doberman pizza. a baha'i (bahai, bahá'í) blog.

Interesting news: Baha’i Canada, the national Baha’i magazine, is now available online—all you need to do is log in with your name and Baha’i ID number and you’re getting Baha’i Canada online! Sweet! Heartbeat (the regular supplement on the Fund) and Vanguard (the regular youth supplement) are available, as well. What are you waiting for—go check it out!

Here are two interesting quotes from the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, Shoghi Effendi—who was known for his tireless efforts to advance the Cause of God during his years as Head of the Faith—about rest and relaxation. The second one I was aware of, but the first one I’d never read before… I always imagined Shoghi Effendi was one of those people who could function with only a few hours of sleep a night.

Regarding your question: there are very few people who can get along without eight hours sleep. If you are not one of those, you should protect your health by sleeping enough. The Guardian himself finds that it impairs his working capacity if he does not try and get a minimum of seven or eight hours.

In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 15 September 1951 to two believers

…you should not neglect your health, but consider it the means which enables you to serve. It — the body — is like a horse which carries the personality and spirit, and as such should be well cared for so it can do its work! You should certainly safeguard your nerves, and force yourself to take time, and not only for prayer and meditation, but for real rest and relaxation….

In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 23 November 1947 to an individual believer

Maybe if I re-read these enough times, it’ll encourage me to get to sleep on time every night :O

Teaching is the source of Divine Confirmation. It is not sufficient to pray diligently for guidance, but this prayer must be followed by meditation as to the best methods of action and then action itself. Even if the action should not immediately produce results, or perhaps not be entirely correct, that does not make so much difference, because prayers can only be answered through action and if someone’s action is wrong, God can use that method of showing the pathway which is right.

From a letter dated 22 August 1957 written
on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer

hey hey hey hey have some photos! I’ve posted the photos from the ottawa Baha’i community’s recent reflection meeting. In response to comments, I tried to take a lot more face shots this time instead of back-of-head shots and crowd shots. hopefully this helps convey the active, participatory nature of reflection meetings. this weekend’s meeting wrapped up an exciting cycle (in which twenty people declared their faith in Bahá’u'lláh in only a few weeks—something Ottawa hasn’t seen in a very long time), and set a great foundation for the next cycle. keep your eyes on this blog for more news as Ottawa’s intensive program of growth chugs along.