A Unified Teaching: The Bahá'í Faith!

He'd come from India to visit his daughter one summer.

I met her first.

She said, "You MUST meet my dad!"

She'd told him about me the first time we met, about a week later when I visited her home to meet him, her dad, Abbas.

The reason she felt her dad and I needed to meet was that as a Bahai, she'd heard him talk the same language I did as a student of Metaphysics.

Our first meeting was friendly and cordial.

Of course, Abbas wanted me to look into the Bahá'í Faith. I promised him I would and checked it out locally at the time but went no further. Despite ongoing e-mail communications with Abbas that lasted for many years, I never did get beyond the surface of knowing the Bahá'í Faith.

It's not that I didn't believe the teachings. For the Baha'i Faith is impressive enough, and it actually promotes my fundamental belief of unity in all religions. But I'd already discovered my own path to TRUTH!

What is the Baha'i Faith

The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded
in 19th century Persia by Bahá'u'lláh. The teaching emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind and also the underlying unity of the major world religions.
Photo of Abdu'l-Baha, son of Bahá'u'lláh

Through the Bahá'í teachings, religious history is seen as unfolding through through a series of divine messengers, each of whom established a religion that was suited to the needs of the time and the capacity of the people.

These messengers have included Krishna, Abraham, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and others, including most recently Bahá'u'lláh.


In Bahá'í belief, each messenger taught of the next, and Bahá'u'lláh's life and teachings are believed to fulfill the end-time promises of previous scriptures. Humanity is understood to be involved in a process of collective evolution, and the need of the present time is for the gradual establishment of peace, justice and unity on a global scale.

The word "Bahá’í" is derived from the Arabic Bahá’ and means "glory" or "splendour".

Beliefs

Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the Unity of God, the Unity of Religion, and the Unity of Humankind.

From this core stems the belief that God periodically reveals his will through divine educators, whose purpose is to transform the character of humankind and develop, within those who respond, moral and spiritual qualities. Religion is thus seen as orderly, unified, and progressive from age to age.

GOD

The Bahá'í writings describe a single, personal, inaccessible, omniscient, omnipresent, imperishable, and almighty God who is the creator of all things in the universe.

The existence of God and the universe is thought to be eternal, without a beginning or end. Although inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of creation, with a will and purpose that is expressed through messengers viewed as Manifestations of God.

The the entire purpose for our human experience is to know and love God, according to the Bahá'í Faith , and this is done through prayer and reflection. Further, the Bahá'í teachings state a belief in a God who is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image, by themselves. It is only through his messengers, the teachings believe, humans are able to recognize God.

Religion
Seat of the Universal House of Justice, Haifa, Israel, the governing body of the Faith

Most of founders and central figures of world religions are seen as Manifestations of God and accepted in the Bahá'í Faith. Religious history is then interpreted as each manifestation bringing a more advanced revelation, suited for the time and place in which it was expressed. Specific religious social teachings, such as the form of prayer and dietary restrictions, may be withdrawn by a subsequent manifestation.

Bahá'í teaches that humans have a "rational soul," which provides the species with a unique capacity to recognize God's station and humanity's relationship with its creator.

It is the duty of every human, according to Bahá'í teachings, to recognize God through his messengers, and to conform to their teachings. It is only through this recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice that a Soul gets closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Bahá'í belief.

When a human dies, the Soul passes into the next world, where its spiritual development in the physical world becomes a basis for judgement and advancement in the spiritual world. Heaven and Hell are taught to be spiritual states of nearness or distance from God that describe relationships in this world and the next, and not physical places of reward and punishment achieved after death.

The Bahá'í writings emphasize the essential equality of human beings, and the abolition of prejudice. Humanity is seen as essentially one, though highly varied; its diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to Unity.

The Bahá'í teachings state that the unification of humankind is the paramount issue in the religious and political conditions of the present world.

Founder: Bahá'u'lláh


Mírzá Husayn `Alí of Núr (1817-1892)was one of the early followers of the Báb, who later took the title of Bahá'u'lláh. He was arrested and imprisoned for this involvement in 1852. Bahá'u'lláh relates that in 1853, while incarcerated in the dungeon of the Síyáh-Chál in Tehran, he received the first intimations that he was the one anticipated by the Báb.


