Wanderings

A friend let me know about this wonderful video from Fiji of 10 year old Vilisi delivering Anna’s Presentation. For those of you who have not encountered it, Anna’s Presentation is a model of way to tell someone about the Baha’i Faith. It covers not only the main principles of the Faith, but also the manifestation of Baha’u'llah. It was wonderful to see such a young child so knowledgeable about the Faith, and also so interested in sharing this knowledge. She does a wonderful job of delivering the presentation and the video is interspersed with images of the Baha’i community on the Fijian islands. As a former dweller of the topics, I loved to hear the rooster in the background and to see the beautiful colors of the vegetation, but also the reminder that Baha’is all over the world share the same stories, and a common Faith that unites them in their diversity.

After viewing this video with them, I had an 8 year girl, a 11 year old boy and their mother ask me about Anna’s Presentation and wanted me to give more details. It was Vilisi’s presentation that opened the door to the conversation and she is truly “a brilliant lamp and a shining star.” Thank you Vilisi (and thank you Elham for sending me the link).

TeacherJay Prayers, Reflections children, teaching, unity

I just returned from teaching 9-11 year olds at the 50th Annual Green Lake Baha’i Conference.  I previously posted about this and a friend who, when asked if she would join me in teaching, responded with the comment, “thank you for this opportunity to serve.”  Part of my lesson was based on the idea of responsibilities that we have in life, to ourselves and to each other.  I used the following quotes:

"Each human creature has individual endowment, power and responsibility in the creative plan of God."

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 76

and

Thus every individual must bear his own responsibility, rather than someone else bearing it for him."

~ The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 90

Through the process, I was reminded of the way that just as God is responsible to us, we are responsible to Him.  I had been slacking on my daily posting to this blog, but I am hoping to renew my fervor for that activity now.  Through many of the activities that I do, whether teaching classes, writing a blog, or coming up with new and interesting ways to have devotions, I feel they are all part of the creative plan that God has for me, and it is my responsibility to carry out that portion of His plan, because nobody else will do it for me.

TeacherJay Reflections children, creativity, education, God's plan, opportunity, responsibility

Service to humanity is service to God.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 8

I was teaching a children’s class yesterday in a public park.  There were just a few kids and not one of them has much experience with the Baha’i Faith.  Because of this and a wide range in ages, I wanted to keep any quotes we used short and simple.  After providing a few examples of how people can serve each other which is in turn serving all of humanity and ultimately God, such as improving the water system in a developing nation, working to create better and more equitable school systems, or simply helping your neighbor carry in his groceries, I introduced the above words from Abdu’l-Baha.  Upon doing so, the oldest boy in the class, a rising 6th grader, got very excited and exclaimed, “I get it!… every time I do something that helps someone else I am helping God.”  This was so wonderful to hear from a boy who had just had his first exposure to the Baha’i Faith.

TeacherJay Promulgation of Universal Peace, The children, education, service

I am in the midst of preparing curriculum for a weekend of Children’s Classes at the Green Lake Baha’i Conference at the end of the summer.  I am excited about this opportunity to be coordinating classes and planning the lessons and thankful that I was asked to contribute in this way.  As part of my responsibilities I was charged with recruiting my teaching team.  A friend from NYC whom I had previously taught with and I know to be highly capable and an inspiration to me was a natural choice.  She responded to my email with the same sentiment… thanking me for the opportunity to serve the Faith in such a capacity.  I noticed that we both felt this way and I suppose it has something to do with being happy to have a way to share in the Faith, and to contribute in a way that not only utilizes our skills, but is something we enjoy as well.  Such a refreshing change from feeling that service to the community is a burden, or an obligation.  Rather, for us, our service is the way that we become a part of the community.

TeacherJay Reflections children, community, human capacity, reflection, service

A world where all girls and boys are empowered through quality education to realize their full potential and contribute to transforming societies where gender equality becomes a reality.

