Befriended Stranger

When a year ago I was greeting 2008, I made three wishes none of which came true. We sometimes wish for things that might not be good for us or things whose time might not have arrived yet. Either way, I trust that God provides what is right for us but it takes faith and certitude to discern and accept it. The past year has been a very big test in detachment for me. Thankfully, despite all the things I lost (or maybe because of them), I’ve been gaining a new sense of self rooted in the belief that I was created noble and was given a gift that no one can take away from me:

For every one of you his paramount duty is to choose for himself that on which no other may infringe and none usurp from him. Such a thing — and to this the Almighty is My witness — is the love of God, could ye but perceive it.
(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 261)

I wish for all of you noble souls who read my musings, a healthy and happy 2009 — a new year filled with the love of God!

It was less than a week ago when I heard one of the speakers at the Atlanta conference, Mr. Ken Bowers of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S., talk about the need for stay focused lest we risk getting sickened by the fast changing scene around us all, not unlike when driving at high speed it is wiser to keep looking ahead rather than to the side. Having long suffered from motion sickness, I can relate to the wisdom of this advise.

Another of the speakers called to mind a quotation by Baha’u'llah exhorting us to not be discouraged by whatever might have happened in the past but to stay the course. Here is this quote, a source of comfort and inspiration:

Whatever hath befallen you, hath been for the sake of God. This is the truth, and in this there is no doubt. You should, therefore, leave all your affairs in His Hands, place your trust in Him, and rely upon Him. He will assuredly not forsake you. In this, likewise, there is no doubt. No father will surrender his sons to devouring beasts; no shepherd will leave his flock to ravening wolves. He will most certainly do his utmost to protect his own.

If, however, for a few days, in compliance with God’s all- encompassing wisdom, outward affairs should run their course contrary to one’s cherished desire, this is of no consequence and should not matter. Our intent is that all the friends should fix their gaze on the Supreme Horizon, and cling to that which hath been revealed in the Tablets. They should strictly avoid sedition, and refrain from treading the path of dissension and strife. They should champion their one true God, exalted be He, through the hosts of forbearance, of submission, of an upright character, of goodly deeds, and of the choicest and most refined words.

(Baha’u'llah, Fire and Light, p. 10)

Focusing on the vision, the horizon, and not getting distracted by the insignificant details of life or whatever challenges might take place along the road reminds me of another inspiring quote, also by Baha’u'llah:

The essence of true safety is to observe silence, to look at the end of things and to renounce the world.
(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 156)

Wishing all a safe ride!

Have you been on a road never traveled before? Where you have to trust the directions or you risk getting overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown and turning back too soon, before reaching the goal. Now imagine that 4000 others are on the same road. Or to be more precise, imagine that 6 million others are heading in the same direction, following paths as unique as each one of us is.

That to me was the essence of the Regional Baha’i Conference I attended last weekend, in Atlanta, Georgia; one of 41 announced in a fashion illustrating the world embracing vision of the Baha’i Faith, for in the letter of the Universal House of Justice calling for these conferences, the 41 host cities were listed with no country indicated. We do live in one world, after all, and if you don’t know where Yaounde or Antofagasta is, too bad; go check your friendly Google

There was an exciting anticipation in preparing for the trip to the conference. Nobody knew exactly what it was going to be, although we all sensed it would be important. There was a sense of gratitude in being able to trust the wisdom of this call by the governing institution of the worldwide Baha’i community to gather together and celebrate the achievements in a plan which as contemporary and ambitious as it is, is still a humble response to the Tablets of the Divine Plan which Abdu’l-Baha, the Son of the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, revealed some 90 years ago to exhort the American Baha’is to share with their compatriots and the whole world the healing message of Baha’u'llah.

Going by bus to Atlanta was an adventure on its own. 50 people intoxicated by the spirit of love (with no alcohol involved, thank you very much) shared stories and songs in anticipation of a family reunion with 4000 others from the Southeastern States and the Bahamas. The few hours of sleep were of no consequence; we were too elated to notice.

The vision of us all arriving at the Georgia World Convention Center was that of rivers of people merging into an ocean of love. Then the African drums started the call to togetherness.

That one of the two counselors delegated by the Universal House of Justice to speak and inspire us, American Baha’is, was from Kenya was, personally to me, very poignant and appropriate for a global religion in learning mode whose followers are doing their best to trust the call to unity — we all learn from each other.

