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Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: YAY An end to a zillion login registrations & more!

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NEw Book Upcoming!
 

Religion Rebel’s Healing Handbook

     The focus of  The Religion Rebels Healing Handbook  is care, concern and healing for the heart of the rebel, and for a world suffering the burden of spiritual lack, disunity and strife. Among its ultimate gifts are reunion and unity for ourselves and our world, succor for our woes, and, for those who wish it, a greater closeness with Spirit.

 

         The place of comfort is one of union; but the place of rebellion brings little peace. By definition, it “sets us against” something or someone. Anger, betrayal, and grief are in its unfolding; the Handbook gives them voice, unraveling their truth, bringing solace, awareness and logical answers. Rebelliousness may remain, and surely independence of spirit, but in a more flowing and forgiving heart.   

      Our world needs the thoughtful scrutiny of the rebellious, but it is home to the religionist as well. The estrangement between them is disconcerting and contradicts unity.  When any view becomes entrenched, it negates investigation and change.  To share a common ground of healing and re-connection for those of differing beliefs, of faith or no faith, is at the heart of this work, reflecting a refreshing glimpse into today’s challenges and future possibilities gleaned from spiritual sources.

       Saying “no” to rigid thinking, religiosity and divisiveness, Spirit’s rebel sees the unity of  a ‘Greater Reality’ and the faiths as intended reflecltions of that One Light, however distorted by time and men.  The Religion Rebels Healing Handbook  reinforces a transcendent view of faith, religion, and the search of the heart, opening dialogue and bringing forth concerns in the life of our planet. It shares solutions for hope and the spiritualization of humanity, whose oneness is seen as a foremost, necessary principle for the continuance of our kind. 

       The uniqueness of this rebel’s investigation stems from its sources. Though little is made of it, many of its understandings and logically derived elements were born in the little known, highly progressive writings of the Baha’i Faith, one of the world’s newest independent and fastest-growing religions. Validating and vitalizing these pages, these teachings hold the key to the root of religion’s waywardness and evolution from “old guard” faiths to new and healing pathways. For the purposes of this book, the author admits a natural reticence to draw from any faith whatsoever, yet their undeniable source, compelling logic and sustenance has prompted inclusion of selected quotations of the Baha’i scriptures, which intermingle with those of other pathways, bringing new awakenings and eye– popping sensibility to long– standing concerns of confusion.  

     “All revelation, religious or secular,” the author asserts, “is the property and rightful domain of all who wish to partake, both declared follower and rebel alike.” A generous, kindly tongue, sensitively wielded, beautifies and invites us to Sprit’s union; excerpts chosen for the rebel’s heart enable the transformational power of  a Greater Heart to bloom more sweetly from this life-giving soil.

                                  _____________________________

 

Authors notes… Regarding Baha’i inspiration:

     An outstanding source of spiritual and practical understanding, dubbed “the spirit of the age”, the Baha’i view supports modern principles for the healing of  humanity, holding its oneness as a foremost principle for the continuance of our kind, charging those who choose a faith to cleave to one which is harmonious with all religions. The “fundamental purpose is unity and the establishment of Peace”; the Faith upholds independent investigation of truth and an absolute prohibition against violence. The clarity and transcendence of the quoted “writings of Spirit” lend credence, grace and refreshment to the themes of this work.

 

 

 

 

Peace
Topic: Spirit Food
 

Peace is a gift; a mystery yet to unfold…

  

     Both religion &  its rebellion have roles to be revealed…

     Peace is found in forgiveness: naming the hurts is a first step. We can bring love to these places, trusting that what we need will come. Let us act in whatever arena we can, for

            The will to act is key.

   To awaken this within ourselves, let us open our hearts, trusting that even in the

Unknown there is some “Good -Orderly -Direction” (“g-o-d”),  and that the next right  thing will unfold.    

 

_____________________________

 A Call for Peace.  A treatise named ‘‘The Promise of World Peace‘  calls for a world meeting of leaders a & peoples from every country. It has some helps to awaken the will to act,, and has been distributed to millions worldwide.

 For more information go to the New Link at http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/unite/hapromise.html  

 

              www.HeartsAwaken.com

 

 

The Greatest power on Earth

 

 

                 The Power of Spirit
                                        + the Power of Unity
                

  could equal = The Greatest power on Earth        

   The tapping of these forces, to their fullest capacity, must needs include:  

Religion:  Power of  Spirit,  Power for Unity   

  Religion has shaped history and built great civilizations; when used rightly, nothing can rival its potential as a supporter of Spirit and a unifier of hearts.  It has been key in unifying successively larger and larger units of society, from family to tribe, city, state and nation. It may well have a vital role in the next great Unification: that of Universal Peace. 

