tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204407392024-03-07T01:44:48.819-06:00Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process& Other Notes from an Author's Desk in AustinDruzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-6561768884013739312017-10-30T16:46:00.000-05:002017-10-30T17:09:29.069-05:00"Blessed is the Place:" A Tent is Pitched in the Holy Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the occasion of the bicentenary celebrations in the Holy Land, one of the tents used by Baha'u'llah was put on display on the grounds at Bahji for pilgrims and visitors. - <a href="http://www.bahai.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Baha'i International Community</span></a></div>
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The short excerpt below from <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></i> gives us a glimpse into the later years of Baha'u'llah's life, and one of His favorite spots to pitch a tent like this. </div>
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Twenty-seven Years</h4>
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"<a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank">Baha’u’llah</a> was 61 years old when He moved to Bahji. Twenty-seven years had passed since His days in the Black Pit of Tehran – years of exile, hardship, and turmoil. At Bahji Baha’u’llah was blessed, at last, with years of peace and with the freedom so long denied Him. . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LjM7ifc_fHeTgsqprxyDIq9s4usZCBDZXJjnVTSxp2B0LhXIV-eFil3sq5VIfsrWu_ggnxtZgDhCw9mM4DLYaXoVI9dI8Sh3dSc2n-v_SB_mkDsPiXz7d4FojsywNDPyCQB3/s1600/Rod+Clarken+photo+1__Thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LjM7ifc_fHeTgsqprxyDIq9s4usZCBDZXJjnVTSxp2B0LhXIV-eFil3sq5VIfsrWu_ggnxtZgDhCw9mM4DLYaXoVI9dI8Sh3dSc2n-v_SB_mkDsPiXz7d4FojsywNDPyCQB3/s640/Rod+Clarken+photo+1__Thumbnail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the departure from the Old City of 'Akka in 1877, tents were pitched for Him on numerous occasions. These tents provided shelter on His visits to the countryside and were also sometimes pitched close to where Baha'u'llah was staying to provide space for Him to receive pilgrims and visitors. This tent had been sent to
Baha’u’llah as a gift for His use by Baha’is living in India at that time. (- Photos by Rod Clarken)</td></tr>
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<br />On a hill overlooking Bahji</h4>
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Now,
whenever He wished, Baha’u’llah could visit the places and people that He
loved: the Ridvan Garden, Mazra’ih, family members and other Baha’is in Acre. Wherever
He went He rode His white, quick-footed donkey name “Barq” (Lightning). The
people there grew familiar with the sight of Baha’u’llah on His white donkey,
riding out from Bahji and back again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmvTQrbuitPT2ZJbwX4YfztfawRSl9JgRmxKOfbP_B1vJHazzS0FQqwOXIIG4JkvsPP69ukK5NB3HMdxFaW4zWvDY028BTsC7UAcfl2ayuV4U7FMTG7tQtNWbK-RTJV6z9kCC/s1600/Rod+Clarken+Photo+2__Baha_u_llah_s_Tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmvTQrbuitPT2ZJbwX4YfztfawRSl9JgRmxKOfbP_B1vJHazzS0FQqwOXIIG4JkvsPP69ukK5NB3HMdxFaW4zWvDY028BTsC7UAcfl2ayuV4U7FMTG7tQtNWbK-RTJV6z9kCC/s400/Rod+Clarken+Photo+2__Baha_u_llah_s_Tent.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the tent </td></tr>
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In
a few special places Baha’u’llah would pitch His tent and stay for a time. One
of His favorite sites was a hill overlooking Bahji. With spring came bright red
flowers – large-petaled poppies, slender anemones, and more. They bloomed in
wide swaths all up and down the grassy hill. The air was sweet and fresh. </div>
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It
was this that Baha’u’llah loved – not the wealthy palaces of men, but the rich
creation of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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From Prison to Paradise</h4>
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“Verily,
verily, the most wretched prison has been converted into a Paradise of Eden,”
said Baha’u’llah. </div>
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How
fortunes had changed! Baha’u’llah had first entered the gates of Acre as a
prisoner, hated and jeered. Now governors, generals, and leaders of every kind
requested the honor of meeting Him. When Baha’u’llah entered a village or
passed along a street in Acre, even those who did not know Him felt His