Adopted at the 13 June 2008 meeting of the UNGEI Global Advisory Committee in Kathmandu, Nepal

As has been mentioned many times in this blog, I am a firm believer in the need for quality education for all children, as well it is one of the tenets of the Baha’i Faith.  This quote from the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative shows that other organization interested in promoting equality between the sexes, and enhancing education for all are dedicated to their mission as well.  There is so much potential in this world that goes unused every day because children do not have access to schools.  This can change, and will need to change if we wish to see other changes in this world.

TeacherJay Reflections children, education, equality, gender, human capacity

It is evident that although education improves the morals of mankind, confers the advantages of civilization and elevates man from lowest degrees to the station of sublimity, there is nevertheless a difference in the intrinsic or natal capacity of individuals. Ten children of the same age, with equal station of birth, taught in the same school, partaking of the same food, in all respects subject to the same environment, their interests equal and in common, will evidence separate and distinct degrees of capability and advancement; some exceedingly intelligent and progressive, some of mediocre ability, others limited and incapable. One may become a learned professor while another under the same course of education proves dull and stupid. From all standpoints the opportunities have been equal but the results and outcomes vary from the highest to lowest degree of advancement. It is evident therefore that mankind differs in natal capacity and intrinsic intellectual endowment. Nevertheless although capacities are not the same, every member of the human race is capable of education.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 55

As an educator I can tell you that different children have different skills, talents and abilities.  No matter what their upbringing, previous training, or experience, it seems that some children have a different capacity for learning some material and therefore excelling in activities that take advantage of those abilities.  Perhaps this is an effect of their differing interests, but still… have different interest despite having the same treatment.  God’s will in the development and maturation of a child fascinates me and is largely responsible for my own choice in profession and has guided my life.

TeacherJay Foundations of World Unity abilities, children, education, human capacity, independent investigation of truth, morals

Yesterday I was reading a story book about Ruby Bridges while sitting in the park with some new friends.  Brother and sister they are of mixed race and had just finished 2nd and 4th grades.  They had not heard the story about the first African-American child to attend an all-white school in the South.  Although I tried to explain to them that there was a time in the history of the United States that children were segregated they told me they just couldn’t understand it… they quickly followed up to tell me it was not the story they didn’t understand, but the motivations.

When asked if their public school classrooms had children with different skin colors and different ethnicities they told they did and that they enjoyed seeing the mix.  In their suburb of a medium-sized Midwestern city, they had already encountered much diversity in race, culture and language.  What struck me the most was when the older of the two commented that he felt bad for the children who had to live through segregation—but it was not for the black children, who were not allowed to go to school with the white children, rather he felt sorry for the white children whose parents denied them the opportunity to have children of other races in their classroom.  I found this to be a very interesting and very mature stance to take from such a young man.  If only more people had such a responsible attitude towards segregation and prejudice today, perhaps we could be one step closer towards unity in this world.

TeacherJay Reflections children, education, prejudice, progress, unity

O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness.

Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

Today I return to a children’s class within my local community.  I try to pray this prayer whenever I come into that class.  There is something about that always makes me smile.  The imagery in a lot of Baha’i writings I find to be quite vivid, and the the analogy of God’s children being His handiwork wrought by His might is a nice one.  This prayer not only emphasizes their education, but also their ability to serve humanity, in addition to their protection.  Every time I say it, I stop to consider if I am saying it for their benefit, or for my own.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, education, God's Love, reflection, responsibility, service

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s personal wants were few. He worked late and early. Two simple meals a day sufficed Him. His wardrobe consisted of a very few garments of inexpensive material. He could not bear to live in luxury while others were in want. He had a great love for children, for flowers, and for the beauties of nature.

~ Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha’u'llah and the New Era, p. 57

Abdu’l-Baha seems to have been a very simple man but entrusted with a sever responsibility to carry forth the message of his father’s message from God.  I very much appreciate this passage that illustrates how he was able to live with such basic means.  No extravagant meals or clothes were necessary for someone who knew the poverty that others must live in.  He had many followers and was greatly respected.  Anything he could have wished for in his personal life would have been provided, yet the things he most wished for–the end of prejudices, universal education for all, religious tolerance–were not to be seen.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah and the New Era beauty, children, materialism, poverty, progress

While the children are yet in their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace, foster them in the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 129

The education of children is a very important concept in the Baha’i faith.  When I was first investigating the religion on my own, I recall discovering this fact and wanting to know more.  The faith strongly supports universal compulsory education for all and an elimination of the barriers that keep some from gaining an education.  In order to see progress in our society, it is imperative to provide a solid education for each new generation.  Withholding knowledge and restricting access to information in order to limit a person’s learning is perhaps the worst punishment that anyone can inflict.  This was performed against slaves in the Southern United States for generations in order to keep the displaced Africans from rebelling.  By teaching people the wonders of this world, and to contribute to the progression of civilization, they will likely undertake studies that will benefit mankind.

TeacherJay Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha children, education, progress, youth

Last week, I had the opportunity to join a group of Baha’is as we made a few home visits.  In our efforts to drum up support for a children’s class that starts today.  We began with a prayer and then split off into groups to visit the 10 or so children who had previously attended a class.  All of the children live in the same apartment complex.  The groups of adults were divided to provide for the most possible diversity of gender, age, and race.  Even those of us with non-English language abilities were strategically placed.

The goal of the day was not to get people to become Baha’is, but merely to have them sign up to attend a children’s class that is focused on teaching values and morals that are common to all religions, and responsible living in general.  Topics such as unity, tolerance, patience, and the end of prejudices are discussed.

My particular group was assigned to four different children, and we were only able to find one of them at home—a 12-year old boy, he seemed interested in returning to classes and his mother was quite enthusiastic and friendly.  Following our experience we all came together to exchange notes.  A small group of children and their friends came over to spend some time us in the parking lot before we all needed to depart.  They seemed to be glad to have the attention from people they did not know, yet who seemed safe and good-natured.

No matter what our results were that day I think we did well in letting people know about a class that can teach some positive values to their children, but I always have an awkward feeling knocking on the doors of people I do not know—especially when they are not expecting me.  Actually, I sometimes feel that way even when they are people I do know, and are expecting me.  Baha’is are forbidden from proselytizing the faith and I do not feel that our actions that constituted proselytization (although we were prepared should anyone want a deeper discussion about the Faith).  However, there is a fine line that we must walk between letting people know about our activities and having them feel as though we are pressuring them.

I have lived in different cultures that have different feelings about their homes.  Sometimes they are open places where visitors and guests come in and out.  Some people play host to many gatherings of friends nearly every night of the week.  My family and I have always been a bit more cloistered and use our homes as a private sanctuary from the world; a safe zone.

I know of many teaching programs throughout the United States that use door-to-door methods of meeting new people and inviting them to events.  I have been on teaching campaigns that did knock on random doors and talk to people to tell them about the faith and invite them to events.  The National Spiritual Assembly has said this is not proselytization, but it is not for me.

This was a bit different as we only visited with people who had already come to an event of their own volition in the past.  Still, I frequently find myself having to contemplate on how comfortable I am with certain teaching activities and occasionally declining to join in.

TeacherJay Reflections children, education

…Speech is not needed. Our actions will help on the world, will spread civilization, will help the progress of science, and cause the arts to develop. Without action nothing in the material world can be accomplished, neither can words unaided advance a man in the spiritual Kingdom. It is not through lip-service only that the elect of God have attained to holiness, but by patient lives of active service they have brought light into the world.

Therefore strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek always to do that which is right and noble. Enrich the poor, raise the fallen, comfort the sorrowful, bring healing to the sick, reassure the fearful, rescue the oppressed, bring hope to the hopeless, shelter the destitute!

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 80

A life of service is perhaps more important than anything else.  I cringe when I see evangelists or believers who think that prayer and prayer alone will be sufficient to heal, solve social ills, lift people out of poverty, build new homes for the displaced, or bring education to the neglected.  What is needed is for us all to be active.  Not everyone has the means, knowledge or comfort level to move to a third-world nation to build schools, or to rescue people in flood-damaged cities, but this is not always necessary.  Becoming a part of a neighborhood organization that provides kids with afterschool internships rather than allowing them to be on the streets, donating used goods to the local soup kitchen, or simply being kind to your neighbors and getting to know them are examples of actions that anyone could take.

