Bahai Faith
Bahai Faith
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Starting and Ending Your Day in an Intentional Way
A few words of advice and inspiration: That’s what my co-workers and I were asked to share with the young people we work with in New York City. They’re between…
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How to Promote Unity and Harmony in Society
In part one, Michael Orona and I explored untold stories of solidarity between Indigenous Yaqui miners and African Americans. In part two, we delved into the power of spiritual courage…
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Humanity: No, We Are Not Doomed!
A friend of mine has a 9-year-old daughter who came home from school last week in tears. “Mom, my teacher says the world will run out of water by 2040….…
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Lessons on Spiritual Courage: Reclaiming Native Narratives
In “The Brave Ones,” Michael Orona’s compelling narrative transcends beyond physical courage and delves into spiritual courage and resilience, highlighting the power of remaining steadfast in the face of oppression.…
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‘The Brave Ones’: Exploring Untold Stories of Solidarity
Set in the 1940s American Southwest, Michael Orona’s novel “The Brave Ones” shines a light on an important but lesser-known chapter of American history. Through the shared struggles of Indigenous…
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Joaquim Sampaio: A Baha’i Martyr’s Legacy in Angola
What cause would you give your life for? When we think about early African Baha’is who died as a result of their beliefs, the names of Enoch Olinga (Uganda, 1979)…
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Commemorating the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha
Tonight Baha’is observe the anniversary of the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, who ascended to the next world more than a hundred years ago – and left the world a legacy of…
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Finding Strength and Unity: Native American Proverbs About Life
Growing up during segregation in the United States, my grandfather, who was Cherokee, Black, and Irish, had a difficult life, to say the least. But, my mother told me, while…
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Why We’re Raising Our Children Vegan
As Baha’is, we strive to raise our children to know and love God and contribute to the advancement of a better world. What does that look like in practice? There…
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From Media to Movies: Addressing Native American Stereotypes
On November 7, The Washington Post reported, “The FBI and authorities in several states are investigating racist text messages sent to Black people nationwide this week saying they would be…
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Am I Ready — and Willing — to Die?
I have cancer. I live in a nursing home. I’m 88 years old. Just as my death seems to be on its final and very welcome approach, my ego rears……
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Regenerative Agriculture: A Force for Changing the World
Over half of the world’s population now has a smartphone. Each one of these devices is more powerful than the Apollo Guidance Computer, which was used to get astronauts to…
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9 Interfaith Quotes and Prayers to Find Peace of Mind and Heart
There is an African proverb that says, “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” So, how do you find peace of mind and heart? In…
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Honoring the Birth of Baha’u’llah
Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, came into this world at the hour of dawn on this day in 1817, bringing the means for the establishment of the long-awaited…
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The Joyous Birth of the Bab
At sunset on Friday, November 1, 2024, Baha’is everywhere will begin joyously celebrating the birthday of the Bab, the forerunner of Baha’u’llah and the founder of the Babi Faith —…
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Geledés: How Afro Brazilians Are Combatting Racism
A quote often attributed to James Baldwin expresses a profound truth, “To be African American is to be African without any memory and American without any privilege.” African Americans endure…
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The Life and Legacy of the First Colombian Baha’i
In the mid-20th century, Colombia experienced a spiritual shift as the teachings of the Baha’i Faith began to spread throughout the country. RELATED: Forging a Path From Mexico: The First…
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Cathartic Healing: How to Emotionally Purge in 7 Ways
Thirteen years ago, I came home sobbing from the latest misogynoir, exclusion, and isolation I experienced at my high school. I expected to seek consolation from my mother, but was…
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What Are the 5 Different Types of Social Support?
When we experience the different types of social support, we feel close to and cared for by our community. In contrast, as noted in chapter 11 of “Health Promotion in…
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The 9 Different Types of Safety: From Physical to Emotional
Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, stated that the Baha’i community “should feel it to be its first and inescapable obligation to nurture, encourage, and safeguard every minority…
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‘The Heart’s Code’: The Power of Heart-to-Heart Connections
Scott Mayhew had been working on his family’s SUV when it slipped off the jack and crushed him. “I was kind of on my side, reaching for a wrench when…
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Just For Fun – Happy Multicultural April Fool’s Day!
Many of the world’s cultures have a traditional time of the year set aside just for fun and laughter, when tricks, comedy, pranks, and practical jokes prevail. That’s why April…
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Sarah Farmer: A Life Sacrificed for Peace
I vividly remember all my trips to Green Acre: A Baha’i Center of Learning. I remember watching the peace flag flutter outside in the wind, and I remember praying each…
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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…
