Podcasts about abdu'l baha

Hello and welcome to the Baha'i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts, I interview members of the Baha'i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they're interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by Kathryn Hogenson, author, and attorney, who joins me in my home in California. She tells me how she became a Baha'i and about Ruhiyyih Khanum and her time at the Baha'i World Centre. She also talks about the first Western Baha'i pilgrims to Holy Land, and she shares unknown stories of Abdu'l-Baha and the Bahai's of that time. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much I did! Find out more about some of the things we covered below: * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Book: 'Lighting the Western Sky' by Kathryn Hogenson: https://amzn.to/3sevjK3 * Horace Holley: https://bit.ly/3iJ0VV6 * Seals and Crofts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seals_and_Crofts * Baha'i Firesides: https://bit.ly/2QVLfCp * Nineteen Day Feast: https://bit.ly/37J7fpe * Service in the Baha'i Faith: https://bit.ly/3rDjg82 * Baha'i World Centre: https://www.bwc.org/ * Progressive Revelation: https://bit.ly/2Vkay0B * Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab: https://bit.ly/3g07ssE * Hands of the Cause: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2014/06/hands-cause/ * Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/2VVO6O8 * Video: Crossing Frontiers: Portrait of a World Citizen - Featuring the life of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp9CDnxmpKI * Ali-Akbar Furutan: https://news.bahai.org/story/261/ * Ali-Muhammad Varqa: https://news.bahai.org/story/579/ * Baha'i Pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2EDykz8 * House of Abdu'llah Pasha: https://bit.ly/3m1STbT * May Maxwell: https://bit.ly/3m7UkG5 * Robert Turner: https://bit.ly/3shNJK7 * Robert Stockman: https://bit.ly/3ma0rt8 * Lua Getsinger: https://bit.ly/3m3fHs6 * International Teaching Centre Building: https://bit.ly/3iKfebU * Baha'i World Volumes: https://bit.ly/3jOenq6 * Why is the Baha'i World Centre in Israel?: https://bit.ly/3xKHsYx * Shrine of the Bab: https://bit.ly/3w3JC4s * Shrine of Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/2URrE8J * An Introduction to the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/2VQHJvR * Phoebe Hearst: https://bit.ly/2XvQzA1 * Helen & Ella Goodall: https://bit.ly/3g21rvw * Martha Root: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2012/10/the-life-of-martha-root/ * Prison City of Akka: https://bit.ly/3jXLGan * Corinne True: https://bit.ly/3yKYres * Baha'i Houses of Worship/Temples: https://bit.ly/3m6QRaz * US Baha'i House of Worship/Temple: https://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple/ * Thornton Chase: https://bit.ly/3ssY6uR * Laura & Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney: https://bit.ly/2XlWrvj * George Ronald Publishing: https://www.grbooks.com/ * Ian Semple: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2011/12/in-memory-of-mr-ian-semple/ * Edna True: https://bahaipedia.org/Edna_True * Stanwood Cobb: https://bit.ly/2VVOOuM * Website in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: https://239days.com/ * You may also be interested in The Journey West podcast: https://bit.ly/3y4dzTo Be sure to subscribe to the Baha'i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha'i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha'i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they're interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by Baha'i author, Angelina Diliberto Allen. Angelina shares how her family became Baha'is, some pioneering experiences, and how being in a chewing-gum commercial helped her and her twin sister go on pilgrimage. We talk about what the House of Justice calls "this infinitely poignant moment", and Angelina tells us some fascinating stories about the six Western Baha'is who were in the Holy Land at the time of Abdu'l-Baha's passing. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much I did! Find out more about some of the things we covered below: * Centenary of Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3jkV0WX * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Website in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: https://239days.com/ * The Journey West podcast: https://bit.ly/3y4dzTo * Book: John David Bosch: In the Vanguard of Heroes, Martyrs, and Saints by Angelina Diliberto Allen: https://amzn.to/3qz4JdR * Baha'i Blog interview with Angelina about her book: https://bit.ly/3y1rCcv * Book: When the Moon Set Over Haifa by Angelina Diliberto Allen: https://bit.ly/35YJxEK * John Bosch (https://bit.ly/3h20Meu) and Louise Bosch (https://bit.ly/2UOlpT1) * Baha'i actor Lloyd Haynes: https://bit.ly/3x40wBv * Book: God Passes By by Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/2UaWgBH * Florian Krug: https://bit.ly/361HsI2 * Pioneering: https://bit.ly/3jjTmVH * John Allen: https://bahaipedia.org/John_Allen * Knights of Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/2YE1hBS * Baha'i Pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2EDykz8 * Louis Gregory: https://bit.ly/33aTONF * Shrine of the Bab: https://bit.ly/3w3JC4s * Shrine of Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/2URrE8J * Independent Investigation of Truth: https://bit.ly/3h2bd1V * William Sears: https://bit.ly/3jmV1d2 * Hands of the Cause: https://bit.ly/2EATuOD * Study Circles: https://bit.ly/3qkIJSR * Ruhi courses: https://bit.ly/3w16G44 * Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program: https://bit.ly/3x52jX0 * Angelina talks about my father, Robert Wilson, whom I discuss on the Baha'i Blogcast with Sean Hinton: https://bit.ly/3hcr5h7 * Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3xUtaoG * Curtis Kelsey: https://bit.ly/3jkV5dd * Bahiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/3h20rZg * QUOTE: "The content of the Will of the Master are far too much for the present generation to comprehend, it needs at least a century of actual working before the treasures of wisdom hidden in it can be revealed..." -Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi * Shrine of Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/3h9aOJO * Munireh Khanum: https://bit.ly/3w6g3iK * US Baha'i Publishing Trust: https://www.bahaibookstore.com/ * Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum: https://bit.ly/34DYRHj * Amelia Collins: https://bit.ly/3doqmZ4 * Book: Priceless Pearl: https://bit.ly/3y4jjfU * Baha'i Covenant: https://bit.ly/3A8mFk8 Be sure to subscribe to the Baha'i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by Anne and Tim Perry, the couple behind the fabulous documentary about Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America called 'Luminous Journey'. They tell me how they became Baha'is, what inspired them to make the documentary, and share stories about the making of the film, and of Abdu'l-Baha. I know you'll enjoy the conversation as much I did! Find out more about some of the things we covered below: * Watch 'Luminous Journey' here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx4Vj0KUNSYBc1lY7_UAVyQ * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bahaiworld.bahai.org/special-collections/the-mystery-of-god/ * Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN * Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM * The Bab​​: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ * Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * The Baha'i World Centre: http://www.bwc.org/ * Greenacre Baha'i School: https://www.greenacre.org/ * Sarah Farmer: https://bahaichronicles.org/sarah-jane-farmer/ * Book by Anne Perry called 'Green Acre on the Piscataqua': https://www.bahaibookstore.com/Green-Acre-on-the-Piscataqua-Originally-16-P6883.aspx * Seals & Crofts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seals_and_Crofts * The Nineteen Day Feast and Why it’s Important: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2012/11/the-nineteen-day-feast-and-why-its-important/ * 1992 Baha'i World Congress: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_World_Congress * 239Days.com: https://239days.com/ * Thronton Chase: https://bahaichronicles.org/thornton-chase-disciple-of-abdul-baha/ * Baha'i Firesides: https://bit.ly/2QVLfCp * Louis Gregory: https://bahaipedia.org/Louis_Gregory * Agnes Parsons: https://bit.ly/3v4HHx0 * Liz Dwyer: https://bahaiteachings.org/author/liz-dwyer/ * Anne shares quote from Abdu'l-Baha: "...for any movement animated by love moveth from the periphery to the centre, from space to the 198 Day-Star of the universe. Perchance thou deemest this to be difficult, but I tell thee that such cannot be the case, for when the motivating and guiding power is the divine force of magnetism it is possible, by its aid, to traverse time and space easily and swiftly." * Tim shares quote by Abdu’l-Baha relating to the election of the United States president: "The president must be a man who does not insistently seek the presidency. He should be a person free from all thoughts of name and rank; rather, he should say, ‘I am unworthy and incapable of this position and cannot bear this great burden.’ Such persons deserve the presidency. If the object is to promote the public good, then the president must be a well-wisher of all and not a self-seeking person. If the object, however, is to promote personal interests, then such a position will be injurious to humanity and not beneficial to the public." * The Importance of Service in the Baha’i Faith: https://bit.ly/3rDjg82 * Juliet Thompson: https://bahaichronicles.org/juliet-thompson-need-dates/ * Paris Talks: https://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/PT/ Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, I'm joined by my good friend Shahin Sobhani, who among many other things, was the creator of 239days.com, a site dedicated to the time Abdu'l-Baha spent in North America. Shahin tells us about his childhood and his Baha'i ancestors, and shares stories about Abdu'l-Baha, whom Baha'u'llah called "The Mystery of God". I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation as much I did! Find out more about some of the things we covered below: * Learn more about Abdu'l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: https://bit.ly/3meSCjX * Website created in honor of Abdu'l-Baha's visit to North America: https://239days.com/ * Read this Baha'i Blog interview with Shahin Sobhani about 239Days.com: https://bit.ly/3cKzWWo * Find out more about: - The Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3mgH0wN - Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/3rCOeNM​ - Abdu'l-Baha: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/​ - The Bab: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/​​ - Baha'u'llah: https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/ * Shahin mentions the following: - Mulla Husayn: https://bit.ly/31Id0kg - Battle of Fort Tabarsi: https://bit.ly/3wiY8qu - Nabil-i-Azam: https://bit.ly/3mfIJme - The Dawn-breakers: https://bit.ly/3cK6q35 - Quddus: https://bahaipedia.org/Qudd%C3%BAs - Islamic/Iranian Revolution: https://bit.ly/2OhbsdV - Persecution of the Baha'is in Iran: https://bit.ly/3rIjaLx - Landegg International University: https://bit.ly/2OglkV7 - Dr. Hossein Danesh: https://bit.ly/31GKLlU - Suheil Bushrui: https://news.bahai.org/story/1065/ - Townshend International School: https://www.townshend.cz/ - Baha'i Firesides: https://bit.ly/2QVLfCp - May Maxwell: https://bit.ly/3sKDj4Z - John Robarts: https://bahaipedia.org/John_Robarts - Audrey Robarts: https://bahaipedia.org/Audrey_Robarts - Baha'i Pioneering: https://bit.ly/3cLWrde - Tablet of Ahmad: https://bit.ly/2QSHZru - Louis Gregory: https://bahaipedia.org/Louis_Gregory * Shahin talks about Douglass Martin: https://news.bahai.org/story/1455/ * Douglas Martin 'Historical Consciousness and the Divine Plan' talks: https://bit.ly/2POBEgq * Shahin mentions Nader Saiedi, who was also a guest on the Baha'i Blogcast: https://bit.ly/3rMYmCN * Shahin mentions Rhett Diessner, who was also a guest on the Baha'i Blogcast: https://bit.ly/31DdtEi * Rainn mentions Mona Foundation CEO, Mahnaz Javid, who was also a guest on the Baha'i Blogcast: https://bit.ly/3cMuhz8 * Website about 'One Common Faith': http://onecommonfaith.net/en * 'One Common Faith' article: https://bit.ly/39xhnD1 * Audio reading of 'One Common Faith': https://bit.ly/3sLgePz * Here's the animation Shahin helped with: 'What is the Baha'i Faith? An Introduction by Rainn Wilson': https://bit.ly/3wjCKBn * Book: 'God Passes By' by Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/2OerdSG * Quote by Baha'u'llah about Abdu'l-Baha: "Blessed, doubly blessed, is the ground which His footsteps have trodden". * You may also be interested in listening to 'The Journey West' podcast: https://bit.ly/3wfmd1k * QUOTE: “Freedom is not a matter of place. It is a condition." -Abdu'l-Baha Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO​​ * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL​​ * Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/30dX0G4​​ * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb​​ If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content, check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/​ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. With the recent pandemic of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading globally, and as the situation continues to unfold, I thought it would be timely to get Dr. Robert Kim-Farley on the Baha'i Blogcast. Dr. Kim-Farley is an epidemiologist and a dear Baha'i friend who currently serves as a Professor in both the Departments of Epidemiology, and the Community Health Sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, and from 2004 to 2018, he served as the Director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In this episode, Dr. Kim-Farley (or Dr. Bob as I like to call him), tells us about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and what we know about it so far. He shares some possible scenarios of what could happen in the coming months and gives examples of how certain countries are fighting it. he tells us how we can help slow down the spread of the virus, and he also shares his personal experience in how they were able to completely eliminate polio from Indonesia. Skip ahead to the 24-minute mark of the podcast if you don't want to hear any more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and find out how Dr. Bob got into epidemiology, how he discovered the Baha'i Faith, met his wife, and recently joined a rock band. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did, and also find it helpful! To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * You can learn more about COVID-19 and keep up to date at The World Health Organization website: https://www.who.int/ * Find out more about Dr. Robert Kim-Farley's professional work here: https://ph.ucla.edu/faculty/kim-farley * Dr. Kim-Farley explains the idea of humanity being like the human body, and this concept was actually put into a small editorial in the American Journal of Public Health which you can read here: https://bit.ly/2Ql21I6 * Dr. Kim-Farley refers to the following quote by Baha'u'llah: "Religion without science is superstition. Science without religion is materialism." * Dr. Kim-Farley relates a story about Abdu'l-Baha relating to science and religion. Find out more about Abdu'l-Baha here: https://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/ * Dr. Kim-Farley mentions the Universal House of Justice: https://universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/ * Dr. Kim-Farley talks about being a Baha'i pioneer: https://bit.ly/2w0jrD5 * Rainn mentions the following quote from 'The Hidden Words' of Baha'u'llah (https://bit.ly/2Wg56Nu): "Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning." * Dr. Kim-Farley mentions the word Allah-u-Abha: https://bit.ly/2U3xVKg * Dr. Kim-Farley mentions the following quote from Baha'ullah: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." * Rainn mentions the following article from the Baha'i World News Service: 'Hope and Support in Italy During a Global Health Crisis': https://news.bahai.org/story/1401/ * Dr. Kim-Farley mentions the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program (JYSEP) which you can learn more about here: https://www.bahaiblog.net/junior-youth/ * And finally, you can watch this video with Dr. Kim-Farley performing as his alter ego named "Gage", singing "Born to be Wild" with Ryan and the Runaways: https://bit.ly/39WfJJo Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: @bahaiblogcast * Spotify: spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm at my home in Los Angeles with my uncle, Rhett Diessner, a Professor of Psychology who has a special interest in aesthetics and beauty. We talk about moral reasoning, materialism, and how he became a Baha'i. We discuss the psychology of beauty, how there's no love without beauty, and that love holds the whole universe together. Rhett tells me how humans are all intimately linked, and how beauty will literally help save the world. I hope you enjoy the conversation! To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * I mention my podcast with Reza Aslan called 'Metaphysical Milkshake’: https://bit.ly/3avGT9K * Rhett mentions the Baha'i principle of the ‘independent investigation of truth’: https://bit.ly/39vceJv * Rhett mentions Baha’i Firesides: https://bit.ly/3arsZW2 * Rhett and I talk about 'Some Answered Questions' by Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/39vc8S3 * Rhett mentions the 'The Promise of World Peace’ by the Universal House of Justice: https://bit.ly/3aAKT98 * Rhett mentions ‘The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan)’ by Baha’u’llah: https://bit.ly/38qovxG * Rhett shares the following quote from 'The Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas)’ by Baha'u'llah: "Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.”: https://bit.ly/2IuKGbb * Rhett and I talk about Shoghi Effendi spending time in Switzerland. Find out more about Shoghi Effendi from this article: https://bit.ly/39rk9HW * View the photograph Rhett took of the bench he mentions in the podcast here: https://bit.ly/38tkmJh * Rhett mentions Dr. Hossein Danesh, and you can listen to some of his talks here: - ‘Making Peace Our New Year's Resolution’: https://bit.ly/3cDTyJt - ‘Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: The Challenge of Making Right Decisions’: https://bit.ly/2Ipz2hT * Rhett mentions working with the renowned American psychologist, Lawrence Kohlberg: https://bit.ly/2TJ7XeY * Rhett mentions the works of Carol Gilligan and her book 'In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development’: https://amzn.to/2PO9UFQ * Rhett and I mention Dr. Steven Phelps, who was a guest on the Baha'i Blogcast twice: - Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Episode 7: Steven Phelps: https://bit.ly/2PTN7Zf - [VIDEO] Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Episode 37: Physics and Mysticism with Steven Phelps: https://bit.ly/2VWea9Q * Rhett mentions the ‘Baha’i World Centre’ (http://www.bwc.org/), and you may find this Baha’i Blog article ‘Why is the Baha’i World Centre in Israel?’ interesting: https://bit.ly/2IsLihu * Rhett mentions 'The Tablet of Ahmad' by Baha'u'llah which you can read here: https://bit.ly/2vxvM1j and also read about in this article called ‘The Tablet of Ahmad: Who Was Ahmad?’: https://bit.ly/2ImpgwT * Rhett mentions the 'Long Obligatory Prayer' by Baha'u'llah, which you can read here: https://bit.ly/2v25HqQ and also read about in this article called 'A Prayer to Power Up Your Day: The Long Obligatory Prayer': https://bit.ly/38vTvw2 * Rhett quotes from the 'The Seven Valleys' by Baha'u'llah: "...see every face with the beauty of a friend...". You can read 'The Seven Valleys' here: https://bit.ly/32VC46Z and learn more about it from this article called ‘An Introduction to The Seven Valleys’: https://bit.ly/38yX0SI Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: @bahaiblogcast * Spotify: spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm at my home in LA with Derik Smith, a professor in the Department of Literature at Claremont McKenna College in California, and his work focuses on African American literary culture, with a particular interest in poetry. We talk about African American poet and Baha'i, Robert Hayden, plus we look at the concept of black people being likened to the "pupil of the eye" in the Baha'i Writings. We also discuss racism, the prison system, constructive resilience, and the role each one of us can play in ensuring individual and social transformation and justice. I hope you enjoy the conversation! Dr. Smith also teaches and writes about representations of blackness in American film and musical culture. His 2018 monograph, 'Robert Hayden In Verse: New Histories of African American Poetry and the Black Arts Era', recently won the College Language Association's annual book award. His current scholarship focuses on the poetics of rap, and the rise of the genre during the final decades of the twentieth century, as well as the connection between critical race studies and the Baha’i Faith. Smith regularly teaches courses in American prisons and nurtures activist interests in prison studies and pedagogy. He and his family live in Southern California, USA. To find out more about Derik Smith and some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * Read Derek's essay 'Centering the “Pupil of the Eye”: Blackness, Modernity, and the Revelation of Baha’u’llah' (https://bit.ly/35aHafr) found in The Journal of Baha'i Studies (https://bit.ly/35cS1pe), Volume 29, Number 1 Spring-Summer 2019. * We discuss the following quote: "Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in color, yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world". –Abdu’l-Baha * We mention the following books: i. 'Robert Hayden in Verse: New Histories of African American Poetry and the Black Arts Era' by Derik Smith: https://amzn.to/378YZxt ii. 'The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan)' by Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/2XpuDT1 iii. 'The Dawn-Breakers' by Nabil-i-Azam: https://bit.ly/2pqWB40 (Baha'i Blog article: https://bit.ly/33UM1S0) iv. 