majesty. Whatever their rank, they bowed with reverence before Him. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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- From <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></i>, Chapter 60: Blessed is the Place<br />
<br />Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-18957989118416048782017-10-21T11:32:00.000-05:002017-10-21T11:35:45.008-05:00For the 2017 Bicentenary: A Story of Encounters with Baha'u'llah <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfqL-U7Ek6RpLKd1YyyGCs_p9p6J1lOKKg9hmiKdPyQmDsX47aXVbbq3v0P_ryWbtsxMf2VsIngJIbujJ1lu7CBiUYyV2hYFC1hZ5gfq7UWx0B_rXGy8ZgCIxTrVvj4EgYeWS/s1600/Joe+Paczkowski+87d72cca291a3987444086dffb3d35f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="564" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfqL-U7Ek6RpLKd1YyyGCs_p9p6J1lOKKg9hmiKdPyQmDsX47aXVbbq3v0P_ryWbtsxMf2VsIngJIbujJ1lu7CBiUYyV2hYFC1hZ5gfq7UWx0B_rXGy8ZgCIxTrVvj4EgYeWS/s640/Joe+Paczkowski+87d72cca291a3987444086dffb3d35f9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork by Joe Paczkowski </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“In this historic year marking
the Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, celebrations of millions of people
will span 72 hours globally from the first to the last sunset,” beginning
October 20 on the island nation of Kiribati and concluding in Hawaii October 22.</span>”</span><i> </i> - <a href="https://bicentenary.bahai.org/" target="_blank">Bicentenary.bahai.org</a> <span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(with photos
and videos)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more about the Bab and Baha'u'llah go to</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> <a href="http://discover.bahai.us/bicentenary/" target="_blank"><b>Light of Unity Festival</b></a></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> or <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank"><b>Who is Baha'u'llah?</b></a></span><br />
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As Baha’is and friends celebrate this momentous
Anniversary, I wonder what it would have been like to encounter Baha’u’llah?
This short vignette drawn from <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah</a></i> highlights a handful of
people who met Baha’u’llah in Baghdad. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The leaders, the curious, the seekers</h3>
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The religious leaders of Baghdad had
tested Baha’u’llah with their most difficult spiritual questions. It was not
only the profound knowledge and wisdom of His answers, but the unmistakable
majesty of His spirit, that soon made them true admirers of Baha’u’llah.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They praised Him to others, who set out to
meet Baha’u’llah for themselves. Soon visitors of all kinds came to
Baha’u’llah’s home, from princes to peasants, from poets to mystics to
government officials. There were Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Babis; Kurds,
Persians, Arabs, and Turks. There were the curious, the seekers of truth, and
those needing help – the poor, the sick, the aged, the victims of injustice.
Baha’u’llah received them all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A modest house and “the hidden
worlds of God”</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Baha’u’llah’s house was modest. The room
to which visitors came was not grand, but made of mud and straw. The roof was
low, the garden small, the simple couch where Baha’u’llah sat made from the
branches of palms. Yet to many, Baha’u’llah’s presence made it paradise.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I know not how to explain it,” said one
prince to his friend. “were all the sorrows of the world to be crowded into my
heart they would, I feel, all vanish, when in the presence of Baha’u’llah.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another prince decided to build in his own
home an exact copy of the wonderful room. Baha’u’llah smiled when He heard
this. “He may well succeed in reproducing outwardly . . . this . . . room made
of mud and straw. . .,” He said. But “What of his ability to open onto it the
spiritual doors . . . to the hidden worlds of God?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Midnight meeting</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Baha’u’llah did not usually agree to
secret meetings, but He welcomed one sincere soul who asked to meet at
midnight. They talked together until morning. When the visitor left
Baha’u’llah, a friend eagerly asked about his encounter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I
