Green Acre Bahá'í School: Contributing to a Conversation on Human Rights

I spent this weekend at Green Acre Bahá'í School in Eliot, Maine for a program entitled "Protagonists of Change: An Exploration in Public Discourse" led by Anthony Vance. We discussed ways in which we can contribute to a conversation about social change. We specifically focused on human rights, but also talked about peace, poverty alleviation, education, and capacity building.

We spoke about some of the assumptions that underlie our conversations. These assumptions include the oneness of humanity, each individual has value, the importance of learning, we must use science and reason, we seek to build capacity, we are outward looking and inclusive, and leadership is facilitating a journey on a path of service.

The weekend was also filled with friendship, fellowship, reflection, contemplation, and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Anthony Vance facilitating a session

Participants studying documents

Peace is what it's all about. Sarah Farmer carrying the peace flag.

Bahá'í Fast Day Twelve - Awareness of Abundance

Generally during the Fast food shopping is just another chore to be completed, best scheduled before the hungry time of day. But today was different. When I went to the food store this afternoon, I was so aware of the abundance of food we have available. Mangoes! Papaya! Strawberries! Who knew collard greens could be so beautiful?

I think I felt this way because of the contrast of the terrible images coming out of the devastation in Japan. Millions without food or even water. It is heartbreaking to watch the news these days.

This year during the Fast I have been aware that I am temporarily hungry and thirsty because of choice, and that in the evening I have a wonderful meal and plenty of fresh water available to me. Tragically, many do not have that choice. That awareness always comes to me some time during the Fast every year, and I am grateful for the abundance in my life. This year I am also sorrowfully reminded of those suffering, especially in Japan and the Middle East right now.

In the evening I broke the Fast with Haitian Rice and Red Beans and Caribbean Sweet Potatoes with coconut milk, lime, cilantro and peanuts. All recipes were from Joy Tienzo's "Vegan for Lent" which can be downloaded for free here.

Bahá'í Fast Day Eight - Breaking the Fast with Friends

One of the best parts of the Fast is ending the Fast at night with friends. Tonight the Bahá'í community of the Lehigh Valley took over Spice of India. We had a fabulous time!

Koroush and Shirin

Kamal, Noor, and Jamilla

Sally and Mary Anne

Noah (absorbed in game!) and McKenna

Strike a pose!

Carlton and Mervyn

Bahá'í Fast Day Four

I am slowly adjusting to the pattern of the Fast. I found that it's important for me to get a full night's sleep, preferably eight hours. I commonly sleep less than that, but mask fatigue with caffeine! Without the benefit of that afternoon coffee, I found that I need to make sure I get adequate rest.

My preferred activity on the weekend is hiking, but during the Fast I avoid strenuous activity, so I spent the day at home relaxing. I started reading the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. The theme seems to fit in very nicely with this time of year for me, she writes of giving thanks for everyday things, and then she tackles the tough issues about how to give thanks in a life that contains its share of sorrows, as do all of our lives.

This morning's readings included a selection that reminded me of the themes of this book:

O SON OF SPIRIT! Ask not of Me that which We desire not for thee, then be content with what We have ordained for thy sake, for this is that which profiteth thee, if therewith thou dost content thyself.
-Bahá’u’lláh

So, as the Fast continues, it becomes less about food and more about reflection...

Bahá'í Fast Day One

Today was the first day of the Bahá'í Fast. The first day is always a time of adjustment, and remembering what fasting feels like. Huffington Post ran a nice article today about the season of fasting here.

I got up before dawn and had a substantial breakfast to start the day: oatmeal with raspberries and walnuts, fruit, yogurt, corn bread. As the day progressed the familiar feeling of fasting came back.

This weekend when I went hiking we had a lot of climbing icy snow covered trails. I found that if I looked to the top of the mountain, I got discouraged and I didn't think I'd make it. But when I focused on the next step in front of me and took it one moment at a time I was able to do it. The same is true of fasting. The minute I think of how long I have to go yet, the more difficult it becomes. Instead, if I focus on what I am doing at the moment, eventually the time passes and soon it is sunset.