Actions will go much farther than speech alone.

TeacherJay Paris Talks action, charity, children, education, prayer, progress, society

Inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education are barriers of separation among mankind, all must receive training and instruction. Through this provision the lack of mutual understanding will be remedied and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal education is a universal law. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every father to teach and instruct his children according to his possibilities. If he is unable to educate them, the body politic, the representative of the people, must provide the means for their education.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 300

Naturally, as a teacher, I was drawn to this aspect of the Baha’i Faith.  With each passing generation, the amount of knowledge that must be acquired simply in order to be a functioning member of society is growing (a concept I have written about here).  Through my travels I have met people that are lacking the most basic education—adults who cannot read the most basic of childrens’ books, or cannot locate their own country on a globe, or have trouble ciphering without their fingers.  Sadly, I have also seen their children continue this legacy because they are denied an education.

The Baha’i Faith supports universal education for all.  In fact, it should be more than just a moral and ethical law, but a legal requirement of all government to provide this opportunity.  While many do have some sort of public education in place, there are so many gaps and differences in quality of instruction and resources, in addition to those who are denied the opportunity because of their ethnicity, gender, or poverty.

Education and knowledge, or rather withholding them, have long been tools of oppressors to dominate a people.  This occurred in the Antebellum United States with African slaves, but when the barriers were finally removed, African-Americans were finally able to obtain an education and the nation was able to move a step closer to unity.  A similar situation is occurring in China now, as they build schools for rural and migrant students. (read more here)

TeacherJay Promulgation of Universal Peace, The children, education, mankind, progress, society, unity, youth

I ran across this article about the Southwest Florida Christian Prom, where “there will be no backless, strapless dresses … dance-floor confrontations. No risque dancing or music with suggestive lyrics.”  The organizer, also one of the mother’s of an attendee, said:

“’We really want this to be a blessing, … We want to give them a place where they can dance to healthy music and be dressed in a way that isn’t offensive. It’s an atmosphere free of temptation, focused on good, clean fun.”

As a Baha’i, I have a hard time understanding the motivation behind this event, and I am concerned for the message that it sends to these students.  I question if whether or not these parents’ intentions of providing their children with this escape from the larger society could cause deeper problems.  By segregating their teens they are likely not doing as much to protect them as they are creating a divide and teaching them that those who are different are bad.  If these kids continue to believe that those who would dress differently, or have fun in a different manner than their own invented guidelines permit than all they will accomplish is to have them learn to remove themselves from society.

Unfortunately, they seem to have been taught that things that have not been deigned to be “Christian” are not appropriate for them:

“A large portion of popular culture is inappropriate for a Christian lifestyle,” said Cullen Kollack, 16, a junior at Gateway Charter School. The Christian prom is a "safe place" for teens, he said.

Baha’is are taught to live amongst people, all people, no matter what their beliefs and practices may be.  I shudder when I see religion used to separate people and not to unite them.  There is no reason why these children cannot attend the same kind of prom that every other child does and still have fun no matter how they want to dress or dance.  If they are strong enough in their convictions to organize their alternative prom, I should think they are also strong enough to be able to attend the “regular” prom and still behave in accordance with their beliefs.

The question of what exactly is meant by a “Christian lifestyle” is still out there.  I have searched the New Testament and I found no references to proms, music with “suggestive” lyrics or backless dresses.  There is a phone number to call to get more details on the dress code and I am very tempted to call!

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

~ Psalms 149:3 (KJV)

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

~ Job 21:11 (KJV)

TeacherJay Reflections children, temptation, unity, youth

O my Lord and my Hope! Help Thou Thy loved ones to be steadfast in Thy mighty Covenant, to remain faithful to Thy manifest Cause, and to carry out the commandments Thou didst set down for them in Thy Book of Splendours; that they may become banners of guidance and lamps of the Company above, wellsprings of Thine infinite wisdom, and stars that lead aright, as they shine down from the supernal sky.

