I hope so, too.
Is there a specific prayer or ritual you do, to give this a bit of extra spiritual push or connection to your belief in Baha'u'llah?
My path: following a spiritual teacher within a worldwide community of practice
- Thread starter Longfellow
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I hope so, too.
Is there a specific prayer or ritual you do, to give this a bit of extra spiritual push or connection to your belief in Baha'u'llah?
Ahanu
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When I think of the word path, I think of followers walking in a forest teaming with life. Baha'is, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, and so on all walk a path. If a fellow seeker were to ask one of them to describe their journey thus far, their recollection would differ one from another. Perhaps one would describe in vivid detail the color of the leaves as the light dances on them, whereas another would describe the deer roaming behind the trees and following them along the trail, and yet another would be captured by the sunset's dazzling pinkish hue. Religions tend to emphasize different aspects.
Unity in diversity is a common phrase in Baha'i discourse, so a lot of Baha'i activities center around that. I think the Baha'i Media Bank captures this better than words.
Bahá’í Media Bank (bahai.org)
For example, despite the fact the image below doesn't have a description of the activity, Baha'is immediately know what the lesson the children are participating in must be about: unity in diversity. The children are placing leaves on a tree. Here I'm reminded of the words of Baha'u'llah: "Ye are the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch." Abdu'l-Baha explains this further here. All individuals are likened to leaves regardless of their religion or nationality. He often uses the imagery of a garden with various flowers.
To state things simply, I would venture to say many Baha'i practices are a meditation on gardens. There, I said it: it's a community of gardeners.
I know quite a few local Baha'i communities that grow them. In the second image below you will see youth engaged in making a garden.
Also, many Baha'is like to stroll around the gardens that surround Baha'i architecture, such as the Baha'i temple in Chicago. While I was there, I walked around the temple while observing the garden that surrounds it. There are nine verses engraved inside the temple and nine verses outside the temple. One of those verses states: "Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch." To me, this is one of the central teachings of the Baha'i Faith that manifests itself in its practices.
Unity in diversity is a common phrase in Baha'i discourse, so a lot of Baha'i activities center around that. I think the Baha'i Media Bank captures this better than words.
Bahá’í Media Bank (bahai.org)
For example, despite the fact the image below doesn't have a description of the activity, Baha'is immediately know what the lesson the children are participating in must be about: unity in diversity. The children are placing leaves on a tree. Here I'm reminded of the words of Baha'u'llah: "Ye are the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch." Abdu'l-Baha explains this further here. All individuals are likened to leaves regardless of their religion or nationality. He often uses the imagery of a garden with various flowers.
To state things simply, I would venture to say many Baha'i practices are a meditation on gardens. There, I said it: it's a community of gardeners.
I know quite a few local Baha'i communities that grow them. In the second image below you will see youth engaged in making a garden.Also, many Baha'is like to stroll around the gardens that surround Baha'i architecture, such as the Baha'i temple in Chicago. While I was there, I walked around the temple while observing the garden that surrounds it. There are nine verses engraved inside the temple and nine verses outside the temple. One of those verses states: "Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch." To me, this is one of the central teachings of the Baha'i Faith that manifests itself in its practices.
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Longfellow
Well-Known Member
I won’t be posting in this thread any more.
Why?
Never mind I saw your explanation, @Longfellow , on your introductory thread.
Tony Bristow-Stagg
One Planet One People Please
The intent would be much the same, it teaches the Morals and Virtues that build the ethical foundations for the children, for life.
It also includes service to humanity foundations.
Regards Tony