Gaza Musicians and the Struggle to be Heard

I’m a 23-year-old rapper, music producer and filmmaker living in the world’s largest open air prison.

I’m also a multimedia student at university. I’ve worked with many other young artists on creative projects, but unfortunately these projects never see the light of day, because no matter how hard we try, our dreams are constantly crushed by the tyranny of the limitations we face.

This article is my attempt to reach out to the world to share a different perspective on life in Gaza for musicians and rappers, to vent some of the frustrations we feel and to explain the obstacles we face. I hope to spark a discussion that could lead to change.

Of the many barriers artists and performers in Gaza face, the biggest of all is Israel’s ongoing siege and repeated wars and bombing raids. But we face many other challenges from the ground up.

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International Conference of the Orthodox Baha'is

An international conference of the Orthodox Bahais of the world held at Albuquerque, New Mexico on 9th and 10th June 2012.
Conference opened with the reciting of several prayers by the friends including the Healing Prayer for all of those who are currently facing health problems.
The friends were delighted to welcome Hand of the Cause, Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand, from Australia, to share their conference experience. He is the Vice President of the Third International Baha’i Council and the appointed successor of the Third Guardian.

Deepening
This conference was a very successful gathering with the view point of devotionals and deepening. The following subjects discussed by the friends present in the conference:
The Necessity for a Mediator.
Prayer Indispensable and Obligatory.
Prayer the Language of Love.
Love, Jewels from the Words of Abdu’l-Baha.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Prayer and Natural Law.
The Seven Mouths of God.
Seven major faiths Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam and Bahai’ism must be united from around the world. 
The History of the Tablet of Ahmad. Who was Ahmad?  What was happening historically when this tablet was revealed?
Khalil Gibran and the Baha’i Faith.
The Creative Power of the Word of God.

Administration & Future Vision
Publishing and Feast activities of Orthodox Baha’i’ Community of Roswell discussed. Same will continue to invite people to the Baha’i Topics. As the Feast is the bedrock of the community and the main purpose of feasts is consultation, will continue in Roswell and in Indian Community of Orthodox Baha’is.
As per the directives of Guardian, as far as possible new technologies will be utilized to deliver the message of guardianship. Video-conferencing, possibly using ‘Hang-out’ on Google+ and… will be encouraged everyone to use social networking sites, such as Google+, where you can distinguish groups of people through ‘circles. All friends are encouraged to develop a personal page or blog.
The topic Suggested for future conferences are:  Love, the Will and Testament of Baha’u’llah (Kitab-I-‘Ahd or the Book of the Covenant). Review of part I of the Seven Valleys, Tahirih, more from the New Era such as Science and Religion, a discussion of The Bible  Code. The Orthodox Baha’is of Colorado offered to host the summer 2013 conference in Colorado Springs.
The appointed successor of the Third Guardian, the Vice President of the Third International Baha’i Council the Hand of Cause of God Mr. Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand delivered a message of Third Guardian Joel Bray Marangella that: “the Guardian has asked us to create a presence on the internet.  He said everyone can have a blog, or get onto Facebook, Google+ or any social networking site.
Conference ended with the prayer by Mr. Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand.

GROWTH OF ORTHODOX BAHA’I COMMUNITY IN INDIA - PART - 2

Abdu'l Baha, the Successor of Baha'u'llah

According to the written Will and Testament of Baha’u’llah called the Kitab-i-Ahd, his son Abbas Effendi, known as Abdu’l Baha who was born in Tehran on 23^rd May, 1844, was the successor of Baha u llah. His position in the Baha’i Faith is: The Interpreter of the Word of God, the Centre of the Covenant and thus the leader and the guide of the Baha’is throughout the world after his father’s passing and - last but not least – the Exemplar of the Baha’i Faith. He occupied the above position in 1892, when he was 48 years old. Since early childhood i.e. when he was 9 years old, he was exiled and imprisoned, and freed in the year 1908 when he was 64. It was after achieving this freedom at the age of 66 that he was able to fulfill his heart’s desire to spread the Faith and promulgate the healing words of his father, by traveling through Europe and United States of America during the years 1910 to 1913. Many books, tablets and prayers on almost all subjects concerning personal and social life of Baha’is were revealed by him, to which the Baha’is refer today and in the days to come. He died in on 28^th November, 1921, at the age of 77, The Heroic Age and the Covenant Epoch came to an end.

