baha'i music

On Competition: Where love of self has been a more prevalent motive than love of God

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:53:00 -0700

Punk band, punk attitude. -gw

Pennywise

The Fuse (2005)

Competition Song

Within all of us is the instinct to survive

And to win at any cost

In the fight to stay alive

We fear the foreign cultures

That are different from our own

And make enemies from strangers

Who are just people we don't know

(2X)

We fight amongst ourselves

We obliterate ourselves yeah yeah

And we compete until we die

Even though we don't know why

We believe in ancient lies

We compete until we die

We struggle against each other

To get things in life we need

And even more to give us the status

Which in return will help us breed

We separate ourselves by the color of our skin

And the country where we're born

And which god we believe in

(2X)

We fight amongst ourselves

We obliterate ourselves yeah yeah

And we compete until we die

Even though we don't know why

We believe in ancient lies

We compete until we die

And we compete until we die

We believe these ancient lies

If we could only change our minds

maybe then we'd all survive

We live in a world, however, where from time immemorial obedience to the commands of the Prophets has been the exception rather than the rule; where love of self has been a more prevalent motive than love of God; where limited and party interests have taken precedence of the interests of humanity as a whole; where material possessions and sensual pleasures have been preferred to the social and spiritual welfare of mankind. Hence have arisen fierce competition and conflict, oppression and tyranny, extremes of wealth and poverty—all those conditions which breed disease, mental and physical. As a consequence, the whole tree of humanity is sick, and every leaf on the tree shares in the general sickness.

Baha'u'llah and the New Era

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On Alternatives to the Tree Huggy Stuff: Be souls humble and lowly

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:42:54 -0700

This was a question that was posed by one visitor to the Baha'i-Inspired Music Listener's Club group on Facebook.

Is there any electro-based Bahai inspired music instead of the same-same tree huggy stuff?

Here is just one "answer." And there were dozens of responses with many other suggestions. -gw

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On a Not So Secret List of Baha'i-Inspired Musicians: Artist links

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:21:50 -0700

What treasure is Harri referring to? This treasure... -gw

Artist Links

The Baha'i-Inspired Music Listeners' Club Directory of Links to Artists

Links to music by over 100 artists, compiled by members and admins

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On New Paul Parrish Songs: New music website

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:55:06 -0700

Thanks to Derek for the heads up on this. -gw

This Baha'i themed website contains both music and videos.
http://www.ladderforyoursoul.com/
The Ladder for your Soul website contains the music of Paul Parrish. His Selections from the Baha'i Writings are totally free to download. The site also music videos by Derek Thompson. These cover a wide range of different styles.

Best Regards
Derek

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On Being One Tribal: Rejuvenated by the beating of the drum

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:14:59 -0700

Tribal is fashionable. To be one tribal is high fashion, the penultimate. -gw

At a Baha'i Holy Day a few years ago at Lisa's

One tribe, one tribe
One tribe, one time, one planet, one [race]
Race, one love, one people, one [and]
Too many things that's causing one [to]
Forget about the main cause
Connecting, uniting
But the evil is seen and alive in us
So our hopes are colliding
And our peace is sinking like Poseidon
But, we know that the one [one]
The evil one is threatened by the sum [sum]
So he'll come and try and separate the sum
But he dumb, he didn't know we had a way to overcome
Rejuvenated by the beating of the drum
Come together by the cycle of the hum
Freedom when all become one [one]
Forever

One tribe ya'll

Black Eyed Peas - One Tribe HQ (with Lyrics)

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On Serj's Take on Borders: Fear is the cause of separation

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:44:44 -0800

Borders are ... Serj's take. His YouTube video has been viewed 1,246,274 times. -gw

The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny. …The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action…. That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

Gleanings From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

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On Plumbing the Depths of Unapproachable Music: Spiritual lyrical truths

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:21:19 -0800

I am studying new music again, daily. Get CDs from the library on the weekend and listen on my way to and from work Monday through Friday. An hour a day each way – that’s 10 hours of listening a week, more than enough to stir my soul, if music is a ladder to the soul, as the Baha’i Writings assert. My latest discovery – Meat Puppets. Oh Me, oh my. -gw

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On a Generation That Cannot Agree: And a system going down

