Reflecting on the Declaration of Independence

While Nikhil and I were in DC for the 4th of July weekend, we visited, among many other places, the National Archives, where one can read the originals of cornerstone documents like the Declaration of Independence. As I was reading through the Declaration of Independence, I was particularly struck by these words:

"That to secure these rights [a.k.a. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Firstly, how eloquently our founding fathers wrote! What words of wisdom for founding a country! But more importantly, I was struck by the spirit of service that's imbibed in these words. Governments should serve the people and uphold the rights of the people. If only all of those who govern this country were to work through a spirit of service grounded in these noble principles. And if only all of us were to hold our governments to upholding these principles!

This quote reminded me of a saying in the Baha'i writings, which is that if religion becomes the source of antagonism and strife, the absence of religion is to be preferred. The sayings are not exactly the same, but I think they both wisely point to the purpose of each and that government and religion are both meant for a higher purpose, and that they should not merely perpetuate their own self interest.

Moment of Peace

Even peace and tranquility are temporary states in the physical world.

We get them periodically to regain balance. But there is always something that comes along to change that condition. One skill you can develop is the ability to get back to a place of peace and tranquility more and more quickly. You can become so good at this that the times you experience disturbance or confusion begin to look infinitesimally small.

Loving, however, does not have to be temporary. It is a quality that can sustain itself through all situations, as can all the qualities of the Soul. When you are loving, you are most closely in contact with your Soul.

- John-Roger

Support For Haiti

Be Empathetic

This week I've been attending one of the New Teacher Center's core trainings, the Induction Institute, where I was introduced to a definition of empathy that I found rather insightful. Tis as follows:

"The way of being with another person which is termed empathetic... means temporarily living in their life, moving about it delicately, without making judgments... To be with another in this way means that for the time being you lay aside the views and values you hold for yourself in order to enter the other's world without prejudice... a complex, demanding, strong yet subtle and gentle way of being." -Carl Rogers

From this quote I understand that refraining from making judgments seems to be at the core of being truly empathetic. It certainly makes for more effective mentoring, and more effective relationships more generally. Go on, try it on, be empathetic. ;)

A Prerequisite to Inner Peace?

Become unlimited in your trust of God. It is in
this state of awareness that you are never given
anything you cannot handle.

- John Morton
Spiritual Director
Institute for Individual and World Peace®

Dear reader, tell me, do you feel this may be a prerequisite of inner peace? or perhaps just one of many causes of inner peace?

"He who sees in me all things, and all things in me, is never far from me, and I am never far from him." -The Bhagavad Gita

On Educating Children

In preparing for a talk I'll be giving on the topic of education this weekend in Oakland, I came across this quote by Abdu'l-Bahá, which is an extract from one of his talks. I love its emphasis on the importance of learning beyond book-learning.

"Among these children many blessed souls will arise, if they be trained according to the Bahá’í Teachings. If a plant is carefully nurtured by a gardener, it will become good, and produce better fruit. These children must be given a good training from their earliest childhood. They must be given a systematic training which will further their development from day to day, in order that they may receive greater insight, so that their spiritual receptivity be broadened. Beginning in childhood they must receive instruction. They cannot be taught through books. Many elementary sciences must be made clear to them in the nursery; they must learn them in play, in amusement. Most ideas must be taught them through speech, not by book learning. One child must question the other concerning these things, and the other child must give the answer. In this way, they will make great progress. For example, mathematical problems must also be taught in the form of questions and answers. One of the children asks a question and the other must give the answer. Later on, the children will of their own accord speak with each other concerning these same subjects. The children who are at the head of the class must receive premiums. They must be encouraged and when any one of them shows good advancement, for the further development they must be praised and encouraged therein. Even so in Godlike affairs. Oral questions must be asked and the answers must be given orally. They must discuss with each other in this manner."
-Abdu'l-Bahá, “The Bahá’í World”, Vol. 9 (1940–1944) (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 1945), p. 543) [145]

Portland

Flying into PDX is one of the most beautiful descents of air travel, in my opinion. One flies past Mt. Hood on the right, looking ever stately with snow capped perfectly pointed top, and then lowers down parallel to the majestic Columbia River, all the while with views of green hills and mountains all around, trees, lots and lots of trees, and the glimmering lights of a city I once called home.

Portland. Ahhhh. How I love you so. How is it possible to be so attached to a place? Will I ever live here again? Who knows. Yet, I felt my spirits soar as I landed in this familiar place tonight, discovered a joy and lightness that I haven't felt in awhile. And that's just from coming into the airport and passing through town in a rental car. When not near Portland I sigh whenever I hear someone speak of this place. And I love my home state of California. If only there were a Portland in the Bay Area... but, I suppose, we can't have it all.

Dear Reader, do you feel this way about any particular place?

Meditation

"Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being used the outward power of vision does not see."
-Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks

God's Breath

In planning a yoga class for a weekend session at Bosch this weekend that will focus on The Seven Valleys and other mystical writings of Bahá'u'lláh, I came across the following quote:

O Son of the Wondrous Vision!

I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover. Why hast thou forsaken Me and sought a beloved other than Me?

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words