Soundbites from Farhang's talk at the Baha'i Center in Oslo today

Some highlights from the talk, which was about Farhang's experiences with using the Institute courses to promote the Faith's growth, in Spain.
The world of humanity is sick. The purpose of the Ruhi courses (http://is.gd/4UvJU) is to create healthy "cells" in this ailing "body". It is not about study, but about learning, through practice, to become able servants to our fellow men. We focus on man's spiritual reality. Begin by nurturing ourselves (reflect on the holy verses morning & evening), then nurture others by sharing with them the verses & prayers at opportune moments. Thereby the heart is connected to the heavenly Source (the Baha'i Scriptures).

"....the whole human race is encompassed with great, with incalculable afflictions... Incline your ears to the sweet melody of this Prisoner." http://is.gd/4UvUW
(Like to join a course with me here? :-) Excerpts: http://is.gd/4UvTx )

Passing of University founder, prominent philanthropist, Dr. Eloy Anello [SERVICE], [LOVE]

A truly dedicated servant to humanity, founder of Bolivias premiere University, Nur, has passed - bless his memory!

"No one who crossed his path could fail to be touched by his unbounded energy, by his sincere love of humanity, which he brought to every enterprise he undertook in service to the Faith." - The Universal House of Justice (full message below)

A favorite prayer of his:

If it be Thy pleasure, make me to grow as a tender herb in the meadows of Thy grace, that the gentle winds of Thy will may stir me up and bend me into conformity with Thy pleasure, in such wise that my movement and my stillne...ss may be wholly directed by Thee. - Baha'u'llah http://is.gd/45IDx

Flowers at the World Centre.

Listen to an edifying talk on Social and Economic Development (for download, in middle of the list) here: http://sed.skyrunner.net/list.php.
Two papers written by him on Moral Leadership:
http://is.gd/45His, http://is.gd/45HjB.
A report on a project he helped initiate: http://is.gd/45HNv
Facebook group in honor of his memory:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/in-memory-of-Eloy-Anello/145648438862

A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Eloy Anello, of Bolivia, spoke on the topic "The Life of Dr. Muhajir" at the "Growth and Victories" conference in Ecuador.

Message from the Universal House of Justice (of October 6 or 7) on the occasion of the passing of Dr. Eloy Anello:

"With heavy hearts we received the news of the passing of Eloy Anello, indefatigable and valiant servant of Baha'u'llah. Nearly forty years ago, as the Nine Year Plan was drawing to a close, we urged the friends everywhere to emulate the Baha'i youth, "whose recent surge forward into the van of proclamation and teaching" was "one of the most encouraging and significant trends in the Faith" and who stormed "the gates of heaven for support in their enterprises by long-sustained, precedent and continuing prayer." Among those who had stepped into the vanguard was dear Eloy, who, as a young man, left the United States and settled in Bolivia in the early 1970s, making it his home and dedicating himself to the upliftment of its people. No one who crossed his path could fail to be touched by his unbounded energy, by his sincere love of humanity, which he brought to every enterprise he undertook in service to the Faith. Especially noteworthy were the valuable contributions he made to the progress of the Cause as a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas for two decades. How many young people were awakened to the crying needs of humanity as a result of his efforts in this capacity. How many were galvanized to arise and serve the Cause. So dedicated was he to nurturing young minds that he co-founded Universidad Nur in Santa Cruz--an institution striving to apply Baha'i principles to higher education and to programs for the advancement of the indigenous populations.

"May his life of consecration to the Cause serve as an inspiration to those laboring to meet the requirements of the current stage of the Divine Plan. To his family and many friends, we extend our loving condolences. Our most fervent prayers at the Sacred Threshold join yours for the progress of his noble soul throughout the realms of God. We call on all National Spiritual Assemblies in the Americas to hold memorial gatherings in his honor.

