Peach Sand Beach

Education

". . . A large body of scholars is of the opinion that variations among minds and differing degrees of perception are due to differences in education, training and culture. That is, they believe that minds are equal to begin with, but that training and education will result in mental variations and differing levels of intelligence, and that such variations are not an inherent component of the individuality but are the result of education: that no one hath any inborn superiority over another….

The Manifestations of God are likewise in agreement with the view that education exerteth the strongest possible influence on humankind. They affirm, however, that differences in the level of intelligence are innate; and this fact is obvious, and not worth debating. For we see that children of the same age, the same country, the same race, indeed of the same family, and trained by the same individual, still are different as to the degree of their comprehension and intelligence. One will make rapid progress, one will receive instruction only gradually, one will remain at the lowest stage of all. For no matter how much you may polish a shell, it will not turn into a gleaming pearl, nor can you change a dull pebble into a gem whose pure rays will light the world. Never, through training and cultivation, will the colocynth and the bitter tree 1 change into the Tree of Blessedness. 2 That is to say, education cannot alter the inner essence of a man, but it doth exert tremendous influence, and with this power it can bring forth from the individual whatever perfections and capacities are deposited within him. A grain of wheat, when cultivated by the farmer, will yield a whole harvest, and a seed, through the gardener’s care, will grow into a great tree. Thanks to a teacher’s loving efforts, the children of the primary school may reach the highest levels of achievement; indeed, his benefactions may lift some child of small account to an exalted throne. Thus is it clearly demonstrated that by their essential nature, minds vary as to their capacity, while education also playeth a great role and exerteth a powerful effect on their development." -Selections From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 131

The only thing that will help is to start seeing things in terms of our unity

"O contending peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you. Gather ye together, and for the sake of God resolve to root out whatever is the source of contention amongst you. Then will the effulgence of the world’s great Luminary envelop the whole earth, and its inhabitants become the citizens of one city, and the occupants of one and the same throne. This wronged One hath, ever since the early days of His life, cherished none other desire but this, and will continue to entertain no wish except this wish. There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you. This, verily, is the most exalted Word which the Mother Book hath sent down and revealed unto you. To this beareth witness the Tongue of Grandeur from His habitation of glory."  

     - Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, pp. 217-218

"O Son of Man!

My eternity is My creation, I have created it for thee.  Make it the garment of thy temple.  My unity is My handiwork, I have wrought it for thee; clothe thyself therewith, that thou mayest be to all eternity the revelation of My everlasting being."

-Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, #64

"It is Our wish and desire that every one of you may become a source of goodness unto men, and an example of uprightness to mankind.  Beware lest ye prefer yourselves above your neighbours.  Fix your gaze upon Him Who is the Temple of God amongst men.  He, in truth, hath offered up His life as a ransom for the redemption of the world.  He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Gracious, the Most High.  If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name's sake and as a token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause."

     -Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 315

"Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for any one the things ye would not desire for yourselves.  This is My best counsel unto you, did ye but observe it."

    -Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 128

"The well-being of mankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established."

     Baha'u'llah, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, pp. 202-203

"Man must consult on all matters, whether major or minor, so that he may become cognizant of what is good.  Consultation giveth him insight into things and enableth him to delve into questions which are unknown.  The light of truth shineth from the faces of those who engage in consultation.  Such consultation causeth the living waters to flow in the meadows of man's reality, the rays of ancient glory to shine upon him, and the tree of his being to be adorned with wondrous fruit.  The members who are consulting, however, should behave in the utmost love, harmony and sincerity towards each other.  The principle of consultation is one of the most fundamental elements of the divine edifice.  Even in their ordinary affairs the individual members of society should consult."

     -'Abdu'l-Baha, Consultation:  A Compilation, p. 8

"Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts.  Beware!  Beware!  lest ye offend any heart.  Assist the world of humanity as much as possible.  Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear."

     -'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace (1982 edition) p. 453

"O My servants! . . . With firm determination, with the whole affection of your heart, and with the full force of your words, turn ye unto Him, and walk not in the ways of the foolish.  The world is but a show, vain and empty, a mere nothing, bearing the semblance of reality.  Set not your affections upon it.  Break not the bond that uniteth you with your Creator, and be not of those that have erred and strayed from His ways.  Verily I say, the world is like the vapour in a desert, which the thirsty dreameth to be water and striveth after it with all his might, until when he cometh unto it, he findeth it to be mere illusion.  It may, moreover, be likened unto the lifeless image of the beloved whom the lover hath sought and found, in the end, after long search and to his utmost regret, to be such as cannot 'fatten nor appease his hunger'"

     -Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, pp. 328-329

"That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race.  The Great Being saith:  Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.  In another passage He hath proclaimed:  It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world.  The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."