This first day is a time of simplification. I didn't focus on solving the world's problems (see previous post!), I simply tried to be absorbed in whatever task I was doing at the moment. Perhaps this is where detachment starts to happen.

When the sun set, I had a wonderful meal of chili and brown rice and salad. The day is winding down now and I just might find some dessert to finish off my evening meal!

And so the first day is completed, and the season of Fasting has begun.

Eve of the Bahá'í Fast

Tomorrow begins the Bahá'í Fast, a period of time from March 2 to March 20 when Bahá'ís refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. The Fast is the last month of the Bahá'í year and ends in the festival of Naw-Rúz, which this year will begin the year 168 B.E.

The Fast is "…essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character." (Shoghi Effendi)

I decided to use this time right before the Fast to reflect on some of the changes of the past year. Much has happened both personally and globally.
1. I experienced a significant family loss.
2. I went on pilgrimage to the Bahá'í World Center in Haifa, Israel. A pilgrimage is significant to Bahá'ís because we visit the shrines associated with the Central Figures of our Faith and sites associated with the early history.
3. The economic downturn afflicting our country hit close to home, causing me to ask questions about meaning and purpose in career, personal direction, and change. Do we search for meaning in our career, or does a job simply serve to support a life of deeper purpose? Does that change from time to time? Are both true? How do I live when security is not guaranteed? What is really important?
4. Our country is divided in deep and painful ways making our present problems seem unsolvable. We live in a world where contention and argument is the norm. Can we disagree deeply yet work together to find a solution? Can our differences enhance our ability to see all sides of an issue instead of divide us? How can we make that possible? Do we have the ability and the desire to agree on a common set of values?
5. The global environmental and social situation grows more and more treacherous every day. We are experiencing events in our lifetime that we never thought were possible.

I am hoping to make this 19-Day Fast meaningful - a time to understand the last year and to prepare for the future. Honestly, I don't necessarily experience profound insights, sometimes the lessons are very simple, learning to appreciate that which we take for granted, feeling a sense of community, being aware of the changes in the seasons. Some questions simply don't have answers, but sometimes we learn to live with a slightly new understanding, a slightly different outlook.

For now, I'll take it one day at a time, get some extra rest, prepare for a nice breakfast to start the morning, and see what the new day brings!

Do you have any reflections from the past year? How are you personally experiencing the changes in our society and our world?

Bahá'í Community of Lehigh Valley Participates in Interfaith Action Day On Global Warming

image source: National Preach-In on Global Warming

Today the Baha'i Community of the Lehigh Valley participated in Interfaith Power and Light's "Interfaith Action Days on Global Warming" by having a devotional gathering, educational talk, and brunch.

We gathered at Mary Anne and Richard Rood's home and had a lovely breakfast with friendship, fellowship, and lots of conversation.

After listening to some inspirational Native American flute music by Kevin Locke, we had a lovely devotional emphasizing themes of nature, beauty, justice, and unity.

Whatever I behold I readily discover that it maketh Thee known unto me, and it remindeth me of Thy signs, and of Thy tokens, and of Thy testimonies. By Thy glory! Every time I lift up mine eyes unto Thy heaven, I call to mind Thy highness and Thy loftiness, and Thine incomparable glory and greatness; and every time I turn my gaze to Thine earth, I am made to recognize the evidences of Thy power and the tokens of Thy bounty. And when I behold the sea, I find that it speaketh to me of Thy majesty, and of the potency of Thy might, and of Thy sovereignty and Thy grandeur. And at whatever time I contemplate the mountains, I am led to discover the ensigns of Thy victory and the standards of Thine Omnipotence.
- Bahá'u'lláh