- The Universal House of Justice

A yearning* for beloved Anello

[courtesy translation] *[translator’s note: The Spanish word for “yearning” (anhelo) and the name Anello are homonyms]

It seems that for him time did not exist. He confronted time and the hands of the clock obeyed; time was his steed and he was the expert, highly experienced rider who took it wherever he wanted to go and with it he put on the best displays. His time was that of service and he would always say when we undertook a project “I can dedicate myself ‘part time’ either to this one or the other one.” He often used the expression “part time”, so one day I asked him, “Dear Eloy, how much ‘part time’ do you have in your life to do all this?” He laughed out loud and was happy.
His spirit sought out his body until the very last minute in order to serve. Whenever he proclaimed the Bahá’í Faith in his talks his illness would disappear and his spirit took the reins and the controls of his body; his face became incomparably radiant and the connection between his soul and spirit even made him forget about the present and carried his thoughts into the distant future; his strength enabling him to be in the present and in the future was astonishing.
This indomitable strength that enabled him enlarge his services and to prepare the way for those who would follow him, was admired by many, as were his great skills which were always exercised in great humility; his sensitive soul was in constant communion with his Beloved, Bahá’u’lláh, and when he would recount stories of the Faith, the sacrifices of the friends, the early Bahá’ís of Bolivia, his own family whom he so loved, his travels and encounters with those who serve the Cause, his voice would suddenly tremble, his translucent eyes reflecting the pure feelings of his heart, filling with tears reflecting the love even more.
His beautiful letter to me which was mailed while I was traveling last week, created the image that my beloved friend Eloy had already prepared his path and in the depths of his heart saw the light of Bahá and was yearning to be united with Him, as he wrote, “I am now waiting for Bahá’u’lláh’s call; you must come here quickly so I can see you for the last time in this world.”
When I read this, the beautiful history of our acquaintance over the last twenty years, having been with him on so many occasions, so close to him and his family, unfolded before my eyes and the memories of seeing him “riding” in different limitless fields of service passed in a flash before my inner vision.
Shortly after receiving the letter we were now approaching Santa Cruz, unaware that our beloved friend Eloy had departed for the Kingdom just hours earlier when his noble soul stopped receiving the painful blows of this mortal world. On Friday, October 2 at 5:30 in the morning the pain in his weakened body ceased and his soul, like lightning, saw there was no time left in this contingent world and departed in that flash to the other worlds of God.
He had served for more that 40 years since his youth in Latin America and other countries around the world --a service at such a pace that time seemed limitless. His research, his written essays, his talks to the youth, his publications on highly-involved social issues, his moral leadership in service to the Faith, his incredible efforts in the founding of Nur University and the infinite love he felt as he saw it grow, his services as a Continental Counsellor for more than twenty years, the guidance he gave to those who supported any project – all this was as a constant “accompaniment” for this and for future generations.
The room was prepared with a simple, beautiful photograph of him as founder of Nur University, denoting his simple but dedicated life. On the first day many friends came from different parts of Bolivia. The room was constantly stirring with his beloved friends, those from the Bahá’í institutions, people from the academic world, from society in general, a beloved Counsellor from Africa, a dearly-loved friend from Indonesia, pioneers, youth, each one with their prayers shared the secret of his heart, each remembering moments with him, yearning for the exaltation of his praiseworthy spirit.
The night of the reception where the friends could say their prayers did not end until dawn of the following morning.
On Saturday, October 3, the room where his body was laid at rest was, in the final moments witness to a gathering of the friends. His wife, with firm conviction, was there. She had been with him to the very end and shared with the audience that the entire program, the prayers, the sequence and the details of the gathering had all been chosen by beloved Eloy, who had even chosen his resting place in the shade of some beautiful trees. His leadership continued to direct the gathering of the friends through his valiant spirit; the prayers being chosen by him, each a sign of his profound gratitude in this life and his great humility before the threshold of the Blessed Beauty as he neared His presence. His children had been asked by him to read the prayers; their souls in contact with that of their father in uniting all the souls there present. A close friend told moving stories about his life, stories full of happiness, enthusiasm, stories about his passion for teaching and his desire to be always with his beloved friend, Dr. Muhajir.
The immortal life after death and the sacred quotes informed the minds of those present in the room that the life to come is one full of hope and is a road to perfection. There was a reading of some of the messages from friends around the world. The sharing of these gave physical dimension to the love felt for Eloy around the globe.
The time had come to detach ourselves from the physical presence of one so dear to our hearts and, even more, to begin to attach ourselves spiritually to his radiant soul in the hope that he might be with us as we serve. There were thousands of flowers, prayers sung and chanted by the friends. The special prayer for those who leave this world was read by the beloved Counsellor.
Beautiful intonations of Ya Bahá’ul’Abhá and Ya, Alí’u’alláh were recited by his beloved daughters, each one increasing our desire for the exaltation of his spirit. The Concourse on High was dancing with joy, feeling even more fortified because of the arrival of an indefatigable warrior of the army of light into their mighty ranks. Pure and holy souls strewed flowers along the pathway to receive an incomparable soldier carrying the tablets of victories won in a 40-year span of service during a short earthly lifetime, yet enriched with unconditional service.
Junior youth, youth, adults, academicians, scientists, educators, sociologists, psychologists, researchers, writers and above all these, the servants of the Cause whose love is to serve humanity with great humility will very much and always miss his physical presence, his motivating speeches, his inspiring expositions, his articles of guidance his counsel given with such affection and infinite love in this world; but they know that the physical body is like a cloud which once it disappears the intensity of the sun’s light becomes evident, after momentarily being hidden from view. We will always have the rays of his sun to cultivate the fields in which he so loved to serve and so will continue his “part time” projects.
We join his beloved family in our deepest yearning that through our prayers the Blessed Beauty will beautify the perpetual existence our beloved Anello through His confirmations and that He will care for his family under the beams of His protection.

