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 |
Heartstrings September 23, 2017 at 2:33pm Heartstrings:
To The Blessed Beauty
The effulgence of His radiant words
strum the strings of my soul,
and echo
through my being
transforming doubt into certitude.
In intone prayers of healing,
and feel the Holy Spirit
restorative energy
stimulating
the chords of happiness.
His scriptures touch my heartstrings,
making music
that causes my spirit
to sing.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 180 of 200 Dedicated to the Blessed Beauty. Heartstrings - "the dee... [Read more] Blessed Planet September 22, 2017 at 6:13pm Blessed Planet:
To The Blessed Beauty
“Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.”
Bahá’u’lláh
There is no place on Earth,
that is Godforsaken,
because of one of God's Manifestations.
B lessed is the planet Earth!
L aughter and joyful s... [Read more] Without September 17, 2017 at 3:36pm Without:
To The Blessed Beauty
Unity
without the Blessed Beauty
would not exist.
Roses
without thorns
would not be as beautiful.
Religions
without God's Manifestations
would be secular creations.
Stars
without atomic reactions
would not shine.
Peace
without the Glory of God
would be impossible.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 177 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] Deciphering a Dream September 16, 2017 at 9:05pm Deciphering a Dream:
To The Blessed Beauty
The vision came in a dream.
Acre by acre
grains of white light
were consuming humanity's fear.
I contemplated its significance.
Grains are particles of light:
photons of divinity,
Manifestations of God.
The meaning became clear.
Divine unity
reflected to humanity
through the Blessed Beauty,
the light of God for today.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 176 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] Holy Night September 16, 2017 at 7:34pm Holy Night:
To The Blessed Beauty
On this night,
God's Nightengale{footnote:#}Refers to Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, the Blessed Beauty. nested in the Tree of Life,
His song echoed from paradise,
the walls came down,
and the world gave birth
to a New Heaven and a New Earth.
On this night,
humanity consumed
the leaven of unity
to became a single species,
as God intended us to be.
On this night,
Christ Returned
in the Father's glory,
and reveal the co... [Read more] The Glory of the Lord September 15, 2017 at 12:27pm The Glory of the Lord:
To the Blessed Beauty
"And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate which faces toward the east."
Ezekiel 43:4 King James Version
Blessed Beauty,
I contemplate the prophecies fulfilled
by your revelation,
and that of your forerunner.
You,
the Glory of the Lord,
and Him,
God's Gate.
The Bab,
The Gate of God.
Blessed Beauty,
I meditate upon the dream
that caused me to look deeper
into your revel... [Read more] At the Beginning of a New Week September 11, 2017 at 9:16pm At the Beginning of a New Week:
To the Blessed Beauty
"O Son of My Handmaid!
Be not troubled in poverty nor confident in riches, for poverty is followed by riches, and riches are followed by poverty. Yet to be poor in all save God is a wondrous gift, belittle not the value thereof, for in the end it will make thee rich in God."
Bahá’u’lláh{footnote:#}Bahái Words for September 10, 2017.
At the beginning of a new week,
I contemplate my blessings,
and I reali... [Read more] Reading Sacred Scriptures September 10, 2017 at 2:43pm Reading Sacred Scriptures:
To The Blessed Beauty
Honey dew condensed
On leaves of the Tree of Life
Quench my spirit's thirst
Peace roses refresh
Morning air of God's new day
Rouse seekers from sleep
Jazz ensemble sings
Gospel music revealing
The Glory of God
Rainbows dance across
Dark clouds of dawn scattering
The forces of night
Silken threads woven
Molecule by molecule
Embrace scattered thoughts
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 171 of 200 ... [Read more] Walking With Baha'u'llah September 9, 2017 at 2:38pm Walking With Baha'u'llah:
To The Blessed Beauty
Each prayer I say,
each scripture I read,
enhances our daily walk.
I walk each day with the Blessed Beauty,
I listen for His advice
in the prayers I intone
in the scriptures I read,
or in the silence of meditation.
This walk is not easy
because I have said,
"I believe."
I believe
are the words that attracts test,
which is the way of faith.
Sometimes I stumble,
sometimes I fall,
and sometimes my Lord... [Read more] I an Proud To Be A World Citizen! September 4, 2017 at 10:41pm I an Proud To Be A World Citizen!
To The Blessed Beauty
I chose to embrace
the future of humanity,
the interdependence of the nations,
the unifying forces
of a multitude of factors
that are present in the world today.
I am a world citizen,
I am proud of my country:
the planet Earth.
I walk through the flower garden of humanity,
with tears rolling down my face,
while the words of Baha'u'llah reverberate
through my mind:
“The earth is but one country, and man... [Read more] I Am A Warrior of The Blessed Beauty September 9, 2017 at 3:31pm I Am A Warrior of The Blessed Beauty:
To The Blessed Beauty
I am a warrior of the Blessed Beauty,
armed with the trust and love of God
I proclaim to all the oneness
of humanity,
of religion,
and of God.
I am a warrior of the Blessed Beauty,
I am a follower of the light,
with a prayer on my lips,
faith the blessings
and the promises of God
I move into the future
announcing to all,
who are willing to listen,
God's Most Great Name.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:... [Read more] A Talk With Baha'u'llah September 10, 2017 at 2:20pm A Talk With Baha'u'llah:
To The Blessed Beauty
"O Son of Being!
Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds."
Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words , Part One: From the Arabic: Number 31
Blessed Beauty,
Baha'u'llah,
There is something about the sunset that saddens me.