 

Religion’s Wounds:       Yet many have been cut by religions’ sword; heartbreak, abuse and ’god- competition’ are among its outward signs,  The wounds go deep and need attention. The name of religion must be redeemed; the faiths will have to prove themselves worthy once again of the trust of a nation.

A new healing is in the air--  For more on the   healing of religion go to

ReligionsRebels.com

Principles of peace
Topic: Peace

 A Vision for Our World        

 

 Healing for our World rests on the following Principles:

 The essence of our being is Spirit:  the essence of Spirit is Love.

               Principles for Peace *       (Quoted from the Baha’i )

 Investigation of Truth 

       The first principle is the 

Independent investigation of truth. 

     " Each individual... must investigate for himself: he wIll find that Reality is one; All will find the same foundation  and all will be at peace. "

        The Unity of the Race 

     The second principle... proclaims the oneness of the human race. 

      "Ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one - branch. All the nations, peoples and tongues are the branches, leaves, blossoms and fruits of this

great tree of humanity;  God created all; protects all; provides for all and is kind to all; why should you be unkind?.. All the creatures are equal in this one family of God save whosoever is more kind, more compassionate,  that one is nearer to

God.

    International Peace

     The third principle is in regard to international peace. There must be peace between the fatherlands; peace between the religions. In this period of evolution the world of humanity is in danger. Every war is against the good pleasure of the Great Sprit*² of all... 

    Prejudice Must Be Forever Banished

     The fifth principle of peace is this: that. religious, racial, political and patriotic prejudice are the destroyers of human society. As long as these prejudices last the world of humanity will not attain to poise and perfection. 

                                                                                                                 

 

 Equality of the Sexes.

        The sixth principle of

 Peace (as brought forth by Baha'u'llah) regards the equality of men and women. The male and female of the human kingdom are equal before God. 

   "'The world of humanity has two wings, one the male; the other the female. When both wings are reinforced with the same impulse the bird will be enabled to wing its flight heavenward to the summit of progress. Woman must be given the same opportunities as man for perfecting herself in the attainments of Learning, science and arts..."

   "When women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world,... war will cease." 

 Peace amongst the Religions

       Was not peace (meant to be) the foundations of religion? It is time that these limitations and dogmas be done away with, that the foundation of the religion of God be made the means of union and good fellowship.

    "... religion must ever be the means of love; that is, if so-called religion be the cause of hatred and animosity, it is better to quit such religion. Irreligion is better than that so-called religion

      Every affair, every matter which in the world of humanity is the cause of love, that matter is good; but if it is creative of difference amongst the children of men, that matter is evil.

    The people have made religion the cause of warfare and strife, while the reality of religion is the cause of unity and love.

Religion Must Conform to Science and Reason

      This principle declares that religion must be in conformity to science and reason. If a religion does not agree with the postulates of science nor accord with the regulations of reason it is a bundle of superstitions; a phantasm of the brain.

      Science and religion are realities, and if that religion to which we adhere be a reality it must conform to the fundamental reality of all things.

    A Social Plan 

     ...whereby all the individual members may enjoy the utmost comfort and welfare. The degrees of society must be preserved...The farmer will continue to till the soil, the artist pursue his art, the banker to finance the nation. The degrees varying with the pursuits are essential. But in this plan there is no class hatred. Each is to be protected and ... to live in the greatest comfort and happiness. Work is to be provided for all and there will be no needy ones to be seen in the streets.

        * More  Resources for Peace, Unity, Spirit & Transformation at: www.HeartsAwaken.com 

    Universal Education.

     All the children must be educated so that there will not remain one

 single individual without an education.

    Universal Language

    Each nation should acquire the universal language in addition to its native tongue. The world would then be in close communication, consultation would become general, and dissensions due to diversity of speech would be removed.

   The Parliament of Man 

    This principle declares that there must needs be established the parliament of man or court of last appeals for international questions. 

     The members of this (arbitral) Court of justice will be representatives of all the nations. In each nation the members must be ratified by the government and the king or ruler, and this International parliament will be under the protection of the world of humanity. In it all international difficulties will be settled.

