tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.comments2013-11-25T21:52:22.743-08:00Reflections-on-transformationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-66544450154234663432013-11-25T19:44:04.246-08:002013-11-25T19:44:04.246-08:00So inspiring. No man truly is an island, we lived ...So inspiring. No man truly is an island, we lived not by ourselves alone but by empowering and inspire others. By helping others not only through material things but also through the word of God. <br /><a href="http://www.soulscribbler.com/category/events/" rel="nofollow">Spiritual insights</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09954083841635113525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-70587676205756211362013-11-25T19:43:20.444-08:002013-11-25T19:43:20.444-08:00nice! I didn't kno that you will need to study...nice! I didn't kno that you will need to study to have a a good spiritual qualities. thank you for sharing this to us.<br /><a href="http://www.soulscribbler.com/category/events/" rel="nofollow">spiritual insights</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05880775936524788389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-10704941705447588652013-04-06T02:56:43.320-07:002013-04-06T02:56:43.320-07:00Materialism has truly invaded our societies and ch...Materialism has truly invaded our societies and children are raised to be consumers of society. Competition is a force that is in the world of which more often than not is destructive and does not seek to build unity.<br /><br />Companies are focusing more and more their marketing (ad campaigns) towards he junior youth, ages 12 to 15 since they recognize that they are in a period of great transition. The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program enables and empowers this group to take charge of their own material, spiritual, and intellectual development by reading society accurately and by analyzing and reflecting on the constructive and destructive forces operating in society. This helps them to see, for example, if this product or technology benefits the individual, the community, and the institutions. Or not. Marketing is a powerful force which now looking back has also shaped some of my thinking that may have not been reality. One example of that could be wearing a certain clothing brand to feel or been seen in a certain way. <br /><br />Another aspect of a materialistic society that I see is when I go visit my neighborhood or other neighborhoods. When I ask the junior youth who they admire, some will say my uncle. And of course, I will ask them why? And often, it's because they are a doctor or lawyer. I will still ask them but why? The answer is because they have made money. There is nothing wrong with being a doctor or a lawyer which are wonderful professions. The root of the problem is the focus on money and materialism. <br /><br />The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program helps these friends to develop spiritual perception which is to look at the spiritual qualities of their friends, relatives, and humanity. In this way, they are encouraging each other to become better human beings and at the same time serve the world. So next time, I ask them what they want to do when they grow up after reading "Breezes of Confirmation" where they talk about professions. They will say, I want to be a doctor to help heal people, to contribute to the advancement of medicine and our society, and nothing wrong with also saying to spend on my family and loved ones.<br /><br />Thank you for the blog and causing some reflection on my part at 5 am in the morning. I knew there was a reason for waking up so early!Quddushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091029424244437815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-36396674592670431272013-02-10T09:03:47.788-08:002013-02-10T09:03:47.788-08:00This is a wonderful story from "Walking the S...This is a wonderful story from "Walking the Straight Path." It may be timely to share this story to some of my co-workers which may help all of us in the process of not carrying so many "potatoes". There are so many gems in the books for the JYSEP that I cannot wait for my son Ian to go through. Thank you for all the inspiring blog post!Quddushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091029424244437815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-63061061586895269272012-08-09T02:00:21.596-07:002012-08-09T02:00:21.596-07:00beautiful story! thanks for sharing :) do you mind...beautiful story! thanks for sharing :) do you mind also sharing with us how the skit for the children's class goes when you get a chance? junior youth carrying out acts of service in children's classes is a significant area of learning for us all.Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04499831995723282632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-64710644043927675792012-06-14T12:56:04.570-07:002012-06-14T12:56:04.570-07:00I wanted to ask the friends who have read the topi...I wanted to ask the friends who have read the topic on the "Habits of Thought" I find this topic really helpful and I believe it necessitates discussion and elaboration by the point of view of others. Those who have had the chance to read this topic, please say yes and if not please do when you can so that we by chance may have a discussion. Thank you a lot for your help, understanding, and desire to learn together.