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:48:11 -0800

I thought of System of a Down's song "Sad Statue" when reflecting on the comments of Senator Snow, retiring from Congress because of its extreme partisanship. -gw

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7400521n

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On the Spirit of Ayyam-i-Ha: Making its annual visit

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:26:28 -0800

The spirit of Ayyam'i-Ha is showing up all over the social media. Walter Heath has the spirit. So does Rachel Price. -gw

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On Just the Kind of Sound Junior Youth Enjoy: For morning devotions

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:13 -0800

Nabil has just the kind of sound that members of the X-Panda junior youth group enjoy. This song would great for a Tigers/Invaders devotional, too -- a morning devotional. -gw

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On the Most Widely Practiced American Art Form: The Mixtape as artistic work

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:25:43 -0800

A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.

A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a theme or mood, to a highly personal statement tailored to the tape's intended recipient. Essayist Geoffrey O'Brien has called the personal mix tape "the most widely practiced American art form",and many mix tape enthusiasts believe that by carefully selecting and ordering the tracks in a mix, an artistic statement can be created that is greater than the sum of its individual songs.

With the advent of affordable, consumer-level digital audio, creating and distributing mixes in the form of compact disc or MP3 playlists has become the contemporary method of choice, but the term mix tape is still commonly used, even for mixes in different media

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtape

I’ve been putting together mix CDs again (it doesn't make sense to me to call them mixtapes). Now that I'm DJ-ing for the All-Staff meetings at my work, I’ve taken to asking co-workers what their favorite songs are. I’ve been getting lists that will help me with my next all-staff playlist. A DJ has GOT to play to his audience. Here's Steve's song list.

> Hi George,

> Sorry I've taken so long to get this to you. Here are some of my favorites:

> Fanfare for the Common Man- Copland

> Rainbow Serpent- Didgeridoo Music not sure who the artist is

> Ghost in this house- Alison Krause

> How's the World Treating you- James Taylor and Alison Krause

> Dreamin my dreams with you- Alison Krause

> Amy Winehouse- Im no good

> Andrea boccelli- Por Ti Volare

> King Louis song from the Jungle book and Bear Necesities

> Bear Mountain Picnic- Bob Dylan

> Rasputin- Boney M

> Spirit in the Night- Bruce Springstein

> Hard Headed Woman- Cat Stevens

> Fu## You- Cee Lo Green

> I will wait for You- Connie Francis

> Superman Song- Crash Test Dummies

> I will follow you into the dark- Death cab for cutie

> Groove is in the Heart- Dee Lite

> Deuling Banjos- Deliverance

> Somebody- Depeche Mode

> Whip it- Devo

> Down with the sickness- Disturbed

> Drift away- Dobie Gray

> Vincent- Don Mclean

> Freakin at the freakers ball- Dr. Hook

> Your Song- Elton John

> Juke Box Hero- foriegner

> Boyz in the Hood- Ghetto Boys

> Hotel California- Gypsy Kings

> Patience- Guns&Roses

> Put the lime in the coconut- Harry Nilsson

> 99 Problems- Hugo

> Hooty Hoo- WA WA Punx

> Take me the way I am- Ingrid Michaelson

> Hallelujah- Jeff Buckley

> I dont know how to love him- Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack (the movie not the musical)

> A little help from my friends- Joe Cocker

> Texas Funeral- John Wayne

> The beast in me- Johnny Cash

> Hurt- Johnny Cash

> Gypsy- Kan Nal

> Dream on- Kelly Sweet

> The Gambler- Kenny Rogers

> Just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in- Kenny Rogers

> Smile- Madeleine Peyroux

> Hero of the day- Metalica

> Little lion Man- Mumford Sons

> The cave- Mumford sons

> Summer time- Mungo Jerry

> Smoothie Song- Nickel Creek

> Just Breathe- pearl jam

> Hey There Delilah- Plain White Tees

> Kiss- Prince

> I want to break free- Queen

> Star Light- Slash featuring Miles Kennedy

> I saw red- Sublime

> The Diva Dance- The Fifth Element Soundtrack

> Lost in my mind- The head and the heart

> Mr. Brightside- the killers

> Lola- The Kinks

> Science Fiction Double feature- Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack

> Happy jack- The Who

> Crystalized- The XX

> Thats not my name- Ting Tings

> Gimme one reason- Tracey Chapman

> Why cant I get just one kiss- Violent Femmes

> Werewolves of London- Warren Zevon

> Beverly Hills- Weezer

> Teenage Dirtbag- Wheatus

> Mexican Blackbird- ZZ top

> Steven

I didn't know that Gypsy Kings had a version of Hotel California? As one friend says, you never can have enough music. -gw

Unity is not, that is, merely a condition resulting from a sense of mutual goodwill and common purpose, however profound and sincerely held such sentiments may be, any more than an organism is a product of some fortuitous and amorphous association of various elements. Unity is a phenomenon of creative power, whose existence becomes apparent through the effects that collective action produces and whose absence is betrayed by the impotence of such efforts. However handicapped it often has been by ignorance and perversity, this force has been the primary influence driving the advancement of civilization, generating legal codes, social and political institutions, artistic works, technological achievements without end, moral breakthroughs, material prosperity, and long periods of public peace whose afterglow lived in the memories of subsequent generations as imagined "golden ages". ...

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On I Have Breathed Within Thee: O SON OF THE WONDROUS VISION!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:05:48 -0800

The lyrics are from the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah.
Arabic Hidden Word No 19
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?
Link to Hidden Words http://www.bahai.com/Bahaullah/hiddenwords.htm
Photographs by Derek Thompson

Thanks, Derek, for bringing this to my attention. -gw

I thought you may like to share this Paul Parrish song. An old song but the video I have just put up on youtube.
Thanks for showing the Anke Keitel song O God Guide Me I made that video and was delighted to see "as seen on Baha'i Views" appear. I don't know who requested that!
Warmest Greetings
Derek

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On Using Mix CDs to Connect Hearts and Minds: Good for learning the Baha'i Writings, too

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:32:09 -0800

I've been collecting music since the early 1990's. Our public library has always had an extensive CD collection. It has been my primary resource for new discoveries.

My personal collection was kept on cassette tapes in the beginning. During the early years as a DJ -- a "devotional jockey" -- at our monthly "spiritual meeting," as we called our public devotional back then, I would cue up the songs I wanted to play using the cassette player in the Dodge Caravan while driving to and from work. The collection of cassette tapes still exists, sitting in a plastic bin in the garage somewhere.

My collection grew even faster when I switched over to burning mix CDs of my finds when we got a computer in 1999. I have suitcases full of the discs in slim plastic jewel cases. I began buying Baha'i music.

Then came the iPod my kids gave me for my 60th birthday. More opportunities to listen, organize and study the songs of my collection.

I began DJ-ing as part of my job as a mental health consultant to Head Start. I put together special collections around parenting, managing stress and the like. They were great for parent meetings and staff trainings.

I started to DJ for the company picnic and for the annual Brighton Creek Arts Festival weekend. Now I DJ for our companies quarterly all-staff. Great fun to chose just the right playlist to connect hearts and minds into a common purpose.

Currently I'm using mix CDs as a way to help Matt and his family to connect to the Baha'i Writings. I give them a new CD every week. With a song here and a song there, I'm introducing them to the broad diversity of artists performing Baha'i-inspired music today. The family loves music -- not unusual for Samoan-Americans, as I've come to learn. -gw

The latest mix CD I passed on to Matt last Sunday

A "Baha'i-inspired" mix CD

Computers were invented to collect music

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

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:08:00 -0800

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 )

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

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:10:47 -0800

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.

Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha

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On Equality In America: Red Hot Chili Peppers power

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:46:07 -0800

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.

Abdul-Baha, Foundations of World Unity

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.

Abdu'l-Baha. The Promise of World Peace

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.

Universal House of Justice, The Century of Light

Latest pick by the rocker girl, as she is affectionately known by some of her friends, is a song about equality. -gw

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

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:35:20 -0800

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

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On I've Been Waiting: Eagerly waiting

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:21:00 -0800

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.

Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha

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On Brokenhearted People: Let it be

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:49:45 -0800

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

The Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace

Let it be seen that you are filled with universal love.

Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

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….

The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912

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.

Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

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.”

Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come

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.

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan

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On Russ Garcia's Passing: KC Porter's remembrance

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:06:10 -0800

KC Porter's testimony on Facebook to Russ Garcia who recently died. -gw

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