Verily art Thou the Invincible, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

I like to read this prayer whenever I feel myself losing my way and straying from the path that God has set forth for me.  More than just asking for firmness in the covenant for myself, this prayer leads me to request the strength to carry out God’s commandments in order to set an example for the children I teach and the youth I mentor.  By becoming a star that will lead this next generation aright I have taken on a responsibility that is bigger than myself.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, covenant, education, meditation, prayer, reflection, responsibility, youth

O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.

~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha’i Prayer

This prayer is frequently the first one learned by many children of Baha’i parents.  It is probably the shortest of all of them, and, like a lot of Baha’i writings, its message at first appears to be direct, but upon deeper reflection we can see something more in it.  I ahv the opportunity to teach this prayer not only in English, but also in Spanish.  I have included it below as a side-by-side example of how the beautiful language of the Baha’i writings in English translates to other languages as well.

¡Oh Dios! Guíame, protégeme, ilumina la lámpara de mi corazón y haz de mí una estrella brillante.  Tú eres el Fuerte y el Poderoso.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, guidance, language, prayer, reflection

There are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable supports of the Faith of God. The mightiest of these is learning and the use of the mind, the expansion of consciousness, and insight into the realities of the universe and the hidden mysteries of Almighty God.

To promote knowledge is thus an inescapable duty imposed on every one of the friends of God.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 126

Education is a very important concept in the Baha’i Faith.  Through formal training and learning to use one’s mind effectively, the secrets and mysteries can be revealed.  Not only are we responsible to learn for ourselves, and for the benefit of our direct offspring, but to support and promote education for boys and girls all over the world.  Ensuring the access to education so that all children can learn and embark on their own journeys through the world’s knowledge and to interpret it for themselves is a core belief of the Baha’i Faith.

TeacherJay Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha children, education, faith, independent investigation of truth

If you look at any playground you can see children of all sizes, shapes, colors and religions laughing and playing together.  They don’t seem to create distinctions to keep themselves apart, but often look first for what makes them similar.  Playmates may begin to notice each other’s differences, but it tends to be a source of curiosity and a reason to get to know the playmate a little better, not something to keep them apart.  Children seem to be interested in forming bonds with each other to make new friends.

When do kids lose that natural curiosity and begin to use those differences to separate them from others?  Why does this happen?  What kinds of things can teachers and parents do to encourage that curiosity?

Teachers often say they learn a lot from their students.  Maybe kids can show adults how to live together.

I was listening to the song "We Can Show You How" from One World by the Children’s Theatre Company when I thought of this post.  You can listen to this song and 4 others on their MySpace page.

While one question may be, Can they show us how?, perhaps the larger unknown is, Will we listen?

Note: This entry is cross-posted on my other blog – TeacherJay’s EduBlog.

TeacherJay Reflections children, education, music, prejudice, progress, racism, relationships, unity, youth

O Lord! Make this youth radiant, and confer Thy bounty upon this poor creature. Bestow upon him knowledge, grant him added strength at the break of every morn and guard him within the shelter of Thy protection so that he may be freed from error, may devote himself to the service of Thy Cause, may guide the wayward, lead the hapless, free the captives and awaken the heedless, that all may be blessed with Thy remembrance and praise. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

One of the core beliefs of the Baha’is is to educate children.  This is a beautiful prayer asking God for assistance with that tremendous task of raising a child to be a shining light for others and to be in the service of the Lord.

I recall one morning at a devotional prayer meeting hearing a youth of about 13 years recite this prayer.  I liked it.  It felt like he was praying for himself, but by doing so in a group setting, he was drawing us all into his personal appeal to God.  I do not know if this was his intention, but the effect was a reminder that in any community, we are all responsible for the education—moral, spiritual and academic—of every child.  The future of the world depends upon it.

You can listen to (and even download) the Dawnbreaker Collective (MySpace, Official Website) setting this prayer to music below:

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, community, education, music, prayer, youth