   A Universal Gathering 

    "If the rulers and kings of the earth... arise and resolve to dedicate themselves to whatever will promote the highest interests of the whole of humanity, the reign of justice will assuredly be established amongst the children of men, and the effulgence of its light will envelop the whole earth. "

    "The earth is but one country..."

   "This assembly, thank God, longs only for peace and unity, and must work with heart and soul to bring about a better condition in the world."

         Principles for Peace * as listed herein are quoted from Baha’i Scripture— Ab’dul Baha, Paris Talks   

 More  Resources for Peace, Unity, Spirit & Transformation at: www.HeartsAwaken.com    

   Freebies & much more & including .Truth-Seekers Sourcebook & Religion's Rebels Handbook     

 

Calling Spirit-- new Book Upcoming
 

  Musings, quotes, and inspiration flowing from the world's religions on the use of logic, the  heart, and tools of spirit in matters of import for our lives and times.     

Heart's Awaken ! A TruthSeeker's Sourcebook  

  Musings, quotes, and inspiration flowing from the world's religions on the use of logic, the  heart, and tools of spirit in matters of import for our lives and times.     
380 pgs

       It is in the nature of the soul to search for meaning. Whether we do this consciously or below the level of our own awareness, the answers we come to profoundly guide our personal movement and the course of the entire planet. Tools for the seeker of spirit in this vital endeavor is the inspiration for this work.

      Heart's Awaken ! A TruthSeeker's Sourcebook underlines the value and life– giving power of individual search for truth and personal spiritual development.  Shedding clear, purposeful light on vital concerns of the heart helps the reader make cleaner, reasoned choices in what really matters. It offers readings from many paths, the scriptures of the faiths, to brighten and illuminate its pages.  Logic, sensibility and inner wisdom help to further distil the needs of Spirit to a simplicity that speaks directly to the soul. 

     Spirit’s eternal teachings have provided guidance and encouragement for seekers of the ages. Yet many today find religion unapproachable; its loss has opened a void yet to be filled. This issue is among the themes brought forward. Contemporary, little– understood developments are illustrated as pointing out new directions for humanity that can amend the harms of the past. The sources and readings are sensitively chosen to call forth the utmost receptivity from the reticent sophistication of the modern mind.  A TruthSeeker's Sourcebook  creates a delightful home for lives that have lost the creative magic found in the original teachings of the great faiths of the world.

 

     Truth is revealed to us only when we manifest necessary conditions of head and heart. Factors involving self- esteem, the cunning of ego, the meaning of humility, semantics, and the many issues of scripture can block us in our search.  Supported by the timeless, transformational, poetic words of the Holy Beings, the Sourcebook brings the lens of logic to the concerns of a truth-seeker in simple understandings that clear a path of healing. Reflections on prayer, introspection, meditation, the virtues of our "noble creation", and readings of the spiritual Masters remind us of their needful, healing place. Closing passages describe of  the human reality and that of the Godhead and the Higher Beings in the words of Divine revelation.  The readings of the TruthSeeker's Sourcebook resoundingly reflect and inspire hope and belief in the oneness of humanity and every faith of God. Humanity's spiritual roots and the soul-stirring awakenings of our time springboard its purpose.  Heart’s Awaken! A TruthSeeker's Sourcebook invites us on a journey and feeds and sustains us for its lifelong continuation. The answers we find, in the end, rest within the seeker’s heart.  

 

Longer version below is edited to fit with shorter version w/o redundancy  for Book proposal/ summary 

 

  Heart’s Awaken ! A TruthSeeker’s Sourcebook  

 

        Birds, animals, and other beings of the earth live simply, but the soul of man would yearn for something more.  From the beginning of time we have sought for the meaning of life.  The answer we find is revealed differently for each one of us; our contentment and happiness depend upon it, and this vital search is what fuels this work.

     The religions of the world offer spiritual guidance to direct and feed us in this journey; unfortunately many have found these unapproachable. Fraught with seeming contradictions and competing pathways, rife with authorities claiming exclusive knowledge, the trappings of religiosity have rebuffed many a modern mind.  Among the issues addressed in “Roots” (Part III) are : “Is religion sustainable? What does it have to offer our time?”  The author holds, with support of scripture, that religious competition has caused great harm., and that truly the faiths  are one. “Can they”  she asks, “be united in a common purpose for the good of all humanity?” 

      “Foundations” for ourselves and our world, warms the reader up to the importance of individual search for truth and personal spiritual development, and offers some beginnings in that endeavor.