had been told . . . that there was much wine in the room of Baha’u’llah,” he
replied, that these people “had no moral principles whatsoever! I went to
investigate for myself and found Purity within Purity. I was filled with
amazement at the sanctity of that place, and bewildered to find the exact
opposite of that which I had heard. I am firmly convinced,” he told his friend,
“that This is the Truth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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* LISTEN to the Story <a href="http://bit.ly/2fkLqou" target="_blank">Oct.20-22 on WLGI Radio</a> </div>
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<o:p>* Drawn from <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></i>. Chapter 35: Purity Within Purity</o:p></div>
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Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-31686029055956082732017-10-20T14:20:00.001-05:002017-10-20T17:44:50.973-05:00Twin Holy Days: A Story to Celebrate the Birth of the Bab <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfEJYkp7e1VvEBQI77yC1yIfUtHg5k2tSRoFg7xdGVM2xlEyqWJhrZnnUsDg2rMqKQcg9I1sHZLw-L7RHfbtZ8WzqKBitpzpYms22jYb3OOJ1aldEMKYEPifq612csb8UbaSS/s1600/The+Bab%2527s+hom+in+Shiraz%252C+Persia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfEJYkp7e1VvEBQI77yC1yIfUtHg5k2tSRoFg7xdGVM2xlEyqWJhrZnnUsDg2rMqKQcg9I1sHZLw-L7RHfbtZ8WzqKBitpzpYms22jYb3OOJ1aldEMKYEPifq612csb8UbaSS/s640/The+Bab%2527s+hom+in+Shiraz%252C+Persia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The House of the Bab, where the Bab declared His mission on 23 May, 1844 in Shiraz, Iran, before its destruction in 1879<br />
- copyright <a href="http://media.bahai.org/" target="_blank">Baha'i International Community</a></td></tr>
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Baha'u'llah wrote of the Bab: "No understanding can grasp the nature of His Revelation, nor can any knowledge comprehend the full measure of His Faith . . . how great and lofty is His station!" </div>
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As the 2017 <a href="https://bicentenary.bahai.org/" target="_blank">historic celebration</a> begins for the Twin Holy Days – <a href="http://discover.bahai.us/bicentenary/" target="_blank">the Births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah</a> – I’d like to share
with you a brief story from the life of the Bab. The story of the Bab is an
integral part of <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah</a></i>. (See my website section: <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-10.html#" target="_blank">Where is the Bab in the Story of Baha’u’llah?</a> </i>) Now the story:</div>
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In a pocket of the mountain </h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> Today’s sun is the same sun that rose,
over a century ago, on the Kurdish villagers of Mah-Ku in a remote corner of
Persia, where, in the summer of 1847, a mountain-fortress kept a new prisoner,
the Bab, whose name means “gate” in Arabic.</div>
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Mah-Ku’s villagers knew nothing about the
Bab’s claim to be a Messenger of God. They had not heard about His Mission: to
prepare the way for the Promised One of all religions. What they did hear,
reverberating from that fortress-prison set in a pocket of the mountain, was
the voice of the Bab, strong and melodious, as He chanted verses of such
soul-stirring beauty that the villagers were captivated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Surely this must be a holy man, they said
to one another, and they gathered at the foot of the mountain to begin each day
with a blessing from the Bab. </div>
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‘The Gate’ to an Era of Maturity</h3>
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For nearly a year the Bab was kept in
Mah-Ku, housed in a mud-walled cell without even a lamp for light, through the
sweltering summer when the sun baked the rocky mountain, through the harsh
winter when water froze in droplets on the Bab’s face as He washed.</div>
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But the Bab let nothing deter Him. Day
after day He revealed new divine teachings – 8,000 verses – and woven
throughout, a myriad allusions to the great Divine Messenger soon to appear –
“Him Whom God will make manifest” – eventually known to humanity as
Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> Two
Messengers from God in one lifetime: because humanity was about to step over a
critical threshold and enter a whole new era – the maturity of the human race.