'God Passes By' by Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/37eIqAf v. 'The Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas)' by Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/33XC5Hk vi. 'The Advent of Divine Justice' by Shoghi Effendi: https://bit.ly/340xgwM vii. 'Tablets of Baha'u'llah' by Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/37pdsFI viii. 'The Writings and Talks of Abdu'l-Baha' by Abdu'l-Baha: https://bit.ly/2r0LAHe * Learn more about Robert Hayden here on Wikipedia: https://bit.ly/2psQ8FT * A collection of poems by Robert Hayden here on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/37i0uJy * Rainn mentions the writer Anand Giridharadas, author of 'Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World': https://amzn.to/2CM6JHF * Derek talks about volunteering at the Baha'i World Centre: http://www.bwc.org/ and from this Baha'i Blog article: https://bit.ly/2NYILPT * We discuss "Constructive Resilience", an example of which you can read about from this article by Michael Karlberg: https://bit.ly/37hs1eo * Listen to Michael Karlberg here on the Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson: https://bit.ly/2KxZXcK Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: @bahaiblogcast * Spotify: spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I'm in LA with playwright and author, Tom Lysaght. Tom and I talk about being a hippie and what it really meant. He tells me about the three books he took with him on his mystical journey around the world and how he became a Baha'i. We talk about the history of the Baha'i Faith, music, career-ism, the importance of storytelling, the book he's been working on for over 30 years, and the crucial role love plays in religion. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation! * To find out more about Tom Lysaght and some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * Learn more about Tom Lysaght and what he's been up to here on his website: http://www.yourcreativestage.com/ * Tom's latest book is called 'Persian Passion: Of Gods and Gargoyles: https://amzn.to/2ZnraUp * Tom's interview about 'Persian Passion': https://bit.ly/2KOBEYP * Tom's interview about 'Twin Witnesses': https://bit.ly/2P7H05m * Find out more about the Bab: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/ ; and the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab: https://news.bahai.org/story/1316/ * Tom talks about the following books: - The Seven Valleys by Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/2ZjlAGA - Thief in the Night by William Sears: https://amzn.to/2ZhXZSo - The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan) by Baha'u'llah: https://bit.ly/2Clie9q - Baha'u'llah, the King of Glory by HM Balyuzi: https://amzn.to/2Zgzrcn - Abdu'l-Baha by HM Balyuzi: https://amzn.to/2Hmt958 - The Dawn-Breakers by Nabil-i-Azam: https://bit.ly/2BqbFRr - Baha'i Administration by Shoghi Effendi: https://amzn.to/2KO7lS7 - Dawn over Mount Hira by Marzieh Gail: https://amzn.to/2Z9ulnd - Resurrection and Renewal by Abbas Amanat: https://amzn.to/2ZlxKP5 - The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson: https://amzn.to/2ZjuorR - The Portable Walt Whitman by Walt Whitman: https://amzn.to/2zpQNcF - The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: https://amzn.to/2KOKhT6 * We talk about Hands of the Cause: https://bit.ly/2Zm0XVY and Baha'i pilgrimage: https://bit.ly/2ZaUylp * Tom mentions Nader Saiedi who was also a guest on this podcast: https://bit.ly/2KZ1xnz * We mention Steven Phelps, who's been on the Baha'i Blogcast Episode 7: https://bit.ly/32OmMAF and Episode 37: Physics and Mysticism with Steven Phelps [VIDEO]: https://bit.ly/2Y3hOkK * Tom talks about Tahirih (https://bit.ly/2NpEV2i) and the Letters of the Living (https://bit.ly/2P7idP5). * Tom shares this quote from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha: "...make ye a mighty effort, and choose for yourselves a noble goal...". * Tom shares a quote from the Seven Valleys by Baha'u'llah: "If the wayfarer’s goal be the dwelling of the Praiseworthy One (Maḥmud), this is the station of primal reason which is known as the Prophet and the Most Great Pillar. Here reason signifieth the divine, universal mind, whose sovereignty enlighteneth all created things—nor doth it refer to every feeble brain; for it is as the wise Sana’i hath written: How can feeble reason encompass the Qur’an, Or the spider snare a phoenix in his web? Wouldst thou that the mind should not entrap thee? Teach it the science of the love of God!" * Rainn shares a quote from Baha'u'llah: "Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: @bahaiblogcast * Spotify: spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. This is a special episode called "Physics and Mysticism", which we filmed on July 7, 2019 in front of a live audience at Foundation Hall at the Baha'i House of Worship in Chicago. It's a conversation with physicist, data scientist, philosopher and translator, Dr. Steven Phelps, who's also been on the Baha'i Blogcast before. We covered a wide range of topics and there were also some great questions from the audience at the end, which I've also included. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Watch the video of this event here: https://bit.ly/2Y3hOkK Find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode using the following links: * Listen to this talk by Steven called Science, Religion & the Coming Spiritual Revolution: https://bit.ly/2JVyhyT * Check out my previous Baha'i Blogcast episode with Dr. Steven Phelps here: https://bit.ly/32OmMAF * Read about Baha'i Houses of Worship here: https://bit.ly/2Gy3gP8 * We mention the Baha'i World Centre: https://bit.ly/2OjFZa8 * We mention Yuval Noah Harari's book 'Sapiens'': https://amzn.to/2YmFHzb * We mention writer Reza Aslan: http://rezaaslan.com/ * 'The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys'are mentioned: https://bit.ly/2YoZ36p * We mention 'Flatland' by Edwin A. Abbott: https://amzn.to/2JTR25D * Steven mentions Baha'u'llah has "recast the whole conception of religion as the principal force impelling the development of consciousness." This statement is from 'One Common Faith' written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice called : https://bit.ly/2LIJPr7aith/ * The following quote by Abdu'l-Baha is referred to: "Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation." * Frank Wilczek's book 'A Beautiful Question' is mentioned: https://amzn.to/2YhZPSP * We talk about 'Progressive Revelation': https://bit.ly/2OldlWg Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: * YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO * iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast * Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/ Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Today I read a passage from Baha'i Library Online titled "Abdu'l-Baha on Christ and Christianity: An interview with Pasteur Monnier on the relationship between the Baha'i Faith and Christianity" in Paris on February 17, 1917. I also read from the Bible, King James Version, John 13:34-35. I continue our trek through The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 57th and 58th Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a prayer by Baha'u'llah for unity from BahaiPrayers.org. To all of my Christian friends, I wish you a peace-filled Christmas...

