Celebrating the two hundredth Anniversaries of The Birth of Baha'u'llah and The Bab |
Introduction In 2017 Baha'is around the world will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Birth of Baha'u'llah. Then in 2019 they will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Birth of the Bab. This journal will contain poems and prose inspired by these two anniversaries. In addition, I will include thoughts and poems inspired by the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Bab. Before Naw-Ruz of 2015, the Baha'i or Badi calendar "was synchronized to the Gregorian calendar".1 After Naw-Ruz of 2015, the date of the vernal equinox was established as the birthplace of Baha'u'llah which unlocked the Baha'i calendar from the Gregorian calendar.2 Because of this the dates of the celebrations are now calculated according to the Baha'i/Badi calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar which was the case before Naw-Ruz 2015. Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab Remembering 'Abdu'l-Baha Twin Holy Days Celebrated on the fist and second day following the eight new moon after Naw-Ruz The Celebration of the Birth of the Báb occurred on October 21, 2017. The Bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb will occur on October 29, 2019 Born: 1 Muharram 1235 AH - 20 October 1819 The Bicentenary Celebration of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh occurred on October 22, 2017 The Celebration of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh will occur on October 30, 2019 Born: 2 Muharram 1233 AH - 12 November 1817 Centenary of the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha More information as 2021 progresses. Links to Articles Articles in the Huffington Post Baha’is Prepare for Bicentennial in 2017 By Shastri Purushotma (December 30, 2016) Baha’is To Celebrate “Twin Holy Days” For First Time Worldwide By Shastri Purushotma (November 5, 2015) 200 Years Since His Birth: Who Is Bahá’u’lláh? by Genevieve Seri (September 9. 2017) Articles in Baha'i Chronicles http://bahaichronicles.org/ Articles in Beyond Foreignness 200 Articles in 200 Days for the 200th Anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth by Michael Curtotti The Short Obligatory Prayer Revealed by Bahá'u'lláh "I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting." Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, CLXXXI The Remover of Difficulties Revealed by The Bab "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants and all abide by His bidding!" Selections from the Writings of the Báb Prayer for America Revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha "O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal." Baha'i Prayers Footnotes |
Love's Riddle January 2, 2018 at 8:52pm Love's Riddle
I am the mystery
of God's dispensation.
I am the manifestations
of the mercy of the Almighty.
I am the source
of spirituality.
I am the light
of heaven.
I am the breath
of the Holy Spirit
energizing the human soul.
I am the source
of Divine revelation.
I am the living link
intrinsic in reality.
I am the formula guaranteeing
joy in all the worlds of God.
I am illumination
in the darkness.
I am the organic connection
between God... [Read more] Leftover Time to Kill January 2, 2018 at 8:35pm Leftover Time to Kill
Contracted
into its primordial atom,
the universe trembled
in anticipation of resurrection.
Shattered
into its components,
time moved forward,
the end was left behind;
leftover time veils
a new heaven and an new Earth.
Poised
on the edge of eternity,
the Kingdom of God on Earth
waits for recognition.
Unaware
of its own existence
a new race
has leftover time to kill.
Madness ensues!
Portless
and anchorless
humanity wanders obsessed,
w... [Read more] The Lover's Prayer January 2, 2018 at 8:14pm The Lover's Prayer
Goal of my desire!
Forgive the love for you
that hope for paradise,
that sees as heaven its reward
for worshiping your light.
Beloved of my soul!
Forgive the love
that fears hell's fire,
that hold above my trembling spirit
eternal punishment.
Answer of my prayers!
Bless me with unselfish love
that neither fears nor hopes,
but worships your immortal essence
for itself alone.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"} This poem was inspired by a... [Read more] Trust God: A Meditation January 2, 2018 at 8:57pm Trust God: A Meditation
“God is sufficient unto me;
He verily is the all sufficing.
In Him let the trusting trust."
Baha'u'llah
“God is sufficient unto me;"
He provides my every need
Gives me strength to proclaim His names
"He verily is the all sufficing.”
Prayer by prayer I place my worries
In His Almighty Hands
"In Him let the trusting trust."
Test by test I learn to trust
The Everlasting Father ... [Read more] Pondering the Bicentenary Celebration of Baha'u'llah's Birth October 28, 2017 at 11:45pm Pondering the Bicentenary Celebration of Baha'u'llah's Birth
"In reality all are members of one human family -- children of one Heavenly Father. Humanity may be likened unto the varicolored flowers of one garden. There is unity in diversity. Each sets off and enhances the other's beauty."
Baha'i Writings
Let You Vision Be World-Embracing
I look at the program from the bicentenary celebration that took place here in Las Vegas. The program and the... [Read more] Thank You Baha'u'llah October 26, 2017 at 11:57pm Thank You Baha'u'llah
Thank you, Baha'u'llah,
for the technical difficulties
that force me to find solutions
outside of my perceived limitations
and teach me patience.
