A Spiritual Quandary

So, there exists video footage of Abdu'l-Baha.

Not only does it exist, but was incorporated into a full length movie called The Quiet Revolution in 1985.

I need this footage/this movie. I mean, it's ABDU'L-BAHA chanting and rejoicing the dawn of a new day!

Moreover, it says in my book Abdu'l-Baha in New York, The City of the Covenant, that people warned Him that it would be scattered across the country and "used in movie houses. He responded, "Most good!" So He WANTED it to be spread across the nation!!!!

But WHERE is it? And why can't I seem to find it anywhere?

I will just about smother with hugs and love the person who is able to find it or explain how to go about finding it or provide any other information on it at all.

To actually see Him, moving, see Him in action! It would just... be so very amazing!

Totally awesome how quickly I got responses on that Covenant Breaking post. I need to get back on this journal more frequently.

Thank you for your guidance. It's sad to see it so blatantly out there on You Tube-- I suggest Baha'is make lots and lots and LOTS of You Tube videos so seekers don't get lost on their way (And so my coworkers and so forth don't think I'm a member of some insane cult when they 'you tube' the Faith)..

I'll try to get more frequent on my questions. For now, much thanks, and Allah-u-Abha.

I'm in the last week of the Fast, and started my period. So, I certainly have questions.

Well, first of all, I really, really want to fast through this period. I've already read that it is permissible to stop fasting and repeat "Glorified by God, the Lord of Splendor and Beauty" 95 times after ablutions instead.

But I really want to fast! I know it's not downright forbidden to fast with your period, like in Ramadan. But does anyone know if health wise it's inadvisable to fast while menstruating? Because if it's going to wear me down or dehydrate me or make me sick or anything like that, I'll reconsider and maybe drink a little water or something and repeat that verse as instructed.. but if I can fast through it, that would be preferable.

Advice?

I haven't updated this in forever! Well, I'm almost finished the Kitab-i-Iqan, which I'm absolutely loving! But a question came to mind the other day, so, if you know the answer, I'd greatly appreciate your wisdom!!

"...it symbolizes the nine great world religions of which we have any definite historical knowledge, including the Babi and Baha'i revelations..."
Lights of Guidance, Page 415

OK, so if these nine are as follows: Zoroaster (SP), Krishna, Buddha, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab, Baha'u'llah...

...then why does Baha'u'llah use the following language in regards to Noah in the Kitab-I-Iqan:

For instance, consider that among the Prophets was Noah. When He was invested with the robe of Prophethood, and was moved by the Spirit of God to arise and proclaim His Cause, whoever believed in Him and acknowledged His Faith, was endowed with the grace of a new life. Of him it could be truly said that he was reborn and revived, inasmuch as previous to his belief in God and his acceptance of His Manifestation...

Page 154


So, I'm essentially confused. Shoghi Effendi is credited for that first quotation. If there are only nine Manifestations... I don't get it. Hmmmm...

My wonderful roommate Jen had this fantastic question! I'm really hoping someone has an answer to it!

She was wondering what the Baha'i take is on the Dalai Lama. Since we don't believe in reincarnation, do we reject the concept that it is one spirit of compassion being reincarnated? Do we believe the Dalai Lama to be a true spiritual teacher? Each Dalai Lama has certainly had very witty and beautiful teachings, and just recently I was reading through the current 14th Dalai Lama's advice for this coming year, and it was very inspirational. She oversaw me reading it and said, "Well, it's not one of the Prophets you consider legit, is it?" I tried to explain that there are Prophets and Spiritual Teachers (like Confucius) but once she brought up reincarnation I was tongue tied.

It seems like a long stretch to say that every single Dalai Lama just was naturally very spiritual and uplifting by coincidence alone, don't you think?

It's got me thinking. My roommate has had some of the most insightful questions. To give you a little background on her, she comes from a Catholic family, and although she isn't currently practicing, she still believes in Catholic principles. She has really taken away my negative stigma towards her religion by having such an open mind in learning about my own. Actually, a lot of her thoughts are in line with Baha'i teachings. She's a true inspiration to me. So if you know of a decent answer that I could give her, please let me know. Thanks!

I have been thinking lately about sort of the funny problem with the love that binds Baha'is together. It's the first thing I really noticed in the community that moved me. But I've started to wonder lately if this all-encompassing love gets misinterpreted often. If we love everyone so passionately, and see so many virtues in every Baha'i, how do we tell the difference between Baha'i love and romantic love? Justice St. Rain talks about it in Falling Into Grace, how many new Baha'is feel like they're basically falling in love with someone all the time, and get confused by that, but I guess I was just curious if anyone else has ever found that to be a problem.

