Journey West

Here is an exerpt from World Order of Baha'u'llah by Shoghi Effendi, talking about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's historic journey to the West:

Though bent with age, though suffering from ailments resulting from the accumulated cares of fifty years of exile and captivity, 'Abdu'l-Bahá set out on His memorable journey across the seas to the land where He might bless by His presence, and sanctify through His deeds, the mighty acts His spirit had led His disciples to perform.  The circumstances that have attended His triumphal progress through the chief cities of the United States and Canada my pen is incapable of describing.  The joys which the announcement of His arrival evoked, the publicity which His activities created, the forces which His utterances released, the opposition which the implications of His teachings excited, the significant episodes to which His words and deeds continually gave rise - these future generations will, no doubt, minutely and befittingly register... These incidents, as we look back upon them, eloquently proclaim 'Abdu'l-Bahá's specific purpose to confer through these symbolic functions upon the first-born of the communities of the West that spiritual primacy which was to be the birthright of the American believers."

A Message from the National Spiritual Assembly

February 22, 2011

To all Local Spiritual Assemblies and registered groups

Dearly loved Co-workers,

Since receiving the stirring message dated August 29, 2010 from the Universal House of Justice, Bahá'ís throughout the world have been moved to reflect on 'Abdu'l-Bahá's monumental travels to the West and the nearly one hundred years which have followed. Of particular significance to American Bahá'ís is the period between April and December 1912, coinciding with the Master's visit to North America.  Though still a year before the centenary of this important chapter in Bahá'í history, we feel compelled to share with you some initial thoughts on its celebration.

The House of Justice pointed out that "this anniversary is more than a time of commemoration," and that "we should, therefore, reflect not only upon what the Master achieved and set in motion but also on the work that remains undone to which He has summoned us." Foreseeing the significant implications of this occasion for the American Bahá'í community, the Supreme Body provided to this National Assembly the following guidance to assist with our planning:

"A befitting response to the Master's strenuous labors requires sacrificial action on the part of all His loved ones.... Among the challenges to be met will be the further expansion and consolidation of the Faith and a greater involvement in the life of society-themes to which His attention was constantly directed.

In addition, it is natural that in many cities and towns the believers will eagerly anticipate the opportunity to mark, through celebration and reflection, the anniversary of specific events of local significance associated with 'Abdu'l-Bahá's journey.  So too, there may be occasions of national significance, such as the laying of the cornerstone of the House of Worship in Wilmette, that will require special commemoration.  Such events undoubtedly have some value for proclamation purposes as well.  You should be alert, however, lest an inordinate amount of time and resources be expended in a manner that reduces occasions of profound spiritual significance to a series of public events that, while important to Bahá'ís at this time, would be little understood by the wider society."

With this guidance in mind, the National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce its intention to hold a special gathering in Wilmette, IL marking the centenary of the laying of the cornerstone of the House of Worship. In addition, a commemorative gathering that highlights a specific theme of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's mission will be hosted in each of the other three regions of the United States designated by Him in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Locations, dates, and other details of these four events will be shared as the centenary year approaches. It is important, however, for the friends to understand that these gatherings are not intended to be major national or regional conferences and will be limited in scope and size. Undoubtedly, many local communities will wish to celebrate specific events associated with 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit. The National Assembly trusts that these commemorations will faithfully reflect the characteristics and purpose of His mission and the task to which He has called this richly blessed community. It is reported that on the day of His arrival in New York, the Master said:

"It is my purpose to set forth in America the fundamental principles of the revelation and teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.  It will then become the duty of the Bahá'ís of this country to give these principles unfoldment and application in the minds, hearts, and lives of the people."

Our fervent prayer is that renewed contemplation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's divinely-guided mission will inspire this community to elevated heights of consecration, thought, and action, and that the far-reaching effects of His life's work will grow, beyond all previous measures, to influence the very heart and soul of this American nation.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,

Kenneth E. Bowers
Secretary
National Spiritual Assembly
of the Bahá'ís of the United States

All You Need is Love

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, here are a few inspirational words about love:

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.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá

A Letter to the Greater Philadelphia Bahá’í Community

The following letter was sent to the Bahá’í community on September 21, 2010 regarding the 100 year anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to Philadelphia:

To the Greater Philadelphia Bahá’í Community and Friends,

2012 marks the centenary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's historic visit to North America.  Philadelphia was blessed to have the Master visit multiple locations during the month of June, where he elucidated such forward-looking topics as the equality of women and men, racial harmony and universal peace.

In anticipation of this important anniversary in the development of the Bahá’í community in this region, a task force has begun to organize a befitting 100th Anniversary celebration.  The vision and activities are just now under construction, but we felt that it was important to start communicating with the community in order to gain unity of thought and purpose and to spur your creativity around this historic milestone.  Here are some of the general elements that the task force has envisioned so far for the 100th Anniversary:

• The purpose is not to host a one-time, elaborate event akin to a party.  Rather, the hope is that individually-initiated efforts that have taken place throughout the previous year in harmony with the Five-Year Plan might culminate in a symbolic anniversary event, in which the larger community can celebrate 'Abdu'l-Bahá's vision.
• The culminating event will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012, in a setting that will foster the feeling of love and fellowship that 'Abdu'l-Bahá nurtured in the burgeoning community.
• The friends are asked to begin thinking of service initiatives that would lead up to June 2012.  Our core activities can feed in to support this effort.  For example, service carried out by a study circle, children's class, and junior youth group can recall 'Abdu'l-Bahá's exhortations and encouragement so that the participants make a difference in their communities while also connecting with the spirit of His teachings.  Devotional gatherings can aim to connect hearts to His beautiful words and the spirit of the time in which He visited North America, while considering the role we each play in our current times.
• Creative initiatives are encouraged.  Use the arts - film, music, drama, creative writing, fine arts - to honor and connect with this anniversary.  This can serve as a beautiful expression of an individual or group, like a study circle, neighborhood class or junior youth group.
• Don't wait to start thinking about and planning your contribution!  Start rallying friends and resources.
• In future communications, this task force also will ask you and your communities to consider a financial contribution to the region-wide effort.  Once the specifics are clearer and a small budget is established, we invite you to come on board - both as to the spiritual and material side of the effort.  This will be managed under the auspices of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Philadelphia.
• Finally, we're excited to start a blog that can keep anyone who is interested posted on the progress and creativity of the initiatives.  As soon as this is ready to go up, we will share the site name.  In the meantime, if you'd like to participate as a contributor to this blog, please let us know of your interest (email: 100philly@gmail.com).

If you have any questions or ideas to share around the 100th Anniversary, please contact us at 100philly@gmail.com.

Thank you, and we look forward to staying in touch!

Now that the blog is up and running, we welcome your submissions about any events or activities you may be planning, or any other initiatives that you may want to share with the community. Join in the celebration of unity!

A Celebration of Unity

I have come from distant countries of the Orient where the lights of heaven have ever shone forth, from regions where the Manifestations of God have appeared and the radiance and power of God have been revealed to mankind. The purpose and intention of my visit is that, perchance, a bond of unity and agreement may be established between the East and West, that divine love may encompass all nations, divine radiance enlighten both continents and the bounties of the Holy Spirit revivify the body of the world. Therefore, I supplicate the threshold of God that the Orient and Occident may become as one, that the various peoples and religions be unified and souls be blended as the waves of one sea. May they become as trees, flowers and roses which adorn and beautify the same garden.

-'Abdu'l-Bahá

'Abdu'l-Bahá, in his talk at the Unitarian Church on June 9, 1912 in Philadelphia, talked about unity. With his visit to America, He wanted to establish a "bond of unity" between the East and the West, between various peoples and religions of the world. Today, nearly a century later, His message is still just as essential as it was in 1912.

To celebrate the centenary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to Philadelphia, it seems appropriate to also celebrate the central message that He conveyed to the American people - Unity. Therefore, this forum should serve to inspire its readers to also embrace 'Abdu'l-Bahá's message and celebrate unity of all the people of the world. The Universal House of Justice wrote the following of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's historic journey:

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

29 August 2010

To the Baha'is of the World

Dearly loved Friends,

 'Abdu'l-Baha's departure one hundred years ago from Haifa for Port Said signalled the opening of a glorious new chapter in the annals of the Faith. He was not to return to the Holy Land for three years. Referring to that historic moment the Guardian would later write: "The establishment of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in the Western Hemisphere--the most outstanding achievement that will forever be associated with 'Abdu'l-Baha's ministry--had ... set in motion such tremendous forces, and been productive of such far-reaching results, as to warrant the active and personal participation of the Centre of the Covenant Himself...." With the inauguration of 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels to the West, the Cause of Baha'u'llah, hemmed in for more than half a century by the hosts of enmity and oppression, burst its restraints. For the first time since its inception, the recognized Head of the Faith enjoyed a freedom of action to pursue unencumbered its divinely prescribed mission.

 By any earthly measure, 'Abdu'l-Baha would have seemed ill prepared to carry out the task before Him. He was sixty-six years old, an exile since childhood, with no formal schooling, a prisoner for forty years, in failing health, and unfamiliar with Western customs and languages. Yet He arose, without thought of comfort, undeterred by the risks involved, and utterly reliant upon divine assistance, to champion the Cause of God. He interacted with diverse peoples in nine countries on three continents. The scope and intensity of His tireless exertions were such as to "dumbfound His followers in East and West with admiration and wonder" and to "exercise an imperishable influence" on the course of the Faith's future.

 Over the next few years, Baha'is around the world will joyously call to mind the many episodes associated with 'Abdu'l-Baha's historic journey. But this anniversary is more than a time for commemoration. The words uttered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His travels, and the deeds He undertook with such consummate wisdom and love, offer an abundance of inspiration and manifold insights from which the body of the believers can today draw, whether in their efforts to embrace receptive souls, to raise capacity for service, to build local communities, to strengthen institutions, or to exploit opportunities emerging to engage in social action and contribute to public discourse. We should, therefore, reflect not only upon what the Master achieved and set in motion but also on the work that remains undone to which He has summoned us. In the Tablets of the Divine Plan, He expressed His inmost longing:  

O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of "Ya Baha'u'l- Abha" in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it.

Nearly a century has passed since these words were recorded. Stage after stage of the Divine Plan has been successfully prosecuted. The Faith has been established in all corners of the world. We are present in those places that 'Abdu'l-Baha yearned to visit. Individuals, communities, and institutions are now endowed with the capacity necessary for systematic, sustained, and coherent action. During this precious period of remembrance, then, let each and every one of His faithful lovers arise and act in His Name. Let them offer their share, no matter how humble, to the progress of the Plan He authored--that priceless and everlasting bequest.

[signed:  The Universal House of Justice]