Shoghi Effendi, The First Guardian, Successor of Abdu'l Baha

As per Abdu’l Baha’s Will and Testament, Shoghi Rabbani was appointed his successor.  He was born in Acre (Akka) on 1^st March, 1897. He was only 24 years old and studying in England when he received the news of the passing of his beloved grandfather. Abdu’l Baha stated in his Will and Testament that Shoghi Effendi would be the Guardian of the Cause of God and the Interpreter of the Word of God after him. Also he wrote in the Will and Testament about the continuity of Guardianship in Baha’i Faith. Althogh so young in age, He powerfully and efficiently shouldered his great responsibility. He established the administrative order according to the teachings of Baha’u’ llah and Abdu’l Baha, built the shrines of the Bab, Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l Baha and also the Baha’i Archives and all the beautiful surrounding gardens in Haifa and Akka. He revealed a great number of books and tablets in Persian and English. The very most valuable benediction he bestowed upon the Western world was to translate the books, tablets and prayers of Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l Baha into English, a task which only he could achieve and that also perfectly and with such skill. He passed away to the Abha Kingdom in London on 4^th November, 1957, at the age of 60. He was the first guardian of Baha’i Faith for about 36 years.

A. Parikh
Hand of Cause of God,
Secretary, National Baha'i Council of India.

GROWTH OF ORTHODOX BAHA’I COMMUNITY IN INDIA - PART-1

The Baha’i Faith started in Iran by Husain Ali Nuri, titled as Baha’u’llah. He was born in Tehran on 12th November 1817. He was the prophet of the Baha’i Religion. 
His intimate proclamation took place at the “Black Pit” (Siyahchal) of Tehran in 1853 when he was 36. His open proclamation occurred in Baghdad in the Najib Pasha garden later titled Ridvan Garden, at 3 in the afternoon of 21st April 1863. 
He proclaimed his mission to the world by sending out tablets from Adrianpole to the Rulers of States, Kings, Emperors, Presidents and Religious Leaders during the year 1867 to 1873. The duration of his prophethood was 39 years during which he was exiled from Tehran to Baghdad (11 years), Constantinople (4 months), Adrianpole (5 years) and at last to the prison city of Acre in Palestine (25 years). 
Over a hundred volumes were revealed from his pen, among which we can name Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), The Hidden Words, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, The tablets to the leaders of the world, Kitab-i-Iqan (The Book of Certitude, The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys, many Tablets addressed to various believers, many prayers etc.

A. Parikh,

Hand of Cause of God

Secretary National Baha'i Council of India,

Celebration of Ridvan at Tungareshwar

Entrance of the beautiful Ridvan Garden

The National Baha’i Council of Orthodox Baha’is of India take immense pleasure in announcing a unique celebration on the occasion of a great Baha’i Festival the “Ridvan” at Tungareshwar, which is at an altitude of about 2177 feet,  one of the highest mountain plateaus in Vasai/Thane on 21^st  April 2012 near Chinchoti Water Fall.

Celebration will be hosted by Mr. Rajendra Upadhyaye. Orthodox Baha’is from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, New Delhi, Dombivili, Kalyan, Baroda, Nagpur and all the friends of Thane District will participate in it.

Ridvan is the Anniversary of Bahá'u'lláh's Declaration of His Prophetic Mission to His followers.

Ridvan Messages, a Tradition of Guardian of the Faith

In the year 1923, the First Guardian of Baha’i Faith Shoghi Effendi sent a letter of encouragement and greeting to the American national Bahá'í convention at Ridvan. Later it was his regular practice to write a Ridvan letter to the Bahá'ís of the world summarizing the progress of the Faith in the previous year and setting out general directions for the coming year.

Living Guardian

The Living Guardian of Baha’i Faith Joel Bray Marangella follows the tradition of the first Guardian and he also writes a Ridvan Letter to the Orthodox Baha’is of the world. (Sans Guardian UHJ cannot write a Ridvan Letter to the Baha’is).

Hands of the Cause of God Appointed by Third Guardian are:

1.  Marilyn Meyer
2.  Madeline Byers (posthumous)
3.  Nosrat'u'llah Bahremand
4.  Jeffrey Goldberg
5.  David Maxwell
6.  Y.H. Taylor
7.  Grace Behrens (posthumous)
8.  Joel JaniMarangella
9.  James Meyer
10. Dr. A. Parikh
11. Martin Lavallee
12. Frank Schlatter (Departed Soul)

We extend our heartiest Ridvan Greetings to all the Bahais of the world and invite them on this great festival to look in the matter of continuity of guardianship.