Shortly thereafter he was expelled from Tehran to Baghdad, in the Ottoman Empire; then to Constantinople (now Istanbul); and then to Adrianople (now Edirne). In 1863, at the time of his banishment from Baghdad to Constantinople, Bahá'u'lláh declared his claim to a divine mission to his family and followers. Tensions then grew between him and Subh-i-Azal, the appointed leader of the Bábís who did not recognize Bahá'u'lláh's claim. Throughout the rest of his life Bahá'u'lláh gained the allegiance of most of the Bábís, who came to be known as Bahá'ís. Beginning in 1866, he began declaring his mission as a Messenger of God in letters to the world's religious and secular rulers, including Pope Pius IX, Napoleon III, and Queen Victoria.




In 1868 Bahá'u'lláh was banished by Sultan Abdülâziz a final time to the Ottoman penal colony of `Akká, in present-day Israel. Towards the end of his life, the strict and harsh confinement was gradually relaxed, and he was allowed to live in a home near `Akká, while still officially a prisoner of that city.

He died there in 1892. Bahá'ís regard his resting place at Bahjí as the Qiblih to which they turn in prayer each day.

The first resting place of Bahá'u'llá; one of the most holy places for all Bahá'ís.

During his lifetime, Bahá'u'lláh amassed a large volume of writings, left to his followers.

Mystical teachings

Although the Bahá'í teachings have a strong emphasis on social and ethical issues, there exist a number of foundational texts that have been described as mystical.

The Seven Valleys is considered Bahá'u'lláh's "greatest mystical composition." It was written to a follower of Sufism, in the style of `Attar. It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Bahá'u'lláh to the West. The Hidden Words is another book written by Bahá'u'lláh during the same period, containing 153 short passages in which Bahá'u'lláh claims to have taken the basic essence of certain spiritual truths and written them in brief form.

Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh
The Bahá'í teachings speak of both a "Greater Covenant", being universal and endless, and a "Lesser Covenant", being unique to each religious dispensation.

The Lesser Covenant is believed to be as an agreement between a Messenger of God and his followers and includes social practices and the continuation of authority in the religion. At this time Bahá'ís view Bahá'u'lláh's revelation as a binding lesser covenant for his followers; in the Bahá'í writings being firm in the covenant is considered a virtue to work toward.

The Greater Covenant is believed to be a more enduring agreement between God and mankind, where a manifestation of God is expected to come about every thousand years at times of turmoil.

With unity as an essential teaching of the religion, Bahá'ís follow an administration they believe is divinely ordained, and therefore see attempts to create schisms and divisions as efforts that are contrary to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Schisms have occurred over the succession of authority, but any Bahá'í divisions have had relatively little success and have failed to attract a sizeable following. The followers of such divisions are regarded as Covenant-breakers and shunned, essentially excommunicated.

Bahá'ís Ways of Life


The laws of the Bahá'í Faith primarily come from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, written by Bahá'u'lláh. Some include the following:




*Bahá'ís over the age of 15 are required to recite one of three obligatory prayers each day.
*Backbiting and gossip are prohibited and denounced.
*Adult Bahá'ís in good health should observe a nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast each year from March 2 through March 20.
*Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors.
*Sexual relationships are permitted only between a husband and wife, and thus premarital and homosexual sex are forbidden.
*Gambling is forbidden.


Marriage in the Bahá'í Faith is viewed as the union of a man and a woman, whose main purpose is to foster spiritual harmony, fellowship and unity between the two partners and to provide a stable and loving environment for the rearing of children.

Bahá'u'lláh believed that marriage was an eternal command of God and also discouraged divorce and homosexuality. Interestly, interracial marriage is also highly praised throughout Bahá'í scripture.


Bahá'ís who plan to marry have to obtain a thorough understanding of the other's character before a decision is made. Parents do not choose partners for their children, but once a couple decides to marry, they must obtain the consent of all their living biological parents. This rule applies even if one person is not a Bahá'í.

The Bahá'í marriage ceremony is simple; the only compulsory part of the wedding being the vows said in the presence of two witnesses: "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God."

Other Practices



Monasticism is forbidden, and Bahá'ís attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life. Performing useful work, for example, is not only required but considered a form of worship. Bahá'u'lláh encouraged Bahá'ís to "Be anxiously concerned" with the needs of society. The importance of self-exertion and service to humanity in one's spiritual life is emphasised further in Bahá'u'lláh's writings, where he states that work done in the spirit of service to humanity enjoys a rank equal to that of prayer and worship in the sight of God.


Most Bahá'í meetings occur in individuals' homes, local Bahá'í centers, or rented facilities. Worldwide, there are currently eight Bahá'í Houses of Worship, one per continent.

Bahá'í House of Worship, and Gardens, in Israel

Bahá'í Calendar

The Bahá'í calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Báb. The year consists of 19 months, each having 19 days, with four or five intercalary days, to make a full solar year. The Bahá'í New Year corresponds to the traditional Persian New Year, called Naw Rúz, and occurs on the vernal equinox, March 21, at the end of the month of fasting. Bahá'í communities gather at the beginning of each month at a meeting called a Feast for worship, consultation and socializing.

