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Celebrating the two hundredth Anniversaries of The Birth of Baha'u'llah and The Bab |
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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 |
Poet's Prayer August 11, 2017 at 10:50pm Poet's Prayer:
To The Blessed Beauty
Blessed Beauty,
Help me find the words to write,
Odes to the Holy Spirit's light,
That shone through Your Glorious Pen.
Inspire my lines with similes,
That sing like nightingales in spring,
And scent the air with attar of rose.
Assist me to write metaphors,
That open salvation's doors,
To those who have lost all hope,
And cannot see Your radiant light.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is Poem 103 of 200 Dedicat... [Read more] Reflections on The Seven Valleys August 11, 2017 at 10:48pm Reflections on The Seven Valleys:
To The Blessed Beauty
Stone on stone foundations were laid,
citadels constructed:
Seven cities lead to certitude;
Seven valleys perfection.
Exiting self,
the Seeker traverses,
the stages of salvation,
though valleys deep and city streets,
ascending degrees of transcendence.
Into the Valley of Search,
the Seeker rides
astride the steed of patience;
looking high and low;
looking far and wide;
for the Point of Adoration.
Inhaling ... [Read more] In the Presence of the Beloved August 11, 2017 at 10:28pm In the Presence of the Beloved:
To The Blessed Beauty
I read the sacred scriptures,
and I am transported to the presence of the Beloved
through the words He has written.
Sometimes,
I wish I could have lived
when he walked upon the Earth,
but I was born
in the middle twentieth century
long after
His ascension
into the Abha Paradise.
To enter His presence
I must pray,
read the sacred scriptures,
meditate,
and attempt
to live my life for Him.
When my soul separates
... [Read more] Giving Thanks August 11, 2017 at 10:26pm Giving Thanks:
To The Blessed Beauty
"We give you thanks, O God!"
Author Unknown
In this day,
when the forces of darkness surround,
when the powers of terror attack,
when the temples of religion crumble,
and the righteous are oppressed:
We give you thanks, O Lord,
For all that you have given.
In this day,
we give you thanks
for the verses of hope concealed
in humanity's sacred scriptures,
for the Glory of God,
for the Prince of Peace,
and... [Read more] Trust in God August 11, 2017 at 10:24pm Trust in God:
To The Blessed Beauty
"He who puts his trust in God,
God will suffice him;
He who fears God,
God will send him relief."
Baha'u'llah
"He who puts his trust in God,
God will suffice him;
He who fears God,
God will send him relief."
"He who puts his trust in God,"
Is assured of God's existence,
Relies on the Holy Spirit's assistance,
Entrusts everything to God's manifestation,
Practices faith without ce... [Read more] Spiritual Services August 11, 2017 at 10:18pm Spiritual Services:
To The Blessed Beauty
On the Day of Beauty,
at the Baha'i Center,
we gather to consume spiritual food,
get reacquainted with old friends,
and make new friends.
Once each Gregorian month we gather
to proclaim the Blessed Beauty
in song.
On the third Sunday,
of each month
we meet
for spiritual services
in Las Vegas, Nevada.
We read the scriptures
revealed by
The Bab,
Baha'u'llah,
and the writings
of 'Abdu'l-Baha.
{dropno... [Read more] Quickener of Humanity August 11, 2017 at 10:15pm Quickener of Humanity:
To The Blessed Beauty
Leaven
in the dough of humanity;
the yeast makes it ferment and rise
out of the grave of matter.
Proclaim the joyous news
for all to hear
the unifier of humanity
has come.
Out of the tomb
of selfish desires we rise,
quickened by the Holy Spirit
flowing through
the scriptures of the Blessed Beauty.
Shout from the mountain top,
the Lord has returned in the Father's Glory
holding the keys
of unity and peace.
Announc... [Read more] Proof of the Human Soul August 11, 2017 at 10:11pm Proof of the Human Soul:
To The Blessed Beauty
Is art proof of the human soul?
The ability
to compose a poem,
paint a picture,
or write a musical composition.
Can proof of humanity's soul
be found in our ability to ask questions?
Questions help
the our minds
and souls achieve
certitude in the covenant of God.