             The truth--seeker’s “Toolbox for Investigation” considers conditions of head and heart in spiritual search. Self esteem and ego enter the mix, and words may either assist or become a stumbling block of epic proportions.  Simple logic here illuminates issues of semantics and scripture. Through this lens, even the most skeptical finds the scriptures lose their daunting face, as resistance and obscuring veils drop away.  “Thee”, “Thou”, &  O those “Wordy-Words’’ explains the reasons behind what puts us off, helping to heal the gap between religious and secular understanding.   More on these topics emerge in a later section dubbed “Messiah’s Toolkit: Prepared— To Meet your Maker ?”, as a “journey of the improbable, imagination, and creative opening”, investigates great events in spiritual history and how we might approach the idea of Messianic might and power.

  

      Life began before us and continues long after our passing: what seeker’s journey would be complete without homage to that bigger picture?  Part Five, “For Our World” considers the current planetary “S.O.S.” and contemplates some spiritually based solutions for peace and healthy worldwide co-operation. The realization of humanity’s oneness is a hopeful harbinger.  A spiritualization of the planet could set a new direction for all human life;  our own spiritual search could give us clues and there may yet be more answers than we know.  Unity is named as a foremost concern; the faiths may play a part in this but they would have to unite themselves to have any significant impact.

       “Spirit’s Toolbox” highlights finding a Higher Power and deepening the spiritual connection. The human soul, a “noble creation”, holds latent virtues that attest to its potential and give us a hand– hold in its development. Brief selections on various practices elucidate their uses and importance along with the readings of the spiritual Masters as a power beyond the self.  When the seeker is ready, meatier portions of stock are added to the mix in the final section, “From Human to Divine: Through Scriptures’ Eyes”, drawing solely on the words of  Divine revelation in describing the human reality and that of the Godhead and the Higher Beings. Here, the reader’s heart opens to the poetry and purity of the holy writings to enable powerful transformation. 

 

 

     Heart’s Awaken ! A TruthSeeker’s Sourcebook brings head and heart together in a sweet concerto for the soul. The author’s rationale and process provide a sound, sensible and sensitive backdrop to carefully selected readings of the faiths, revealed in oneness and beauty, offering, as the gods would have it, an inspiring, uplifting, delectable spiritual food.  

     Heart’s Awaken ! A TruthSeeker’s Sourcebook is a must– have read for the library of every wonderer and wanderer, a book to be read, re– read, and referred to again and again.

 

___________________________________________

 

Great Blog link!


This Blog is Called Anxiously Concerned -- named after the quote from Baha'u'llah

"Be anxiously concerned for the needs of the age in which you live."


( hope i got it right)
http://anxiouslyconcerned.blogspot.com/

Thought and Reality
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: Spirit Food
 Thursday, May 10, 2007

From: Planet Bahá'í at: http://www.planetbahai.org

by Dale E. Lehman

"The reality of man is his thought, not his material body. The thought force and the animal force are partners. Although man is part of the animal creation, he possesses a power of thought superior to all other created beings".
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 17)


On the surface, this seems to be saying that our minds are what define us, not our bodies. If so, most of us would probably agree. But He goes on to talk about how thought actually creates reality:

"If a man's thought is constantly aspiring towards heavenly subjects then does he become saintly; if on the other hand his thought does not soar, but is directed downwards to centre itself upon the things of this world, he grows more and more material until he arrives at a state little better than that of a mere animal."
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 17-18)

In effect, the Master says that our destiny is in our own hands, or rather in our own minds. We can choose which direction to move, either to greater levels of spirituality or to greater depths of materiality, by focusing our thoughts in that direction. Again, most of us would probably agree that this has some validity, but we might suspect it's not quite that simple. Does merely thinking spiritual thoughts really make us spiritual?
At this point, 'Abdu'l-Bahá makes a key distinction between two kinds of thought. The first is "thought that belongs to the world of thought alone" and the second is "thought that expresses itself in action." The first kind, He states, is useless. Thought's power depends upon its translation into deeds. He cites the example of a philosopher who speaks of justice but who encourages an oppressive monarch to practice tyranny. Of what use are this philosopher's thoughts on justice when he himself behaves in the opposite manner?