International Status

Bahá'u'lláh wrote of the need for world government in this age of humanity's collective life. Because of this emphasis the international Bahá'í community has chosen to support efforts of improving international relations through organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. The Bahá'í International Community is an agency under the direction of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, and has consultative status with the following organizations:


United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
World Health Organization (WHO)
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)


The Bahá'í International Community has offices at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and representations to United Nations regional commissions and other offices in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Nairobi, Rome, Santiago, and Vienna. In recent years an Office of the Environment and an Office for the Advancement of Women were established as part of its United Nations Office. The Bahá'í Faith has also undertaken joint development programs with various other United Nations agencies. In the 2000 Millennium Forum of the United Nations a Bahá'í was invited as the only non-governmental speaker during the summit. See this article for further information on the relationship between the Bahá'í International Community and the United Nations.

Bahai Today



There are an estimated five million or more followers Bahá'ís throughout the world today. The majority live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). According to some estimates, the largest Bahá'í community in the world is in India, with 2.2 million Bahá'ís, next is Iran, with 350,000, and the U.S., with 150,000.
Chile
New Delhi

Bahá'ís center in Wilmette, Illinois.

Despite their seemingly peaceful and all inclusive humanitarian lifestyle, Bahá'ís continue to be persecuted in Islamic countries, especially Iran, where over 200 believers were executed between 1978 and 1998.

During the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, due to the growing nationalism and the economic difficulties in the country, the Shah gave up control over certain religious affairs to the clergy of the country. This resulted in a campaign of persecution against the Bahá'ís. As the anti-Shah movement gained ground and support, revolutionary propaganda was spread that some of the Shah's advisors were Bahá'ís. Bahá'ís were portrayed as economic threats, supporters of Israel and the West and popular hatred for the Bahá'ís increased.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 Iranian Bahá'ís have regularly had their homes ransacked or been banned from attending university or holding government jobs, and several hundred have received prison sentences for their religious beliefs, most recently for participating in study circles.


Bahá'í cemeteries have been desecrated and property seized and occasionally demolished, including the House of Mírzá Buzurg, Bahá'u'lláh's father. The House of the Báb in Shiraz has been destroyed twice, and is one of three sites to which Bahá'ís perform pilgrimage.

The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights stated on March 20, 2006, that she

"also expresses concern that the information gained as a result of such monitoring will be used as a basis for the increased persecution of, and discrimination against, members of the Bahá'í faith, in violation of international standards...The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating."

In Egypt on December 16, 2006, the Supreme Administrative Council ruled that the government may not recognize the Bahá'í Faith in official identification numbers. The ruling left Egyptian Bahá'ís unable to obtain government documents, including ID cards, birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports, all of which require a person's religion to be listed. They also could not be employed, educated, treated in hospitals or vote, among other things.

Even though this was reversed on January 29, 2008 by Cairo's court of Administrative Justice, many Bahá'ís today remain without these necessary identification cards.

This is a sad fate for people, who like my friend Abbas, are so committed to their belief of Unity and Peace in the world!

Namaste',

Che'
NOTE: For more information on the Bahai Faith, go to: http:www.bahai.us The next religion we'll feature in May: "Tibetan Buddhism."

The Importance of Forgiveness: Let Go of that Burden!

This news report was filed last weekend:

"It was no illusion. Legendary illusionists Siegfried and Roy appeared in public last weekend for the first time in more than five years, sharing the stage with the Bengal tiger that had ended their careers, for what they said was one last performance.

“They really wanted a final chance to get on the stage and say good night, goodbye, and thank you to all the fans who have supported them so devotedly,” says ABC News’ Elizabeth Vargas. “And they wanted to take this risk.”

If you'd followed the story when Roy Horn was attacked five years ago, you might say, "I'll have to see it to believe it!"

Well, here's that picture:



Talk about FORGIVENESS!

I used to think that I'd never want to forgive some people. "After all, why should I? They have done me wrong! "

WRONG attitude!

What I now realize is that I was coming from the center of EGO and from my "small-world" view, and I could not see the "message" hidden in the wrong action this person was bringing me!

In my ego-centeredness and self-righteousness, I could not see that I was giving these people a far more prominent role than they had ever earned in my Soul by my inability to forgive them. I also could not see that I needed to be GRATEFUL to them for the lessons inherent in their seemingly "evil" ways!