Questions reveal
the essence of reality,
help the individual search
for truth,
and challenge our
illusions.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Th... [Read more] God's Plan August 11, 2017 at 10:09pm God's Plan:
To The Blessed Beauty
I meditate upon,
what I understand of,
God's plan.
Solidarity of Humanity
The next stage
in the maturation
of humankind.
Today,
the oneness of humanity
is the pivot
of reality.
Does this mean the unification
of the human race in one common faith?
The Blessed Beauty reveals
the common foundation
of all religions,
whose messengers are sent
by God.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is Poem 95 of 200 Dedicated... [Read more] Letter About Humanity August 11, 2017 at 9:43pm Letter About Humanity:
To The Blessed Beauty
Dear Blessed Beauty,
I contemplate the way the different faiths look at the human race. The source for my meditation on this subject are quotes from various clergy that I have collected on this subject. I have had these quotes for several years because I once attempted to write a poem on the subject. It wasn't a very good poem because it didn't express emotions.
"Man stamps coins in his image
And they are all alive;
God... [Read more] Prophethood August 11, 2017 at 9:40pm Prophethood:
To The Blessed Beauty
Manifestation of divinity!
Mirrors reflecting reality's essence!
From the beginning
that has no beginning
they have reflected
the attributes of God
to humanity,
and will continue to do so
until the end
that has no end.
Stepping out of the veils of light,
they reveal the Primal Will,
the Word of God,
manifest divinity,
renew God's ancient faith,
and bestow eternal life.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is Poem 93... [Read more] God's Word August 11, 2017 at 9:38pm God's Word:
To The Blessed Beauty
Power is in the Word of God!
The power to unite
the scattered nations of humankind
into a planetary society.
Love is in the Word of God!
The love that binds
soul to soul
and creates a new human species
out of the separate tribes
and races.
Peace is in the Word of God!
The peace passing all understanding,
which creates a world free of war
with citizens free of fear.
Justice is in the Word of God!
The justice
that is God's b... [Read more] Tokens of God's Love August 11, 2017 at 9:36pm Tokens of God's Love:
To The Blessed Beauty
The tokens of God's love,
His greatest gifts to humanity,
are His Manifestations,
the Prophets He sends
in every age
to reveal his will
to humankind.
Each Messenger comes
when the human race is falling
into the pit of self-destruction
because of obedience
the its own selfish desires.
Each one has
a specific mission,
brings laws,
and Holy Writings
to carry us forward
until the next divine messenger
arrives,
with ... [Read more] God's Gift August 11, 2017 at 9:35pm God's Gift:
To The Blessed Beauty
"Our gift from God is who we are:
Our gift to God is what we become."
Author Unknown
What is God's gift to us?
It is our souls;
the spiritual mirror within
each human being that,
when polished,
reflects the divine attributes.
What is our gift to God?
It is the effort
we make to polish the mirror,
so that we can become
our true selves.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is Poem 90 of 200 Dedicated to the B... [Read more] So Be It August 11, 2017 at 9:33pm So Be It:
To The Blessed Beauty
S ometimes we just have to let God;
O pen our hearts and souls to his will.
B eg His assistance, and shout "Amen!"
E ven before the project begins.
I t isn't easy to achieve success, but
T aking God as a partner decreases failure's risk.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Amen: An Interjection meaning "it is so; so be it (used after a prayer, creed, or other formal statement to express solemn ratification or agree... [Read more] World Citizen August 11, 2017 at 9:32pm World Citizen:
To The Blessed Beauty
"The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch."
Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh , CXXXII: “The Purpose of the one true God, exalted…”
Can you see Earth as a single nation?
If so,
you are a world citizen.
Citizens of Earth,
fruits of the tree of humanity,
look beyond today.
Can you imagine a world without... [Read more] Song of the Blessed Beauty August 11, 2017 at 9:30pm Song of the Blessed Beauty:
To The Blessed Beauty
“God is sufficient unto me; He verily is the all sufficing.”
"In Him let the trusting trust."
