Tag Archives: faith

Hidden Words

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Last night, Pedram and I went to a friend’s house to see a local band, The Hidden Words.  It is a group led by the amazingly talented Alden Penner, who has put to music The Hidden Words, which were written by Baha’u'llah while he was in exile and has many social and ethical teachings within.  The performance was very moving, and gave me a great deal to contemplate.

I am still grieving, and I know that this will not disappear easily.  And the anger, the fear, the thoughts and guilt will not go away overnight.  But being there last night made me think of the things I have some control over, and one is to accept that Barnaby is actually gone.  That his physical being is no longer here, that I will never see him again, that he will not call, or email, that I will not be staying with him while visiting London, that Pedram and Barnaby are never going to play squash again, that he will never meet Rusby, that he is actually not breathing right now, that he is gone.  For good.  I need to make myself believe this as a reality, something that is permanent.

As a Baha’i', I believe in an afterlife, and feel comfort knowing that Barnaby’s death is also an entry into a realm of joyous spiritual beauty.  As I listened to the group last night sing about detachment, I remind myself to be aware that my dependence on needing to have Barnaby “alive” is my struggle with a material existence.  I know in time, I will be able to celebrate Barnaby’s life and our friendship and the wonderful traits he helped me attained, all which have no relationship with his physical presence.  I am faced with this difficulty, this challenge to accept this, as a test of my own strength, which will in turn, help me grow.  I hope that makes sense, because in a way it gives me comfort.

So I am focusing less on my loss, and trying to remember that the soul is immortal, and that death is certain, but life is precious and fleeting, and can be so bountiful and beautiful.  Today, Justine, who is pregnant, came over and in a moment of curiosity, I touched her swollen stomach.  And all of these thoughts were never as clear to me than when her baby came over and kicked my hand, driving home that there is more to existence than what I can see with my bare eyes.

O SON OF MAN! My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.

Power of Prayer

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There is an article in the New York Times by Nicolas Kristof about the role religion plays in the global oppression of women.  It describes a group of “elders”, retired world leaders who are trying to bring justice to women — these elders include Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Jimmy Carter.  He introduces the idea that although the oppression of women exist around the world in a social context, religion could play a more active role in changing it.

It makes me think about the current injustice in the world, from race to sex, and how hard it is for people to speak up about it — especially religious leaders.  I am also reminded of my own freedom to worship, one that I take for granted.  Tomorrow is the trial date for the seven Iranian Baha’i's, who will most likely face a jury that is neither just nor willing to do what is right.  They have been locked in the notorious Evin prison for 20 months, unable to have contact with their lawyer (Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi), and charged with the ludicrous falsehood of being spies of Israel.  Even more upsetting are the more recent arrests of Baha’i's in Iran, with CNN quoting the prosecutor for Iran’s Public and Revolution Courts as saying “These people were not arrested because they were Baha’is.  In searching their homes, a number of weapons and ammunition were discovered.”

Blatant and baseless lies.  This is just a way of the Iranian government trying to intimidate minorities and strike fear in people.  The Baha’is, like the hundreds of protestors arrested this past summer, are being made examples, the government desperate to maintain its unjust rule and stifle any opposition.

And so what can we do?  As I write this, members of the Montreal Baha’i’ community have gathered to pray for these brave seven Baha’i's tomorrow who face their trial.  And here at home, I am praying.  I try to focus my prayers on positive matters.  I pray for the strength and perseverance of all the Baha’i's and other persecuted people in Iran right now.  I think about their families and I pray for them to keep strong through this time, to keep hope and courage alive.

I pray for their safety, and for all the safety of all Baha’i's in Iran.  I pray for their freedom and for justice.  I pray that those enduring prison are not suffering too greatly.  I pray that soon Baha’i's in Iran will have the same freedoms as their Muslim brothers and sisters, and will be able to attend university, and worship in peace.

And I pray that in the hearts of at least one religious leader in Iran, compassion and understanding will replace ignorance and hatred, and that they will change their anger into love, that they will reflect the attributes of their own Faith, and rule with mercy instead of indignity.  Instead of remaining mute to the injustice, I hope that they stand firm in what is right — whether it is allowing Baha’i's to practice in Iran, or allowing women to attend school in Afghanistan.  They have such a large role to play in our progress as a society.

My heart heavy with anticipation, I pray and I wait.

Poppy and the Canadian

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All around Montreal, people are wearing poppies.  At first I saw it on a few people and thought it was a red pin.  Then I saw more people wearing them, and then I saw it closer — it is a fabric flower pinned to coat lapels.  Then I noticed distinguished veterans offering them for donations throughout the city.  Now I see them everywhere, a sea of people in the metro, down the streets, in the crowds, at restaurants, all around poppies are surrounding me.  It is a pretty poignant picture.

The poppies are being worn to commemorate brave Canadian men and women in the armed services, especially during the time of war.  As there are troops currently in Afghanistan from Canada, the significance is heightened.  I was moved by all the poppies, a constant reminder of sacrifices and honor.  It is also interesting to see how evolved our perception is of war, by remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and to reexamine they ways that we achieve the goals of war, without the killing.

Veteran’s Day, or Remembrance Day, as it is called in Canada falls on the same day that Baha’i's celebrate the birth of Baha’u'llah, the founder of the Baha’i’ Faith.  Taking some time today to reflect about the two events, I thought alot of the evolution of humankind in the way we approach world issues.  Baha’u'llah brought new spiritual and social teachings for our time.  The essence of his message is unity — he states “the earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens,  and the ones of God, religion, sexes, races, and the human family.

Now is the time for us to live in unity.

remembrance day poppy