When we truly begin to understand that there is ONLY ONE, AND THAT ONE... IS...GOD, we'll begin to see the GO(O)D in everything...good or bad...that happens to us.

We will begin to see that seeming enemies, indeed, are our best teachers! So whether it is a lover, a friend, family member, an acquaintance, or an animal, as in Roy's case, you must let go of any anger you carry towards ANYONE or ANY SITUATION...no matter what you think they may have done to you! Let go of it.

Sometimes, what they did is for your own GO(O)D...helping to reveal attributes and qualities you may not have otherwise known you had in your constitution!


Love is all there is...God is ALL THERE is!!!

Get this, and you'll finally get the message that our God-centered Soul has been trying to teach and tell us all our lives. This message is constantly blocked out by our EGO-CENTRIC nature and personalities.

Until you understand...that...there is ONLY ONE...and that one is GOD...you may continue to want to nurse the wounds and the pain of the seeming "inflictions" others have delivered to you!

My advice to you...even if you don't yet understand...is to give it up...GIVE IT ALL UP: the resentment, the hate, the unloving way of being and seeing things in the world!

If you can't easily, then make it your mission to learn HOW!

The lack of forgiveness is a curse that creates havoc in our lives. We build up resentment and hatred within our Soul that regurgitates back and manifests as all kinds of ills in our own life experience.

Let Go.

Let go of the people who caused you pain and let go of the emotions they fuel in you that cause you pain.


The reason is that this "block" of emotion is interfering with the flow of universal energy into your life.

I had a vivid experience one day during meditation, where I saw clearly that in order for the Universe to flow any good towards me and through me, I could have no areas that are so dark that it cannot flow through. Any one area that was blocked effectively prevented ANY good from getting to me.


It is through this clear vision that I was finally able to truly see and understand the need to "Let Go and Let God."

Matthew 6: 22-23: "The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"

The truth is that people in their humanness and ego-centeredness will try to do anything to others that they believe they can do and get away with in impunity. This ranges from "despitefully using you" for their own good to trying to hurt you in some other way, be it physical, emotional or mental.

Once we're human, and have not yet uncovered the Consciousness of God at the center of our being, these aspects of our humanity and our personality will never change. Those of us who aspire to walk the spiritual path and want to begin operating from the "Active Side of Infinity" [See: "Power of Intention"by Dr. Wayne Dyer or book review this blog fall 2008] must be able to rise above these personality traits of others...and simply let go and let these individuals walk on in the path of their own ways. Eventually, their own darkness may implode on them because that is the way of the personality and lack of conscious living...but don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen!

At those times when we feel used or misused, life does seem unfair. But the experience of seeming unfairness or injustice is only there to teach us lessons we would not otherwise get. So, just learn to let go and bless your "enemy" right out of your life and into your heart, instead!

Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, was a huge promoter of forgiveness as a "sure remedy for all ills."

Writing in an undated Daily Word, Fillmore writes: "Here is a mental treatment that is guaranteed to cure every ill that flesh is heir to: Sit for half an hour every night and mentally forgive everyone against whom you have any ill will or antipathy. If you fear, or if you are prejudiced against even an animal, mentally ask forgiveness of it and send it thoughts of love. If you have acccused anyone of injustice, if you have discussed anyone unkindly, if you have criticized or gossiped about anyone, withdraw your words by asking him, in the silence to forgive you. If you have had a falling out with friends or relatives, if you are at law or engaged in contention with anyone, do everything in your power to end the separation. See all things and all persons as they really are---pure Spirit---and send them your strongest thoughts of love. Do not go to bed any night feeling that you have an enemy in the world...."

Here's what Leo Tolstoy, the philosopher who has taught me the most about the One Presence
in the shortest amount of Time, says:

" There are five major sins {sic} that torture people: gluttony, sloth, lust, anger or animosity, and finally, pride.

If our bodies were not separate from each other, the divine spirit within us would be united. Without the body, there can be no life, but another life exists apart from the body.

Every sin {sic} comes from a lack of knowledge {about this ONE Presence}.

If you can rise above your rage and anger, and forgive and be kind to those who have harmed you, you are doing the best a person is capable of {being}."



This is certainly timeless advice for the ages! One... that time and again... will be proven as the only sure remedy for any situation or person who seems beyond our human capacity to love.

About forgiveness, here are my final thoughts:

*Every "NO" from someone is an invitation from your Soul to move closer to GO(O)D within.
*Every Obstacle someone places in your way should be used as a Footstool to reaching your GO(O)D.
*When you realize there is NOTHING for you to forgive...that all is
GO(O)D, then you have made your way back HOME!

The circle is complete!

Namaste',

Che'