Baha’i Perspectives

geoffrey August 8th, 2008

Where are the poets? Where are the mentors of this age that take us deep, rip us apart, and heal us with those transitional words needed for an unsettled time? How are we to operate successfully in a world where those that speak with universal tongues are left silenced or relegated to a softer side of history?

We seek and sift through the dust waiting for those connections to form between us and generate those golden threads that break the gloomy dusk of lives being built without the strength, the vision - we seek those who speak in tightly packed moments of passion and vivacity.

Why is language lost, and not truly used as that art, that truth? I was emboldened one day when I came across a treasure trove nestled deep within nytimes.com - a multimedia presentation called “Three Poems” – it linked to an article entitled “Young American Indians Find Their Voice in Poetry”.

As I listened and viewed the pictures, completely blown away by the power and substance of their expressions – these high-school students – my heart was uplifted and I truly felt the fire of words that truly galvanize. After reading the article and listening to the three poems presented, I thought of four things: 1) a Baha’i perspective on art and poetry, 2) the power of words to affect, 3) the immense potential of youth and junior youth, and 4) how the native or indigenous populations of a country have such a role to play in the eventual upliftment of their home land.

A poet named Roger White, who was a Bahá’í and has since passed away, once wrote:

Art has a message for us. It says: care, grow, develop, adapt, overcome, nurture, protect, foster, cherish. It says; your reality is spiritual. It says achieve your full humanness. It invites us to laugh, reflect, cry, strive, persevere. It says rejoice! Above all, it says to us: be! We cannot turn our backs on art. Art heals.

Artists…will be a vital force in preventing inflexibility in our [world] community. They will be a source of rejuvenation. They will serve as a bulwark against fundamentalism, stagnation, and administrative sterility. Artists call us away from formulas, caution us against the fake, and accustom us to un-predictability—that trait which so characterizes life. They validate our senses. They link us to our own history. They clothe and give expression to our dreams and aspirations. They teach us impatience with stasis. They aid us to befriend our private experiences and heed our unexamined mechanistic responses to the world…Art conveys information about ourselves and our universe that can be found nowhere else.

Poetry stirs deeply within us because of the nature of its composition. It has the ability to transcend, and can be used as that vehicle for the expression of the divine. It has been recorded that often times, though also due to the cultural conditions of the time, when early believers in the Baha’i Faith wished to express their devotion to its Founder, Baha’u'llah, they would write to him in a poetic fashion. It is true also that the Baha’i Faith first originated in Persia, and the Persian language is in itself quite poetic.

Here is an excerpt from a response from Baha’u'llah:

Every word of thy poetry is indeed like unto a mirror in which the evidences of the devotion and love thou cherishest for God and His chosen ones are reflected.

(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 175)

Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’u'llah, also says in relation to art:

All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God.

(Lady Blomfield, “The Chosen Highway”, p. 167)

A Baha’i perspective on art could be read to mean that art is a release of self. It is a cleansing. It is a way of expressing a sense of openness to reach out and touch some portion of Truth. As Baha’u'llah says in the example above, that individual’s poetry was enough to show Him how strong his sense of devotion was, and how ardently he loved his new found Faith. The key, as noted by Abdu’l-Baha, is that the sole aim of Art must be, if it is to be called Art, to show ‘forth the praise of God”. And this concept is in itself a topic worth exploring (which I may be able to touch upon in the next post).

But before anything else, make sure you listen to “Three Poems”.

Tags: art, poetry

• Baha'i Concepts , General Interest , Inspiration
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nava August 6th, 2008

I have breathed within thee a breath of My own spirit, that thou mayest be My lover. Why hast thou forsaken Me and sought a beloved other than Me? - Baha’u'llah

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Baha'i Perspectives August 3rd, 2008

Worship thou God in such wise that if thy worship lead thee to the fire, no alteration in thine adoration would be produced, and so likewise if thy recompense should be paradise. Thus and thus alone should be the worship which befitteth the one True God. Shouldst thou worship Him because of fear, this would be unseemly in the sanctified Court of His presence, and could not be regarded as an act by thee dedicated to the Oneness of His Being. Or if thy gaze should be on paradise, and thou shouldst worship Him while cherishing such a hope, thou wouldst make God’s creation a partner with Him, notwithstanding the fact that paradise is desired by men.

Fire and paradise both bow down and prostrate themselves before God. That which is worthy of His Essence is to worship Him for His sake, without fear of fire, or hope of paradise…

(Selections from the Writings of the Bab)

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shadi May 11th, 2008

It is now eight whole months that I have left the United States for Kenya and have not seen my parents — the longest separation we have experienced from one another thus far. As an only child, I tend to think this must be harder for our family in particular. Perhaps if I had a sister or brother, my parents would not miss me quite so much, and maybe I would not have received the incredible amount of attention that I did growing up, and would find the separation not as painful… perhaps.

This time apart has caused much reflection on my part. Growing up in the States, there were many times that my parents and I did not see eye to eye. I, for instance, did not understand why the hour one came home on the weekends should matter or why one had to do certain household chores everyday. And being a strong-willed and opinionated teenager in my day, I made sure to voice my opposition and disappointment to my parents’ decrees quite often.

Going even further back into the past, I think about my parents’ decision to escape Iran in 1985 and how the main factor, as I was to learn in my adult years, was my father’s fear that I would be deprived of the educational opportunities given the restrictions placed on Baha’i children in Iran that exist to this day. My parents left their jobs, home, family, and every sense of familiarity and stability to leave Iran and seek a better environment to raise their daughter.

Abdu’l-Bahá, in His Tablets, not only calls attention to the responsibility of parents to educate all their children, but He also clearly specifies that the “training and culture of daughters is more necessary than that of sons”, for girls will one day be mothers, and mothers are the first educators of the new generation. If it is not possible, therefore, for a family to educate all the children, preference is to be accorded to daughters since, through educated mothers, the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society.

