the world-wide reaction to the presidential elections in the U.S. and Baha’i Perspectives‘ timely reminder of the inspired source of all the changes we observe in the world today, I think that the “Anthem for the World” by Matthew Levine is a wonderful soundtrack for today:

Around the world as we assemble in every mosque and church and temple,
we intone our dedication to become one congregation.
Now the sun of truth has risen. We will break out of our prison
God of mercy! God of thunder! Help is tear the wall assunder.
No more living in a house divided, lost in the dead of the night.
As one people we will stand united, holding onto the light.

One by one these chains are broken as the word of love is spoken.
From our slumber we awaken with a faith that can’t be shaken.
For in our hearts there builds a fire. In our soul chants heaven’s choir.
Here’s our moment, now or never. One for all and all together.
No more living in a house divided, lost in the dead of the night.
As one people we will stand united, holding onto the light.

The heavens will hail when the day is done.
And love will prevail if it takes a million broken hearts to beat as one, as one.
No more living in a house divided, lost in the dead of the night.
As one people we will stand united, holding onto the light, the light.