Today I read a passage from Some Answered Questions by Abdu'l-Baha, Chapter 30 titled Adam and Eve. I continue reading The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 55th and 56th Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a prayer from Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah pages 240-242.

Today I read four passages. The first passage is from Baha'u'llah and the New Era by J.E. Esslemont pages 85-86. The second passage is from Baha'i Administration by Shoghi Effendi page 10. The third passage is from Advent of Divine Justice by Shoghi Effendi, pocket sized edition pages 23-26, and I want to clarify that the Beloved Guardian was quoting Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha throughout this passage. The fourth passage is from Baha'u'llah by the Baha'i International Committee on page 8. Again this passage also contains quotes by Baha'u'llah. I continue reading The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 53rd and 54th Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a prayer by The Bab from the Baha'i Prayer Book on pages 170-171. 

Today I continue reading from the Kitab-I-Iqan by Baha'u'llah pages 15-22. I continue reading The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 51st and 52nd Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with two prayers by Abdu'l-Baha for children from the Baha'i Prayer Book page 33 and page 31-32. 

Today I read a passage from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi dated June 9, 1932 to an individual believer. Then I begin reading the first half of a long passage from the Kitab-I-Iqan by Baha'u'llah pages 3-15. I continue reading The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 49th and 50th Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a prayer by Abdu'l-Baha on pages 212-213. 

Today I read some passages on Baha'i marriage beginning with The Marriage Tablet which is not scripture as it is unauthenticated. It was taken from a talk ascribed to the Master circa December 1918 and written down by Ahmad Sohrab. I also read some short passages from Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha page 117 and 118, Lights of Guidance by Abdu'l-Baha page 226, and a passage from Prescription for Living by Ruhiyyih Khanum pages 87-88. I continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 47th and 48th Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a prayer by Abdu'l-Baha in the Baha'i Prayer Book on pages 23-24.

Today I read three passages from Baha'i World Faith, pages 66-67 and page 175 from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, and page 366 from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha. I also read a passage from Star of the West Volume VII page 171 titled "Hast thou Love?" from the diary of Mirza Ahmad Sokrab, June 9, 1914. I continue reading from The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 45th and 46th Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a prayer from Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah pages 56-57.

Today I read a passage from The Promulgation of Universal Peace by Abdu'l-Baha from a talk at the Church of the Ascension in New York on 2 June 1912, pages 163-166. I continue our trek through The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 41st and 42nd Hidden Word from the Arabic. I close with a teaching prayer by Abdu'l-Baha which was revealed to the Baha'i's of the United States and Canada from The Baha'i Prayer Book on pages 206-208.

With today's passages, I seek to honour the Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha by reading from Vignettes from the Life of Abdu'l-Baha, pages 95, 96, 102, and 163, and Ruhi Book 4. I also read a passage from Baha'i World Faith, Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, pages 365-366. We continue to read The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, the 37th and 38th Hidden Word from the Arabic. And we close with a prayer for Humanity by Abdu'l-Baha from the Baha'i Prayer Book 112-113.

