Bahai Faith
Bahai Faith
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The Legacy of May Maxwell, Dorothy Baker, and Patricia Locke
Several years ago in Akka, Israel, a woman taught me a lesson about how to walk. A fellow Baha’i pilgrim—a dancer—took my arm as we strolled toward the sea. “Walking…
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A Legendary Scientist Asks: Do We Survive Death?
How do the world’s most renowned scientists and theorists regard the spiritual realm? Can science and spirituality, so long at odds, find common ground? Can a scientist believe in the…
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‘Crossing the Desert’: The Autobiography of Payam Zamani
Do you understand what it’s like to lack the legal freedom to express your faith, religion, and spiritual beliefs — enduring harassment, attacks, and the denial of human rights, such…
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The Universal House of Justice: Leading With Humility and Love
Comprehending the unique Baha’i administration means understanding the men and women who take part in it — not just to establish historical facts and system paradigms, but to examine human…
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How Artist Oletha DeVane Honors Our African Ancestors
“My life’s goal as an artist is to unlock the secrets to the oldest stories and create new ones,” wrote Oletha DeVane, a Baha’i multidisciplinary artist. RELATED: How One Playwright…
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Coralie Franklin Cook: A Famous Suffragist, Speaker, and Baha’i
An African American woman, who was born into enslavement, later became a famous public speaker, inspiring suffragist, and devoted Baha’i. Learn about the life of Coralie Franklin Cook. Coralie Cook’s…
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Do We Have Spiritual Ancestors? Meet Pocahontas Pope
We all have physical ancestors—but do you think we have spiritual ancestors? Meet Pocahontas Pope, the first African American Baha’i of Washington, D.C., and a woman I think of as…
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Happy Ayyám-i-Há: Days of Gifts, Gatherings and Service
For four days this week, Baha’is around the world will celebrate with festivities, gifts, parties, service projects and charitable humanitarian work. Why? Well, we’re celebrating the Baha’i holidays called Ayyam-i-Ha.…
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Understanding Intercalary Days and the Baha’i Calendar
This week, Baha’is around the world will celebrate four days of festivities, gifts, parties, service projects and charitable humanitarian work during the Baha’i holidays called Ayyam-i-Ha. That Persian phrase designates…
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W.E.B. and Nina Du Bois: Lovers of the Baha’i Principles
Born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a famous writer and civil rights activist. He made history as the co-founder of…
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Dr. George Washington Carver: Inventor and Baha’i Advocate
Dr. George Washington Carver was one of the most famous African Americans of his time. Although he was born into slavery, he later made history as an extraordinary inventor, agricultural…
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How Do You Know When You Find Your ‘Soulmate’?
Over the years, I’ve seen how the love between a couple can strengthen their spirituality and commitment to community service, and even heard stories from family friends about how their…
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Artist Masud Olufani Honors the First African American Baha’i
“I’m inspired by his ability to see the truth, his willingness to enter into a space where he knew he was going to be the only one, and the courage…
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Tierney Sutton’s New Song ‘Good People’ Confronts Racism
Tierney Sutton, a nine-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, raises awareness of systemic racism in the United States with her new single, “Good People.” “Good People,” which was officially released today, is…
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Waiting for My Home-Bound Train, I Thank the Creator
I just finished giving a talk on the subject of loss to a room full of people here at my nursing home, and it seems to have gone well. If…
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‘The Advent of Divine Justice’: A Book With a Blueprint for Life
If you asked me what book has most positively and profoundly influenced my character, conduct, values, interests, avocations, and vision for social justice, I would have to say, “The Advent…
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Learning How to Learn: The Intellectual Life of Baha’is
The Baha’i Faith regards the mind as the greatest gift we human beings possess. Abdu’l-Baha, the son and successor of the Faith’s founder Baha’u’llah, said in one of his addresses…
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The Pain of the Present: How Can We Stop Deaths of Despair?
In my spare moments I voluntarily serve on the board of directors of my local homelessness charity. Last week a client died from an overdose in our shelter, and that…
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How Can We Spiritualize Economics?
The Baha’i teachings say that humanity’s economic problems require spiritual solutions, if the world is to materially prosper and socially progress. In other words, our economic values must be linked……
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The 7 Days of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of 7 Spiritual Principles
If we want to make a difference in this world, we need to, as the saying goes, “find a need and fill it.” And that’s what Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga…
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Abdu’l-Baha’s First Christmas – BahaiTeachings.org
Let me tell you about the magic of Abdu’l-Baha’s first Christmas in England — but before I do, let’s set the stage by exploring the history of the holiday, which…
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Do Baha’is Celebrate Christmas? – BahaiTeachings.org
As Christmas and the end of the Gregorian calendar year approach, I see many questions on my Facebook feed, asking: Do Baha’is celebrate Christmas? And if so, how do they…
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Why You Should Always Do Your Best: The Fourth Agreement
The teachings of the Baha’i Faith and the advice delineated in don Miguel Ruiz’s Toltec wisdom book, “The Four Agreements,” invite us to live a life of excellence in our…
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Manhood and the Military: Are Men Naturally Warlike?
