Thief in the Night by William Sears | book review

4.Sept.2008

Thief in the Night

By William Sears

 

‘Ye are even as the fire which in the darkness of the night has been kindled upon the mountain top. Let your light shine before the eyes of men. Such must be the purity of your character and the degree of your renunciation, that the people of the earth may through you recognize and be drawn closer to the heavenly Father who is the Source of purity and grace.’ –Bahaullah (pg. 89).

 

What an incredibly touching quote. After reading this book I have realized even more so the importance, privilege and duty of being a Baha’i. This is the age which millions of people all over the World have been waiting for: Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. I just accepted the Baha’i faith as one which is very open-minded, loving and unifying—one that I felt is the right religion. However, I never devoted any time or effort into prayer, having jr. youth classes or learning more of what Baha’u'llah has said.

Yet, after attending Ruhi Book 5 classes, Jr. Youth Spiritual Empowerment workshops and praying regularly, I have found a desire to pray, to learn more, to become more of a spiritual Baha’i.

 

And after reading Sears’ book, I have realized even more so the need to spread the Baha’i Faith. I truly have a desire to let the friends around me know more about the Baha’i Faith and all the amazing teachings which come with it.

 

Sears’ book basically proves how Baha’u'llah is the Promised One, the long awaited soul who ‘shall teach you all things’ (pg. 59) It also emphasizes the greatness of Baha’u'llah’s era, mission and teachings. The things Baha’u'llah has said, done and experienced are very moving—some are hopeful and others are sorrowful.

The first 2/3 of the book is the proof—very riveting and dumbfounding (especially if one were a Christian) and makes me (as a Baha’i) even more hopeful of Baha’u'llah being the Prophet of the time.

The last 1/3 of the book explains most of Baha’u'llah’s basic teachings, depicts his majesty and emphasizes the importance of spiritual closeness in solution to the harsh destruction of our current world.

 

The last 1/3 really makes me as a Baha’i feel responsible to many of the people of the Earth, and when I think about it, I really do believe that all the World’s issues could be solved—especially those happening to Youth and young adults.

Baha’u'llah’s cause is truly one molded to a one-size-fits-all message to the many peoples of THIS generation. It motivates me to teach, to have Ruhi, to hold Jr. Youth classes and to spread the Faith. Not so much as a duty anymore, but also as my heart’s desire.

 

Many things that I have thought of as important in the past have metamorphosed into trivial things. And many things that I thought to be of no importance, have evolved into things my life revolves around. Of course this wasn’t all from the book, but these are recent developments ever since I started attending Ruhi 5 classes and the Jr. Youth Spiritual Empowerment workshop program. My faith however has been reinforced by this book undoubtedly. It’s beautiful and heartfelt and one that I feel should be shared with the World.

 

I mean, just imagine, an entire world, united by one religion, one cause, one love and the same principals. No prejudices, no hate, no boundaries.

Of course the World can’t be perfect, free of all mental causes or crime as this would cause many people to be jobless. However, if each individual tries his/her hardest to become more spiritual people, and teach others around them and be exemplars, then this World could be an even more beautiful place.

 

One more thing I have learned recently is that whatever we do in this world either evokes or deters our spiritual growth. Our soul is constantly improving or degrading—it never stays at one level of spirituality. All the knowledge we acquire in this world as well as the level of spirituality will go with us to the next World. This I didn’t know until recently—so I must stuff my brain with as much as I can before I go! J. Also, it is much easier now to form your soul and brain than it is in the next world.

Keeping this in mind, I really do now truly believe that one does not have to ‘go crazy and try everything out’ before death to ‘live life’ which is the demented mentality of many of today’s youth as well as adults. You do not have to drink, smoke or have sex to enjoy life or be a rebel. There are so many ways to live your life—mentally, spiritually and physically. I truly believe this now. I also was a victim of this ‘you have to try everything once’ mentality but I know now I have matured and grown. And I’d love to let others know and perhaps feel the same way.

 

This book overall has been incredibly inspiring, moving and educational. Perhaps God is really confirming me for everything now a days seems to be leading me onto the right path. Praying has become enjoyable for me! I feel I am on the road to change, going the right way, and that I am not alone.

As Sears says: ‘It’s the dawn of a new day.’

 

                                                                                    -Seaonnah x

 

Solar Energy | cheap alternative?

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/31/eco.affordablesolar/index.html

interesting article about a woman who made solar cells out of a inkjet printer, some nail polish remover and a pizza oven!

 

Safeguard the Innocent

2,500 years ago, Cyrus the Great penned down what is regarded as the first declaration for human rights, affirming the right to freedom of worship. But centuries later, what is the situation of Iran’s largest religious minority?