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Also, I started writing this novel long before I became a Baha'i, and someone mentioned how difficult it will be to continue writing it with my new world view. And so I started to think about it. There is some very explicit material in it, but it's not like my main character is a Baha'i, and the book isn't really about spirituality, although I'm hoping to ease some spirituality into it. But Lights of Guidance talks about only writing inspirational things, or something like that. Does that only apply to Baha'i specific books? My book isn't about explicit material, but is it somehow wrong for me to include it? Just general concerns, I suppose. I hope its alright, because unfortuantely the explicit scenes are sort of necessary to the development of this character.

I'm pretty sure everyone by now has noticed that the majority of my blogging material falls under my personal blog, melodicharmony. I originally, before becoming a Baha'i, was planning on keeping all religious material here, but I didn't know then just how integrated "religious material" would become with my life!! Anyway, I still plan on keeping this for questions, but if you are checking both accounts, I will be crossposting any questions I ask here on my personal blog from now on.

That's all!

Allah-u-Abha my friends,
Ashley

I know, I know, I know, there are much more important things for me to be doing than preparing a will. But, as my organized, overly logical self, I find myself interested in putting together this document. Please do not tell me I'm too young to be thinking about this. After all, I found the faith when a seventeen year old girl died in the blink of an eye. So, you just never know.

I've been researching the laws on Oceans and it seems that Baha'u'llah highly encouraged followers to write up wills, but that the layout of exactly how many shares go where is just a set of guidelines that will be followed if a Believer dies and does not have a will. Is that true?

If so, I would certainly prefer to put down my brother and my sisters for equal shares, rather than giving more to my little brother. It just doesn't make sense to me. But if I researched incorrectly and I do have to follow that law literally, I'm going to have to take a different route and try for the life of me to figure out how that detail agrees with the Baha'i belief in gender equality......

I know this is probably the least interesting topic of conversation possible, but I truly feel like Baha'is need to consider all the things written down in the Most Holy Book and other Writings... it applies to our lives, and therefore is of utmost significance, even though it may be a little more tedious than just discussing the transformative power of Baha'u'llah all the time.

Another thing on my mind is the concept of a "teacher." In the inheritance laws a share is set aside for one's spiritual teacher. Do I get to decide who I believe that person is? If so, I mean, I obviously already know exactly who it would be, but I haven't been able to find anything saying whether or not that is my decision to make.

Thanks for helping with these kind of mundane questions.

I still have questions! I wonder if anyone is reading this anymore. Questions don't stop post declaration.

In fact, now that I'm a Baha'i... the questions multiply.

First of all, I'm investigating the PURPOSE behind some of the laws which will now always be attached to my life, like, for instance, inheritance laws!

I mean... OK, so there's a part of the Kitab-I-Aqdas that lays out exactly how much you give to each member of your family when you die. The share that goes to your brothers is greater than the share that goes to your sisters. Seems a little... I mean... I don't know. There has to be a reason for it, but it eludes me. Suggestions appreciated.

There's also something about dowry.......... hmm.

EDIT! I am so silly to not have understood this. Talk about trying to read way too deep into things. Stephanie was like, "Umm... you know, be, as in, BE... you know, to be..." Silly.
Second of all, this is rather silly, because I've been saying the long obligatory prayer fairly often, but I still don't know what this one part means, and every time I get to it it throws me off a bit: "Whom the letters B and E (Be) have been joined and knit together." I bet the answer is so simple but for some reason I just don't get it.

Anyone know anything about the law concerning the type of wood used on your coffin? I don't know if this applies in the West yet, but it is definitely in effect for Persian Baha'is. They also are required to wrap the body in white cotton or silk, and place a burial ring on the deceased's finger. If it's not in effect in the West, anyone know why not? It doesn't seem like a very difficult detail to add in- I think us Americans can handle it. Sorry... I get a little sarcastic over the "laws that are not yet laws" stuff.

Well, I have a lot more, but that's enough for now.

My suitemate Katie would like to know what the Baha'i Faith's opinion, if there is one, is on abortion, and also on birth control.

I like that I'm seeking to answer someone else's questions. But I'm curious, too, I must admit.

I fear more than anything that no one is going to be able to believe what is going on within me. You may think I'm losing touch with my logical self, having some sort of break with reality and am stowing away all my concerns for another time. This isn't the case, and if there is anyone who should be surprised with the sudden rapid pace with which I am falling into the arms of faith, it should be me.

