cire perdue

I was recently at a World Religion Day celebration that has been ongoing for 10 years, started by Baha'is. It has evolved to have its own board and is independent even having a revolving president's position. The opening speaker, a Hindu physician, had great things to say with interesting references about each represented religion or sect. He quoted many sources and in thought was very Baha'i like. He omitted mention of the Baha'is which was odd. He had been to the House of Worship in India. He put many things together that equaled "Baha'i" in sum, but seemed to avoid ever mentioning the total that would equal Baha'u'llah. I also met a Punjabi physician about the same time who also was extremely similiar in make up, but Moslem. These 2 people had loving ethics and knew a great deal more than usual about all religions. It is notable that though aware of the Faith, there was no interest. Intellectually they knew the need for spiritual solutions. I have also seen "perfect" Baha'i "arguments" that attracted no one. It is obvious that the spiritual connection is most important. I know for myself if I did not have the spritual connection to the Faith and Its Covenant that I would not have always been able to remain a Baha'i. Some obstacles would have been impossible for me. I do know that it is those of us who are the most loving that make the biggest impressions. I just read LUA GETSINGER Herald of the Covenant and CORINNE TRUE and am most impressed over how important just loving and caring are. The Baha'i I knew who died last year at 103 had been distilled by age and her faith to being so loving, it was almost a glow. I have to admit that it had mostly always been there, but more visible by the adversities of her age.

I would guess if we are intellectuals, then we find it easy to stay in that comfort zone. Now I find it is personal thinking, attitudes, and beliefs that I have had to work on the most. Though I would never thought having a temper as intellectual, I find my temper has intellectual righteousness/rationalization as a base. Without having gone to 12 step meetings and learning that particular view on anger I would not have had as much growth. Being loving seems too simple to be true, but after years of being a Baha'i I am (fortunately) reduced to surrender to this very basic attribute and practice.....at least momentarily...... It's going to be a process, but at last I am coming to believe this is the most important. I can only wonder if I could have shortened this process by believing more, sooner. I do know that by watching other people in 12 step programs that some of us don't get it except on our own time table. Also life events do change one. Hopefully for a believer the change is to grow more like the Master. This however cannot be faked. I have had to spend a lifetime learning the tools to do this.

It is hard to figure out what one needs and to find a way/place/person to obtain it. As a Baha'i I have sought help. I have even had a Dale Carnegie Course. Apparently it takes mistakes, regrets, successes, and faith for one to grow. I want it yesterday, but I am grateful for what I have today.

Lunitik

I think it is Abdu'l Baha that says exactly this using the example of a bush. It is the bush most pruned that delivers the most fruit. Struggle is the pruning, your old friend would be an example of the fruit

Hopefully someone can quote what I am referring to.

Yeshua

The pain of love became the medicine for every heart,
The difficulty could never be solved without love.

— 'ATTAR

arthra

The Baha'is in my area had World Religion Day up until a few years ago.. There was participation from Sikh, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Muslim and Buddhist.. I personally knew most of these people. I think to an extent though many Baha'is no longer stress proclamations as we did some years ago due to the energy required for the Ruhi programs... When was the last time you read where National placed emphasis on it? World Religion Day was started by the NSA of the USA in 1950..


Note this:

http://bahai.us/world-religion-day-celebrates-unity

Elsewhere on the same site:

World Religion Day celebrates unity among diversity of faiths | Bahai Faith | Baha'i Faith

Here's one that seems on going:

Welcome to World Religion Day Shreveport/Bossier

http://www.worldreligionday.org/

tonyfish58

Lunitik - Funny - I used this in a post the other day

Link to the post by the same person

To struggle

cire perdue - Thanks for that reflection, well written.

From the Baha'i Daybook page 316, this quote from Abdul'baha

"Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit".

Cheers tony