Baha'u'llah, The Sufferings of Baha'u'llah , page 5
Intoned by two rows of Babi prisoner
chained together
the song of the Blessed Beauty{footnote:#}One of Baha'u'llah's titles.
reverberated day and night
from the Síyáh-Chál{footnote:#}The Black Pit of Tehran
to the palace of Nasir-al... [Read more] Call of the Nightingale August 11, 2017 at 9:28pm Call of the Nightingale:
To The Blessed Beauty
Reverberating
from the Garden of Ridvan{footnote:#}Paradise
God's Nightingale calls
to the Children of The Book,
to the followers
of all religions or none.
Echoing across
the Earth the nightingale's song
proclaims unity,
forgiveness of sins, and a
new heaven and a new Earth.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}The form is Naga Uta, which is a Japanese form meaning "long song". The syllable count is similar t... [Read more] Deity August 11, 2017 at 9:27pm Deity:
To The Blessed Beauty
Reality's essence!
Creation's ultimate cause;
Preexisting;
Eternal - cannot perish;
Everlasting - cannot decline;
Self-Subsisting entity that does not alter;
Unknowable and inaccessible except through the Mirrors of the Divine Manifestations{footnote:#}Also referred to as Prophets.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is my personal limited human understanding of God. This is Poem 85 of 200 Dedicated to the Blessed Beauty.
... [Read more] Will of God August 11, 2017 at 9:26pm Will of God:
To The Blessed Beauty
1
Why does the wind become a storm?
It is the will of God
working through nature;
obedience
in the final analysis
becomes freewill's choice.
2
The Will of God,
the Plan of God,
revealed
through successive prophets
moves humanity forward.
The individual
can chose to obey
the God's chosen prophet,
or to disobey;
either way
God's Will Be Done.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is Poem 84 of 200 Dedica... [Read more] Making the World a Kinder Place August 11, 2017 at 9:24pm Making the World a Kinder Place:
To The Blessed Beauty
"Where there is no vision the people perish."
Proverbs 29:18
We live in a world without vision,
where bombs fall
on the unfortified roofs of grade schools,
and bodies are stacked,
cord wood waiting for the fire.
To make the world a kinder place
humanity's vision must be restored,
its hope reestablished,
and its faith refreshed.
How can humanity's vision be restored?
Through knowledge of self:
... [Read more] Night of Joy August 11, 2017 at 9:22pm Night of Joy:
To The Blessed Beauty
"Say: This is the night wherein the veils of glory were parted before the eyes of the people of certitude, and the Bird of Heaven warbled its melody in the midmost heart of the celestial realm. Rejoice, then, O embodiments of sanctity in the Everlasting City!"
Bahá’u’lláh, Lawḥ-i-Mawlúd (Tablet of the Birth), #44{footnote:#} Quoted in Days of Remembrance : Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Raise your voices in praise!
Sing ... [Read more] Courage to Change August 11, 2017 at 9:19pm Courage to Change:
To The Blessed Beauty
"The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look, - to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to God, not matter what our human minds and bodies are going through."
Shoghi Effendi
Death lurks around the corner,
waiting to embrace
the aware
and the unaware
with equal fervor.
Spiritual transformation can't be delay,
can't be put off,
or igno... [Read more] Chapters in the Book of God August 11, 2017 at 9:17pm Chapters in the Book of God:
To The Blessed Beauty
Each religion is a chapter in the book of of God.
Personal Epiphany
In the Book of God
each chapter reveals His love
for humanity.
Open the book,
look at the chapter titles,
each is the name of a religion
that was revealed
by a Divine Messenger.
Can you name the chapters in God's Book?
Can you name the Messenger?
Baha'u'llah
The Bab
Muhammad
Christ
Buddha
Moses
Krishna
Zoroaster
Abraham
{... [Read more] Contemplating the Three Onenesses August 11, 2017 at 9:16pm Contemplating the Three Onenesses:
To The Blessed Beauty
One God
Original cause
generated evolution's laws.
Nature responded
with cause and effect.
Each spiritual law
has its physical counterpart.
The Divine Unknowable Essence
is the original cause.
The Deity
operates in accordance with Its own laws;
directs evolution's spiritual and material symphony.
One Race
Original parents
produced a single species.
Nature's prism
the spectrum separ... [Read more] |
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