With deepest love,
Sohrab Yazdani.

Source: http://www.ertn.org/. Direct link to PDF version: http://www.ertn.org/Anello/Eloy%20Anello_ENG.pdf

Photos copyright Bahá'í International Community
http://media.bahai.org/subjects/5794/details
http://media.bahai.org/subjects/locations/holy_places_hai/shrine_bab_gard/6941/details

Quotations related to family unity, the complementarity of men and women

(The following are taken from the Baha'i writings)

"Note ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs of that family are conducted; what progress the members of that family make, how they prosper in the world. Their concerns are in order, they enjoy comfort and tranquility, they are secure, their position is assured, they come to be envied by all. Such a family but addeth to its stature and its lasting honour, as day succeedeth day...."

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá


"Question: What is the attitude of your belief toward the family?

"Answer: ...the family, being a human unit, must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother—none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father, likewise, has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one, the honor of all."

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá


The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other in the closest companionship, and to be even as a single soul. They are two helpmates, two intimate friends, who should be concerned about the welfare of each other.
If they live thus, they will pass through this world with perfect contentment, bliss, and peace of heart, and become the object of divine grace and favour in the Kingdom of heaven. But if they do other than this, they will live out their lives in great bitterness, longing at every moment for death, and will be shamefaced in the heavenly realm.
Strive, then, to abide, heart and soul, with each other as two doves in the nest, for this is to be blessed in both worlds.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá


The members of a family all have duties and responsibilities towards one another and to the family as a whole, and these duties and responsibilities vary from member to member because of their natural relationships. The parents have the inescapable duty to educate their children—but not vice versa; the children have the duty to obey their parents—the parents do not obey the children; the mother—not the father—bears the children, nurses them in babyhood, and is thus their first educator; hence daughters have a prior right to education over sons and, as the Guardian's secretary has written on his behalf, "The task of bringing up a Bahá'í child, as emphasized time and again in Bahá'í Writings, is the chief responsibility of the mother, whose unique privilege is indeed to create in her home such conditions as would be most conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare and advancement. The training which a child first receives through his mother constitutes the strongest foundation for his future development..." A corollary of this responsibility of the mother is her right to be supported by her husband—a husband has no explicit right to be supported by his wife....

There are...times when a wife should defer to her husband, and times when a husband should defer to his wife, but neither should ever unjustly dominate the other. In short, the relationship between husband and wife should be as held forth in the prayer revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá which is often read at Bahá'í weddings: "Verily, they are married in obedience to Thy command. Cause them to become the signs of harmony and unity until the end of time."

These are all relationships within the family, but there is a much wider sphere of relationships between men and women than in the home, and this too we should consider in the context of Bahá'í society, not in that of past or present social norms. For example, although the mother is the first educator of the child, and the most important formative influence in his development, the father also has the responsibility of educating his children, and this responsibility is so weighty that Bahá'u'lláh has stated that a father who fails to exercise it forfeits his rights of fatherhood. Similarly, although the primary responsibility for supporting the family financially is placed upon the husband, this does not by any means imply that the place of woman is confined to the home.

