Attraction and Harmony

"In short, attraction and harmony of things are the cause of the production of fruits and useful results, while repulsion and disharmony of things are the cause of disturbance and annihilation." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 296)

Know His Own Self

"...man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or to abasement, to shame or to honour, to affluence or poverty." (Baha'u'llah, The Baha'i World, p. 167)

Before Choosing a Partner

Some counsels of 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed to a believer help men and women to reflect on their attitude and the person of their choice.

1) A joyful disposition "...she must be sympathetic, kind-hearted, happy and endowed with a joyful disposition." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)

2) A companion and a partner"....She must take an interest in all the problems pertaining to thy life, and be thy companion and partner in every phase of thy existence..." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)

3) Everlasting friendship"Before choosing a wife a man must think soberly and seriously that this girl will be his friend throughout all his life. It is not a temporary matter." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)

A Mate and Intimate Confident"She is a soul with whom he must associate all the days of his life; she will be his mate and his intimate confidant; therefore, day by day their love and their attachment to each other must increase." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)

No Interference"As for the question regarding marriage under the Law of God: first thou must choose one who is pleasing to thee, and then the matter is subject to the consent of father and mother. Before thou makest thy choice, they have no right to interfere." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 118)

Consent of Parents"As we desired to bring about love and friendship and the unity of the people, therefore We made marriage conditional upon the consent of the parents also, that enmity and ill-feeling might be avoided." (Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas)

Eternal Bond"Baha'i marriage is union and cordial affection between the two parties. They must, however, exercise the utmost care and become acquainted with each other's character. This eternal bond should be made secure by a firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony, fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting life." ('Abdu'l-Baha, The Baha'i World Faith, p. 372)

Character and Faith"There is a difference between character and faith; it is often very hard to accept this fact and put up with it, but the fact remains that a person may believe and love the Cause - even to being ready to die for it - and yet not have a personal character, or possess traits at variance with the teachings." (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated October 17, 1944, written on behalf to an individual believer.)

True Baha'i Marriage"The true marriage of Baha'is is this, that both husband and wife should be united both physically and spiritually, that they may ever improve the spiritual life of each other, and may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the worlds of God. This is Baha'i marriage." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 118)

Tenderness Out of This World"In the same way, when any souls grow to be true believers, they will attain a spiritual relationship with one another, and show forth a tenderness which is not of this world. They will, all of them, become elated from a draught of divine love, and that union of theirs, that connection, will also abide forever." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, pp. 117-8)
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--
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.....Every eye which is weeping for the sake of
the love of God is blessed; every ear which is
hearing the divine call is blessed....


