Religion
Being is more than just believing
Sometimes an insight comes immediately after hearing an inspiring thought; sometimes it takes time. Yesterday I attended a wonderful tutor encounter — a gathering of people who facilitate Baha’i classes and share thoughts and inspiration of how to become better at sharing Baha’u’llah’s healing message. I was particularly struck by Riva’s observation that the institute [...]
The wonderful fruits that overcoming a prejudice brings
Tonight, after a wonderful opening of the Bulgarian School and a farewell party for a couple of great Baha’is who have truly inspired the whole community with their tireless service, I had a chance to talk on Islam and the Baha’i Faith, as part of the conclusion of the Wilmette Institute course I had taken. [...]
Random cravings
At lunch I was talking with two coworkers — one is a most marvelous Baha’i and the other is Chinese. The Chinese coworker and I were reminiscing on growing up in a communist country. He recollected how happy the old times were and how, with all the development the economic boom has brought, most people [...]
God’s Beautiful Paradoxes
Blessed is the one who discovereth the fragrance of inner meanings from the traces of this Pen through whose movement the breezes of God are wafted over the entire creation, and through whose stillness the very essence of tranquillity appeareth in the realm of being. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Revealer of so inestimable a [...]
Beyond the limited self
Ever since I went to Bulgaria I have been contemplating on the question of what is authentic in me. The question was inspired by the observation of how much I fluctuated depending on who I was around. That was particularly obvious when I was around old friends who were not fully familiar with the meaning [...]
Life in hand
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 [...]
Fetters, freedom, devotions
This story starts with prejudice and ends with admiration. It is a humbling reminder that when I see with physical eyes, I tend to judge, misconstrue, or simply not honor; when I let (or am forced to let) the spiritual eyes to see, then the soul connects, recognizing the nobility of creation and the God-given [...]
Love is a light
Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre his attention on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the [...]
A throbbing artery
Whoso firmly believeth today in the rebirth of man and is fully conscious that God, the Most Exalted, wieldeth supreme ascendancy and absolute authority over this new creation, verily such a man is reckoned with them that are endued with insight in this most great Revelation. Unto this beareth witness every discerning believer. Walk thou [...]
Jazz, cheese cake and hidden words
On Friday night we went to The Birchmere in Alexandria to see Tierney Sutton, a Grammy-nominated singer known to apply Baha’i consultation while collaborating with her bandmates. It was an outstanding concert of three brilliant musicians and a perfect-pitch vocalist able to turn the happiest song into a dark, reflective melody or a funeral-ready tune [...]