 

Bahai Feast of Asma’

Asmá’
Names

20 August – 7 September

A Selection of Writings with “Names”

as a key word

Prayers and Meditations, pp. 55-56

XXXIX

O Thou Who dealest equitably with all who are in heaven and on earth, and rulest over the kingdom of Thy creation and of Thy Revelation! I testify that every man of equity hath recognized his unfairness in the face of the revelation of the splendors of the Day-Star of Thy Justice, and the ablest of pens hath confessed its impotence before the movement of Thy most exalted Pen.

By Thy life, O Thou the Possessor of all names! The minds of the profoundest thinkers are sore perplexed as they contemplate the ocean of Thy knowledge, and the heaven of Thy wisdom, and the Luminary of Thy grace. How can he who is but a creation of Thy will claim to know what is with Thee, or to conceive Thy nature?

Praise, immeasurable praise be to Thee! I swear by Thy glory! My inner and outer tongue, openly and secretly, testify that Thou hast been exalted above the reach and ken of Thy creatures, above the utterance of Thy servants, above the testimonies of Thy dear ones and Thy chosen ones, and the apprehension of Thy Prophets and of Thy Messengers.

I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by Thy Name which Thou hast made to be the Day-Spring of Thy Revelation and the Dawning-Place of Thine inspiration, to ordain for this wronged One and for them that are dear to Thee what becometh Thy loftiness. Thou, in very truth, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

– Bahá’u'lláh

Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, pp. 48-49

These attributes of God are not, and have never been, vouchsafed specially unto certain Prophets, and withheld from others. Nay, all the Prophets of God, His well-favored, His holy and chosen Messengers are, without exception, the bearers of His names, and the embodiments of His attributes. They only differ in the intensity of their revelation, and the comparative potency of their light. Even as He hath revealed: “Some of the Apostles We have caused to excel the others.”

It hath, therefore, become manifest and evident that within the tabernacles of these Prophets and chosen Ones of God the light of His infinite names and exalted attributes hath been reflected, even though the light of some of these attributes may or may not be outwardly revealed from these luminous Temples to the eyes of men. That a certain attribute of God hath not been outwardly manifested by these Essences of Detachment doth in no wise imply that they who are the Day Springs of God’s attributes and the Treasuries of His holy names did not actually possess it. Therefore, these illuminated Souls, these beauteous Countenances have, each and every one of them, been endowed with all the attributes of God, such as sovereignty, dominion, and the like, even though to outward seeming they be shorn of all earthly majesty….

– Bahá’u'lláh

The Kitab-i-Iqan, pp. 20-22

Every discerning observer will recognize that in the Dispensation of the Qur’án both the Book and the Cause of Jesus were confirmed. As to the matter of names, Muhammad, Himself, declared: “I am Jesus.” He recognized the truth of the signs, prophecies, and words of Jesus, and testified that they were all of God. In this sense, neither the person of Jesus nor His writings hath differed from that of Muhammad and of His holy Book, inasmuch as both have championed the Cause of God, uttered His praise, and revealed His commandments. Thus it is that Jesus, Himself, declared: “I go away and come again unto you.” Consider the sun. Were it to say now, “I am the sun of yesterday,” it would speak the truth. And should it, bearing the sequence of time in mind, claim to be other than that sun, it still would speak the truth. In like manner, if it be said that all the days are but one and the same, it is correct and true. And if it be said, with respect to their particular names and designations, that they differ, that again is true. For though they are the same, yet one doth recognize in each a separate designation, a specific attribute, a particular character. Conceive accordingly the distinction, variation, and unity characteristic of the various Manifestations of holiness, that thou mayest comprehend the allusions made by the creator of all names and attributes to the mysteries of distinction and unity, and discover the answer to thy question as to why that everlasting Beauty should have, at sundry times, called Himself by different names and titles.

– Bahá’u'lláh

The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 26

It hath been ordained that every believer in God, the Lord of Judgement, shall, each day, having washed his hands and then his face, seat himself and, turning unto God, repeat “Alláh-u-Abhá” ninety-five times. Such was the decree of the Maker of the Heavens when, with majesty and power, He established Himself upon the thrones of His Names. Perform ye, likewise, ablutions for the Obligatory Prayer; this is the command of God, the Incomparable, the Unrestrained.

– Bahá’u'lláh

Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 3
from the LAWH-I-KÁRMIL (Tablet of Carmel)

All glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned towards His holy seat. Thereupon the voices of all created things, and beyond them those of the Concourse on High, were heard calling aloud: `Haste thee, O Carmel, for lo, the light of the countenance of God, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and Fashioner of the heavens, hath been lifted upon thee.’