     -Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 116

Remembering

A day of tragedy, a day of courage 

Remembering a day of tragedy, a day of courage

04:42 pm on Jun 18th 2008 admin

  
(Mona Mahmudnizhad, Zarrin Muqimi-Abyánih, and Ruya Ishraqi)
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the day 10 Bahá’í women were hanged in Shiraz, Iran, for teaching religious classes to Bahá’í youth — the equivalent of being Sunday School teachers in the West.

One of the men attending the gallows on that day in 1983 confided to a Bahá’í: “We tried saving their lives up to the last moment, but one by one, first the older ladies, then the young girls, were hanged while the others were forced to watch, it being hoped that this might induce them to recant their belief. We even urged them to say they were not Bahá’ís, but not one of them agreed; they preferred the execution.”

According to eyewitness reports, the women, ranging in age from 17 to 57, went to their fate singing and chanting, as though they were enjoying a pleasant outing.
All of the women had been interrogated and tortured in the months leading up to their execution. Some still bore visible wounds.

The youngest of the martyrs was Muna Mahmudnizhad, known as Mona, a 17-year-old schoolgirl who, because of her youth and conspicuous innocence, became a symbol of the group. In prison, she was lashed on the soles of her feet with a cable and forced to walk on bleeding feet.

Yet she never wavered in her faith, even to the point of kissing the hands of her executioner, and then the rope, before putting it around her own throat.

Another young woman, Zarrin Muqimi-Abyanih, 28, told the interrogators, whose chief goal was to have her disavow her faith: “Whether you accept it or not, I am a Bahá’í. You cannot take it away from me. I am a Bahá’í with my whole being and my whole heart.”

The judge said, during the trial of another of the women, Ruya Ishraqi, 23, a veterinary student: “You put yourselves through this agony only for one word: Just say you are not a Bahá’í and I’ll see that…you are released…” Ms. Ishraqi responded, “I will not exchange my faith for the whole world.”

The names of the other women hanged on June 18, 1983 were: Shahin Dalvand, 25, a sociologist; Izzat Janami Ishraqi, 57, a homemaker; Mahshid Nirumand, 28, who had qualified for a degree in physics but had it denied her because she was a Bahá’í; Simin Sabiri, 25; Tahirih Arjumandi Siyavushi, 30, a nurse; Akhtar Thabit, 25, also a nurse; and Nusrat Ghufrani Yalda’i, 47, a mother and member of the local Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly.

All had considered their duty to teach Bahá’í religious classes — especially after the government had barred Bahá’í children from attending even regular school.

Making History

It was an honor to watch the extremely hard-earned efforts of so many come to fruition today as the "Saina," the first Chamorro sailing canoe built in over 200 years, set sail on its maiden voyage from Guam to Rota.   Here are pictures of its crew; of course many more helped to make this happen, including those who helped build the Sakman, which took months of hard work, others who gave of their time and efforts, always supporting the people involved in this goal, and those who donated to TASI,  local non-profit organization, which stands for Traditions About Seafaring Islands.  When we are old, we can look back and feel lucky to have been there to witness it.

an unexpected visitor

Tonight we detected the faintest sound at the front door, as if somebody were trying to see if we were home but didn't want to bother us.  We kept listening-could it be?  My husband knew with absolute certainty what it was, but I could only hope.  I ran to get the camera and opened the door to find this little guy tapping at our door; he seemed hungry, so I gave him a few pieces of dog food.  I wonder if he will remember and drop by again tomorrow.

Guarding his food:

Pretty blue claws.

Embellishing

Breakfast

Soul Draw-rings

Soul Pancake has a post that allows you to draw a picture of what you think your soul looks like at this moment.  Our son just had six and a half days of very high fever and was in to see two different doctors six times in the last seven days.  He had to go in for IV fluids and antibiotics and many blood tests.  While he has been without a fever for the past two days, we will not know for another week if he is ok or if he will need more treatment.  Here is my drawing.  When you get to the site, you can speed up the drawing by adjusting the speed on the upper left part of that page.