How many of you men played “war” or “soldiers” or “G.I. Joe” when you were little boys? How many of you played violent video games? Guys, please raise your hands……
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The Green Light Expedition: Meeting Indigenous Amazonian Baha’is
Born to a renowned architect and his wife in Montreal, the intrepid Baha’i Mary Maxwell later became known by the honorific title of Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, meaning “handmaiden of glory.”…
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Who Can You Trust? Teachers!
To gain knowledge, we all need teachers. Despite the many myths of the feral “wild child” growing up in the jungle, no human being ever learns much without wise instruction……
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Being an Artist and a Baha’i: Lessons from Otto Donald Rogers
The renowned Canadian Baha’i painter and artist Otto Donald Rogers attempted to define what characterizes a good painting in his stirring, insightful essay “The Artist and the Grammarian:” Like a…
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Food, Gratitude, and Grace: We Are How We Eat
I recently saw Sadaguru, a reputable Indian guru who shares many views with the Baha’i teachings, speak about the sacredness of food. When one sits down to a meal, he……
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Veterans Day: Let’s Call it Armistice Day Again
Today, November 11, the United States observes Veterans Day, while many other nations celebrate it as Remembrance Day, marking the formal end of the First World War and honoring the…
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Exploring a Baha’i and Native American Cultural Perspective on Art
If you’ve ever been to the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, then you’ve probably seen the work of Ina McNeil. She’s an award-winning Hunkpapa Lakota…
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What’s Respectful this Halloween? – BahaiTeachings.org
Typically this time of year children, youth and families conjure up the most creative, elaborate and oftentimes scary costumes for Halloween. Walking around our neighborhood on all hallows eve has…
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What Gives People Hope for the Future?
Humanity has endured so much suffering in the past few years. With pandemics, world wars, hate crimes, and mass shootings, it’s understandable why the Universal House of Justice, the global…
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Women: An Antidote for War
Is war inevitable, since it’s been around forever? Is it human nature? The Baha’i writings say that it isn’t — and that gender equality will abolish war forever. The Baha’i……
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Boys – and Men – Need an Actual Role Model
Which brand of masculinity would you like your son to grow up with? Every parent of a male child now faces that important question. What constitutes success for your little…
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How Chief Sitting Bull’s Great-Great-Granddaughter Became a Baha’i
Can you imagine what it’s like to be the first person from your family, tribe, city, ethnic affiliation, or faith to embrace the world’s newest major religion? That’s the experience…
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The Role Latino People Can Play in Ending Racism
Latino culture is a culture of warmth — of family, food, hard work, and celebration through thick and thin. This culture of connection keeps us going through life’s challenges, especially…
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God’s Gardens: Co-creating Friendships Among Plants and People
Gardens represent a microcosm of our world. Given that the garden was God’s first work of art, it is humanity’s role to dress and keep the garden beautiful, to be…
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The Spiritual Meaning of Water: Exploring 5 Significant Symbols
For the vast majority of living beings, few elements are as universally needed as water. Whether it’s reviving dry earth with rain, sheltering animals in the sea, cascading down in…
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What Does It Take to Be a Man Today?
I’ve been a man all my life – except, of course, for that decade or two (or three) when I was a boy – and I’ve rebelled against the traditional…
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Forging a Path From Mexico: The First Latino Baha’i Community
In the vibrant legacy of Mexico’s cultural history, a new path was forged in the early 20th century — the emergence of the first Baha’i community in Latin America. RELATED:…
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Remembering the Trailblazing Life of Dr. Helen Elsie Austin
Determined to make a difference, Dr. Helen Elsie Austin always faithfully pursued her goals and stood up for what was right despite the racism she experienced. She said, “…if we…
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Is Paradise Lost? Greed, the Human Spirit, and the Hawaii Fires
On August 8th, 2023, a devastating fire stunned the island of Maui, Hawaii. In Lahaina, the flames took more than 100 lives and made thousands of terrified residents homeless. What…
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The Hidden Toll: Mental and Physical Health Effects of Racism
Many of you may know the tragic story of Eric Garner — a 43-year-old African American man who was put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer…
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Inspiring Short Stories About Justice and Fairness
In 1912, a person asked Abdu’l-Baha, one of the central figures of the Baha’i Faith, “What is the purpose of our lives?” He replied, “To acquire virtues.” And, Baha’is believe…
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Uplifting Stories About Finding Joy and Happiness
“Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world…
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Stories About Humility: 7 Lessons We Can Learn
Years ago, at a fireside chat at my home, a man joked, “The funny thing about humility is that once you know you have it, you’ve lost it again!” I…
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The Pupil of the Eye: A Cosmic Hole to Unleash Black Girl Magic
Little Girl: And me, I imagine myself a giantess, so tall I rise above the canopy of any atmosphere like helium. I’m so light but have been trapped underground —…
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How One Playwright Is Honoring Black Girlhood Stories
Decades ago, at a time when there was a lot of violence in Washington, D.C., my mother’s friend asked an elementary school-aged Black girl what she wanted to be when…
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Building a Justice System in the Palestinian Territories
When I became a Baha’i in 1974, I began to discover a treasure trove of guidance in the Baha’i teachings on how to address a myriad of challenging societal issues…
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The Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism of Clouds
As I write this article, I see nothing but clouds blanketing the horizon. I see neither a blue sky nor a radiant sun, just a sheet of whiteness obscuring them…