With Best Abha Greetings,

Rajendra Upadhyaye,

The Chairman of the National Bahai Council of India.

  

NAW-RUZ as a Festival Unto Those Who Have Observed the 19 Day Fast

“Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto Thee.

Grant, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee.”   

 -- Baha’u’llah--

The National Baha’i Council of Orthodox Baha’is of India congratulate to all the Baha’is on this Day of God, the Naw-Ruz  (21st March) and pray on this auspicious day to guide the innocent Baha’i friends who still believe that the Universal House of Justice appoints the guardian.

AN APPEAL TO THE BAHA’IS OF INDIA

As indicated in the survey recently conducted by the Orthodox Baha’i Faith throughout India about the beliefs held by the sans Guardian Baha’is, it was found that these Baha’is  have been consistently mislead concerning the provisions of the divinely-conceived Baha’i Administrative Order by the ABMs, Counselors’ and secretaries of the National Spiritual Assembly of India under the instructions of the Sans-Guardian Universal House of Justice and by other Sans-Guardian Local Assembly office bearers and the tutors of the Ruhi Books.
I appeal to all the Indian Baha’i friends to undertake an independent investigation of the Truth by reexamining the Baha’i Administrative Order as clearly and immutably established in the Will and Testament of Abdul Baha, rather then listening only to those who have repudiated its sacred provisions by ignoring the continuity and infallibility of the Guardianship of the Baha’i Faith. 
Provided below for your independent review, is a seminal article written by Joel Marangella, the current Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, titled “THE DIABOLICAL SUBVERSION OF THE BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER,” which summarizes the purposeful perversion of the Baha’I Administrative Order faithlessly perpetrated following the passing in 1957 of Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Faith.
It is my hope that sincere and true Indian scholars of the Faith will embrace this article as an affirmation of the sacred Will and Testament of Abdul Baha, and will join with me and the other faithful friends in support of the Guardianship within the Orthodox Baha’I Community of India.
Allah-u-Abha,
Dr. A. Parikh
Secretary,
National Baha’i Council of India.

Reply to Kevin - Part 2

When the Hand of the Cause Mr. Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand replied to the aggressive comment of Kevin, we posted it on the blog under the heading “Followers of Bogus UHJ are confused”, Kevin has written as under:
KEVIN WROTE:
On April 1, 2011 4:03 PM
"Well Mr. Nosrat, I asked the reply from the guardian and not you. Whoever you are, have a rude approach. This is not the way to reply."
And on April 12, 2011 12:03 PM
"It is not the Universal House of Justice that is Bogus, but, the bogus is the self-proclaimed, uncertified and power hungry so-called guardians are.
Hiding behind the veils, attacking anonymously and sowing seed of infidelity and discontent. It will serve no purpose. The Orthodox Baha'i Faith and disputed guardianship castle is built on sand. How long will it stand....We will watch."

Dr. Parikh replied to these comments of Kevin:
Dear Kevin,
I have gone through your questions and reply of the Hand of Cause Nosrat'u'llah Bahremand and also read your comment on the reply of Mr. Nosrat.
I am writing to you, assuming that you are a Baha'i and a follower of majority group UHJ.
First of all I would like to write you that the reply by Mr. Nosrat is to the point and correct. Here I would like to clarify that the Universal House of Justice in Haifa without its head (Guardian) is Bogus.
As for the self-proclaimed, uncertified and power hungry guardians who are hiding behind the veils, attacking anonymously and sowing seed of infidelity and discontent, I also believe that it will serve no purpose. But I want to ask you whether the guardian in Baha’i Faith is essential or not?
I assume you to be a Baha’i. You will investigate the matter of continuity of guardianship in the writings of Baha'u'llah, Abdu’l Baha and Shoghi Effendi. And if you are not a Baha'i, you can comment on anything as millions do on the internet.
And as for your comment that “The Orthodox Baha'i Faith and disputed guardianship castle is built on sand. How long will it stand....We will watch”, I feel that as the guardianship is pivotal requisite for the continuity of the Baha’i Faith, for power hungry people, it is good opportunity to proclaim for “False and bogus guardianship.” This is the testing time for the believers thus the duty of the believers is to follow the true guardian, as per the Will and the Testament of Abdu'l Baha.
I would like to request to you and all the readers of our blog that if you are Baha'i, please adorn yourself with the moral and teachings of Baha'u'llah. I found lots of comments in this blog which shows that commentators are Baha'is but their manner is not a “Baha'i Manner”
Dr. A. Parikh,
Secretary, PNBC of India.