Bahá'u'lláh carries this a step further. Comparing those who were the Báb's followers to their persecutors, He writes:
"They laid down their lives for their Well-Beloved, and surrendered their all in His path. Their breasts were made targets for the darts of the enemy, and their heads adorned the spears of the infidel. No land remained which did not drink the blood of these embodiments of detachment, and no sword that did not bruise their necks. Their deeds, alone, testify to the truth of their words."*

"Be fair: Is the testimony of those acceptable and worthy of attention whose deeds agree with their words, whose outward behaviour conforms with their inner life? The mind is bewildered at their deeds..."
(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitab-i-Íqán, p. 224-225)

Here, the alignment of inner life (thought) and outward behavior (deeds) is held forth as a sign of truth, whereas the gross misalignment of these two is regarded as a sign of falsehood and treachery.
This emphasizes 'Abdu'l-Bahá's point that thought not translated into action is worthless. What good is it to mentally accept the teaching that we should forgive those who harm us, for example, if in practice we seek revenge against them?

Only when we accept the teaching of forgiveness and then strive to act on it do our thoughts produce good results and serve as witness to the truth. Further, we can't expect to teach others the value of the divine principles if we do not embody them ourselves:

"Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him. Unless he teacheth his own self, the words of his mouth will not influence the heart of the seeker. Take heed, O people, lest ye be of them that give good counsel to others but forget to follow it themselves. The words of such as these, and beyond the words the realities of all things, and beyond these realities the angels that are nigh unto God, bring against them the accusation of falsehood.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, CXXVIII, p. 277)


The Bahá'í Writings emphasize the acquisition of virtues precisely for these reasons. Acquiring virtues is usually a gradual process. Few people are transformed overnight. Yet in making the effort we attract divine confirmations that over the course of time will enable us to achieve our goal and compensate for our weaknesses. It isn't a matter of being perfect from the start, but of acquiring perfections over time.

And that process begins with thought, our reality.

Planet Bahá'í is an initiative by individual Bahá'ís and not an official Web site of the Bahá'í Faith. | © 1999-2007 Dale E. Lehman and content authors.

I admit it
Now Playing: Disclaimers & admissions

Truthseeker's Credits 

    I owe the bulk of the thinking in these articles to the writings of the Baha'i Faith. However, my words do not represent or bear the stamp or approval of the Baha'i Faith as a whole. The sharings herein are my own small awakenings of a much greater Teaching that appears far beyond any conception of my own. 

 Regrets Gratitudes, and a Question 

Teachings: A Gift to the World

    All good ideas, have inevitably become the property of the masses. But the Source of them is from the Creative Spirit, with their clearest origin (according to scripture) from that Pure Mouthpiece of the Higher Power who shares freely without limit or qualification.This is what I see, and that things cannot be otherwise. It has always been so, for humanity to progress from ignorance into light... 
In thus case the Origin or Source of these healing Teachings is the words of Baha'u'llah.

How does Spirit do it? 
With Kind Humility 

    If these were my works alone, I couldn't-- I wouldn't -- share out these fabulous ideas to have them essentially "stolen", with my name being taken off  as they are diisseminated and integrated into popular culture and re-invented under new names by unrelated, often hostile groups for their own purposes. 

 Centurion Origins & Today's Experience

    When Baha'u'llah first spoke these teachings, they were nearly unthinkable, even shocking,  in mid-century 1800.  For this reason, He, like the Prophets of old, was persecuted and rejected. Even to this day, these ideas are still largely unsung. But they are beginning to catch hold, and he measure of a good idea versus a great one is the survival of the ages. Something that captivates the minds of the masses even centuries later, for me,  can be nothing short of Divine. 

      I discovered these teachings in the wake of the 60's and '70's. In 1980, among others, I set out to share these new understandings: that we were all part of "One religion" and "One Spirit" whose Agents (the Prorhets fo the Faiths) brought "chapters in the same Book" of God.  Living on one planet where we are all part of the "One Family" of humanity, these concepts, known to Baha'i's as "the Three Onenesses", were coupled with other principles, that are now widely known and championed among the people. There are even a few new religions who now proclaim these as among their teachings. But the name of Baha'i is not taught along with them. To me, this leaves the biggest Piece Missing!


     But yet, looking at the Whole picture, there's no other way. Because if you put the Baha'u'llah's name up front, many ofthe people feel afraid & run away. So they cannot receive the Healing Teachings. Well, freely given as the Spirit does-- Freely is as Freely does. 
 & Blessed Be!

Isn't the HIgher Power Oh so kind??!


        

        

        

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