Every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading into His knowledge, a sign of His sovereignty, a revelation of His names, a symbol of His majesty, a token of His power, a means of admittance into His straight Path....
-Bahá'u'lláh,

O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.
- Bahá’u’lláh

Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world needeth in its present-day afflictions can never be the same as that which a subsequent age may require. Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.
- Bahá'u'lláh


Afterward, Eric Romo presented a very educational and fascinating talk on the exponential growth of solar energy, its economic and environmental advantages, and its usefulness in addressing our energy needs in a sustainable way. Eric is Vice President of Strategic Development at GreenVolts, a company providing scalable, reliable, high performance solar energy. There were many questions and lots of discussion.





Then we listened to Dan Fogelberg's "Earth Anthem"

And we are but an island
In an ocean
This is our home
Third from the sun
Let it be evergreen
Let it be evergreen
And we are but an island
In an ocean
This is our home
Third from the sun
God, keep it evergreen
To keep it ever green
I would lay my life down
And we are but an island
In an ocean
This is our home
Third from the sun
Let it be evergreen
Let it be evergreen

We had a very inspirational and educational morning, reflecting on the spiritual requirement to care for Earth and all of its diverse inhabitants, and discussing a very practical plan of action.

Green Acre Bahá'í School, Eliot, Maine for Labor Day Weekend

I spent this Labor Day weekend at Green Acre Bahá'í School in Eliot, Maine. Our program was led by John Hatcher, professor emeritus of English Literature at the University of South Florida, on his new book "The Face of God Among Us: How the Creator Educates Humanity" (hint: it's all about love). I have six of his books, and I handed some over one at a time for signature because I was too embarrassed to present him with the entire stack at once.

I also did serious damage to my bank account at the book store this weekend.

Dr. Hatcher was an excellent presenter and a very knowledgeable scholar. We had a wonderful time and learned a lot.

A beautiful day on the porch waiting for Hurricane Earl. Earl just slightly swept by us, depositing a little bit of rain in the late evening and bringing some cooler temperatures.


Sarah Farmer Inn

Another view of the beautiful building.

On this sunny afternoon we also played a game of croquet and then later had a bonfire. We played a game which involved the consumption of unusual flavored jelly beans (centipede, skunk, baby wipes, and others which I won't even mention). I, however, did not participate in the game out of fear of picking the centipede jelly bean... The children laughed a lot and enjoyed the marshmallow roast.

On Labor Day we had a picnic and also a commemoration of the 1905 signing of the treaty in nearby Portsmouth, New Hampshire which ended the Russo-Japanese War.

Raising of the Peace Flag.

Later that afternoon we were treated to a concert by Randy Armstrong joined by Marty Quinn who played instruments from all over the world.


Marty and Randy on a xylophone type instrument that looks like it's made from gourds

Last day the children's class presented the devotional program.

Our program group. Lots of new friendships were formed!

Bahá’í Pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel

In early June I had the bounty of traveling to Haifa, Israel for a pilgrimage for the Bahá’í Faith. When we are on pilgrimage, we travel to sites associated with the history of the Faith, we see the buildings which house the administrative order, and most importantly, we visit the shrines which are the final resting places of the Central Figures of the Faith. Pilgrimage is a very personal and individualized experience characterized by devotion and reverence. I will try to capture some of the major highlights here, but if you'd like more information about Bahá’í Pilgrimage or the Bahá’í Faith in general please see these sites here: International Bahá’í Website , US Bahá’í Website , Bahá’í Pilgrimage Site.

Beautiful terraces and gardens surround the Shrine of the Báb which is the final resting place of the Báb (Forerunner of the Baha'i Faith) and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Son of the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith).

Gardens surrounding the Shrine

Happy to be on Pilgrimage

Terraces leading down to the Shrine of the Báb. The Shrine is currently undergoing restoration. You may have seen photos of the beautiful golden domed structure, which here is covered while under construction.

Eagle overlooking the terraces. There are many statues of eagles on these sites.