It was ’Ali Muhammad of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Shiraz</st1:city>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Persia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Who by
divine appointment took the title “the Bab” meaning “the Gate” and opened the
way. (<a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-15.html" target="_blank">Read More</a>)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Story from <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></i>, Chapter 12: The Open Mountain and The Grievous Mountain</div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-46786935585117903052017-09-20T18:44:00.001-05:002017-10-13T13:24:04.131-05:00"The Story of Baha'u'llah" on WLGI Radio Baha'i - a short story every hour! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oiPes-MZnqY_Yeecsqa6kNT5ww2CKC6i8cxpkDwQbd6eqZF61h5teSh8JXt8o4a9PEIqk6b3P2Obd5aOGJXokJKOuc_WP4ptNXDvLiX-DE-CiXZbRYpsC4PxD4fDxSzuEWve/s1600/logo500xalpha.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oiPes-MZnqY_Yeecsqa6kNT5ww2CKC6i8cxpkDwQbd6eqZF61h5teSh8JXt8o4a9PEIqk6b3P2Obd5aOGJXokJKOuc_WP4ptNXDvLiX-DE-CiXZbRYpsC4PxD4fDxSzuEWve/s320/logo500xalpha.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FM and STREAMING - "Music for Heart, Mind, and Spirit" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Baha’u’llah’s
life and His impact on the world is one of the most dramatic humanity has ever
seen. We’re happy to share with you now another glimpse into this remarkable
life.” </span>– <a href="http://wlgi.org/" target="_blank">WLGI Radio Baha'i</a><br />
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In honor of this <a href="https://bahai-us.lpages.co/bicentenary/" target="_blank">200th AnniversaryYear of the Birth of Baha'u'llah</a> (1817-2017) WLGI Radio Baha'i invited me to
collaborate in presenting a series of brief stories about the life of Baha’u’llah,
adapted from <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah</a></i>. What a pleasure to join WLGI for this storytelling endeavor!</div>
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Now you can listen to these brief
2-minute stories Every Day. Tune in to Radio Baha'i <a href="http://wlgi.org/" target="_blank">WLGI STREAMING</a> <b>Any Hour between x:40 and x:55</b> (A story will run, <b>for example</b>, sometime between 2:40 and 2:55 – nearly Every Hour!) Refresh <a href="https://wlgi.org/playlist/" target="_blank">Playlist</a> to see when stories occur.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCyzEM2OeO8zONMZEf5c06PWGbDvMqgFimLSWi8VhjyaLFq-FbPZ8msBlh0_vs2R7icxy3nyUhCos_vgpAnEYiZAIHDpDIWcgo5cZUqEtTwDuYRtAqkrZ9BzCjIgQCOqbIdLj/s1600/Book+Cover4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCyzEM2OeO8zONMZEf5c06PWGbDvMqgFimLSWi8VhjyaLFq-FbPZ8msBlh0_vs2R7icxy3nyUhCos_vgpAnEYiZAIHDpDIWcgo5cZUqEtTwDuYRtAqkrZ9BzCjIgQCOqbIdLj/s1600/Book+Cover4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank">BUY the BOOK</a></td></tr>
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Each story is recorded by one of WLGI’s hard-working
youth interns – thank you, Interns! WLGI's Ginny Kintz also had a hand in adapting stories from the book for radio. The series continues through October 21-22, the Twin Holy Days when Baha’is celebrate <a href="https://bahai-us.lpages.co/bicentenary/" target="_blank">the Births of Baha’u’llah and the Bab</a>. Stories will air more often that weekend.</div>
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"Music for heart, mind, and spirit"</h4>
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Most of WLGI’s programming is music: “Music
for heart, mind, and spirit.” Their “positive music” features a range of musicians and musical styles, including Baha'i–inspired musicians. Radio Baha'i, located in South Carolina, aims to "make you happier, make you smile, remind you of your spiritual reality . . . help keep you balanced." Definitely a go-to spot for something upbeat.<br />
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“Music is, after all, <a href="http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/#f=f5-101" target="_blank">a ladder for the soul</a>.” - <o:p></o:p>Radio Baha'i WLGI</div>
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For a closer look at WLGI's community service, youth-training, and how it all came about: <a href="http://www.scnow.com/living/faith_and_values/article_75718d68-9fea-11e7-90e4-3b697bb3e14d.html" target="_blank">Louis Gregory Institute, Radio Baha'i focus on social justice, joy, happiness</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4wge4rDLXubhECr2ylDoaP5ZlFCxQPy-F6L3SvUoRQjgUUCMSl_-vza-804llU4-I1zdItJdiYDAqWywMRtMU0rAWG3x51B1-0mtmjl3s0LN_6pvd9RHNaeyfYgIw3xpC__v/s1600/WLGI+-+youth+in+training+59c598366a27b.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4wge4rDLXubhECr2ylDoaP5ZlFCxQPy-F6L3SvUoRQjgUUCMSl_-vza-804llU4-I1zdItJdiYDAqWywMRtMU0rAWG3x51B1-0mtmjl3s0LN_6pvd9RHNaeyfYgIw3xpC__v/s400/WLGI+-+youth+in+training+59c598366a27b.image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three youth in training for on-air at WLGI Radio Baha'i</td></tr>