<br /><br />With much love and consideration,<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SarvAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12618902774020342014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-62352720746736203692012-06-08T17:10:10.077-07:002012-06-08T17:10:10.077-07:00I find the whole topic of this blog quite interest...I find the whole topic of this blog quite interesting really. It is definitely important for us not to assume that the way Baha'u'llah's World Order will come into being by His followers' isolation from the life of society, that we need to be part of society and benefit from the things that it provides etc., yet we must be aware that we don't get consumed. I really find that the balance of being part of society yet not consumed by it very amazing indeed. This is something that we all must learn how to do as we strive towards the New Order for all to see.<br /><br /><br />SarvAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12618902774020342014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-12134841452303295392012-06-07T21:47:11.251-07:002012-06-07T21:47:11.251-07:00I was really amazed about Joseph's story I fir...I was really amazed about Joseph's story I first heard from the talks given by Taherzadeh Adib in Alaska in 1984.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12618902774020342014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-46000087994302990542012-04-27T12:10:07.658-07:002012-04-27T12:10:07.658-07:00Dr. Farzam ; thanks for sharing your understanding...Dr. Farzam ; thanks for sharing your understanding with me.<br />I am very pleased to read this one especially the ending quote from the Master Abdul BahaVidurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700710182574131127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-73760603579606808132012-04-27T12:07:48.247-07:002012-04-27T12:07:48.247-07:00Dr. Farzam,
I am very happy that you are sharing ...Dr. Farzam,<br /><br />I am very happy that you are sharing these writings with me.<br />It is very assuring and upliftingVidurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700710182574131127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-50219022943548618392012-04-22T17:36:39.072-07:002012-04-22T17:36:39.072-07:00I cannot find words to express my appreciation for...I cannot find words to express my appreciation for this article....perfect timing. Thank you!Mama Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04312108731704012147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-34246083711304007752012-03-26T15:43:16.518-07:002012-03-26T15:43:16.518-07:00When a sphere, in 3D, passes through the flatland,...When a sphere, in 3D, passes through the flatland, in 2D, what is observed by the inhabitants of the flatland is the mysterious appearance of a dot, which grows to be a circle, then gets smaller and vanishes from mortal eyes. Maybe it can be said that this circle is "within and yet apart" from the flatland.Farzinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05192260666907669034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-54998359607065641222011-12-31T20:05:29.230-08:002011-12-31T20:05:29.230-08:00Thanks for the material which gives awareness for ...Thanks for the material which gives awareness for Living the lifevasudevan veerasamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17931251285983327660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-38090569396119613572011-10-06T16:06:58.223-07:002011-10-06T16:06:58.223-07:00Thank you very much. These remarks are extremely ...Thank you very much. These remarks are extremely useful. I will be coming back to other sections soon.MrsLittleJeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08261467265044347736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-13440567260577291832011-10-03T22:32:45.886-07:002011-10-03T22:32:45.886-07:00Dear Mrs LittleJeans,
Thank you for your thoughtf...Dear Mrs LittleJeans,<br /><br />Thank you for your thoughtful contributions to this subject. Your example of an individual engaged in action in a neighborhood is a very helpful one. We can think of these activities as part of a systematic and sustained pattern of community development. <br /><br />Three activities relate to the work of the training institute. These are children classes, junior youth groups, and study circles for youth and adults. These are essentially educational in character. Additionally devotional meetings strengthen the spiritual bonds among the people in a neighborhood. Once these activities are under way, the participants often feel the need to get together from time to time and talk about their work, the quality of their activities, the spiritual environment of their collective endeavor, and more generally about the human condition in their neighborhood.<br /><br />These meetings are for community building, are essentially spiritual in character, are open to all, and are held at regular intervals, say monthly, or even once every 19 days. Many neighborhoods that are not in parts of the world where Local Assemblies exist for one reason or another hold these spiritual meetings. Where Local Assemblies do exist they give loving support and encouragement to these neighborhood meetings. Such meetings are of course different than the more formal administrative meetings of 19 Day Feasts.<br /><br />The guidance for the 19 Day Feasts are clear enough. They are intended for Baha'is since there is a specific administrative purpose to them. Normally Baha'is do not invite others to the Feast, but if someone were to come, then we should simply welcome them and continue holding the Feast even as they are present.