Therefore, for the record, here is a list of questions that between my own search and the helpful guidance of others, I have personally resolved:



Now, under the cut are the few little "unresolved issues" I'm still battling, not counting, of course, any that I may have in the future:



And that, my friends, is all for now.
I never expected this to happen so fast. Everyone must be so surprised. I have to keep assuring everyone that I'm not rushing, that this is beyond me. I feel like my heart is just being flooded with love and I can't stop it or slow it down. It's out of my control.

I read this entry and it doesn't even sound like "me" the way I have defined myself all these many years.
How things happen is just beyond belief.
I need to go pray for Mana's soul. I think I'm starting to understand what happened to her. I think the clouds of doubt are starting to clear. I think a new day is dawning.

The Birth of The Bab

O Befriended Stranger!
The candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion. The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not.
Make My love thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life.

(Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words, Per.32)

EDIT: I did realize today that I responded to this a little too abruptly and without all information. Sometimes I find myself venting unconstructively, and I'm going to try to improve on that. This little tidbit has not in any way damaged my interest in the faith.
______________________________

"Not only gross immorality but any practices which might arouse temptation and lead to undue intimacy between the sexes are to be avoided. Modern customs, such as kissing between unmarried persons, are discouraged since they may be seen as part of the easy familiarity and frivolous conduct of the 'thoroughly rotten morals of the present world'. Indiscriminate kissing, it is feared, may arouse appetites to suppress which is a strain and which can only be satisfied legitimately through marriage." Sexual Morality in the World's Religions, Geoffrey Parrinder, P244.

Seriously? Kissing is forbidden?!?

SERIOUSLY?

I understand the no sex bit, but...
Oh, goodness.
Rough.
Power to you, unmarried Bahai's. Especially if you are in love. That seems like it would be torture to be in love and not be able to kiss the man. Next thing you know hugging will be off the menu, too.

No more sarcasm. It's just difficult to believe, that's all.

First of all, how weird is this: I'm in the middle of typing up this entry, and I'm about to switch shifts at the library, and the girl coming in for her shift sees the book I'm reading and goes, "No way, you're a Baha'i"
"Well, no, but I'm thinking about joining."
"That's wonderful -  I'm a Baha'i!"
Things like this make life so amazing and make everything seem connected. This faith is so far from obscurity for me now- it's the girl in my suitemate's Africana class, it's the girl whose shift at the library follows mine... they're everywhere. It's beautiful.

I've just started reading The Challenge of Baha'u'llah (which I am LOVING, yay for having an amazing Baha'i friend who gives me great reading material, not to mention the perfect thing to do that isn't translating Latin or reading a Psych book), and I don't know, I got to thinking about this claim that "all world religions" are from one divine source.

What about religions that didn't have a prophet? Like ancient Greek/Roman faith (I study Latin literature, so I'm absorbed in this faith/mythology by neccesity for understanding the material), or Sun worship from long long ago, or some other obscure religions. Do these not count as real religions because they didn't have a single prophet? And in addition, it's interesting to try to think of Hinduism as preaching "one god" since it is somewhat pantheistic in nature. But I am starting to understand that, taking a class on Indian Civilization... it's sort of like different reflections of the same God, I suppose.

But what I mean is, while the most widespread religions had striking similiarities- one god, one manifestation of god, life after death, and so forth... you can't deny that some religions now and in history are not so strikingly similar. Is it too harsh to say they don't count? Or do they, through some complicated interpretation, somehow uphold the principles despite their differences...

This isn't worded very well. Basically I wish I had some article to read on the matter. Someone must have asked this question before.

OK, I'm off to study for my latin exam read about Baha'u'llah.

I'm cross posting all journal entries from my personal journal that have to do with the Baha'i study circle I've joined. And I guess I have no questions, for now. *smile*

Meeting One

A few quick orders of business:
1) I changed my icon from a picture of Mana, at least for now. The quandary has become much more complex than just solving her death. I find myself much deeper into this than I had planned to be. She is still, of course, the first reason I ever had for going into this, still a spiritual sister to me, and hopefully will always be what keeps me grounded when I start to forget how I got here.
2) I may write somewhat less frequently over the next week in order to devote time to my personal journal, melodicharmony. You are all, of course, welcome to read that and everything going on in my personal life. It's a public journal, so all are welcome there.

OK, here goes...

I had a thought today, that maybe I'm looking at everything from the wrong point of view.

