spiritualweaver
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"Yesterday, I had someone puke on my arm while they were recovering from surgery. Last week I wiped someone's bum due to incontinence. In both situations, I guarded their dignity and made them feel better. This is the change I want to be."
Some people might want folks that question and challenge to leave this fatih because they are a problem and not what they think the faith should espouse as far as following lifestyle or the admin; this doesn't promote understanding and unity.
Some get fed up and leave, this ghettos the community with a remaining populous that is very narrow and missing insight.
Aren't end members being judgmental? So what's the middle road of balance? How about trying to understand each other? And accept that we aren't going to be the same. Some folks might want to spend there time in Reflection meetings etc. while others are more interested in helping the poor or needy without advertising. Shouldn't there be a balance?
I've actually resigned a couple of times so I've become a "Baha'i" 3 times. Well who knows if I am one or ever was but certainly became a member.
I've seen a few postings about folks that are discontent and see probs. It's sad to see more of this in a search about the Faith than what it is doing, or even Bahai single pages instead of philanthropic deeds.
I resigned the first time cause I judged myself but then thought I shouldn't be so hard on myself. Then I resigned cause I judged the community. I then realized I shouldn't do that either. For die hard Baha'is, my actions might seem questionable and make a judgement.
It hasn't helped that certain Baha'is have damaged or taken my property , don't show up on time or follow through on committments. But then I've got my faults and vices too. And I've had an assistant threaten my admin rights cause I suggested visiting a church as Abdu'l Baha suggested because of the warm spirit there (He said God is at these places too!, and to get ideas from a church with a huge growth spurt due to their outreach to help others and worship without the stuffy atmosphere)
For all concerned, I'd really suggest taking a step back and trying to understand the others before being understood. that goes to both sides.
This is what I have done:
-Read Rosenburg's book on Nonviolent communication
-Read Covey's 7 habits of Highly Effective People
("if you think the problem is out there, stop....that is the problem"
"get so busy in church worship and that they become insensitive to the pressing human needs that surround them"
-Read Advent of Divine Justice
-manage my life in a healthy and balance way to minimize the frustration
-be the change I want to see, be a leader , don't wait for administration
-be patient
-find a support group of like minded folks
-be true to myself
-read Philip Yancey's "What's so amazing about grace" which is good for any humanist or religionist.
-I'm going to strive to be a facilitator.
-find peace even when not at a feast, we all have different needs and expectations.
We're familiar with the quote the Howe put forward before when he resigned. Folks might want to look at Fowler and Westerhoff's theories on spirituality and faith development. Bottom line is the higher development is often is marked by leaving the protective community for promoting the very values that faith espouses. The kicker is that people at the lower end might also be austracized.
Personally, I can't get wrapped up in the Reflection meetings that here as disorganized and narrow in scope. When I've had time, I've gone to the hospital and walk a blind man around the unit or help get some sun.
I know folks aren't where I am at but I have to be patient with those that at a low level according to Kohlberg, Fowler, Westerhoff. Abdul'Baha supported scientific thought more so than religious. If we get emotional and throw in the towel, then our religious acts are based on passion , not science , and therefore could be flawed in logic. But I can understand having gone through various stages that sometimes we need a breather. Lets just not throw the baby out with the bathwater from either perspective.
When I re-enlisted. Some folks were really supportive. Others not so. Oh well. I have to concentrate on the goal of my personal growth and not get side tracked.
Some are more interested in a secure place.....Ruhi, Reflection gatherings, prosyletizing (Canadian definition) or Bahai singles. oh well. others don't need that blanket and tend to challenge or leave....yet these folks could be the greatest leaders or even need support.
I once wrote the World Centre about being more service oriented and less rote learning. I was told after some challenging conversation that this is where they wanted us to go. But then not everyone can wash someone's feet just for the love of humanity rather than wanting to convert that person to their faith. Yesterday, I had someone puke on my arm while they were recovering from surgery. Last week I wiped someone's bum due to incontinence. In both situations, I guarded their dignity and made them feel better. This is the change I want to be.
