Dale what are the Baha’i practically doing
Victor,
. Humanity’s history is what it is, almost universal upheavals and oppression of one sort or another. What I remember growing up during the Viet Nam years (I was born in 1953) were the images of Napalm in the background and children running from it, and of course My Lai, which was a modern day Wounded Knee massacre. We need to face ourselves and our fears about others, breaking down barriers of estrangement, stepping out of our familiar and safe comfort zones, getting to know our cousins throughout the world, proactively associating in friendly and meaningful ways, seeking truths that others know, sharing and listening, gathering together in regular patterns.
. There have been many people from many different paths who have had these visions of a time when Peace and true civilization would appear. It is found in perhaps every culture and their belief systems. Where we are at along that timeline is important to know, sort of like a surfer who wants to catch the big wave, having to know when to stand up on his board. I think that there is some level of awareness within us that tells us when the sun has come up and we need to start moving about. Like its a spiritual instinct we are responding to, and it gives us signs, like springtime, that its time to leave the nest, or fly north or south in migration.
. So if there is a spiritual migration of the souls in response to a call, we must heed that call however we perceive it. Yet we cannot dictate to others what their duties and responsibilities are regarding it. Many will interpret what the parameters are according to their own understanding, but we seem to be somewhat limited when too bound by traditions we’ve simply inherited, so it would seem that an original path must be found, one which is wide and can be shared by all people, and recognizable from every cultural and religious perspective.
. Every plant and animal knows the sun, and unfolds its movement accordingly, following a natural cycle. I think the world of the spirit is the same, and when we unfold the leaves within us to the Light being shed upon us our soul naturally responds to the luminous Beauty that surrounds us. We are bathed in it. Our souls are nourished by it. Yet it also seems to be, at least in my own case, that there is a kind of resistance or tension, but I think that is also natural. We just need to surf the waves as they come and learn by doing.
. Yes, there is more tragedy on the horizon. We can hope and pray that the worst is behind us, but we really don’t know, and maybe thats a good thing, to keep us alert and vigilant, rather that falling into complacency. There is a time of sacrifice for whatever our own vision concerning the needs of the age is. I am reminded of a quote which I’ll find…
. "The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy. Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world needeth in its present-day afflictions can never be the same as that which a subsequent age may require. Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.
. We can well perceive how the whole human race is encompassed with great, with incalculable afflictions. We see it languishing on its bed of sickness, sore-tried and disillusioned. They that are intoxicated by self-conceit have interposed themselves between it and the Divine and infallible Physician. Witness how they have entangled all men, themselves included, in the mesh of their devices. They can neither discover the cause of the disease, nor have they any knowledge of the remedy. They have conceived the straight to be crooked, and have imagined their friend an enemy.
. Incline your ears to the sweet melody of this Prisoner. Arise, and lift up your voices, that haply they that are fast asleep may be awakened. Say: O ye who are as dead! The Hand of Divine bounty proffereth unto you the Water of Life. Hasten and drink your fill. Whoso hath been re-born in this Day, shall never die; whoso remaineth dead, shall never live." from Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah
. Well, I don’t mean to go too much in that direction, doing the quote thing. It is just hard sometimes to know how to improve upon whatever Buddha, or Christ, or Baha’u’llah seem to have a natural knack for saying. It seems to be Their purpose, and the melody which flows through Them does not originate with them, but they are perfect instruments playing what our hearts need to hear.
. You ask about the practical side of efforts to bring about world peace. This is indeed the crux of the matter, for mere words do not get the job done, do they… Individual initiative and community service have a big role to play, and when local efforts are seen to improve the conditions of pressing matters, thats what counts. Yet there must also be coordination with our fellows to synchronize and harmonize our efforts and bring about this vision of world unity, on the ground, and not just in our heads.
. There are many projects for education, emphasizing especially the need for girls to be educated, as they are the first educators of the children. I found this link that I think answers your question better than I can. So if you don’t mind, its a short and concise answer, I think, to your question
bahai.us/social-action/social-economic-development/
. Please give me your insights and what gives you inspiration and cause for hope.
Dale
PS Regarding the Gates Foundation and the wonderful work they do, I am reminded of Andrew Carnegie and the thousands of libraries he founded and what far reaching consequences that held for humanity.