Roses trellis in the gardens

One of the terraces

Visiting with fellow pilgrims Alexander, Dave, Nomi, Wei Jun, myself, and Susan

A view of the seat of the Universal House of Justice which oversees the administrative affairs of the Faith and gives guidance to the community.

In addition to the Shrines and administrative buildings, we also visited many of sites associated with the history of the Faith. Bahá’u’lláh (Prophet Founder of the Faith) and His family were exiled to Palestine in 1868. He remained there until His passing in 1892. This is the courtyard of the House of ‘Abbúd in which Bahá’u’lláh and His family lived and some important scriptures of the Faith were revealed.

Outside of the House of ‘Abbúd

This is the prison in ‘Akká to which Bahá’u’lláh was exiled in 1868. We visited the actual cell in which He was confined.

Looking across the bay towards ‘Akká.

Gardens outside the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

This is the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, the Qiblih, the Point of Adoration to which all Bahá’ís turn in prayer.

Door leading to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh

Gardens surrounding the Shrine

Friends Mark, Danielle, Richelle and Ding-Jo

Outside the Bahjí Pilgrim House

The Mansion of Mazra‘ih where Bahá’u’lláh lived as gradually the conditions of His imprisonment were relaxed. Bahá’u’lláh loved the countryside, and has said "The country is the world of the soul, the city is the world of bodies".

More gardens surrounding the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

Upper porch of the Mansion of Bahjí, adjoining the Shrine, which was the final residence of Bahá’u’lláh.

On the porch of the Mansion of Bahjí

View of Mansion of Bahjí

A wonderful variety of beautiful flowers are in the gardens.

A gate at Bahjí

The Seat of the Universal House of Justice on Mount Carmel. The Universal House of Justice, a council of nine elected members, is the administrative and spiritual authority in the Bahá’í Faith.

The International Archives Building which houses important artifacts associated with the Founders of the Bahá’í Faith .

The Centre for the Study of the Texts which houses the research departments.

Fountain on a terrace surrounding the Shrine of the Báb. I walked the lower terraces with Ton and Susan and Wei Jun.

Wei Jun and Susan and myself

The terraces are beautifully lit at night. Here is a view of the upper terraces.

Upper terraces at night and city of Haifa

Looking down the terraces

Final resting place of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, a personal hero of mine

A fountain on the terraces lit up at dusk

House of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá which was a residence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Son of the Founder of the Faith and Center of the Covenant)

My pilgrimage group. We had about 250 pilgrims during the nine days, and we were divided into smaller groups of about 40 or so. This is my smaller group.

Shrine of Mírzá Mihdí, the Purest Branch, son of Bahá’u’lláh, and Navváb, wife of Bahá’u’lláh

Shrine of Bahíyyih Khánum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, daughter of Bahá’u’lláh

Last day, so hard to say goodbye. I am here with Danielle, Mark, Richelle, Ton, Susan, Wei Jun, Martha (our guide), and Ding-Jo.

Here I am with good friends Susan and Diana.

Before I left Israel I spent a day in Tel Aviv. I walked to Old Jaffa and shopped in the markets there and then walked the beautiful Mediterranean beach.

Pilgrimage was a wonderful experience, difficult to capture in words, and full of meaning which may take a lifetime to absorb. Learning about the history of the Faith and walking where Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá lived, were imprisoned, raised families, received visitors, served the communities, and revealed Scriptures deepened my knowledge and connection to Them. Praying in the Shrines is an experience which all Bahá’ís treasure for a lifetime. Meeting the members of the Universal House of Justice and seeing the Seat of the Administrative Order connected me to the lifeline of the Bahá’í Faith. We heard illuminating talks in the evenings which gave us a fuller understanding of the mission and vision of the Bahá’í Faith of a unified society where all people are one interconnected family where justice is the ruling principle of social organization. I am looking forward to helping in some small way, along with my community, to create that unified world.