We all studied two messages from the Universal House of Justice, some of the whose inspiring words follow:

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.  May all appreciate the contribution of others.  May all pour forth time and resources to support the advancement of your clusters, to foster the capacity of your co-workers, and to quicken the spirit of love and devotion that propels you forward.
~ The Universal House of Justice, 6 December 2008

We then discussed how to practically help communities throughout the Southeast achieve a sustainable growth in activities that nurture the spirituality of every human being by aligning us all to the noble goal of our Creator to build an ever advancing human civilization. And we were encouraged to not be discouraged if along this road we occasionally fail:

If, however, for a few days, in compliance with God’s all-encompassing wisdom, outward affairs should run their course contrary to one’s cherished desire, this is of no consequence and should not matter.
(Baha’u'llah, Fire and Light, p. 10)

Wouldn’t you want to join us on the road never traveled?

When I was in the 7th grade, I dreamed of being a journalist and covering major events for the Bulgarian National TV. I would follow on a map the war between Iran and Iraq and “cover” it, in a brief summary, for my classmates. The way I perceived the world then, very much shaped by what I saw on TV and in my classroom, was about the nonsense of wars and the desire for peace. I could not have imagined then being part of the answer to humanity’s desperate call for peace.

For reasons that are of no consequence today, that same year I decided to switch my field of study from English language to… mathematics and computers. That was of course the end of my journalistic pursuits.

Today something I had always thought to be cool but impossible became a reality with practically no effort and a little help from Facebook. Last night I was asked for permission to use in an article by the Baha’i News Service the photos I had taken during the Atlanta Baha’i Conference. I gladly provided the high resolution version of the photos and the news editors chose to use eight of them for the article!

So, there you have it: I helped to cover a major historic event (and that conference was exactly that) for a major news organization (Baha’i News Service)!

A dream has come true — and all simply because I was obedient to the Universal House of Justice!

God is kind and glorious and His confirmations are pouring in. Thank you, Baha’u'llah, and thank you, dear Baha’i brothers and sisters!

I have seldom acknowledged the inspiration I get from reading the blogs of other souls. In reality, I am grateful for so many people sharing their insights and encouragement through blogging.

Last night I reflected on a post by Laura who is at that singular crossroad of life, deciding to become a Baha’i or not. I am, of course, past that question although my challenge is trying my best at being a Baha’i. But there is so much in common between all of us, people who have certitude and people who are only beginning on the path of search.

So I was reflecting on the question of re-creation. Not recreation as in recreational activities although these, when you think of it, have the same purpose of renewing our true self; re-creation as what we observe when a root from a dying plant is replanted and then blossoms in all its glorious beauty (I got that from a talk this morning with a colleague, about office plants).

Baha’u'llah in a Tablet recalling the Festival of Ridvan, praises the re-creation of the whole creation:

This is the Day whereon naught can be seen except the splendors of the Light that shineth from the face of Thy Lord, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 27)

In another tablet He states:

Thus have We created the whole earth anew in this day, yet most of the people have failed to perceive it.
(Baha’u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 24)

As I opened my prayer book this morning, I was guided to a long and profound prayer for service. Although it is worth reflecting on each single paragraph of this prayer, I am quoting here the one that deals with recreation because it addresses exactly the question of when recreation happens — in every single moment of my life, as long as I cleave to the cord of His grace:

Do Thou destine for me, O my God, what will set me, at all times, towards Thee, and enable me to cleave continually to the cord of Thy grace, and to proclaim Thy name, and to look for whatsoever may flow down from Thy pen.  I am poor and desolate, O my Lord, and Thou art the All-Possessing, the Most High.  Have pity, then, upon me through the wonders of Thy mercy, and send down upon me, every moment of my life, the things wherewith Thou hast recreated the hearts of all Thy creatures who have recognized Thy unity, and of all Thy people who are wholly devoted to Thee.

God is all glorious! Have a blessed day!

Purify, O my God, the hearts of Thy creatures with the power of Thy sovereignty and might, that Thy words may sink deep into them.
(Baha’u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 197)

I beseech Thee by Thy Lastness which is the same as Thy Firstness, and by Thy Revelation which is identical with Thy Concealment, to grant that they who are dear to Thee, and their children, and their kindred, may become the revealers of Thy purity amidst Thy creatures, and the manifestations of Thy sanctity amongst Thy servants.
(Baha’u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 228)

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

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)

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)