I spent this past weekend attending three day sessions, and one evening, of Grand Canyon Baha’i Conference, which has been held every December since 1984, in Phoenix. This is the first year I have not stayed in the city, opting instead to drive back and forth from my home in Prescott, 1 1/4 hours away. I had a tamale order coming on Saturday. and Sunday night, I just felt it financially prudent to not spend money on lodging.
The theme of the Conference this year was “Arise To Serve Humanity”. When I think of it, this is what I prefer to be doing most of the time, anyway. As an eldest child, it was expected of me, from the day my sister was born and that ethic has served me rather well, by making my life path very certain.
I spent Saturday listening to the actor Rainn Wilson and Justin Baldoni present their thoughts on how we may serve as mentors to the rising generations of youth, both younger Millennials and those born since 2000, whom I regard as “Generation AA”- a tribute to their focused energy. Like youth from time immemorial, our current children and teens are very much focused on genuineness. A few examples were given, in the presentations, of those adults whose “walk” is at clear variance with their “talk”. I’ve never been able to successfully do other than what I say, or vice versa, so, being a very bad liar, I feel most comfortable with like-behaved people, whether young, old, or in-between. Being with kids is thus, natural for yours truly.
Sunday, Ms. Leila Milani spoke of developing a culture of service. It is largely dependent on being not associated with the accumulation of anything- goods, money or reputation- at the expense of others. She also spoke of the three Stations in the world of existence- God, the Manifestations of God (Who can speak with the Voice of the Creator, as Christ did, and as Baha’u’llah did) and the Station of Servitude- exemplified, perfectly, by John the Baptist, and by ‘Abdu’l-Baha and, to a lesser but still significant degree by many throughout history- Saint Francis of Assisi, Florence Nightingale, Mohandas Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, et al.) Several modes of service were mentioned: Spiritual teaching, learning useful skills, education of children, financial support of worthy causes, hospitality, founding a loving home, serving one’s parents and working in development projects.
Roberto Nathaf then offered the intriguing notion that, as physical Man seeks to travel to distant stars, perhaps even by circumventing the speed of light, so spiritual Man ought seek to develop the Light of the Spirit to the nth degree. By serving others, one becomes truly regal.
On Monday morning, Dr. Jim Reed, a Christian educator, offered the notion that, by undergoing difficulties, one may use these tests to inform and assist others. It is interesting that the case of a breast cancer survivor, Kristen Magner, who has taken to inspiring others through post-cancer involvement in interpretive dance. Sandra Paredes, a mother who lost her son in an accident, three years ago, has spent this holiday season giving gifts to children in hospital. Dr. Reed spoke of the Human Library, comprised of those who have suffered, a major force that brings people forward in their individual and collective lives. He said “Suffering and trial are not punishment. They are preparation for a life of service.” Indeed, they are.
Now, what are we to make of the continuing occurrences of destruction- both natural and human-caused? With Mr. Saeed Khadivian, an educator from Los Angeles,I offer this notion: There are two forces at work- today and throughout history- Destruction of old systems and Construction of a new system. In this day, however, the Kingdom of God on Earth, promised by Christ, in the Lord’s Prayer, is what is stirring, what is slowly and almost imperceptibly, being brought into being. It is this Promised Day that is the true Fruit of all the acts of service that are occurring. This fact is lost in all the attention being paid to acts of destruction, catastrophes, personality aberrations and political rancor.
A friend asked me, a few days ago, why everyone knows about the words of Christ, and many know of Buddha, Joseph Smith and Mohammed, but not much is heard of Baha’u’llah. I felt ashamed at that. The first thing everyone, regardless of faith or creed, should know about Him is that His name, in Arabic, means “The Glory of God”. From there, a person may learn as much about Baha’u’llah, and His Teachings, as he or she cares to learn. The other thing I wish to share here, though, is this: Beginning with the 1844-50 Ministry of Baha’u’llah’s Herald, al Bab (Who is to Baha’u’llah as John the Baptist was to Christ), the groundwork for the Kingdom of God on Earth is being laid. Baha’u’llah, during His Ministry (1863-1892), revealed over 100 volumes of Scriptural Guidance. His eldest son, and designated Successor, ‘Abdu’l-Baha and His great-grandson, Shoghi Effendi, expounded and further clarified Baha’u’llah’s Teachings, until their own passings, 1921 and 1957, respectively. Baha’i literature is available for study at http://reference.bahai.org/en/.
I was asked today, in an online exchange, what I thought the difference was between loving, as opposed to “feeling bad” about someone’s pain. I cannot feign love, so feeling good about someone’s success or good fortune is as natural as feeling badly about his/her misfortunes. Love is, in the true sense, both the basis for, and the outcome of, faith. In fact, love is pretty old, in the scheme of things, as Baha’u’llah, speaking with the Voice of God tells us: O SON OF MAN! Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.
I wish all a joyous and very Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous 2014.