– Bahá’u'lláh

The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 422

But the question may be asked: How shall we know God? We know Him by His attributes. We know Him by His signs. We know Him by His names. We know not what the reality of the sun is, but we know the sun by the ray, by the heat, by its efficacy and penetration. We recognize the sun by its bounty and effulgence, but as to what constitutes the reality of the solar energy, that is unknowable to us. The attributes characterizing the sun, however, are knowable. If we wish to come in touch with the reality of Divinity, we do so by recognizing its phenomena, its attributes and traces, which are widespread in the universe.

– `Abdu’l-Bahá

Proclamation of Baha’u'llah, p. 5

O Kings of the earth! He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God’s, the omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Worship none but God, and, with radiant hearts, lift up your faces unto your Lord, the Lord of all names. This is a Revelation to which whatever ye possess can never be compared, could ye but know it. We see you rejoicing in that which ye have amassed for others, and shutting out yourselves from the worlds which naught except My Guarded Tablet can reckon. The treasures ye have laid up have drawn you far away from your ultimate objective. This ill beseemeth you, could ye but understand it. Wash your hearts from all earthly defilements, and hasten to enter the Kingdom of your Lord, the Creator of earth and heaven, Who caused the world to tremble, and all its peoples to wail, except them that have renounced all things and clung to that which the Hidden Tablet hath ordained….

– Bahá’u'lláh

Foundations of World Unity, p. 53

The greatest bounties of God in this phenomenal world are His Manifestations. This is the greatest postulate. These Manifestations are the Suns of Reality. For it is through the Manifestation that the reality becomes known and established for man. History proves to us that apart from the influence of the Manifestations, man sinks back into his animal condition, using even his intellectual power to subserve an animal purpose. Therefore there is no cessation whatsoever in the future for the appearance of the Manifestation of God, because God is infinite and His purpose cannot be limited in any way. If we ever dare to limit and circumscribe God’s purpose within any bounds, then of necessity we have dared to set limitations to the omnipotence of God. The created has dared to define his Creator!

Consequently, the perfect man ever beholds the rays of the Sun of Truth. The perfect man ever awaits and expects the coming of the effulgence of God, he ever ponders over the methods and purposes of God, knowing that of certainty the realities of the Divine are not finite, the Divine names and attributes are not finite. God’s graces and bounties are without limit, and the coming of the Manifestations of God are not circumscribed by time.

– `Abdu’l-Bahá

Prayers and Meditations, pp. 117-118

LXXI

Magnified be Thy name, O my God, for that Thou hast manifested the Day which is the King of Days, the Day which Thou didst announce unto Thy chosen Ones and Thy Prophets in Thy most excellent Tablets, the Day whereon Thou didst shed the splendor of the glory of all Thy names upon all created things. Great is his blessedness whosoever hath set himself towards Thee, and entered Thy presence, and caught the accents of Thy voice.

I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by the name of Him round Whom circleth in adoration the kingdom of Thy names, that Thou wilt graciously assist them that are dear to Thee to glorify Thy word among Thy servants, and to shed abroad Thy praise amidst Thy creatures, so that the ecstasies of Thy revelation may fill the souls of all the dwellers of Thine earth.

Since Thou hast guided them, O my Lord, unto the living waters of Thy grace, grant, by Thy bounty, that they may not be kept back from Thee; and since Thou hast summoned them to the habitation of Thy throne, drive them not out from Thy presence, through Thy loving-kindness. Send down upon them what shall wholly detach them from aught else except Thee, and make them able to soar in the atmosphere of Thy nearness, in such wise that neither the ascendancy of the oppressor nor the suggestions of them that have disbelieved in Thy most august and most mighty Self shall be capable of keeping them back from Thee.

– Bahá’u'lláh

 

Top 10 US colleges

Top 10 US colleges from 2 magazines. This year Priceton univesity is number 1.