<br /><br />The important idea for us to appreciate is this: when the Baha'i community was much smaller, the Feast was the principal activity. But now that our numbers have grown, and the range of our activities multiplied, the other 18 nights are equally important. Whereas in the past the core of our activities - elections, Fund and Feast - were for Baha'is, now the core of our activities should be those activities where everyone is welcome.<br /><br />In practice many of the neighborhoods that have established a rich community life with core activities, also hold their own Feasts, after approval by their Assembly. The Assemblies have also learned to provide a measure of latitude for action by these friends. Neighborhood Feasts are relatively new and we have much to learn from action and reflection on action in a spirit of loving support and encouragement for each other. many Assembly members themselves are in the forefront of these neighborhood Feasts.<br /><br />As a general rule we find it useful for the Assemblies to be strict about laws of ethics and personal conduct, and be flexible about teaching activities.<br /><br />As all of us engage in these long-term processes of growth we will learn where the balance lies, and we are sure to make certain mistakes. <br /><br />I hope that these remarks help you as we all strive to travel along this path.<br /><br />With loving sentiments.Farzinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05192260666907669034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-20412469551994667202011-10-03T09:01:21.221-07:002011-10-03T09:01:21.221-07:00Thank you for the clarification but now I have mor...Thank you for the clarification but now I have more to ask.<br /><br />I do particularly associate with paragraph 4 of the Dec 28th letter because it gives us the freedom to engage in the core activity that most organically fits into our situation and is natural to us as well.<br /><br />No doubt if each individual initiates something in their neighborhood, one could go very far in the right direction.<br /><br />The next question that I have is this- let us say that an individual in their neighborhood initiated a regular devotional and a children's class. Assessing the situation that individual realizes that it would be some time before declarations would come about. Would that individual initiate their own feast and invite their not-yet Baha'is to that feast. I should further add that I am referring to a regular feast where communications from the institutions and read and consulted on. Alternatively, should that individual have an additional neighborhood feast, sort of like a unity feast, to introduce their neighborhood to the concept and habit of Baha'i feasts?<br /><br />Naturally, these feasts are initiated by individual and require not much besides LSA support and encouragement; however, should they be reported to the LSA or ATC. <br /><br />This has been a topic of discussion at our feast, both recently and during the last 5 -year plan. Many individuals believe that they can start their own feasts with their Baha'i and non-Baha'i neighbors. This does not seem quite the idea to me.<br /><br />I was under the impression that as a Baha'i penetrates their neighborhood with devotional or any of the core activities, he/she can gradually become the hub for feasts; however, I was under the impression that one does not invite neighbors who are not Baha'is to the feast.<br /><br />I really appreciate your explanation. Although I am taking the Wilmette course on this topic this forum seems a bit easier for open dialogue.<br /><br />Thank You!MrsLittleJeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08261467265044347736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-34964096149285778722011-09-22T18:38:07.041-07:002011-09-22T18:38:07.041-07:00Thank you for bringing up these questions. These a...Thank you for bringing up these questions. These are exactly the right questions to ask. Serving humanity with a posture of learning means, among other things, that we should not expect to have all the answers right away. And in fact we may not be able to find all the answers merely from theoretical considerations or from an armchair position. Having said that, I can offer a few observations, but in reality the answer becomes clear only when we combine study with action.<br /><br />I myself serve on a Local Spiritual Assembly, and I have observed that we often think in terms of how many Baha'is we have, and what percentage of them may be considered active, and then as a consequence of this line of thinking we may be overcome with a feeling that we do not have enough resources. A natural inclination then would be to say let us not divide any further, thinking that we will remain stronger when we are together. This is almost like an intellectual trap into which we may fall.<br /><br />An alternative way of thinking is offered to us in the 4th paragraph of the 28 December 2010 letter of the Universal House of Justice, where it examines what a single homefront pioneer can do. Now imagine that the 30 Baha'is, that you indicated you have, can each possess a spirit of service equivalent to a homefront pioneer. By turning outwards, each one of these souls can initiate - in and around their own homes - a small process of growth. If you revisit that 4th paragraph you will appreciate that the House of Justice in very clear terms explains how such a process can start by initiating one of four core activities, and how over time this will lead to other core activities supported by newly found collaborators, who increase their own friendship based on shared understanding.