- The Universal House of Justice, letter written on its behalf, 28 December 1980 to the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand [71]



It is important for you to arrange your time so that your family life is harmonious and your household receives the attention it requires....

Family consultation employing full and frank discussion, and animated by awareness of the need for moderation and balance, can be the panacea for domestic conflict. Wives should not attempt to dominate their husbands, nor husbands their wives.

- The Universal House of Justice, letter written on its behalf, 1 August 1978 [69]


...the principle that the man has primary responsibility for the financial support of the family, and the woman is the chief and primary educator of the children. This by no means implies that these functions are inflexibly fixed and cannot be changed and adjusted to suit particular family situations, nor does it mean that the place of the woman is confined to the home. Rather, while primary responsibility is assigned, it is anticipated that fathers would play a significant role in the education of the children and women could also be breadwinners.

- The Universal House of Justice, letter written on its behalf, 9 August 1984 [74]


The great importance attached to the mother's role derives from the fact that she is the first educator of the child. Her attitude, her prayers, even what she eats and her physical condition have a great influence on the child when it is still in the womb. When the child is born, it is she who has been endowed by God with the milk which is the first food designed for it, and it is intended that, if possible, she should be with the baby to train and nurture it in its earliest days and months. This does not mean that the father does not also love, pray for, and care for his baby, but as he has the primary responsibility of providing for the family, his time to be with his child is usually limited, while the mother is usually closely associated with the baby during this intensely formative time when it is growing and developing faster than it ever will again during the whole of its life. As the child grows older and more independent, the relative nature of its relationship with its mother and father modifies and the father can play a greater role.

- The Universal House of Justice, letter written on its behalf, 23 August 1984 to two believers
http://bahai-library.com/compilations/women/3.html


‘Abdu’l-Bahá asserts: “In this divine age the bounties of God have encompassed the world of women. Equality of men and women, except in some negligible instances, has been fully and categorically announced. Distinctions have been utterly removed.” That men and women differ from one another in certain characteristics and functions is an inescapable fact of nature; the important thing is that He regards such inequalities as remain between the sexes as being “negligible”.

- The Universal House of Justice, letter written on its behalf, 8 January 1981 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States [33]


The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has the greater burden and the greater work. Look at the vegetable and the animal worlds. The palm which carries the fruit is the tree most prized by the date grower. The Arab knows that for a long journey the mare has the longest wind. For her greater strength and fierceness, the lioness is more feared by the hunter than the lion.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London
http://bahai-library.com/compilations/women/4.html


'Abdu'l-Baha has explained that equality does not mean identity of function. He has also stated that the few areas in which men and women are not equal are "negligible".

- The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 27 October 1986 written on its behalf to an individual believer
http://bahai-library.com/uhj/goddess.feminine.html


...from the spiritual viewpoint there is no difference between [men and women].

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London
http://bahai-library.com/compilations/women/4.html

...there is a much wider sphere of relationships between men and women than in the home, and this too we should consider in the context of Bahá'í society, not in that of past or present social norms. For example, although the mother is the first educator of the child, and the most important formative influence in his development, the father also has the responsibility of educating his children, and this responsibility is so weighty that Bahá'u'lláh has stated that a father who fails to exercise it forfeits his rights of fatherhood. Similarly, although the primary responsibility for supporting the family financially is placed upon the husband, this does not by any means imply that the place of woman is confined to the home. On the contrary, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has stated:

In the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh, women are advancing side by side with men. There is no area or instance where they will lag behind: they have equal rights with men, and will enter, in the future, into all branches of the administration of society. Such will be their elevation that, in every area of endeavour, they will occupy the highest levels in the human world....[3] and again:

So it will come to pass that when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world, when they enter confidently and capably the great arena of laws and politics, war will cease...

The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 135 [91]

In the Tablet of the World, Bahá'u'lláh Himself has envisaged that women as well as men would be breadwinners in stating:

Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice.

Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 90, (28 December 1980 to the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand) [92]

The duty of women in being the first educators of mankind is clearly set forth in the Writings. It is for every woman, if and when she becomes a mother, to determine how best she can discharge on the one hand her chief responsibility as a mother and on the other, to the extent possible, to participate in other aspects of the activities of the society of which she forms a part....

- The Universal House of Justice, letter written on its behalf, 22 April 1981 to an individual believer [92]

http://bahai-library.com/compilations/women/4.html

(Photo Copyright 2009, Bahá'í International Community, view here)

Buddy group activities

I've been privileged to serve as a buddy for new students this semester - we've attended the welcoming ceremony, been to the national museum, to the student society hang-out, and visited my flat.

Women and men - created from the same dust - fanaticism prevents equality

A:
Equal gender rights: We were "created from the same dust [so that] no one should exalt himself over the other," but the imbalance continues. What can be done to promote it? Consider this heinous transgression:

'My husband rapes me repeatedly. I asked the (religious leader) for help, but he sided with him... I have nowhere else to go. I have no tears left to shed. I no longer scream.' (INDONESIA) http://is.gd/zC58

T:
Indeed, injustice toward women in Islam today is not a rare phenomenon. The solution to alleviate this injustice is to turn to Baha'u'llah's principle of the equality of men and women. Look at the stark contrast between the Baha'i Faith and Islam (as it is practiced today by many of its adherents) in their treatment of women: in the Baha'i Faith, ... Read moreeducation of women is of the utmost importance, whereas among many Muslims it is frowned upon and in some cases, a vigorous effort is exerted on their part to hinder the educational progress of females.  Revelation is progressive since man needs new and updated teachings to conform to the exigencies of the age in which he lives. We have entered a new age, with new requirements and a need for "updated" spiritual guidance, and mankind is slowly realizing that the old ways don't work anymore. Sayings relevant to primitive men thousands of years ago may not be applicable today. So humanity will benefit from turning to Baha'u'llah's Teachings.

T:
The Ancient of Days has formally declared the oneness of mankind. He has given the new teachings. Here is an example of the old teachings. The Holy Qur'an says: "[m]en are superior to women," and instructs men to take disobedient women to their beds and "scourge" them:

"Men are superior to women on account of the qualities with which God has ... Read moregifted the one above the other, and on account of the outlay they make from their substance for them. Virtuous women are obedient, careful, during the husband's absence, because God has of them been careful. But chide those for whose refractoriness you have cause to fear; remove them into beds apart, and scourge them: but if they are obedient to you, then seek not occasion against them: verily, God is High, Great!" (Qur'an 4:34)

The Qur'an was perfect for its own Day, of course, and through its Word humanity has reached the age of spiritual maturity. Being more mature, we require new Guidance -- a new Word of God (Baha'i Teachings), if you will.

Read more on this topic here.

Regarding the Hidden Word "O QUINTESSENCE OF PASSION! Put away all covetousness and seek contentment"

O QUINTESSENCE OF PASSION! Put away all covetousness and seek contentment; for the covetous hath ever been deprived, and the contented hath ever been loved and praised.

        --Bahá'u'lláh, HW P50

A:
We're prohibited from coveting anything, except becoming the best servant from among the servants - "Vie with each other in the service of God and of His Cause." -Bahá'u'lláh

T:
You're right, the prohibition is on coveting anything in the world. It takes it one step further than Deuteronomy 5:21: "Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's."

A:
Indeed it does! I guess it says it in the title addressing the individual as "Quintessence of Passion" - what does "quintessence" imply? The dictionary states, "the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form." It put things in perspective regarding our life here on earth - essentially ruled by passion; but we have another choice! ;)

Moonstruck in the month of Jamál (Beauty)

Tonight's moon really caught my eye, with a tinge of red reflected from the sunset - creation is most perfect! Tonight is, as well, the first night of the Bahá'í month of jamál 'Beauty', making an appropriate start to the present 19-day cycle in the midst of the "King of Festivals", the 12-day Ridván period -Rejoice!

...of divine wisdom and heavenly counsel, [Rúmí says]:

Each moon, O my beloved, for three days I go mad;
Today’s the first of these—’Tis why thou seest me glad.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Four Valleys, p. 49)

Moon as seen from Oslo, 27 April