After we had finished nourishing our bodies, we moved to an intimate corner in order to nourish our souls. Moving around the circle, most everyone contributed a prayer, or read from the sacred writings. Much of what was read dealt with uniting mankind and the advancement of humanity. This set the mood for what was to follow…

In an effort to find more ways to strengthen the community, an open meeting was held to discuss ways in which to make the community more social and gregarious. Movie nights, a café, music concerts, and book clubs focusing on non-Baha’i books were all discussed. Furthermore, action was made that day by agreeing on principal contacts for a variety of approaches, and giving them the go-ahead to start making plans and even holding their first events. Although primarily designed to increase socializing amongst the Bahá’ís, people from outside of the community would always be welcome.

I really liked this approach to meeting, and then to addressing a need within the community. Although at any Bahá’í gathering, everyone attendance is entitled and encouraged to speak and to provide opinions, what made this special was that an action was decided upon that very day. There was no need to take the discussion to another authority, or to decide on how the building could be used. The proper authorizations had already been made and each group was able to plan, schedule and carry out their event as they saw best.

The meeting finished just in time to attend the usual devotions with the announcement that the meetings would continue every two weeks to help refine this initiative. Those not attending the devotions had the opportunity to begin cleaning the building. With more than three whole floors of meeting rooms, auditoriums, classrooms, libraries, etc., there was plenty to do to make the entire building a more orderly, inviting and comfortable place to socialize and, was the first community building event for the participants.

I have always enjoyed being a part of this community (although I am now just an occasional visitor), because of their interest not just growing the group, but making it stronger, by making it closer. Their initiative to make new events, and to try new approaches is an inspiration and I am always interested to hear what is happening and to be a part of it when I can.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

~ Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

I have seen this verse many times.  Especially memorable to me is a plaque with these words printed upon it hanging in the homes of several acquaintances.  I appreciate the sentiment—as I see it—that we should be kind to strangers and newcomers for they may be visitors from heaven.  For me there is something more in this, however.  I love to entertain, to have people visit my home.  It is a way for me to show something of myself and to become closer to others, by inviting them into my home.  In doing so, I also form a bond, a closer connection with someone, and that is what friends and relationships are all about.  Those ‘angels’ that may have been entertained without our even knowing it could be those more intimate friendships forming.  As I write this, I just said goodbye to some friends who spent several hours in my home eating, worshipping, sharing stories, and growing closer.  Relationships such as that are the ‘angels’ in my life.

With the utmost friendliness and in a spirit of perfect fellowship take ye counsel together, and dedicate the precious days of your lives to the betterment of the world and the promotion of the Cause of Him Who is the Ancient and Sovereign Lord of all. He, verily, enjoineth upon all men what is right, and forbiddeth whatsoever degradeth their station.

~ Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 183 (XCII para. 3)

Together, with dedication, we can make a difference in the world.  Imagine if we coordinated the efforts of humanitarian aid missions around the world—if they would share information, resources, and human energy—that dedication and fellowship could better the world and promote even more unity.

O FRIEND!
In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold. Treasure the companionship of the righteous and eschew all fellowship with the ungodly.

~ Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words

I like the concept of planting a rose in one’s heart–especially when that rose is the rose of love.  I have made wonderful friends in this world that are good people who wish to be close to God.  I treasure their friendship more than anything else in this world.

O SON OF DUST!
Beware! Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him, for such companionship turneth the radiance of the heart into infernal fire.

~ Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words #57

I noticed that when I became a Baha’i, my group of friends began to change.  Many of the people that I had associated with previously were really just people that I drank with in bars.  There was not much of a spiritual connection.  I found that the Baha’is that I met were interesting people and I was able to make better connections with them because I knew we would have similar insights into a variety of topics, yet with the community being as diverse as it is there was always some new perspective that the other was able to bring into the discussion.  These changes were not intentional, nor did they occur overnight, but when I read this quote, I wondered if something had me do this that I was unaware of.