 

Application for Bahai Pilgrimage

Jintae,
Would you check this out and let us know what can be done?

https://bahai.bwc.org//pilgrimage/Intro/quote_1A.asp

https://bahai.bwc.org//pilgrimage/main/apply.asp

 

Korean Bahai Prayers: I’m weak + Gladden my spirit

주님! 저희가 약하오니 저희를 강하게 하여 주소서.
하느님! 저희가 무지하오니 저희를 일깨워 주소서.
주님! 저희가 가난하오니 저희를 부유하게 만들어 주소서.
하느님! 저희가 죽었사오니 저희를 되살려 주소서.
주님! 저희가 욕된 존재이오니 주님의 왕국 안에서
저희를 영광되게 하여 주소서.
주님, 주님이 저희를 도와주시면
저희는 반짝이는 별이 될 것이나이다.
그러나 주님이 저희를 도와주지 않으시면
저희는 진흙보다 못한 존재가 될 것이나이다.
주님! 저희를 강하게 하여 주소서.
하느님! 저희들로 하여금 이기심을 정복하고
욕망을 극복할 수 있게 하여 주소서.
주님! 성령의 숨길로 저희를 되살려 주시와,
저희가 일어나 주님을 섬기고 경배하는 데 몰두하며,
주님의 왕국 안에서 최상의 성실로 혼신의 힘을
다할 수 있게 하여 주소서.
주님! 당신은 강력하시나이다.
하느님! 당신은 용서하시는 분이시고
동정심이 많은 분이시나이다.

-압돌바하

하느님! 저의 정신을 새롭고 즐겁게 하여 주시옵소서. 저의 가슴을 순결하게 하여 주시옵고, 저의 모든 능력을 빛나게 하여 주시옵소서. 저는 당신의 손에 저의 모든 것을 맡기옵나이다.

당신은 저의 안내자이시며 저의 피난처이옵나이다. 저는 이제 슬퍼하거나 서러워하지 않을 것이오며, 행복하고 즐거운 존재가 되겠나이다.

하느님, 저는 이제 근심에 차 있지 않을 것이오며, 번민이 저를 괴롭히지 않도록 하겠나이다. 저는 인생의 불쾌한 것들에 마음을 쓰지 않겠나이다.

하느님! 당신은 제가 저를 위하는 것보다도 더 저를 위해 주시나이다. 주여, 저는 당신께 저의 모든 것을 바치옵나이다.

압돌바하

 

the future | some insight

The Future.                                                                                       17.aug.2008

 

Last night I was reading the long obligatory prayer after being in quite a depressed, anxious and stressed out mood, and my future happened to dawn on me. I meditated after the prayer, hoping to find some peace within, and that is probably the very first time I looked towards God to help solve my problems without anyone else telling me to do so.

 

In the Bahai faith, we learn that our purpose in life is to serve. We go to school to better serve the faith, we earn money to better serve the faith, we grow to better serve the faith. Everything we do we do in order to aid us to serve the faith. This idea led me to think—what do I want to do in the future. Out of everything I have ever wanted to do, the only things that involve service is: a policewoman or a green architect. Lawyer, businesswoman or treasurer was solely for the money or fame. But a green architect I feel really is service: service to the faith, to humanity and to the Earth.

 

The next day I had a really good discussion with my family. We talked about my future. I told them about my insight and they really supported me. It feels great when your parents are willing supporters.

 

I agree with my mother that green architecture will really be able to exercise all of my talents: mathematics, creativity, service, business and marketing (I know how to be persuasive (=. )

 

Perhaps this is my calling. I know that once I am able to concentrate on a future prospect I will be able to focus better.

During exams I knew my goal so I worked very hard towards it and succeeded. If I know what I want to do in the summer, and what I need to prepare for it, then I will be able to save up money for it and thus accomplish my goal. If I know what I want to do when I grow up, then I can supplement that vision with the things I read, the activities I participate in and the courses I take.

All I need to do is pray about the future. Once I am certain, I know I will soar.

 

I need my family to help me. But I also really want to rely on God.

 

This year I think I will be able to be more focused. I will work towards architecture, Bahai service, ecubed as well as studies. I am very excited and I know I will be much more focused.

 

Next summer, I hope to do many activities: all educational, spiritual and fun. I cannot contain my excitement, I need to increase my knowledge about the Bahai faith, complete all Ruhi books, as well as save up money. I can do it, I’m certain.

                        -Seaonnah

 

Check this out green people

http://renewableminute.blogspot.com/

You can subscribe this site to listen to 1 min radio.

love, yo

 

GreenAcre Family Home Comming Trip

It was our family’s first visit to the GreenAcre Bahai school retreat.

The retreat was from Aug. 8th to Aug. 13 in Maine, U.S. GreenAcre Bahai school is located in Eliot in the state of Maine.

It was very relaxing, peaceful, and a beautiful place to be. Abdul Baha stayed there when he traveled to America in 1900′s, so there is special spirit on the campus.

We met many special and wonderful people from many different places. Every meal was so delicious and healthy. The place is blessed with many beautiful trees, green grass, hills and a river flowing in front.

There were many insightful workshops and classes which help to understand the life as a Bahai’is.

 

By Jintae