Today we read a passage from Baha'i World Faith from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha on pages 220-224. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 29th and 30th Hidden Word from the Arabic. We close with a prayer by Baha'u'llah from the Baha'i Prayer Book on page 136.

Today's readings are from The Kitab-I-Aqdas by Baha'u'llah, Notes verse 52, The Promulgation of Universal Peace by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 72-73, and The Prosperity of Humankind by the Baha'i International Community, pages 7-8. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 23rd and 24th Hidden Word from the Arabic. We close this episode with a prayer by Abdu'l-Baha for Gatherings from the Baha'i Prayer Book pages 85-86.

Today's passages are from The Kitab-I-Aqdas by Baha'u'llah, verses 122-125, and Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah pages 336-337. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the 21st and 22nd Hidden Word from the Arabic. We close with a prayer for Firmness in the Covenant by Abdu'l-Baha on pages 68-69 of the Baha'i Prayer Book.

Todays selections all come from Baha'i World Faith, pages 371-372, 374-375, and 395-396, all from Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, and page 11 from the Writings of Baha'u'llah. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the nineteenth and twentieth Hidden Word from the Arabic. We close with a prayer for Test and Difficulties by Baha'u'llah from the Baha'i Prayer Book page 216.

Today I read passages with the theme of Healing. The first is from Baha'i World Faith from the writings of Abdu'l-Baha on pages 375-376 titled Two Methods of Healing. Next we continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the seventeenth and eighteenth Hidden Word from the Arabic. The next passage is from Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha pages 161-162. Lastly, I read the Long Healing Prayer by Baha'u'llah which is on pages 100-108 of the Baha'i Prayer Book.

Today's passage is from Baha'i World Faith pages 263-267 by Abdu'l-Baha. We continue our reading from The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah from the Arabic with the sixteenth Hidden Word. We close with a prayer for healing by Abdu'l-Baha from the Baha'i Prayer Book pages 93-94.

Today's passages are from Some Answered Questions by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 78-80, titled True Wealth, and Prescription for Living by Ruhiyyih Khanum, pages 62-63. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the thirteenth Hidden Word from the Arabic: O Son of Spirit! I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I moulded thee, how doest thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.

Today I read from Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, pages 64-68. We continue reading The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, with the Eleventh Hidden Word from the arabic: O Son of Being! Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee. Get thou  from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me. For I have created thee rich and have bountifully shed My favour upon thee. We close with a prayer for Steadfastness by Abdu'l-Baha from the Baha'i Prayer Book, page 188.

Today's reading is from Selections From the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, pages 1-3. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the Tenth Hidden Word: O Son of Utterance! Thou art My stronghold; enter therein that thou mayest abide in safety. My love is in thee, know it, that thou mayest find Me near unto thee. We close with a teaching prayer from the Baha'i Prayer Book by Abdu'l-Baha which was revealed to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, pages 205-208.

Today's passage is from Baha'i World Faith by Abdu'l-Baha, titled Industrial Justice, pages 280-284. We continue our reading of The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah with the Ninth Hidden Word:  O Son of Being! My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure, and he that turneth away shall surely stray and perish. I close with a prayer from the Baha'i Prayer Book written by The Bab on page 223.

Today's passages are from Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah pages 249-252, and the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, from the Persian, the 54th Hidden Word: O Ye Rich Ones on Earth! The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My  trust, and be not intent only on your own ease. We close with a prayer by Abdu'l-Baha for Spiritual Growth on page 173 of the Baha'i Prayer Book.

Today's readings are from The Promulgation of Universal Peace by Abdu'l-Baha pages 190-193, followed by The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, the Seventh Hidden Word:  O Son of Man! If thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself; and if thou seekest My pleasure, regard not thin own; that thou mayest die in Me and I may eternally live in thee. I close with a prayer by the Bab from the Baha'i Prayer Book, pages 227-228.

Today's readings are from Baha'i World Faith - Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, pages 371-372 and pages 395-396, and Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, page 284. We continue in our reading of the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, the fifth Hidden Word: O Son of Being! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant. I close with a prayer from the Baha'i Prayer Book written by The Bab on page 222-223 on Tests and Difficulties.

Today's reading is from the Kitab-i-Iqan, by Baha'u'llah, pages 192-196. We continue The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, from the Arabic, the Fourth Hidden Word: O Son of Man! I loved they creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do though love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life. I close with a prayer for Spiritual Growth by Abdu'l-Baha from the Baha'i Prayer Book, pages 174-175.

Today's reading is from The Promulgation of Universal Peace by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 39-42, from a talk given by Abdu'l-Baha on April 21, 1912, at the Universalist Church in Washington DC. We continue with the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, from the Arabic, the second Hidden Word: "O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; Turn not away therefrom if though desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes." I close with a prayer for Spiritual Growth by Baha'u'llah from the Baha'i Prayer Book, page 170.

Today I read three passages from The Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 64, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah pages 8-9, and Abdu'l-Baha in London, pages 101-103, followed by the Baha'i Prayer "Blessed is the Spot."

Today's passages are from the Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, page 118-119, and Foundations of World Unity by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 94-99, and a prayer for Firmness in the Covenant, from the Baha'i Prayer Book, pages 68-69. 

Today I read from Selections From the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, pages 156-158 and pages 193-196. These passages were responses to letters written to Abdu'l-Baha on various subjects with an emphasis on the Kingdoms of God - mineral, vegetable, animal, and human - and their relationship to each other. I close with a prayer for unity by Baha'u'llah.

Today I read from Some Answered Questions by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 143-145, a passage titled "The Five Aspects of Spirit," and a prayer by Baha'u'llah from the Baha'i Prayer Book page 224 for Triumph of the Cause.

Today I read a passage from Paris Talks by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 141-146, titled Fourth Principle - The Acceptance of the Relation Between Religion and Science, along with a prayer for Firmness in the Covenant, page 69 of the Baha'i Prayer Book.