It is time to face reality!
Did I read form God's... [Read more] Love is the Secret August 29, 2017 at 10:11pm Love is the Secret:
To The Blessed Beauty
"Know thou of a certainty at Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true fel... [Read more] A Healthy Spirit September 10, 2017 at 7:43pm A Healthy Spirit:
To The Blessed Beauty
Blessed Beauty,
create in me a healthy spirit,
purify my heart with the love of God,
help me to celebrate through stanza and line,
through metaphor and simile,
through rhythm and rhyme
the bicentenary of your birth.
Blessed Beauty,
forgive me for the wasted time
of worrying
without placing my troubles
in your hands,
and help me to be steadfast
in Your Covenant.
Blessed Beauty,
I know
that steadfastness,
daily prayer,
and med... [Read more] Power In The Word September 10, 2017 at 6:53pm Power In The Word:
To The Blessed Beauty
There is power
in the word Word of God!
It is the Holy Spirit
flowing through the seeker's soul
transmuting the lead of unbelief
into the gold of faith.
Just as electricity
causes the filaments
in a light bulb to glow,
the Holy Spirit
causes the believer's soul
to shine with love for God
and His Prophet.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 164 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty. The free dictionary gives o... [Read more] My North Star August 28, 2017 at 10:25pm My North Star:
To The Blessed Beauty
The Blessed Beauty
is my guiding light
through the darkest night!
He is the one
in whose Name I pray
when I supplicate forgiveness,
intone gratitude,
or articulate my needs.
The Blessed Beauty,
Baha'u'llah,
Revealer of God's Word for today,
the North Star of my soul,
and my inspiration.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 163 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty. I got the idea for this poem form a blog prom... [Read more] Total Eclipse September 10, 2017 at 7:17pm Total Eclipse:
To The Blessed Beauty
O Lord,
like the moon
coming between the Earth and the Sun
I see
fear and dogma
coming between humanity
and the Blessed Beauty
eclipsing the light of unity.
O Lord,
I know this darkness
is only temporary,
please help me
to proclaim Divine Unity
in a way
that will scatter this gloom
enveloping the planet.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Poem 162 of 200 Dedicated to the Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] God's Promise Kept! September 10, 2017 at 6:17pm God's Promise Kept!
To The Blessed Beauty
God's promise kept!
The Lord has returned
in the Father's Glory.
Eschatology fades into mythology,
a new heaven and a new Earth are made known,
and the Holy City--
the New Jerusalem--
stands upon Mount Carmel
its white dome glistening in the sun.
God's promise kept!
The Promised One of all religions
has removed the walls of separation
from the foundation of faith.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is ... [Read more] Matter and Energy August 28, 2017 at 10:26pm Matter and Energy:
To The Blessed Beauty
I meditate
upon the mystery
of my existence.
There is a timeless quality about life,
and about living
that extends beyond
what I comprehend.
It stretches into an unknown realm
that lies outside
of the physical
and beyond death.
There is more to existence,
than I have experienced
or imagined.
It is not that I am missing something,
rather something exists
that I cannot grasp
with my finite brain,
but, which, bridges
both... [Read more] In the Sanctuary September 10, 2017 at 5:24pm In the Sanctuary:
To The Blessed Beauty
I wake up in the shelter of God's love,
intone a morning prayer of protection,
inhale the cool fragrance of His glory
from the scriptures revealed by the Blessed Beauty.
Alone in my room,
I sit in the sanctuary of the Divine presence
feeling the Holy Spirit flow
like water through an irrigation canal
across the parched field of my soul.
Whenever I read the verses
or prayers revealed by the Blessed Beauty,
I am transported to th... [Read more] America, I Pray For You! August 28, 2017 at 10:27pm America, I Pray For You!
To The Blessed Beauty
"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 Grea... [Read more] Power of Music August 28, 2017 at 10:28pm Power of Music:
To The Blessed Beauty
"...We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion...."
Bahá’u’lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas , paragraph 51
Once the music hits you,
you are transported
to another world,
another planet,
another time,
or another place.
Once the music hits you
it penetrates body,
mind, and soul
making you its part... [Read more] Key to the Door of Wisdom September 10, 2017 at 2:39pm Key to the Door of Wisdom:
To The Blessed Beauty
The Blessed Beauty is the key
that opens the door
of spiritual knowledge,
wisdom.
and insight.
The revealed prayers
are common sense solutions
to trust in God
through obedience
to the Divine Will.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is Poem 156 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] Treasury of Divine Mysteries September 10, 2017 at 5:30pm Treasury of Divine Mysteries{footnote:#}From a quote by 'Abdu'l-Baha about The Hidden Words :
To The Blessed Beauty
"This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory...revealed unto the prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity...".
Baha'u'llah about The Hidden Words
Precious gems
from God's Pen
encourage
the reader
to search for the inner meaning
in the mine
of Divine Scrip... [Read more] Oh, Lord August 12, 2017 at 6:51pm Oh, Lord:
To The Blessed Beauty
Oh, Lord, make me a radiant light
shining in the heaven of Thy love,
reflecting to humanity
the joy of Your Most Great Name.
Oh, Lord, make me a luminous star
outshining the meteors of night
that streak across the midnight sky
in their attempt to express Your love.
Oh, Lord, make me a thunderbolt
proclaiming to humanity
the delight of service
to the Blessed Beauty.
Oh, Lord, make me a shining light
penetrating the heart of darkness
sc... [Read more] |