Right now I'm sort of tackling this from the outside in, looking at the rules and the customs before I get too deep into the actual writings. I'm reading mostly historical texts with objective views. Why am I doing this? Well, there's probably a few reasons. I know I'm going to be heavily influenced by the writings; I've already been blown away by what I've read, which isn't much more than most of The Seven Valleys, some of the Hidden Words, and a few of the prayers. But I mean, any religion is going to offer almost nothing but wonderful things for their primary writings. Whenever I read Buddhist literature I'm heavily swayed by that as well. I feel like whatever religion I start with, if I start at the spiritual level I'm going to find it very appealing.

So, OK, I guess what I'm thinking now is that maybe I should start from a spiritual perspective and work my way out from there. Get comfortable in the writings, and from there try to use what I learn to guide me in everything else.

That said, I have to pose a hypothetical question: let's say I was to do that, and I was absolutely swept off my feet with all of it, I mean, ready to run off and sign my card and hop on board. Let's say that happened. And then, despite all faith in Baha'u'llah, I am not able to follow the rules of the religion and slip up constantly with all my vices (sex, drinking, drugs, selfishness, lying, the list goes on).

Is it better to be a Baha'i before you are ready to except the, as people are calling them, "social teachings"? If I agree with everything on a deep, spiritual level, and put my heart into it, but can't bring myself to follow the rules, is that better than waiting months or even many years until I'm ready to follow every single little detail and every rule and drop all my habits that are "forbidden" by the faith?

That is probably the biggest question I have asked thus far. The most important to me, at least.

So having dinner with a couple Baha'is last night I learned that you HAVE to say that first obligatory prayer between noon and sunset.

Any significance AT ALL behind this, or is it just a useless restriction? It worries me a great deal. A GREAT deal. Oh, and the medium obligatory prayer HAS to be said three times a day, and it causes otherwise wonderful Baha'is to not perform the prayer, and so everyone who doesn't have the physical time to perform the prayer is just out of luck?? Great...

Oh, and I also learned a good deal about the fact that some religious laws are not yet laws in the international Baha'i community. If a persian Baha'i happens to be reading this and wears black for 19 days after a loved one dies, is this a religious law, or a cultural custom? Will we all, or I should say, will all Baha'is, eventually need to follow this (if it is indeed a law in the Iranian community)?

I have a great deal of concern with the whole "introductory phase" concept in this religion. Like we Americans/Europeans just can't handle how intense and restricted our lives will eventually become from this religious doctrine, so it eases us in until we're so deep into it that we can't get back out when it becomes too intense and rules over our entire existence.

I need to stop being so bitter.

I'm falling back into doubt. Apologies in advance.

Anyone find it odd that the last three major religions have sprouted from the Middle East? Christianity has its roots there, and so does Islam, and so does the Baha'i faith. And the last two come from within the same nation. Now, I'm sorry, but it strikes me as odd, and it makes me think.

I was thinking of this as I read The Seven Valleys and thinking how dependent it was on middle eastern philosophy, poetry, and the Quran.

Now, it's either because there is some spiritual significance, or some heightened spirituality that magically comes out of this part of the world for no other reason than God's will.

Or each religion is nothing more than a political and cultural response the one before it. Muslims had their problems, their wars and their corruption, and tada, there was the Bab, there was Baha'u'llah.

Sorry. Can't help but wonder if it comes down to cultural evolution.
I'm a psychologist; what more can you expect? I seek rational explanations for social and cultural changes.

That's just how I am. Sorry, again.

I've been busy, but I have lots of small questions written down on post it notes scattered all over my room. Here's a few:

- What is the point behind having to have your body buried within a few days? Isn't the spirit gone once you die? So why does it even matter what happens to the body? It's just a body at that point, right?

- In Baha'i tradition, do you say those obligatory prayers out loud, or can you say them in your head? I've been thinking about saying one lately but it's insanely awkward to do out loud with my roommate lying in a bed two feet away from me.

- When a Baha'i sins, does he or she have to beg for forgiveness? How does it relate to the Christian concept of repenting for your sins?

- I'm starting a study circle this week. They say we're going to do "Book One." What does that mean?

- Do Baha'is have a "holy day" or a "sabbath day" or anything like that?

I have so many more. But that's enough for now.

I wanted to thank everyone who has answered my questions so far, by email and by commenting on the entries.

I'm going to try not to post for a couple days so I can read and maybe respond to a few of the essays sent to me that I haven't gotten a chance to really read yet and catch up on the more mundane things in life (like my psychology text book.)

I'll be jotting questions down though, so depending on how lost in thought I get there may be quite a few on Thursday or Friday.

Check back in a few days if you would like to respond to more of my spiritual concerns, and feel free to send the link to this journal to anyone you think may be interested in taking on my questions.

Thank you everyone, for being wonderful and patient with me.