Baha’i Perspectives

Interview Series December 12th, 2008

The Interview Series aims to reflect the unity in diversity of the Baha’i Faith through a series of informal interviews with people from various cultures and backgrounds, touching on their personal experiences and insights. This week, we chat with Kenneth Chadwick and his big red beard.

 

Where are you from?

The small village of Alpena, Michigan.

How long have you been a Baha’i?

I was born into a Baha’i family, but in reality I could say five years.

When did you first hear or see the word?

When i was zero.

Why does one need faith?

Because there is only so much we can see, observe, experience, ourselves. In order to move through the world with any certainty or purpose, you must have some sort of faith to guide you.

What about the Baha’i Faith gives you hope?

The question implies that other things give you hope, but the Faith is the ONLY hope for humanity. It has a vision and plan for the entire world from the most significant individuals to the most far-reaching institutions. It is all-encompassing.

What virtue do you esteem most highly or try to adhere to most often?

Purity. Because its a difficult virtue to adhere to. A pure heart, a pure mind. Its a constant struggle. It’s not a matter of specific actions and choices as much as a constant orientation to the world around you.

What do you consider your greatest achievement in life, to date?

Playing Macbeth on stage in theatre.

What life lesson do you wish you had known earlier?

I wish I had worked harder. I wish I had had a better work ethic instilled in me from a younger age. I’ve had too much handed to me. I haven’t had to work for it.

What is your favourite passage from the Writings?

This prayer by the Bab.  It almost always embodies how I feel at any given moment.

I beg Thee to forgive me, O my Lord, for every mention but the mention of Thee, and for every praise but the praise of Thee, and for every delight but delight in Thy nearness, and for every pleasure but the pleasure of communion with Thee, and for every joy but the joy of Thy love and of Thy good-pleasure, and for all things pertaining unto me which bear no relationship unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Lord of lords, He Who provideth the means and unlocketh the doors.

(Compilations, Baha’i Prayers, p. 79)

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