An Anonymous supported Dr. Parikh and Nosrat and wrote that “How do you request them (follower of bogus UHJ) for moral and good behavior? Please read:
Anonymous wrote:
Dear Mr. Parikh.
I think it is useless to request the followers of illegitimate UHJ to adorn with the morals. They are selfish people. They talk about universal peace; equality etc but they do not practice it.
They don't believe in the Will and Testament of Abdu'l Baha. They are cheating in India to the Government of India. They are cheating to UNO. Then how do you request them for moral and good behavior.

Reaction of Kevin to anonymous:
You are wrong my dear anonymous. Don't utter a word against us without any evidence. Give the proof of your accusation. I know you do not have it. Your approach reflects that how desperate you people are?
Anonymous replied to Kevin:
Anonymous Mr. Kevin,
What kind of proof you need? Do you want the proof that UHJ is bogus?
Please note that when guardian is not there in UHJ, it is bogus. You read the Will and Testament of Abdu'l Baha, you will find that without the guardian UHJ cannot function.
As for cheating to Govt. of India, do you not know the newspaper reports of espionage by Baha’is in India or do you not know the forgery of Iranian Baha’i of India in connection to his passport, ration card. Do you not know the case of FERA by the officials of Baha’is in New Delhi?
I hope that you will now investigate about the cheating and the frauds done by the key Baha’is of India holding important position in the Baha’i administration.
I would also love to suggest you to read the Will and Testament profoundly to confirm that the present UHJ is real or bogus. You yourself will come to the conclusion that who is WRONG and who is RIGHT, if you have the capacity for it.

CONCLUSION:
Kevin was frustrated and made a comment as under:
"The so-called self-claimed Guardian is in hiding and has deputed some ego-centric person to ambiguously answer the relevant questions with an irrelevant approach. God will only bring him to his senses. Central figures of the Faith are anxiously waiting in the Abha Kingdom for his arrival."
At the end of Part – 2, I would like to inform to Mr/Mrs/Ms. Kevin and the one who has deputed him/her to comment ambiguously, anybody can reply him/her. Let the reader decide that the reply is as per the Holy Writings of Baha’is Faith or against it?
Dr. A. Parikh,
Secretary, PNBC of India.
5th June 2011.

Abdu'l-Baha on Fasting

Living Guardian's Message in Asian Age Newspaper

Guardian's Message for the Indian Baha'is appeared in Asian Age Mumbai edition on 27February 2011 on the occasion of Ayyam-i-ha

The month of Mulk (Dominion)

The month of Mulk (Dominion) is the nineteen day period beginning February 7.

“Strive then, O My brother, to apprehend this matter, that the veils may be lifted from the face of thy heart and that thou mayest be reckoned among them whom God hath graced with such penetrating vision as to behold the most subtle realities of His dominion, to fathom the mysteries of His kingdom, to perceive the signs of His transcendent Essence in this mortal world, and to attain a station wherein one seeth no distinction amongst His creatures and findeth no flaw in the creation of the heavens and the earth.” 

--Bahá'u'lláh, Gems of Divine Mysteries 

“…that the veils may be lifted from the face of thy heart…” Now, isn’t that interesting? Bahá'u'lláh is asking that we strive to lift the veils from the face of our hearts. I expect that very few of us consider that our hearts have a face. But in spiritual terms, apparently they do. We must remember that all of Bahá'u'lláh’s admonishments and instructions deal with the spirit within. We should also consider that upon leaving this world, as is our destiny, the world beyond is based upon a spiritual existence, a dimension that none of us has the capacity to comprehend or understand while we dwell in our temporal body. There can be no doubt about the existence of another world beyond this one since all the Messengers of the past have told us so, although in the limited terms that humans were able to comprehend at the time. And now, with the Message of Bahá'u'lláh, humans have received a full measure of His knowledge. We may partake of that knowledge by aligning ourselves within an aura of spirituality, a spirituality of God’s definition, not our own.   

