baha'i music

Just the music posts from Baha'i Views

On Mandolin Jazz: Nightingales of divine mysteries are filled with joy and ecstasy

Tom Brooks sounded mighty fine at the Mandolin Cafe. He showed off his new bass, a very sleek and slim version. The collection of musicians included two great guitarists, a percussion/jazz harmonica player, a sax player who has found the secret to eternal youth, a vibes player just in from New Zealand, an Aussie torch singer, the owner of Mandolin taking his turn singing at the mic, and irrepressible dancing. Glad Bonita and I went, a midweek date before a big snow and ice storm hit. -gw

O servant of Baha! Music is regarded as a praiseworthy science at the Threshold of the Almighty … By virtue of this, consider how much the art of music is admired and praised. Try, if thou canst, to use spiritual melodies, songs and tunes, and to bring the earthly music into harmony with the celestial melody. Then thou wilt notice what a great influence music hath and what heavenly joy and life it conferreth. Strike up such a melody and tune as to cause the nightingales of divine mysteries to be filled with joy and ecstasy."

'Abdu'l-Bahá, from a recently translated Tablet to an individual believer; Bahá'í Writings on Music, a compilation of the Universal House of Justice(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 411 )

On the Day of the Expanding Man: Sharing the things we know and love with those of my kind

This is the day of the expanding man
That shape is my shade
There where I used to stand
It seems like only yesterday
I gazed through the glass
At ramblers, wild gamblers
... That's all in the past
 

My back to the wall
A victim of laughing chance
This is for me
The essence of true romance
Sharing the things we know and love
With those of my kind
Libations
Sensations
That stagger the mind 
 
Another SPBLOHFB (song posted by Lisa on her Facebook). -gw
 
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.
 

On Equality In America: Red Hot Chili Peppers power

 
But in the divine teachings equality is brought about through a ready willingness to share. It is commanded as regards wealth that the rich among the people, and the aristocrats should, by their own free will and for the sake of their own happiness, concern themselves with and care for the poor. This equality is the result of the lofty characteristics and noble attributes of mankind.
 
 
The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. The denial of such equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world’s population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge.
 
 
On both continents, but especially in North America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá received a highly appreciative welcome from distinguished audiences devoted to such concerns as peace, women’s rights, racial equality, social reform and moral development.
 
 
Latest pick by the rocker girl, as she is affectionately known by some of her friends, is a song about equality. -gw
 
 

On Moving Towards a World So Stupendous: Songs that will impress upon the consciousness of the young

This letter just in ... -gw
 
Propelled by forces generated both within and outside the Baha'i community, the peoples of the earth can be seen to be moving from divergent directions, closer and closer to one another, towards what will be a world civilization so stupendous in character that it would be futile for us to attempt to imagine it today. ...
 
We long to hear ... the emergence of captivating songs from every part of the world, in every language, that will impress upon the consciousness of the young the profound concepts enshrined in the Baha'i teachings.
 
From a letter from The Universal House of Justice, 12 December 2011
 
 

On I've Been Waiting: Eagerly waiting

I've been waiting a lifetime
For this moment to come

Another Lisa music pick. -gw

I am waiting, eagerly waiting for these holy ones to appear; and yet, how long will they delay their coming? My prayer and ardent supplication, at eventide and at dawn, is that these shining stars may soon shed their radiance upon the world, that their sacred countenances may be unveiled to mortal eyes, that the hosts of divine assistance may achieve their victory, and the billows of grace, rising from His oceans above, may flow upon all mankind. Pray ye also and supplicate unto Him that through the bountiful aid of the Ancient Beauty these souls may be unveiled to the eyes of the world.

On Brokenhearted People: Let it be

Lisa's music recommendations. -gw
 
 
 
And when the brokenhearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
 
I've heard the song so many times that I don't even hear the words, but there they are. Baha'u'llah came for the brokenhearted people. -gw
 
Indeed, let it be this generation that inaugurates this glorious stage in the evolution of social life on the planet
 
 
Let it be seen that you are filled with universal love.
 
 
And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible….
 
 
Let your hearts be filled with the great love of God, let it be felt by all; for every man is a servant of God, and all are entitled to a share of the Divine Bounty.
 
 
As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized, that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended. The Founder of the Christian Faith is designated by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Spirit of God,” is proclaimed as the One Who “appeared out of the breath of the Holy Ghost,” and is even extolled as the “Essence of the Spirit.”
 
 
Let it be known, however, that none of these doctors and divines to whom we have referred was invested with the rank and dignity of leadership. For well-known and influential leaders of religion, who occupy the seats of authority and exercise the functions of leadership, can in no wise bear allegiance to the Revealer of truth, except whomsoever thy Lord willeth.