~ Abdu'l-Baha
Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1
p. 214

Teaching kids to connect in a multicultural world
Throughout the United States Baha’is are inviting spiritual seekers to enrich their spiritual and community life through such activities as prayer gatherings, weekly study of the Baha'i scriptures and classes for the spiritual education and training of children.
When the city council of Monrovia, Calif., recently sought to combat racially charged gang violence in this bedroom community of Los Angeles, it turned to the Monrovia Baha'i Family School as a role model for how people of different cultures can get along in our cross-cultural world.
Whites, Latinos and African-Americans don’t always connect in a friendly way on the streets of Monrovia, but they do on Cypress Street -- home of the Baha'i school, whose students range from kindergarten to high school.
Some students are Baha’is; others come from different faiths. On Wednesday afternoons, they’re all one, says director Joanie Yuille, a lifelong Baha'i and lifelong Monrovian.
The purpose of the many Baha'i schools located throughout the country, is to teach children about the oneness of humankind. This core principle of the Baha'i Faith forms the foundation of the Faith’s other principles, which include equality of the sexes, elimination of prejudice, abolition of extremes of poverty and wealth.
Baha’i schools are populated by children of families who want their children to receive a spiritual education that stresses the importance of diversity and unity. Students also learn the Baha'i concept of progressive revelation -- that the world's major religions are part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals His will to humanity.
“I love that my children are learning about the major religions of the people of the world,” says Elizabeth Marquardt, mother of Marianna, 5, and Thomas, 3, who attend the Flowers of One Garden Baha'i School in Wilmette, Ill. “My hope is that what they are learning will help them be the kind of compassionate and educated global citizens that our world needs.”
To teach the youngest students Baha'i principles, Baha'i schools start by teaching virtues -- “how to be good people,” says Layli Miller-Muro, who founded a Baha'i school in Falls Church, Va. Ms. Miller-Muro also is the founder and director of the celebrated Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
The school’s participants represent a cornucopia of cultures and religions: American, Ethiopian, Pakistani, Afghani, Christian and Jewish as well as Baha’i.
“We live in a multiracial, multicultural world, so these classes fit in perfectly,” says Angie Fox, a new Baha'i whose 4-year-old son, Patton Oliver, attends the Baha'i school in Falls Church, Va., which was recently featured on NPR’s Morning Edition.
The Lions and Whales Baha'i School, held on the campus of the Louhelen Baha'i School in Davison, Mich., isn’t as eclectic, at least by Baha'i standards -- participants are white, African-American and Latino -- but its aim is the same as the other Baha'i schools: to celebrate diversity and grow spiritually.
The school takes its name from a quote by Abdu’l-Baha that says God bestows us with the ability to be like “lions roaring in the forest of knowledge and wisdom, and whales swimming in the oceans of life.”
Lions and Whales has upward of 30 students, who meet after school on Wednesdays. Most of its participants are not Baha’is and come from nearby Flint, a town known nationally for being hard-hit by the downsizing of General Motors.
The class serves several purposes: It educates students on Baha'i principles, and after class, provides tutors to help students with homework assigned by their public school. The school also provides a pizza break, where students and teachers mingle.
At 5:30 p.m., everyone takes a pizza break with Barbara and Rick Johnson, co-administrators of Louhelen.
Lions and Whales has been a big success, says Barbara Johnson, who, with her husband, Rick, runs Louhelen. Rather than brag, she points to the comments of students and their families:
“I don’t act bad like I used to, and my report card is better.”
“Lions and Whales is a place you can go without being judged.”
“At first I thought it was just another program that would put me to sleep. Now I know it’s a program that brings people together.”
“It shows them how to behave in society and how to treat people along the way. They care more.” (Grandparent)
“I see (more) love in their eyes. I see some respect that they didn’t have before and a love of saying prayers.” (Grandparent)
And, from one child, “I’m grateful.”


Source URL: http://www.bahai.us/teaching-kids

NEW DELHI, 19 March 2008 (BWNS)

-- Every day, the people come. Thousands ofthem. At times it's a constant stream of humanity. Eight thousand people aday, 10,000, sometimes 15,000. On holidays 30,000, even 50,000. And once,150,000.
Yet everyone is calm, orderly, sometimes waiting in line to leave theirshoes in a hidden checkroom and climb the stairs to the building they callthe Lotus Temple. Inside, the mood is one of serenity. Considering the vastnumbers of people who make their way around the property, the peacefulnessperhaps is surprising.
"We are impressed - the discipline," said Ramesh Cheruku, who with his wifeand young son had come from Hyderabad in the south of India for their firstvisit to the Baha'i House of Worship, located in the capital city of NewDelhi.
With more than 4.6 million visitors last year, the temple is one of the mostpopular spots on earth, in a league with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome andnot far behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Many of the visitors are from India, but people come from all over theworld. They are Hindus, Christians, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs,and, of course, Baha'is. There are families, couples, single people,schoolchildren, tour groups.
Many come to see a stunning piece of architecture - and stunning it is.Still, their behavior suggests something more.
"Peace of mind," murmured Reeta Singhai when asked how she felt after herfirst walk through the temple, whose outward form is like a lotus flower. Ithas 27 "petals," arranged in threes so that the structure has nine sides,just like the other six Baha'i houses of worship around the world.
It is exactly this feeling of peace that the public relations director,Shatrughun Jiwnani, mentioned as he pondered the question about what appealsto visitors, most of whom are inside the temple only a few minutes.
"They suddenly find themselves in a place that is quiet," he said. Theypause "and maybe for a few moments look inside themselves."
"You can almost start to hear your own thoughts," agreed Sarang Joshi. Anative of India now living in the United States, he was impressed by what hecalled the "spiritual nature of the building."
"It's really interesting how that's captured by the architecture," he said.
Mr. Jiwnani said most people stay inside for only a few minutes, but such avisit can still be meaningful.
"Maybe two hours of quiet at home means nothing, whereas two minutes in thetemple can move you," he suggested, noting that there are many people whovisit frequently.
"People like it that there are no sermons or lectures here. They are able tobring their own religion and sit and pray or meditate."
To view the photos and additional features click here:http://news.bahai.org/
--30-sw-080319-1-INDIATEMPLE2008-611-S
------------------------------------------------------------Advance release: Please check our website for the final version of this article.------------------------------------------------------------Copyright 2008 by the Baha'i World News Service. All stories andphotographs produced by the Baha'i World News Service may be freelyreprinted, re-emailed, re-posted to the World Wide Web and otherwisereproduced by any individual or organization as long as they areattributed to the Baha'i World News Service. For more information, visithttp://news.bahai.org/.----------------------------------------------------------