Today I'm reading from Baha'i World Faith page 228-231 along with the prayer on page 231, all by Abdu'l-Baha.

Today, I'm reading from The Secrets of Divine Civilization by Abdu'l-Baha, and closing with a Prayer for Humanity from the Baha'i Prayer Book page 110. 

Today's reading is from The Promulgation of Universal Peace by Abdu'l-Baha, pages 180-182, and a prayer for Spiritual Growth by Baha'u'llah from the Baha'i Prayer Book, page 162.

Promulgation of Universal Peace pages 133-135 - The second half of a talk given by Abdu’l-Baha on May 20th, 1912, at a Woman’s Suffrage Meeting at the Metropolitan Temple, 17th Ave and 14th St, New York City, along with a Prayer for Humanity by Abdu'l-Baha.

Promulgation of Universal Peace pages 133-135 - The first half of a talk given by Abdu’l-Baha on May 20th, 1912, at a Woman’s Suffrage Meeting at the Metropolitan Temple, 17th Ave and 14th St, New York City along with a Prayer for Peace taken from Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, page 218.

Our first podcast! Listen to "Intone, O my servant..." by Baha'u'llah, Selections From the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha pages 246-250, and the Prayer for America. Thank you for listening...  

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I interview Billy Roberts, a dear friend who's a therapist by profession, and who has also served in a variety of capacities on a number of Baha'i Institutions. He was also behind an initiative called the 'Baha'i Black Mens Gathering', so in this conversation Billy tells us about the Black Mens Gathering, what he's learned by serving on various Baha'i Institutions, and how he became a Baha'i. We also talk about the benefits of therapy, ideas around culture and identity, and some of the lessons we can all learn from the African-American experience. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! * You can learn more about 'The Baha’i Black Men’s Gathering' from this Baha'i Blog article: https://bit.ly/2AsdZdF * Watch this documentary about 'The Baha’i Black Men’s Gathering': https://vimeo.com/74769779 * Read about 'The Baha’i Black Men’s Gathering' from this book: https://bit.ly/2NSiEHs * Billy shares what he's learned by serving on various Baha'i Institutions and how it's about the 'service' and the 'title' is not important. Learn more about the Baha'i Institutions here: https://bit.ly/2LTOUcx * Billy mentions the book 'The Advent of Divine Justice' by Shoghi Effendi which you can find here https://bit.ly/2LEr4F3 , and an audio version of the book here: https://bit.ly/2Opbrjl * Billy quotes the following excerpt from a letter by Shoghi Effendi: "...it is spirit, determination, faith and devotion which bring victories into being, one after another..." * Rainn mentions his essay 'Me and the Prophet' which you can listen to here: https://bit.ly/2AhnxYR * Billy tells us about his memory of meeting with Hand of the Cause, Zikrullah Khadem and the effect it had on him. Learn more about Hands of the Cause here: https://bit.ly/2NP3d2I, and watch this documentary about Zikrullah Khadem here: https://bit.ly/2JZpLLW * Rainn makes reference to the following excerpt from the Writings of Baha'u'llah: “Ye are all fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch, the flowers of one garden.” * Billy mentions that Hand of the Cause of God, Louis Gregory (https://bit.ly/2NQqtgI) had a saying that "praise is wonderful as long as it isn't inhaled". * Rainn shares a quote from Abdu'l-Baha: "Strive day by day that your actions may be beautiful prayers...". * Billy shares one of his favorite quotes from the Writings of Baha'u'llah: "Whatsoever occurreth in the world of being is light for His loved ones and fire for the people of sedition and strife. Even if all the losses of the world were to be sustained by one of the friends of God, he would still profit thereby, whereas true loss would be borne by such as are wayward, ignorant and contemptuous. Even or odd, thou shalt win the wager. The friends of God shall win and profit under all conditions, and shall attain true wealth. In fire they remain cold, and from water they emerge dry. Their affairs are at variance with the affairs of men. Gain is their lot, whatever the deal. To this testifieth every wise one with a discerning eye, and every fair-minded one with a hearing ear." Be sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: *YouTube: bit.ly/2JTNmBO *iTunes: apple.co/2leHPHL *Soundcloud: @bahaiblogcast *Spotify: spoti.fi/2IXRAnb If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET. Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I'm joined by my dear friend, Shadi Toloui-Wallace, a singer and songwriter who also hosts her own podcast called 'Cloud 9'. We talk about striving to be coherent in our everyday lives while trying to be a professional artist, and the creation of Baha'i-inspired music versus secular music. She tells me about the music she's been working on, the exciting things happening with the youth in her neighborhood, the importance of service, and she shares a little about her family and upbringing, plus some exciting news in her personal life. We talk about Baha'i Blog's Studio Sessions and the need for Baha'i-inspired grassroots music, and Shadi sings a beautiful song for us at the end of the podcast, so press 'play' and tune in to this fun conversation! To find out more about Shadi Toloui-Wallace, and some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links: * Shadi Toloui-Wallace official website: http://www.shaditolouiwallace.com/ * Shadi's podcast called 'Cloud 9' on BahaiTeachings.org can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiteachings/sets/cloud9 * Check out Shadi's band called 'Tiny Havoc' here: http://www.tinyhavoc.com/ * You can read the following interviews with Shadi Toloui-Wallace here on Baha'i Blog: i) https://bit.ly/2laqfol ii) https://bit.ly/2LRfYsw * You can read this article by Shadi Toloui-Wallace here on Baha'i Blog: https://bit.ly/2sXAmRO * Shadi talks about her mother, Shidan Toloui-Wallace, whom we've also interviewed here on Baha'i Blog: https://bit.ly/2sWOxX8 * Shadi calls herself a 'Third Culture Kid', a term coined by this book: https://amzn.to/2sVXDUb * Shadi mentions Rainn's not-for-profit in Haiti called LIDÈ: https://www.lidehaiti.org/ * Shadi and Rainn talk about working with youth and the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program (JYSEP), which you can learn about from this short animation: https://bit.ly/2eiMF54 * Rainn shares this quote from the Writings of Baha'u'llah: "Let deeds not words be your adorning". * Rainn shares a quote about music from Abdu'l-Baha: "...although sounds are but vibrations in the air which affect the ear’s auditory nerve, and these vibrations are but chance phenomena carried along through the air, even so, see how they move the heart. A wondrous melody is wings for the spirit, and maketh the soul to tremble for joy." * Rainn shares quote about music from Shoghi Effendi: "It is the music which assists us to affect the human spirit; it is an important means which helps us to communicate with the soul." * Rainn and Shadi talk about the importance of grassroots music and Baha'i Blog's Studio Sessions series, which you can check out here: https://bit.ly/1LtjUx9 * You can view some of the Baha'i Blog Studio Sessions produced by Shadi in Vancouver, Canada below: i) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57E9OhLSUpo ii) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwn-oQZ6Hpc iii) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY_McHozqFk iv) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTmJImVPdi4 v) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=766WYsdOaYo * At the end of the podcast, Shadi sings the song 'Kindle' from her album 'Daughters of the Kingdom' (http://www.shaditolouiwallace.com/new-products/daughters-of-the-kingdom-digital), based on a prayer by Baha'u'llah. Be sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: *YouTube: https://bit.ly/2JTNmBO *iTunes: https://apple.co/2leHPHL *Soundcloud: @bahaiblogcast *Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6EnTNdLBTeu4KrA9xFTgQw If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET. Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I interview professional life coach Susan Gammage from Canada. We talk about how she became a Baha'i, why she became a life coach, and how she uses the Baha'i Writings in her work and everything she does. We delve deep into the idea of "sin" and "shame" and she explains why she believes "it's the stories that separate us and the reactions that unite us". We talk about her very popular blog SusanGammage.com, and all of the books she's written and working on. We discuss the spiritualization of money; workaholism and other addictions; what she's currently reading, and how forgiveness is the key to solving so many things within us. To find out more about Susan Gammage, read her articles, discover her books and all that she does, go to her website: SusanGammage.com Here are a few links to some of the things we mentioned in our conversation, and some of the quotes from the Baha'i Writings we mentioned as well: * Susan mentions the book 'The Promulgation of Universal Peace' which is a compilation of talks delivered by Abdu'l‑Baha in New York, Montclair, and Jersey City: http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/#f=f8-547 * Susan talks about the book 'A More Excellent Way' by Henry W. Wright: http://amzn.to/2opfhfz * I mention 'Brilliant Star' magazine: brilliantstarmagazine.org * Susan mentions 'Ocean', a free library of the world's religious literature: bahai-education.org * We discuss the recent March 1st, 2017 letter from the Universal House of Justice regarding economic life: http://universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/activities-bahai-community/20170301_001 * We talk about the Ruhi sequence of books, which you can find out more about here: www.ruhi.org/materials/list.php * I ask Susan about her book 'Fear Into Faith - Overcoming Anxiety': http://susangammage.com/are-you-ready-to-turn-fear-into-faith * We talk about the Baha'i Funds, which you can read more about in this Baha'i Blog article called 'The Baha'i Fund: An Introduction': http://bahaiblog.net/site/2015/06/the-bahai-fund-an-introduction/ * Susan quotes this portion of a prayer by Baha'u'llah: "Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Every time I venture to make mention of Thee, I am held back by my mighty sins and grievous trespasses against Thee, and find myself wholly deprived of Thy grace, and utterly powerless to celebrate Thy praise. My great confidence in Thy bounty, however, reviveth my hope in Thee, and my certitude that Thou wilt bountifully deal with me emboldeneth me to extol Thee, and to ask of Thee the things Thou dost possess." * Susan quotes this prayer by Abdu'l-Baha: "O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord." Be sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Baha’i Blogcast for more weekly episodes on iTunes, Google Play, or Soundcloud. You can also stream the Blogcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SR6lNJPMSBFTYY8rfpDP0 Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson

Hello and welcome to the Baha'i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson. In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode I interview Andy Grammer and his wife Aijia. We talk about how they met and what married life is like, the evolution of their careers, having a baby in the kitchen, trying to 'keep it real' in all that you do, tests and perseverance, songwriting, death and loss, becoming a Baha'i, their favourite Baha'i quotes, plus they even sing Aija's favourite quote for us at the end of the podcast. Here is the quote by Baha'u'llah from the Hidden Words that Andy refers to: "O SON OF EARTH! Know, verily, the heart wherein the least remnant of envy yet lingers, shall never attain My everlasting dominion, nor inhale the sweet savors of holiness breathing from My kingdom of sanctity." And here is the reference to the quote that Aijia refers to which they sing: "Whatever is done in love is never any trouble, and - there is always time." Abdu'l-Baha was reported to have said this in 1908. This quote is taken from page 42 of "Daily Lessons Received at Akka, January 1908" by Helens S. Goodall and Ella Goodall Cooper. Here are the music videos to the songs Andy spoke about in the interview: Honey I'm Good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go7gn6dugu0 Keep Your Head Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmrOB_q3tjo Holding out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7kJVU1ioWU You can view more of Andy's work on his website: http://www.andygrammer.com/splash/. You can also follow Andy on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/andygrammer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor and Aijia here: https://twitter.com/aijiaofficial. Be sure to check out and 'subscribe' to the Baha'i Blogcast for more weekly episodes on iTunes, Google Play, or Soundcloud. You can also stream the Blogcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZITxbsaADoYeuMvtDnBEr Thank you for listening to the Baha'i Blogcast. If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit http://www.bahai.org, and for more Baha'i fun stuff check out http://www.bahaiblog.net. Thanks for listening! -Rainn Wilson