Befriended Stranger

Interesting things happen when one allows the mind to be peaceful and the heart centered on the love of God. For the first time in many years I wrote a song. The melody came to me as I was about the enter the shower, giving me inspiration for more shower singing. I opened a book of daily readings from the Baha’i Writings and voila, I had the words for the song:

O My servants! Be as resigned and submissive as the earth, that from the soil of your being there may blossom the fragrant, the holy and multicolored hyacinths of My knowledge.

If the song sees the light of day, it will be probably called “Multicolored Hyacinths”. In the mean time, enjoy the full quotation from the Blessed Beauty:

CLII. Thine eye is My trust, suffer not the dust of vain desires to becloud its luster. Thine ear is a sign of My bounty, let not the tumult of unseemly motives turn it away from My Word that encompasseth all creation. Thine heart is My treasury, allow not the treacherous hand of self to rob thee of the pearls which I have treasured therein. Thine hand is a symbol of My loving-kindness, hinder it not from holding fast unto My guarded and hidden Tablets…. Unasked, I have showered upon thee My grace. Unpetitioned, I have fulfilled thy wish. In spite of thy undeserving, I have singled thee out for My richest, My incalculable favors…. O My servants! Be as resigned and submissive as the earth, that from the soil of your being there may blossom the fragrant, the holy and multicolored hyacinths of My knowledge. Be ablaze as the fire, that ye may burn away the veils of heedlessness and set aglow, through the quickening energies of the love of God, the chilled and wayward heart. Be light and untrammeled as the breeze, that ye may obtain admittance into the precincts of My court, My inviolable Sanctuary.
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 321)

How can you even attempt to describe what only the heart and soul can experience as a flood of gratitude and all-embracing love and elation?

It is too late now to write in detail but I am back from the Atlanta Baha’i Conference. We traveled by bus so we came back home at 5 am. I had to go to work and prepare after work for the Prayer Station devotional gathering (the usual salad, banitsa, banana bread and to spice things up in the cold winter night, a hot compote made of dried fruits). It all worked out fine. Nancy brought along Mariama and her neighbor, Julia, who so loved the quotations from Abdu’l-Baha’s “Paris Talks” that I gave her a copy of the book to read, after of course, going with her through the visual (Anna’s) presentation on the Baha’i Faith.

The fire of love is spreading and that was the theme of the devotional gathering. But that fire was sparked by being among 4000 other Baha’is in Atlanta to study the message of the Universal House of Justice calling us each to play our role in the establishment of world unity:

Undeflected by the turmoil and distractions of the world around you, direct your energies to the task at hand with expanded vision and renewed consecration. New achievements invariably bring new challenges. Every steadfast believer is called to a faith and determination, a commitment to unity and sacrifice that will lift the Cause to a new stage in its development. May all find a part to play.

And that fire of love was nurtured by witnessing the most diverse concert one could imagine: Ali Youssefi and his sister, Nasim, and friends, the Baha’i Youth choir which literary rocked the house, New Creation with Talia Johnson, One Human Family choir with Tangela Stanley, Devon Gundry and friends, and last but not least a joint choir with David Guillory and the youngest guitar player (see the photo) singing a joyful reggae “We are one, under the sun”.

Spread the fire! Baha’u'llah has come to unite humanity!

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!

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!

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.

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.

Last night’s study circle provided a wonderful opportunity to dig out from my “old” musical collection the wonderful music of Mana, the Australian youth music group which recorded two CDs based on the quotations from the Ruhi 1 and 2 study circles. Their first album, “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” was the soundtrack for the first study circle I ever facilitated around 2003. In the craziness of the past 5 years I had forgotten how wonderful and joyful this music is. And how practical too — for what could be an easier and more uplifting way to memorize the quotations than by singing along with these joyful youth from down under?

Mana’s CDs are still available at the Baha’i Bookstore, and I would highly recommend buying them even though they might seem pricey at the current exchange rate ($19.95). But if you always prefer a bargain and you own an MP3 player, you can download all ten songs of the CD from DivineNotes for only $10. Not bad for a wonderful collection of songs that will uplift your spirit and remind you of the timeless truth contained in the Baha’i Writings:

…backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul.

Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner.

Speak no evil, that thou mayest not hear it spoken unto thee, and magnify not the faults of others that thine own faults may not appear great…

O Son Of Being! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.

And for those visually inclined, the YouTube video of Mana’s song Backbiting is a true feast for both the eyes and the ears (just press play):

How do you describe a day which started with an inconclusive attempt to scientifically establish truthfulness, culminated with celebrating the Birth of the Bab, and concluded with a prayer meeting and a study circle discussion which revolved around the idea that “truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues”? God is all Glorious and His ways are truly mysterious…

The most touching moments were, of course, with my daughters — when they joined me in singing “Say: God sufficeth” at the Falls Church celebration of the Birth of the Bab. The most humbling moments were when listening to a beautiful song by Smith & Dragoman, “The messenger“:

At the break of dawn after centuries of night
A child is born a child of light
Into a world of shadows and pain
Injustice rules and darkness reigns

How unique the child His knowledge innate
No teacher could teach this child of fate
And there in a dream in an ocean disturbed
His long locks reached out and His message was heard

For a thousand years we invoke Your name
And when You appear You’re bound in chains
Oh why, why are we so afraid of change
And I won’t forget how unkind they were to You
I won’t forget how You suffered
I won’t forget your message of love
I won’t forget I won’t forget

You receive the word Your purpose is clear
To share with the world with those who would hear
You take their hands and You heal their pain
You comfort their hearts with nothing to gain

The plight of the world weighs down on Your back
You share Your message and they launch their attack
They cast You out and don’t recognize
Your book is wide open and there’s tears in Your eyes

The most inspiring moments were when reading the writings of the Bab and studying the Ruhi 1 section on truthfulness with a group of believers, one of whom had just declared this past Saturday, having attended the previous Prayer Station and having joined our study circle.

Since the devotional gathering was inspired by the Birth of the Bab (which means Gate in Arabic), the theme was “Open the Gate”, named not only after the Smith & Dragoman CD, but also by the idea of opening the gate to the truth of God for the multitudes of humanity. And since the previous Prayer Meeting resulted in a study circle, we tried to combine both — a prayer meeting and a Ruhi 1 study circle. This time three new people showed up and we all had a wonderful discussion. In the interest of time and to truly focus on the study of the Holy Writings, we decided to shift the devotional meetings to once a month and will dedicate the rest of the Mondays to the study circle.

I am also thinking of asking each of the participants in the study circle to organize one of the devotional gatherings, thus practicing the service element of the Ruhi 1 study circle even before it is completed (as recently suggested during a tutor encounter).

Tonight, we closed the prayer meeting with the version of “Say God Sufficeth” which Eric Dozier and JB Eckl so beautifully put together on their “Badasht” CD:

Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.
— The Báb

I feel I can never have enough reminders that God should be sufficient unto me… Moreover, God has been blessing me lately with reminders, both positive and negative, of where the true path for me lies. I am learning to accept that the pain of detachment is a necessary part of growth. I am more and more realizing that it is so difficult, perhaps impossible, to remedy the pain and mess of the past. But it is very humbling to realize, with gratitude, that in each present moment I still have a chance to do the right thing. And doing the right thing, for me, includes the praise of God, and His Messengers.

May God open up the gate of each heart and touch each one of you with His Truth:

I ask God that He may open the gate of the knowledge of this station to thine heart so that thou mayest apprehend whatever is necessary and proper, garner spiritual bounties from the heaven of the All-Merciful, obtain the effulgences of knowledge from the Sun of Reality, and become a manifestation of inspiration from the Unseen and a source of glad-tidings from the All-Merciful.

(Baha’u'llah, Compilations, The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting)

What a blessing tonight was! When it rains, it pours! I had ten people come to the devotional gathering tonight, two of whom were not yet Baha’is but had contacted us through the Arlington Baha’i website and were very much driven by their longing to seek spiritual truth and to find it in the Baha’i Faith. Of course, as fate would have it, I could not find the declaration cards but these are small details. I am sure there is wisdom in everything.