Thank you, Baha'u'llah,
for the chance
to read The Dawnbreakers
and learn
deepness of the faith
of the Letters of the Living.
Thank you, Baha'u'llah,
for the inspiration
of your epistle
and tablets.
... [Read more] Beatitudes October 26, 2017 at 3:55pm Beatitudes:
To The Blessed Beauty
B lessed the night that witnissed His Birth;
E ach twinkling star proclaimed God's Glory,
A nd the salvation of humanity.
T he Spirit of Truth, the Blessed Beauty,
I ntoned the blessing of the Almighty,
T asted the savor of sacrifice,
U nited the foundations of religion,
D estroyed the walls of separation,
E nkindled love for the Divine in the
S ouls if the seekers after truth.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 200 of... [Read more] Lamp of Splendor October 26, 2017 at 3:56pm Lamp of Splendor:
To The Blessed Beauty
Lamp of Splendor your light glows bright,
Its radiant rays hearts ignite,
With the brilliance of amity,
That unifies humanity,
Into a limpid rainbow light.
You are the one who scatters night,
The foundations of faith you unite,
Prove the soul's immortality,
Lamp of Splendor.
You put hate's demons into flight,
Your glow, the Holy Spirit's light,
You proclaim peace and unity,
You encourage diversity,
Your scriptures r... [Read more] Lamp of Glory October 9, 2017 at 6:45pm Lamp of Glory:
To The Blessed Beauty
"O thou beloved of my heart!
Verily, my soul longs for thee, for the lamp of the love of Baha is lighted within thy heart and I love to look upon thy face, for it is glittering with the light of guidance among the creatures. Glory be to Him who hath united hearts together! Glory be to Him who hath brought the East and West under the shadow of the Blessed Tree, the root of which is firmly fixed in the earth and the branches of which reach unto... [Read more] Vox Dei October 26, 2017 at 3:44pm Vox Dei{footnote:#}The Voice of God :
To The Blessed Beauty
God speaks,
words of power might,
through the vocal chords of His Chosen One.
God writes,
scriptures and laws,
using the fingers of His Manifestation.
The Blessed Beauty
is the voice of the
Almighty
and the Pen of the Most High.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 197 of 200 Dedicated to the Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] I Feel A Poem Coming On October 6, 2017 at 5:39pm I Feel A Poem Coming On:
To The Blessed Beauty
"I feel a poem coming on,"
rising out of my subconscious mind,
and proclaiming the Blessed Beauty's name.
It is a free style poem,
whose inspiration
comes from two sources:
the first source
is the bicentenary of Baha'u'llah's birth,
and the second
is a poetry newsletter.
This is not an unusual response,
I can trace most of my odes
to numerous influences.
Even when the verses
are secular
I can fe... [Read more] My Safe Place October 4, 2017 at 7:35pm My Safe Place:
To The Blessed Beauty
Blessed Beauty,
You are my safe place,
You are my sheltered harbor
in the storms of life.
I pick up my phone,
I open the prayer app,
I intone a prayer for protection,
a prayer for teaching,
a prayer of gratitude,
and I feel the Holy Spirit
flowing through God's revealed word.
You are my safe place,
You are the one I talk to
in times of stress,
You are the one I hold onto
when the winds of hate and fear
attempt to push me off ... [Read more] Paradigm Shift October 4, 2017 at 2:17pm Paradigm Shift:
To The Blessed Beauty
P rototypes of reality transform,
A s heart by heart concepts of unity spread
R ecreating the status quo of civilization.
A nchors that held fast in past dispensations
D isengage from antiquated interpretations.
I n this Divine Dispensation,
G od has sent the Blessed Beauty:
M irror of the Almighty.
S ource of peace and unity,
H e is God's supreme Manifestation,
I nitiator of the paradigm shift
F acing the world today, ... [Read more] In the Eye of the Storm October 3, 2017 at 6:16pm In the Eye of the Storm:
To The Blessed Beauty
In the eye of the storm,
calm flows
between dark eyewalls.
Within the eye,
light winds of positive energy,
spiritual attributes
of faith,
love,
detachment,
etc.
keep keep my soul
buoyant and air born.
Outside the eye,
the negative winds
of disunity and hate
drive me toward the ground.
To remain within the eye,
I meditate
and deepen on
the scriptures and the prayers
of the Blessed Beauty.
{dropnote:"Poet... [Read more] Who Is Baha'u'llah? October 3, 2017 at 5:04pm Who Is Baha'u'llah?
To The Blessed Beauty
"Followers of the Gospel. Behold the gates of heaven are flung open. He that had ascended unto it is now come. Give ear to His voice calling aloud over land and sea, announcing to all mankind the advent of His Revelation…” And to the Jewish people, “whilst from the Burning Bush breaketh forth the cry: ’lo, the sacred Pledge hath been fulfilled, for He, the Promised One, is come!”’ And, “The Father hath come. That whi... [Read more] Make Today Better October 1, 2017 at 7:17pm Make Today Better:
To The Blessed Beauty
"Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday."