I hope this helps some of you......from either perspective.
me
Some people might want folks that question and challenge to leave this fatih because they are a problem and not what they think the faith should espouse as far as following lifestyle or the admin; this doesn't promote understanding and unity.
Some get fed up and leave, this ghettos the community with a remaining populous that is very narrow and missing insight.
Aren't end members being judgmental? So what's the middle road of balance? How about trying to understand each other? And accept that we aren't going to be the same. Some folks might want to spend there time in Reflection meetings etc. while others are more interested in helping the poor or needy without advertising. Shouldn't there be a balance?
I've actually resigned a couple of times so I've become a "Baha'i" 3 times. Well who knows if I am one or ever was but certainly became a member.
I've seen a few postings about folks that are discontent and see probs. It's sad to see more of this in a search about the Faith than what it is doing, or even Bahai single pages instead of philanthropic deeds.
I resigned the first time cause I judged myself but then thought I shouldn't be so hard on myself. Then I resigned cause I judged the community. I then realized I shouldn't do that either. For die hard Baha'is, my actions might seem questionable and make a judgement.
It hasn't helped that certain Baha'is have damaged or taken my property , don't show up on time or follow through on committments. But then I've got my faults and vices too. And I've had an assistant threaten my admin rights cause I suggested visiting a church as Abdu'l Baha suggested because of the warm spirit there (He said God is at these places too!, and to get ideas from a church with a huge growth spurt due to their outreach to help others and worship without the stuffy atmosphere)
For all concerned, I'd really suggest taking a step back and trying to understand the others before being understood. that goes to both sides.
This is what I have done:
-Read Rosenburg's book on Nonviolent communication
-Read Covey's 7 habits of Highly Effective People
("if you think the problem is out there, stop....that is the problem"
"get so busy in church worship and that they become insensitive to the pressing human needs that surround them"
-Read Advent of Divine Justice
-manage my life in a healthy and balance way to minimize the frustration
-be the change I want to see, be a leader , don't wait for administration
-be patient
-find a support group of like minded folks
-be true to myself
-read Philip Yancey's "What's so amazing about grace" which is good for any humanist or religionist.
-I'm going to strive to be a facilitator.
-find peace even when not at a feast, we all have different needs and expectations.
We're familiar with the quote the Howe put forward before when he resigned. Folks might want to look at Fowler and Westerhoff's theories on spirituality and faith development. Bottom line is the higher development is often is marked by leaving the protective community for promoting the very values that faith espouses. The kicker is that people at the lower end might also be austracized.
Personally, I can't get wrapped up in the Reflection meetings that here as disorganized and narrow in scope. When I've had time, I've gone to the hospital and walk a blind man around the unit or help get some sun.
I know folks aren't where I am at but I have to be patient with those that at a low level according to Kohlberg, Fowler, Westerhoff. Abdul'Baha supported scientific thought more so than religious. If we get emotional and throw in the towel, then our religious acts are based on passion , not science , and therefore could be flawed in logic. But I can understand having gone through various stages that sometimes we need a breather. Lets just not throw the baby out with the bathwater from either perspective.
When I re-enlisted. Some folks were really supportive. Others not so. Oh well. I have to concentrate on the goal of my personal growth and not get side tracked.
Some are more interested in a secure place.....Ruhi, Reflection gatherings, prosyletizing (Canadian definition) or Bahai singles. oh well. others don't need that blanket and tend to challenge or leave....yet these folks could be the greatest leaders or even need support.
I once wrote the World Centre about being more service oriented and less rote learning. I was told after some challenging conversation that this is where they wanted us to go. But then not everyone can wash someone's feet just for the love of humanity rather than wanting to convert that person to their faith. Yesterday, I had someone puke on my arm while they were recovering from surgery. Last week I wiped someone's bum due to incontinence. In both situations, I guarded their dignity and made them feel better. This is the change I want to be.
I hope this helps some of you......from either perspective.
me