The spirit was great, the banana bread smell too The best of all were the people who blessed my apartment with their presence. They came from Singapore and Ireland (courtesy of the Tahirih Justice Center), Holland and Bulgaria (courtesy of Dessi and her mom), Hyattsville, MD (courtesy of the Metro), and of course good old Arlington. Prayers were offered in English, Bulgarian and Arabic. We talked about the meaning of life and the power of prayer. We shared stories of searching for faith and finding it.  We decided to start a study circle on the “Life of the Spirit” starting next Monday, a week from tonight.

The lovely seekers were so eager to know more about the Faith that I had to part with my copies of “Selected Writings of Baha’u'llah”, “The Hidden Words of Baha’u'llah”, “Baha’u'llah and the New Era”, and”Remembrance of God”. I just reordered extra copies so I hope this helps to keep the Baha’i Bookstore steady in these turbulent times I also ordered ten copies of the Ruhi 1 book, just in case and to be ready for the study circle on Monday. I am so grateful for the gift of this glorious Faith! And so pumped up, I can hardly go to bed now but let me follow the established procedure and share with you the musical program from tonight’s Prayer Station:

First was “Hollow Reed” from Eric Dozier and JB Eckl’s “Badasht Vol. 1“. This selection was, in fact, the result of a technical glitch (wrong song list) in my mp3 player but I am sure it was all fine and with a special purpose:

Oh, God, make me a hollow reed, from which the pith of self hath been blown so that I may become as a clear channel through which Thy Love may flow to others.

Of course, it is not from the Writings, but still is a marvelous song!

Then we had a selection from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Baha’i sacred writings, related (somewhat loosely) to the theme of “Tender Hearts”.

Then came the next song, yet again the result of a technical glitch, this time a more serious one — rebuilding the song database — but as beautiful as the originally planned would have been. The song was “Heights above” from Ali Youssefi’s CD “A Step Away”:

7. O SON OF LOVE!
Thou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love. Take thou one pace and with the next advance into the immortal realm and enter the pavilion of eternity. Give ear then to that which hath been revealed by the pen of glory.

(Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)

Then many of us offered prayers: for healing, for peace, for removing of difficulties, for detachment, for nearness to God. And then we finished with a little gem of a song written and performed by Rose-Marie Peterson:

May you become as the waves of one sea, stars of the same heaven, fruits adorning the same tree, roses of one garden in order that through you the oneness of humanity may establish its temple in the world of mankind, for you are the ones who are called to uplift the cause of unity among the nations of the earth.

(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 214)

I stand, life in hand, ready; that perchance, through God’s loving-kindness and grace, this revealed and manifest Letter may lay down his life as a sacrifice in the path of the Primal Point, the Most Exalted Word.
– Bahá’u'lláh, quoted by Shoghi Effendi on the opening paragraph of The Dawn-Breakers

Today is the day of the Martyrdom of the Primal Point, the Bab, and I am very emotional. I was unable to attend my community’s commemoration of this Holy Day. I had to sit at a dull and rather annoying personnel law training at work, and the only bright light, besides the news that the Baha’i shrines have been chosen as World Heritage sites, was that a colleague sitting next to me asked me about the plans for my departure tomorrow to Bulgaria which lead to a question about the Baha’i Faith and a short conversation on the similarities with the teachings of the Buddha which she tries to practice.

As I am writing this, I am putting together compilations of CDs for my children of audio stories of the life of the Blessed Beauty and soothing music which illustrates artistically these same stories. I will dedicate my life to making sure that my daughters have the spiritual protection of the Baha’i Faith and for this I am infinitely grateful to the Bab and Baha’u'llah.

Which brings me to the point of where I feel I stand today — at a turning point of my life. And the Bab’s Martyrdom and the sacrifice of His followers are a guiding light. May my trip tomorrow be a first step in that new direction. May the Blessed Beauty protects me and my loved ones.