<br /><br />Now you might say that this is a very tall order, that it is not likely that all the 30 participants can arise to these heights. I do not know your community, but there is a very good chance that your assessment is a correct one. So then the question arises as how many such neighborhoods can become the focus of intense activity with an outward orientation. If after careful assessment you conclude that only 6 such neighborhoods can be started, then that is where you will start.<br /><br />After neighborhoods with core activities and participation of people from the wider community have been established, it becomes clear how many of them will hold their own Feast. If we start with the division of the Feast first, then we still have to ask how many of these neighborhoods can initiate and then support their own core activities.<br /><br />It is important that the members of the institutions - Assemblies, Area Teaching Committee, Institute coordinators and tutors, Auxiliary Board members and their assistants - are at the forefront of this movement. The friends will follow, only if they see that the members of the institutions themselves are personally implementing what they are advocating. And in the process of implementation we learn to plan based on the resources actually available.<br /><br />Once your Spiritual Assembly has decided on the composition of these neighborhoods, then you can "motivate the believers" through acts of accompaniment. Once the Assembly members themselves have arisen to carry out the Plan - like 9 homefront pioneers - then their love and respect in the eyes of the friends will increase, and the friends will also arise.Farzinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05192260666907669034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-89246929966949834222011-09-22T16:10:07.578-07:002011-09-22T16:10:07.578-07:00I am very curious as how the Assemblies would moti...I am very curious as how the Assemblies would motivate the believers initiate core activities. The concept of forming neighborhoods makes sense. How does one decide as to when to do this? Let's say I live in a community of 60 with roughly 50% participation. Would it make sense to divide into neighborhoods at this size. Does a community have to grow to a center size before adopting neighborhood feasts for example.<br /><br />-mMrsLittleJeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08261467265044347736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-73068719970912293402011-08-11T18:11:44.574-07:002011-08-11T18:11:44.574-07:00Fantastic blog.
Thank you!Fantastic blog.<br /><br />Thank you!saiasayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14240817129492509594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-63405974951395770222011-08-03T11:44:59.298-07:002011-08-03T11:44:59.298-07:00Thank you for continuing to post the entries. I h...Thank you for continuing to post the entries. I have missed this since late June.Mehrtashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05743527538921682588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-9986371281793360252011-06-08T20:18:04.884-07:002011-06-08T20:18:04.884-07:00"The culture of learning that is emerging is ..."The culture of learning that is emerging is characterized by dialogue rather than debate, by constructive experience at the grassroots level rather than elaborate planning from the top, by systematization rather than freneticism, by reflective refinement rather than derogatory criticism. It has proven effective in resolving long standing challenges that paralyzed the progress of the community."<br /><br />(A Talk given by Mr. Paul Lample: http://www.bahai-studies.ca/files/ABS2008PaulLample.pdf)Quddushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091029424244437815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-49246943608500581702011-06-08T20:09:37.291-07:002011-06-08T20:09:37.291-07:00Below are some quotes I was reflecting on today wh...Below are some quotes I was reflecting on today when reading several of the recent Messages from the beloved Universal House of Justice. I also was reading this post on Assemblies and their energy in the cluster to help the community move forward. And different questions are arising due to growth. We use to spend lots of time discussing central Baha'i children classes versus neighborhood children classes. Through experience we realize that the Cause must grow and cannot be organized in a congregational way. This has resulted in Assemblies to help the friends realize the magnitude of possibilities. Through the institute process, friends were able to build capacity for effective service through 3 months cycles of activities. The members of the Assembly in a cluster who have gone through the sequence of courses can assist the friends in scaling the heights of service. This Assembly understands then the dynamics of growth and can collaborate closely with the cluster agencies in moving along this continuum.