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Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-46744946455399952732017-08-27T16:49:00.001-05:002017-09-14T19:43:10.733-05:00A Bicentenary Gift-Set to Answer: "Who is Baha'u'llah?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This
year – <a href="http://discover.bahai.us/bicentenary/" target="_blank">the 200<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah</a> – I am
immensely pleased that <i>The Story of Baha’u’llah</i> is part of a <a href="http://www.bahaibookstore.com/cw_Search.aspx?k=Bicentenary+gift+collection" target="_blank">Bicentenary Gift Collection</a> which Baha’is
across the nation are presenting to their local libraries. Others are presenting <i>The Story of Baha'u'llah</i> itself. All of it means reaching an
ever-widening circle of readers who are curious to know, “<a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank">Who is Baha’u’llah?</a>”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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That
was a critical question for me when I was investigating the Baha'i Faith as a young
adult. Not just who Baha’u’llah claimed to be – a <a href="http://www.bahai.org/beliefs/god-his-creation/revelation/manifestations-god" target="_blank">Manifestation of God</a> – but
what His actions revealed Him to be. Because we all know people who claim great
things, but whose lives reveal them to be something else. In my own spiritual
search, it was learning about Baha’u’llah’s life that convinced me of the truth
of His words. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My First Encounter - What caught my Attention</h4>
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Still,
I had no inkling that one day I would write <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah</a></i>. Want to
know more about the questions I think are critical? Questions I hope are answered
for others in <i>The Story of Baha’u’llah</i>. Read
my short essay <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-13.html" target="_blank">Journey to a Sacred City</a>. </div>
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Here is an excerpt:<span style="font-weight: normal;"> “When
I first encountered the Baha'i Faith as a young adult my attention was captured
by two things: the extraordinary life of Baha’u’llah and the beauty of His
writings. How could someone who lived the better part of His life as a prisoner
and exile – often in the most deplorable and hostile conditions – not only
endure, but consistently produce the most inspiring and insightful writings?”</span></h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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"<b>What
constitutes the proof of a Prophet of God?</b> In the words of Christ, <b>“You will
know them by their fruits.”</b></div>
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It
is only natural then to ask: How did Baha’u’llah live His life? How did His actions correspond to His words? . . . How did He treat those who loved Him or
respond to those who betrayed Him? How were others – whether friend or enemy,
believer or nonbeliever – affected by His presence? What effect did He exert on
the larger world?" </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
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What I discovered was that Baha'u'llah's life and writings are compelling by any
standard, and that He continues to inspire countless souls. One of those souls might even be you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-69132791066835099362017-01-22T17:01:00.000-06:002017-01-22T17:05:01.620-06:00The Bab and Baha'u'llah: Two Lives, One Story - Register Now! Introductory Online Course <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NqyMx4zyw2vFg6vgUrqz9xsbjhy-34uD-l3ORG6gi5_a6bqMsqr8E47AcNYVXLHyI0NrFvRGHFvA1xKNpPX4h8bct-EWtKtKLlxr5VpIgJtmIX1g1cUKQZhL-0qEmoc2Ivcm/s1600/bmb-9614222-standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NqyMx4zyw2vFg6vgUrqz9xsbjhy-34uD-l3ORG6gi5_a6bqMsqr8E47AcNYVXLHyI0NrFvRGHFvA1xKNpPX4h8bct-EWtKtKLlxr5VpIgJtmIX1g1cUKQZhL-0qEmoc2Ivcm/s400/bmb-9614222-standard.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approach to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah<br />
- <a href="http://media.bahai.org/" target="_blank">Baha'i Media</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am thrilled to invite you to a 7-week online course, beginning February 7, which features <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank"><i>The Story of Baha'u'llah</i></a>. This introductory course is part of the excellent <a href="http://wilmetteinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Wilmette Institute</a>, whose courses have participants from around the world. Edward DiLiberto will join me as faculty. Here is the course description, with title link that leads to more information and registration:<br />
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In <a href="http://bit.ly/2hnSWOV" target="_blank">The Bab and Baha’u’llah: Two Lives, One Story</a> we will delve into the dramatic story at the heart of the
Holy Anniversary years 2017 and 2019 as the Baha'i world prepares to celebrate
the births of Baha’u’llah and the Bab. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From Shiraz to Tabriz, from the