ROUHANGEZE

Le jazz à sa guise

Elle fait les choses à sa manière. Alors que les autres jeunes de son âge se tournent vers les tendances dans le vent, préférant la tecktonik ou le rock comme influence sonore, la jeune chanteuse emprunte la route du jazz dans un brassage sonore invitant le funk et l’électronique dans sa bulle. Rouhangeze sur le chemin du jazz…
Elle a de l’ambition et croit dans ce qu’elle fait. Elle a renoncé à beaucoup de choses pour garder le cap vers son objectif : faire un album de jazz. Une musique qu’elle découvre grâce à son père «une audiophile restreint et grand amateur de jazz.» Rouhangeze incarne cette nouvelle génération de jeunes, qui cultive un autre arbre de la musique, qui ne pousse que rarement sur le sol mauricien. Ayant abandonné les études pour se consacrer à sa musique, elle ne regrette point ce choix. Celle qui a 16 ans s’est lancée dans la production avec un ami et réalisé l’album du groupe BKS, prendra par la suite une autre route. «Après la fin de ce projet, on s’est plus vu cet ami et moi et depuis je me consacre uniquement à la vocalise,» dit-elle. Troisième à la dernière édition du concours Rêve de Star avec sa chanson You Are, cette chanteuse est tombée dans la marmite du jazz très jeune. «A la maison, mon père nous obligeait à écouter du jazz et à décortiquer la musique.» C’est de cette expérience qu’elle a pris goût à cette musique et l’a ensuite adoptée. Depuis, elle s’est frottée à de grosses pointures de l’univers jazzesque de l’île. Elle a eu l’occasion de jouer avec Jhonny Joseph, Frédéric Grenade, Christophe Bertin, les frères Desvaux, ainsi que Jocelyn Armandine… pour ne citer qu’eux. Avec ces derniers, elle a appris à ne plus «chanter dans la gorge mais dans le ventre.» Avec son compagnon, Chris Jacques qui l’aide dans la réalisation de son premier album, elle vise d’autres milieux que le marché local. Le couple s’est rendu compte de l’indifférence gratuite accordée à cette musique. Sa participation à un concert organisé à l’université de Maurice, atteste ce rejet du jazz par la jeunesse. Certes, ce constat ne peut être généralisé, car il y a bien des jeunes qui s’intéressent et qui jouent de cette musique, mais ils sont en minorité. «Le jazz souffre de sa complexité,» constate Rouhangeze. «Chris a décidé de s’investir dans mon projet. Je devais quitter le pays pour aller jouer en Chine mais je suis restée à cause de Chris.» Elle monte son propre home studio pour enregistrer ses chansons. Celle qui joue du piano, veut se donner le temps qu’il faut avant de sortir son premier opus. C’est la rencontre avec Chris Jacques, il y a neuf mois qui lui donne encore plus l’envie de réaliser son album. «Chris a décidé de s’investir dans mon projet. Je devais quitter le pays pour aller jouer en Chine mais je suis restée à cause de Chris,» ajoute Rouhangeze. De sa musique, elle dira qu’elle «n’est pas vaste mais il y a quelque chose de profond.» Son album aura le parfum jazzique avec une dose de funk entre l’électronique et l’acoustique. «Pour l’heure, j’ai six titres qui sont déjà prêts et cinq autres dans ma tête,» dit-elle avec un léger sourire. L’arrangement du disque sera fait par les musiciens qui l’accompagnent dans ce projet, mais le gros du travail sera assuré par Jocelyn Armandine. Chris Jacques, souligne, que le disque peut sortir en décembre si tout se passe bien. «Mon rôle est de donner à Rouhangeze les moyens qu’il faut pour qu’elle puisse exposer sa musique et son talent.»