A decade has passed since my teenage years, and all I feel towards my parents is pure love and gratitude. Often I wonder whether I’ll be able to sufficiently thank them for all the sacrifice that they went through raising and nurturing me to become independent, confident, and instilling in me a great sense of self worth as a woman in the 21st century.

Also a father and mother endure the greatest troubles and hardships for their children… Therefore, the children, in return for this care and trouble, must show forth charity and beneficence…

(Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith, p. 329)

What a beautiful concept. To show forth ‘charity and beneficence’ in return for the service my parents have showered on me. The station of parents in the Baha’i Faith is incredibly lofty.

The fruits that best befit the tree of human life are trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater than all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and glorified be He, is regard for the rights that are due to one’s parents. This teaching hath been mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen. Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath revealed in the Qur’án, exalted are His words: “Worship ye God, join with Him no peer or likeness; and show forth kindliness and charity towards your parents…” Observe how loving-kindness to one’s parents hath been linked to recognition of the one true God!”

(Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 139)

And so, as I continue my work in Kenya, I strive daily to honor my parents through good work, compassion to others, and continuous self-reflection. I know that any fruits born from my efforts are a direct result and sign of the loving sacrifice and wisdom of my parents who, to this day, continue to guide and nurture me.

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nadim March 26th, 2008

I can’t say enough about this short documentary. Beautiful. All I’ll do is quote the filmmakers’ description and leave you to watch it…

If you could go back and have an easier life, would you do it? If life had dealt you some of the hardest blows would you still feel like dancing? If you had no legs to dance with, would you still know how it feels? Having mastered the art of living in spirit more than in body, Renett Grové has transcended physical and emotional challenges the likes of which few of us can comprehend. And through it all Renett has praised her Creator, the One whose loving bondage has been her blissful freedom.

Thank you to Leyla for allowing me to post this video.

Tags: love

• General Interest , Inspiration , Principles in Action
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geoffrey March 24th, 2008

The falcon preyeth not on a dead mouse.

(Baha’u'llah, The Seven Valleys)

The concept of motion is a principle that the Bahá’í Faith derives much energy from – not only in its intonations on personal spiritual development, but also in the implications it holds for the betterment of mankind as a whole. The above quotation is from a poem of Rumi, and is quoted in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Faith, I reason, to explicate this point of movement.

Motion is often related and tied to the conceptions of love, service, creativity, perception and insight. We are counseled in the Bahá’í Writings to “seek neither rest nor composure” but to continually strive to achieve the betterment of the world and of ourselves. The “Falcon”, I think, can therefore encompass many different interpretations. It can take the form of a hardened will, a continually growing desire to motivate oneself in positive directions; there is the movement of the mind, to constantly strive towards creativity and innovation; and ultimately, I believe, it may come to us in the appearance of Divine assistance, which I believe, is inextricably linked to that of spiritual development and envelopes all other planes of existence.

Should there be ignited in thy heart the burning brand of the love of God, thou wouldst seek neither rest nor composure, neither laughter nor repose, but wouldst hasten to scale the highest summits in the realms of divine nearness, sanctity, and beauty.

(Baha’u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 13)

In light of the past few posts on issues pertaining to our world’s natural resources, education and moral development (and in truth, to the purpose of this blog), motion is the outward expression of love in the world that must needs be understood and harnessed. How many of the world’s problems today are due to negligence and apathy, estrangement and inattention? Examples, in this case, would be completely exhaustive and overwhelming, and are likewise being cataloged in this forum. The world cannot afford more time spent immobile.

This is my first post. As such, I make these initial statements general, but foundational nonetheless. My next one will focus on the concept of guilt.

Tags: development, love

• Baha'i Concepts , Inspiration , Society
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nadim March 20th, 2008

Meet the oldest schoolboy on the planet, 88-year old peasant farmer Kimani Maruge. Displaced by the recent Kenyan crisis and living in a refugee camp, Mr. Maruge still rises each morning, puts on his uniform and walks 4km to his primary school. His perseverance is astonishing. In his quest for knowledge, neither his advanced age nor his limp prevent him from making the daily journey to and from school:

“It is hard. There is no one to help me walk. I go alone. But the urge to learn keeps me going.”

Most of us have acquired an education with comparatively little personal sacrifice, and it is difficult to comprehend, entirely, the social and psychological consequences of being illiterate. Human lives become defined by a lack of opportunity and a lack of freedom to shape one’s own destiny (in a sense, the loss of free-will), which in turn leads to deep feelings of inferiority and worthlessness. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, there is even a direct correlation between illiteracy and poor health.

I would highly recommend reading the entire story. Reading through it, I was struck by the example he is setting for those around him, particularly with respect to his unselfish attitude towards education. He does not seek education for material gain. Rather, he finds that the process of learning is, in itself, the greatest reward:

Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation. Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone… In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Happy the man that cleaveth unto it, and woe betide the heedless.

(Baha’u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26)

Of course, Mr. Maruge would never been able to pursue an education were it not for the free primary schooling introduced by the Kenyan government, for which they should be commended.

Among other teachings and principles Bahá’u'lláh counsels the education of all members of society. No individual should be denied or deprived of intellectual training, although each should receive according to capacity. None must be left in the grades of ignorance, for ignorance is a defect in the human world. All mankind must be given a knowledge of science and philosophy — that is, as much as may be deemed necessary. All cannot be scientists and philosophers, but each should be educated according to his needs and deserts.

(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 108)

Tags: education, knowledge

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Baha'i Perspectives March 5th, 2008

“Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.”

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 285)

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