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 and resilience.... Read more »
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…. The post... Read more »
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. As Baha’u’llah,... Read more »
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 Yaqui miners... Read more »
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) and Duarte... Read more »
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 universal love.... Read more »
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 he chanted... Read more »
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 are many... Read more »
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 brought to... Read more »
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… The post... Read more »
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 the Moon... Read more »
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 a world... Read more »
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 unity of... Read more »
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 — and you’re... Read more »
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 systemic and... Read more »
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 Latino Baha’i... Read more »
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 surprised when... Read more »
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 Health Care... Read more »
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 belonging to... Read more »
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 the car... Read more »
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 Fool’s Day... Read more »
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 morning in... Read more »
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 begins at... Read more »
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 afterlife? Kurt... Read more »
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 as access... Read more »
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 motivation. This... Read more »
“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 Is Honoring... Read more »
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 Background, Family,... Read more »
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 my spiritual... Read more »
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. These festive... Read more »
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 the Baha’i... Read more »
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 the National... Read more »
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 scientist, and... Read more »
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 interracial marriages... Read more »
“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 that took,”... Read more »
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 a satirical... Read more »
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 you live... Read more »
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 of Divine... Read more »
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 in the... Read more »
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 death has... Read more »
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… The post... Read more »
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 did at... Read more »
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 few people... Read more »
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 commemorate the... Read more »
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 pursuit of... Read more »
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… The post... Read more »
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.” As a... Read more »
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… The post... Read more »
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 good piece... Read more »
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… The post... Read more »