So, we must strive to lift the veils from the face of our hearts in order that we may begin an alignment that allows us to behold the most subtle realities of His dominion. According to His message, we may then proceed with the (no doubt lifetime) adventure of grasping His attributes and finally to find no flaw in the creation of the heavens and the earth. Doesn’t the reality of that assignment make your head spin? The words in that sentence from His “Gems of Divine Mystery” could form the basis for a discovery of the Truths that Bahá'u'lláh wants us to understand in order that we may more fully appreciate and enjoy the fruits to be found within His Dominion. If that seems too much for one to accomplish, we need to remind ourselves that His pathway is available to all, whether they come to His Message as an infant, or have already lived several decades.

I expect that the veils of our heart-face are developed from the prejudices we allow into our lives over a period of time. Even if we were fortunate enough to be raised in a Bahá'í family relationship we have prejudices to overcome since we are all fallible creatures. If it were not so there would have been no reason for any of God‘s Messengers to appear. As humans we know that the heart is used as a metaphor when feelings of love, compassion or good deeds is considered, even though it is physically the organ that continuously propels the lifeblood through our bodies. This is a concept that each of us is aware of, whether we consider God in our lives or not. All of us, whether a hardened criminal or the most praiseworthy, follows her heart in most matters, whether they be emotional or materialistic. How often do you reference your heart on a daily basis?

We should also consider the mission of our striving, to “…apprehend this matter…that thou mayest be reckoned among them whom God hath graced with such penetrating vision as to behold the most subtle realities of His dominion…” Bahá'u'lláh may be telling us that the matter at hand is elusive. It must be apprehended. Hmm. Like a thief in the night? Many of us may have already have found that spiritual growth is indeed elusive, something to be apprehended. We all want a spiritual connection with God, that feeling of being personally connected with His will by the thread from His Kingdom to our very souls. Although He does not use the word perfection in this example, He is providing a process that may lead to our realizing the utmost of our spiritual capacity.

And from that may we assume that our striving will provide the beginnings of building a stronger foundation toward understanding His Dominion? The American Heritage dictionary defines dominion as a territory or sphere of influence or control; a realm. Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed that every fixed star has its planets and every planet its creatures. That gives a hint, within human understanding, of the size of His dominion. But I submit that that is probably just the beginning, for when we enter the next world and begin to use the criteria of a more advanced spirituality than we can ever imagine in this life, the mind boggles at what we may encounter there. 

So while we pass through the days of this nineteen day period it is an opportunity for us to turn our hearts toward thoughts of the realm of His Dominion. There is probably a special potency during this month that will allow us to gain a greater insight of His vastness, if we but strive to remove the veils from the face of our hearts, and venture unafraid along newly-brightened spiritual avenues. We may pray with loving thoughts for His assistance during this time, and await with keen anticipation for the love He will extend to us all.

Hand of the Cause of God David Maxwell  

Bahá’í Faith: Under the Guardianship

The Bahá’í Faith, under the Guardianship, is distinguished by the acceptance of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Son of the Founder of the Faith, as a divinely-conceived, sacred, immutable and immortal Document which delineates the essential Institutions of an unique Administrative Order which, together with the application of the Laws and Principles revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, constitutes the basis for the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and a future World Civilization.

This Order was established in embryonic form by Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith during a 36 year ministry. He had been appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will and Testament, a Document which also provided for the continuity of this Institution as long as the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh endured through a succession of Guardians of the Faith each appointed by his predecessor "in his own lifetime." Sole interpretative authority of Bahá’í Holy Writ has been vested by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Guardians who also serve as the "sacred head and the distinguished member for life" of the Universal House of Justice, the highest legislative organ of the Administrative Order and in this capacity provide "the necessary guidance to define the sphere of the legislative action" of this institution and insure that such subsidiary laws as are enacted by this body are in conformity with the immutable Laws revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in His Most Holy Book. Shoghi Effendi stated that the twin institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice "supplement each other’s authority and functions" are inseparable and are "the twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure."

