2013
‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Refinement
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines refinement as the action or process of refining,[1] which is to free from impurities, unwanted material or from moral imperfections.[2] ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that “in every aspect of life, purity and holiness, cleanliness and refinement, exalt […]
2012
Vignettes from the Master’s Visit to Montreal
The celebrations of the Centenary of the visit of the Master to Montreal finished only two days ago, on 12 September 2012, commemorating a visit notable for the intensity of its press coverage1. As readers of The Journey West know, […]
2012
The Spiritual Destiny of America
Bahá’u’lláh announced the arrival of the age of maturity for the entire human race, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke of the important role every nation has to play in achieving it. Growing up, as we all know, is no easy thing (hello, […]
2012
The Nature of Unity
One of the first things often shared about the Bahá’í Faith is the principle of unity; children sing about it, junior youth try to understand it, and young and old alike join together in study circles to learn how to […]
2012
Address to a Women’s Suffrage Meeting
Today questions of the utmost importance are facing humanity … One of these questions concerns the rights of woman and her equality with man. One hundred years later, these words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá might feel archaic. But one only needs to […]
2012
Talk at the Brotherhood Church
Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation is, in its essence, meant to help us fulfill our raison d’être — that is, to know and to worship God. As He is an unknowable essence above our understanding, it is only logical that we humans must […]
The Spirit of Transformation
About a month ago, Bahá’ís around the world celebrated their new year. Naw-Rúz, which translates from Persian to “new day”, is referred to by Bahá’u’lláh as “a festival unto those who have observed the Fast.”(1) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that this “sacred […]
2012
Paris Talks Revisited: Prayer
On 26 December 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a short address at 97 Cadogan Gardens in London during which He answered two questions: “Should prayer take the form of action?” and “What is the purpose of our lives?”. Prayer was at the […]
Paris Talks Revisited: Means of Existence
One of the most important principles of the Teachings of Baha’u’llah is: The right of every human being to the daily bread whereby they exist, or the equalization of the means of livelihood. A talk given in Paris on the […]