<br /><br />Scaling the heights of service - Focus neighborhood:<br /><br />"It is a bounty accorded to the followers of the Ancient Beauty that this longing, which wells up inexorably from the human spirit in every land, is able to find such eloquent expression in the work the Baha'i community is carrying out to build capacity for effective action amongst the diverse populations of the planet. Can any privilege compare with this?" (Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 2011)<br /><br />Lighting it up:<br /><br />"Though the goal is far from being fulfilled, the light already blazes intensely in many a region. In some countries it shines in every cluster... In diverse nations it achieves a steady glow across whole neighbourhoods and villages, as candle after candle in heart after heart is lighted by the Hand of Providence; it illuminates thoughtful conversation at every level of human interaction; it casts its beam upon a myriad initiatives taken to promote the well-being of a people. And in every instance it radiates from a faithful believer, a vibrant community, a loving Spiritual Assembly-each a beacon of light against the gloom." (Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 2011)<br /><br />The Beloved Master's example:<br /><br />"The words uttered by Abdu'l-Baha during His travels, and the deeds He undertook with such consummate wisdom and love, offer an abundance of inspiration and manifold insights from which the body of the believers can today draw, whether in their efforts to embrace receptive souls, to raise capacity for service, to build local communities, to strengthen institutions, or to exploit opportunities emerging to engage in social action and contribute to public discourse." (Universal House of Justice, 29 August 2010)<br /> <br />The work ahead of us:<br />"We should, therefore, reflect not only upon what the Master achieved and set in motion but also on the work that remains undone to which He has summoned us." (Universal House of Justice, 29 August 2010)Quddushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091029424244437815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-7071338557352477182011-04-20T01:07:55.232-07:002011-04-20T01:07:55.232-07:00Of course! Sorry for the late response (I just no...Of course! Sorry for the late response (I just noticed your post!)<br /><br />The first quotation comes from the Prosperity of Humankind. The second paragraph of the first section of this document references Baha'u'llah's analogy of the human world to the human body, then asserts that there is no other model for the organization of planetary society than the human body. The paragraph after begins with "What is true of the life of the individual has its parallels in human society", and then goes on to say "The human species is an organic whole"<br /><br />The second quotation comes from a talk of 'Abdu'l-Baha on May 5, 1912, from the Promulgation of Universal Peace. In the fifth paragraph, He mentions that society, like the human body, requires organic cooperation, coordination, and harmony between its parts in order to express the fullness of life; and without these elements, social disease results.<br /><br />And the third quotation is included in the World Centre's compilation on the Redistribution of Wealth (also in the Huquq'u'llah compilation), and is from a Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha in persian. Again, He notes that the human body has integration, coherence, and inseparability between its parts, and thus so should the world of humanity.sanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040201146111818766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-35660566812144352842011-03-31T19:19:55.441-07:002011-03-31T19:19:55.441-07:00The process of growth and understanding growth is ...The process of growth and understanding growth is still at early stages in a lot of the clusters around the world. This is exciting because we all get to participate and learn a great deal in helping build a Divine civilization, however humble our small contribution. I was invited by a member of the Area Teaching Committee yesterday to conduct a few home visits in a very receptive neighborhood which is a large apartment complex. There are about 100 friends from Bhutan of which around 12 to 15 are Baha'is. A few have done Ruhi Books 1, 2, and 3. And one person has started children classes after finishing Book 3 as well as assisting with the teaching work. We have a wonderful tutor who is assisting with this process and effective at teaching the Faith. In this neighborhood, what is causing this vibrancy, is the institute which relies on the Word of God to connect all of us. In our home visits, we unite in prayers, and it is always joyous and uplifting. The residents of this neighborhood want to shed the lethargy and make their neighborhood a great place to live for all adults, youth, and children. In addition, a junior youth has also begun a couple months ago and a regular devotional is emerging. Memorization of the quotes are also shaping our thoughts. Despite work schedules and the challenges of life, this neighborhood is well on its way to learning about new frontiers of learning in the next 5 years. These friends are taking to heart the power of the institute to "scale the heights of service".Quddushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091029424244437815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413686909898943178.post-39521424068231422512011-03-29T22:42:09.009-07:002011-03-29T22:42:09.009-07:00Dear Sana,
Thank you for sharing these great quot...Dear Sana,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing these great quotes. If you have the references for the sources of these quotes, it will be much appreciated.Farzinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05192260666907669034noreply@blogger.com