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Check out these great resources

As I was surfing the Net today, I can across some very inspiring sites with video, music, multimedia presentations etc. Truly truly recommend these if you are looking for some inspiration.

One with many resources linked is www.amessageinabottle.ca

The other two on You Tube is definitely a must to see
The Mystery of God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW7nf4hV5Ck&mode=related&search=

and

The Life of Baha'u'llah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsIMrhGMIJ4

The one on the mystery of God really touched me. It reminds us at the end of that message that God has made a covenant with us to shower us with blessings if we only can have faith in God despite all odds. That love and a life of service are keys to happiness and the betterment of humanity. So timely to remember as we make our New Year resolutions. One of the quotes Abdul Baha reminds us (seen in that presentation):

"O Ye Beloved of the Lord. Strive to become the manifestations of the Love of God, the lamps of divine guidance shining amongst the kindreds of the earth, with the light of love and concord," "Know that you are where you are not by chance, but by the design of your Creator, for your development and for the development of those around you."

SHARING MY EXPERIENCES AT BOSCH

My dear sister from Oklahoma (dedicated Baha'i) visiting with her two children, my older sister who has completed two Ruhi Books but still questions whether this is a religion for her, and my nephew who is not sure also what he feels about the Faith were visiting over the holidays. I decided to take them all up to revel in the beauty of Bosch Baha'i School. I wish I had thought about it earlier and signed them up for some classes so we could have stayed up and enjoyed the mountain life a little.

Anyway, off we went with two cars since there were 9 of us, and we managed to finally take off after lunch to head to Bosch. Since many of us suffer from motion sickness, we took the longer way i.e. via the town of Santa Cruz. It was a nice ride, and finally we made it there. Unfortunately, we seem to have missed the session for that day and even did not get to meet any of the attendees as they were busy packing to leave.

So naturally, we headed to the most social place at Bosch. The coffee shop Bookstore. What a lovely surprise I found. I did know they were planning to renovate the place but it had been months since I last came up. They have truly made some remarkable changes to the place, and it is very wide, open and very conducive for people to strecth a little and take time to puruse books as they chose. I like the way they used the reading shelf to create little nooks and corners for difference age groups, and also including toys for the younger age groups. How very thoughtful and how very inviting. Bosch to me remains a place to get the books and music I want and need, and the rejevunation I need for my next venture.,

As if that was not enough, we managed to meet the lovely Baha'i Youth from around the world serving to make Bosch a better place for people who come up to learn and pray. We met Randell from Ethiopia, Saha from Utah and Olivia from Germany. Turned out my sister actually knew Saha when my sister lived in Utah shortly, and even conducted a childrens classes when Saha was just a child! What a small world indeed! So picture time could not go without a miss. Then my nephew from Singapore the fighter pilot had a chance to speak with Randell about the Faith. Interestingly, we later met our friends from Davies and who also knew Randell, and noted that he is a good person and was glad we managed to meet him. I am convinced that no matter where we come from or what we do, we are all connected and if not yet, will be sooner or later. Also remet Christine who works at Bosch, and was happy to hear she was going to India, Malaysia and Singapore (where I am from). Hope she gets to meet some of my friends out there too. What a small world indeed!

I learnt a short prayer from Breezes of Confirmation and would like to share this as it reminds me of my experience at Bosch.

"God is the helper of those souls, whose aim is the service of humanity. Whose efforts and endeavours are devoted to the good and betterment of all mankind"

At Bosch, I truly felt that I met young committed and pure souls devoted to the betterment and service of humanity. I look forward to going up there more often just to meet these lovely souls.

Skype video changing the face of a spiritual gathering across oceans

During the last Unity Feast, which I hosted in my home, I was so very happy as we were able to include my nieces and parents in Singapore to join in our Feast via Skype video session (best part was this was totally free and we could see each other and hear everything). My parents and nieces were alone in Singapore, as my older sister (their mom) and their brother were visiting me in California. My other sister, who lives in Oklahoma was also visting me with her two children. We were so excited to have so many relatives connected with us, and we were also able to include other family and friends from other religious denominations into the Baha'i Feast both physically as well as virtually. This made it a very special Feast for me.

The other interesting fact about this Feast was that it was conducted by the children, who prepared the readings and prayers and the adults followed along. How sweet to see the dedication of the children and between this vibrant energy inspiring us all, it was also very inspiring to feel we could share this with others across the globe instantaneously.

On this note, it would be useful to reflect on what Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and Abdul Baha, the exampler of the Faith, had to say about global communications so many years ago (in "Baha'i World Order". Two quotes come to mind.

"A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity" Shoghi Effendi

“In cycles gone by, though harmony was established, yet, owing to the absence of means, the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved. Continents remained widely divided, nay even among the peoples of one and the same continent association and interchange of thought were well nigh impossible. Consequently intercourse, understanding and unity amongst all the peoples and kindreds of the earth were unattainable. In this day, however, means of communication have multiplied, and the five continents of the earth have 39 virtually merged into one…. In like manner all the members of the human family, whether peoples or governments, cities or villages, have become increasingly interdependent. For none is self-sufficiency any longer possible, inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and nations, and the bonds of trade and industry, of agriculture and education, are being strengthened every day. Hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved. Verily this is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age, this glorious century. Of this past ages have been deprived, for this century—the century of light—has been endowed with unique and unprecedented glory, power and illumination. Hence the miraculous unfolding of a fresh marvel every day. Eventually it will be seen how bright its candles will burn in the assemblage of man.",,,,Abdu'l Baha

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