The Miracle of Grace

"...Unasked, I have showered upon thee My grace. Unpetitioned, I have fulfilled thy wish. In spite of thy undeserving, I have singled thee out for My richest, My incalculable favors..." (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, pg. 323)

By the way, this beautiful picture was taken by Angel Di’Billio in 2009, Death Valley, CA. Thanks Angelo.

Tricking the Cats is my Daily Job

The last photo is not mine. These cats are modeling sweaters a store that makes cat clothing. I think Augustus and Ollie should each have one...what do you think?

Need I say anything...

Covenant on Mount Paran

“O My Friends! Call ye to mind that covenant ye have entered into with Me upon Mount Paran, situated within the hallowed precincts of Zaman. I have taken to witness the concourse on high and the dwellers of the city of eternity, yet now none do I find faithful unto the covenant. Of a certainty pride and rebellion have effaced it from the hearts, in such wise that no trace thereof remaineth. Yet knowing this, I waited and disclosed it not.”

Abdul-Baha, the elder son of Baha'u'llah (remember, the prophet founder of the Baha'i faith), whose name means the Servant of Baha explains the above passage from Baha'u'llah's book, The Hidden Words. By the way, Abdul-Baha was chosen by his father as the Center of His Covenant, the Expounder of His Writings, and the Perfect Exemplar.

“…regarding the Covenant entered into on Mount Párán, this signifieth that in the sight of God the past, the present and the future are all one and the same—whereas, relative to man, the past is gone and forgotten, the present is fleeting, and the future is within the realm of hope. And it is a basic principle of the Law of God that in every Prophetic Mission, He entereth into a Covenant with all believers—a Covenant that endureth until the end of that Mission, until the promised day when the Personage stipulated at the outset of the Mission is made manifest.
Consider Moses, He Who conversed with God. Verily, upon Mount Sinai, Moses entered into a Covenant regarding the Messiah, with all those souls who would live in the day of the Messiah. And those souls, although they appeared many centuries after Moses, were nevertheless—so far as the Covenant, which is outside time, was concerned—present there with Moses...” (Ref: Some Answered Questions)

This is one of my favorite writings because it shows how we are trapped within our own boundaries of time, space, thought, limitations, nature...

I was planning to sign off with delightful pictures of our feline ZEN MASTERS: Augustus Gorbah and Ollie Anderdunk! Alas, I must go. Next time for sure.

-toodles

'Purification and Training'

This is the second day of the Baha'i month of Fasting and I already know that I don't plan to post something everyday, only if something interesting comes to mind. Anyhow, I thought to share this writing from Baha'u'llah ( prophet founder of Baha'i faith for those who do not know)

'Even though outwardly the Fast is difficult and toilsome, yet inwardly it is bounty and tranquillity. Purification and training are conditioned and dependent only on such rigorous exercises as are in accord with the Book of God and sanctioned by Divine law, not those which the deluded have inflicted upon the people. Whatsoever God hath revealed is beloved of the soul. We beseech Him that He may graciously assist us to do that which is pleasing and acceptable unto Him.'

I like this passage. Don't you? (Well, I know no one is reading this...ha ha ha) I was happy to see that even Baha'u'llah considers Fast to be difficult and toilsome. What a relief!

I also have to share a scientific article on 'fasting', mucho interesting, in my opinion. This comes from JAMA, 2008, and here it is:



Unfortunately, it is illegible but if you must know, the article was published in JAMA, May 7, 2008, p. 2017, Vol. 299(17). Essentially researchers have discovered that normal cells go into 'hibernation' or low activity within a few days of fasting while cancer cell continue growth at rapid rate. Chemotherapy following short fasting period will affect the cancer cell and not destroy normal cells. This is outstanding!!!

Well, I tried to get some cat photos this morning, and hope to share them with you soon.

If you NEED to listen to heavenly music, listen to this!

Ciao dear buddies!

And so begins the Baha'i Fast!

Today is the first day of the Baha'i fast, which will last 19 days. And, I am trying to observe it to the extent that I can. To most the idea of 'fasting' evokes strange thoughts. Do you fast because you have to see a doctor? Are you trying to lose weight? Oh, don't tell me, you are religious zealot, yikes! Well, I fast (at least try to fast), because it is a spiritual perscription just as is the saying of daily prayers.

Anyhow, some Christians observe the Lent, and some Muslims observe the Ramadan, and Baha'is observe the Fast from March 2nd to 21st of each year. We believe that saying of daily prayers and fasting, are not only important for our spirituality but also protect us from tests in life.

If you like to learn more about the Baha'i faith and the fast, please go to:
this

And, now I want to tell you something unrelated to fasting.

Yesterday, I went to a soap-making workshop from an urban survival expert, Pascal, and he served us a delicious green salad made entirely of different greens that he had collected on the hills surrounding his apartment. Of course he did use lemon juice and avocado for dressing. Well, not only I did not die from eating it but I found it totally delicious.

I will tell you more on this topic later but I must leave now.

Have a wonderful day, and fast.

-M

"My calamity is My providence"

O SON OF MAN!
My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy.
Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit.
This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.

This is the toughest of all commands.

This week my heart goes to Andres and Maria-Claudia Jaramillo-Botero who trusted their Lucas to our Lord. And, to my distant cousin whose mom passed away.