Baha'u'llah
A better morning,
a breeze whispers through palm trees,
and I sip a cup of hot coffee.
Alláh-u-Abhá!
A better afternoon,
the sun cast its light upon humanity,
and I sip a glass of cold sweet tea.
Obligatory prayer intoned.
A better evening,
sunset cools city streets,
and I consume chocolate.
Meditation on ... [Read more] Light Up the Planet October 1, 2017 at 5:16pm Light Up the Planet:
To The Blessed Beauty
Light up the planet
with the name of Baha'u'llah,
the Blessed Beauty.
Light up the planet,
carry the light of His scriptures
to a dark,
weary,
and storm tossed world
waiting for the light of dawn.
Light up the planet,
with the good news of
a New Heaven and a New Earth,
of the Holy City,
the New Jerusalem
atop Mount Carmel,
its white dome glistening
in the sun.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 189 of 200... [Read more] Light of the World September 30, 2017 at 7:31pm Light of the World:
To The Blessed Beauty
Come!
Join with us in celebrating
the Light of the World
on the 200 th birthday of Baha'u'llah.
He came to unite humanity,
to scatter the forces of disunity,
and He was bound by chains
so that we could be free.
He is the Blessed Beauty,
He is the Prince of Peace,
The Glory of God,
and the Promised One
of all religions.
Come!
Raise your voices in praise
to the Everlasting Father,
who has sent Baha'u'llah,
... [Read more] Spread Hope September 30, 2017 at 1:18pm Spread Hope:
To The Blessed Beauty
Spread hope across the Earth,
Proclaim God's Most Great Name,
He is the Prince of Peace,
He is the Word Made Flesh,
It's time for war to cease.
Spread hope across the Earth,
Proclaim the Lord Returned,
In the Father's Glory,
He is the Lord of Host,
Celebrate His story.
Spread hope across the Earth,
The Glory of the Lord,
Announced the unity,
Of God, of religion,
And of humanity.
Spread hope across the Earth,
Proclaim ... [Read more] Let My Light Shine September 29, 2017 at 11:28pm Let My Light Shine:
To The Blessed Beauty
"O Son of Being! Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee. Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me. For I have created thee rich and have bountifully shed My favor upon thee. "
Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words , Part One: From the Arabic: Number 11
Blessed Beauty, let my light shine,
Let it be a radiant sign,
To spirits seeking a lifeline,
Or sacred wine, or sacred wine.
Let the light of my soul ... [Read more] Bridge of Peace September 27, 2017 at 2:51pm Bridge of Peace:
To The Blessed Beauty
Blessed Beauty
Bridge to planetary harmony
Prince of Peace
The bridge to peace and unity,
the scriptures of all religions
foretold His coming.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
He followed the Will of God,
He revealed verses of love,
power,
and unity,
and He brought together
humanity.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 185 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] Tabernacle of Unity September 25, 2017 at 4:33pm Tabernacle of Unity:
To The Blessed Beauty
"O well-beloved ones! The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. We cherish the hope that the light of justice may shine upon the world and sanctify it from tyranny."
Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh , CXII: “Behold the disturbances which, for many a…”
O Thou Tabernacle of Unity,
O T... [Read more] Double Rainbow September 24, 2017 at 10:28pm Double Rainbow:
To The Blessed Beauty
Every time I see a double rainbow
it reminds me,
of the Twin Holy Days,
of the Birthdays of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
God's ancient covenant fulfilled,
and His thousand plus names united
by the Divine Messengers for today.
Each time I see a double rainbow,
I say
a prayer of gratitude
for the light of the Holy Spirit
shining through the Gate{footnote:#}The Bab ,
and the Glory of God{footnote:#}Baha'u'llah .
{dr... [Read more] Mindfulness September 24, 2017 at 11:50am Mindfulness:
To The Blessed Beauty
Enhanced comprehension
of the Holy Writings.
When you chant God's Most Great Name,
focus on “Alláh-u-Abhá”,
as you move
the prayer beads across their cord;
move the beads
let the thought of movement pass,
and exhale “Alláh-u-Abhá!”
Mindfulness
focus on your breath,
on your steps,
or on the moment
which passes
a thought through your mind.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 182 of 200 Dedicated to the Blessed... [Read more] Food of the Spirit September 23, 2017 at 7:53pm Food of the Spirit:
To The Blessed Beauty
Morning scriptures,
breakfast for my hungry spirit,
rises word-by-word
through my waking mind
to feed
and energize my soul.
The good news,
revealed by the Blessed Beauty,
quenches my spirit thirst
and sates it hunger.
I am ready
to meet the tests and difficulties,
the joy and victories,
of the day.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 181 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] |