Unlike sans-Guardian Bahá’ís who believe that the Guardianship ended with the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the Bahá’ís under the living Guardian believe that Shoghi Effendi appointed his successor, Mason Remey, in faithful compliance with the sacred provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and that only complete acceptance of him as the second Guardian and the "Center of the Cause"and, in turn, his appointed successor, constitutes fidelity to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

Wilmette NSA's Petition Rejected

The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit DENIED the Wilmette NSA's petition for rehearing.  The next step, if the NSA decides to take it, is to file a petition for certiorari with the US Supreme Court.  They have 90 days. After that, the decision is final.

Such stupid petitions puts the Justice of the Baha'i Faith in a ridiculous position. The so-called House of Justice's approval for such actions, questions the sans-guardian's administrative legitimacy.

The Bahá'í Month of Honor

The Bahá'í Month of Honor is the nineteen day period beginning December 31.

“They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence. They should conduct themselves in such manner that the earth upon which they tread may never be allowed to address to them such words as these: "I am to be preferred above you. For witness, how patient I am in bearing the burden which the husbandman layeth upon me. I am the instrument that continually imparteth unto all beings the blessings with which He Who is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon me, and the unnumbered evidences of my wealth--a wealth that supplieth the needs of all creation--behold the measure of my humility, witness with what absolute submissiveness I allow myself to be trodden beneath the feet of men...."

-- Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 7, 8

Only the eloquence of Bahá'u'lláh could permeate the most basic platform of human life with such power and spirituality, to the degree of becoming a reality check for all who would listen. Do not the words of that quote give one pause? I should hope so, since we are living in an age of awareness that has already rallied many humans to recognize that we must alter our destructive and wasteful ways which currently do little to benefit our Planet. In fact, most of our actions have a negative result on the physical qualities of the world we depend upon for life itself. Bahá'ís recognize that the foremost contributing factor to the world’s pollution is humanity’s spiritual shortcomings. While many sound the alarm of global warming, pointing to material solutions as the answer to solve the problem, we know that a change in the hearts of men, as foretold by Bahá'u'lláh, is the only true solution to the physical maladies of global imbalance.

Although I may have read the above quote at some point in my Bahá'í life, I have no recollection of it. When finding it recently, I was struck with its elemental goodness. This very paragraph would be a wonderful place to start for all those who want to do something about their world and themselves. “The conversation carried by these holy souls (remember, it the Baha’is of the world to whom this is addressed) should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence.” Did you ever consider that the very earth we trod upon might be thrilled by the spiritual power of our influence? I never had. To me, Bahá'u'lláh is admonishing us in the very basest of terms, the degree that we should all aspire to in our reflection of His Teachings.

Our World’s composure was radically changed by the vibrating influence of Bahá'u'lláh’s Message for this Day, altering the life processes that our fathers and fore-fathers had learned to rely upon. We, as citizens of this recently altered world have not a clue of the magnitude of that alteration. No doubt, many of the Baha’is would find fault with that assessment. But do we really have a clue? Do we really understand the nuances of this Revelation that is the result of the release of 25 Letters of (God’s) Knowledge upon a hapless society? According to Holy Writ, the entire Adamic Cycle had released only two of those Letters. Along with the release of those 25 remaining Letters, humans became endowed with the capacity to live within the bounds of the marvels of that new presentation. I would presently opine that although humans will eventually be able to handle the new guidelines, at this point we are in what may be described as an embryonic status of understanding; we will eventually understand the requirements, but only have a glimmering of it now. As children go through succeeding levels of learning before understanding the complexities of life, adults now have new lessons to learn as well.

And so it is with all of us; we must first overcome our fear of water in order to progressively learn how to swim. I submit that meditating upon the enormity of the above paragraph could eventually guide us in the direction of beginning to understand the magnitude of grandeur that has been presented to us, and more importantly, the role that we must all present, to the best of our ability, in our acceptance and furtherance of the principles of this New World Order.

Hand of the Cause of God, Nosrat Bahremand, recently reminded us that we need to understand that believers of Bahá'u'lláh and followers of Bahá'u'lláh are two distinct categories. Do I dare suggest that the above quoted paragraph provides a further distinction for us to be aware of in our quest: that is that we must additionally become students of Bahá'u'lláh, beginning with the most basic truths of This Revelation. Acceptance of Bahá'u'lláh is only the beginning of a completely new avenue of life for us, and we need to begin at the most basic level of understanding to be able to truly comprehend its magnitude.

Hand of the Cause of God David Maxwell