affluent courtyards of Tehran to the prison-city of Acre, <i><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah: Promised One of all Religions</a></i>, the text
for the course, brings to life the story of the Twin Manifestations at the
origin of the Baha'i Faith: <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-10.html" target="_blank">the Bab</a> ("the Gate") and <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank">Baha’u’llah</a> (“the Glory of
God”), each with a distinct but connected mission. Together their revelations
are intended for a humanity about to enter a new evolutionary stage – the
maturity of the human race. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXCw3UUP9QpdQSIg59MHbuc6yTKHl93Q1v0Mpj8zum30F2Zz5gY8j6LRyOb8tY1KrZVUoZF6XTevdKhaHYlMqf3QJnf-so7j016fSE3A3PJ8KZMi9mir185GC1m_3WEoMiWSL/s1600/Book+Cover4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXCw3UUP9QpdQSIg59MHbuc6yTKHl93Q1v0Mpj8zum30F2Zz5gY8j6LRyOb8tY1KrZVUoZF6XTevdKhaHYlMqf3QJnf-so7j016fSE3A3PJ8KZMi9mir185GC1m_3WEoMiWSL/s1600/Book+Cover4.jpg" /></a>The story unfolds in two parts. <i>Part One: The Dawn</i> introduces
Baha’u’llah in Tehran and interweaves events in the life of the Bab and His
principal disciples, basic facts about Islam, and millennial expectations of
Christians. </div>
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<i>Part Two: The Sun in Its
Splendor</i> recounts the dramatic events of life in exile for Baha’u’llah and
His family, together with highlights of His writings and the emerging
significance of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Throughout our study, references
to world events and well-known American figures add context. </div>
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We will also
discuss some basic guidance about storytelling so that in a supportive
environment you can explore and practice sharing these stories yourself,
whether in a conversation with a friend or in a more formal setting. There are
no hard storytelling requirements; the joy is in learning how simple it can be.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-46524660578483778982015-10-18T12:10:00.001-05:002015-10-18T14:04:59.861-05:00Read "The Story of Baha'u'llah" in e-course "The Life of Baha'u'llah"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOB6e2AjarjTM2qZp9hA9A2DyrMOSKxj6ON9sn3vB-BDFV6WmdegXqVZTN8xbTmVyjRUDnQrCgQrx6GzYtrBkqEJKAQfEetKPcsqpH1oSMjH474cY6m7kaGhAkSCFTV7zS9kR/s1600/The+Life+of+Baha%2527u%2527llah+-+2015+Wilmette+Institute+Course_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOB6e2AjarjTM2qZp9hA9A2DyrMOSKxj6ON9sn3vB-BDFV6WmdegXqVZTN8xbTmVyjRUDnQrCgQrx6GzYtrBkqEJKAQfEetKPcsqpH1oSMjH474cY6m7kaGhAkSCFTV7zS9kR/s640/The+Life+of+Baha%2527u%2527llah+-+2015+Wilmette+Institute+Course_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Still time to <a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/the-life-of-baha-u-llah/event-summary-929075e8c00e4aafb6992bdc36f24990.aspx" target="_blank">REGISTER</a> for this specially-priced e-course!<br />
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The life of Baha'u'llah is compelling by any standard and continues to inspire countless souls. This week as the Wilmette Institute begins its e-course on <em><a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/the-life-of-baha-u-llah/event-summary-929075e8c00e4aafb6992bdc36f24990.aspx" target="_blank">The Life of Baha'u'llah</a></em>, I am pleased to tell you that <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></em> will be one of the assigned course readings and <a href="http://wilmetteinstitute.org/druzelle-cederquist/" target="_blank">I will be one of the faculty</a>. How gratifying to be part of the <a href="http://wilmetteinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Wilmette Institute's</a> online learning community. <br />
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The course includes other excellent readings, two more faculty members, and diverse learners from the U.S. and other nations. A rich experience indeed. It is also well-timed, as the Baha'i calendar approaches the Birth of Baha'u'llah holy day on November 14.<br />
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So no time to lose. <a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/the-life-of-baha-u-llah/event-summary-929075e8c00e4aafb6992bdc36f24990.aspx" target="_blank">REGISTER NOW!</a> Share with friends. Sign up as an individual or create a small study / book group. The course is modestly priced, and registrations will be accepted all week (and beyond, if needed). <br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1h1u8Ug" target="_blank">BUY <em>The Story of Baha'u'llah</em></a> in softcover or your favorite ebook format. My <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/" target="_blank">Luminous Realities</a></em> website - one of the resources shared in the course - is always free and open to everyone.Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-17559037192899840262015-03-18T22:26:00.000-05:002015-03-18T22:33:48.193-05:00Archeology of the Spirit: A Writer's Note on Fasting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_-iERRkGm9IlaL0RWGiX9KtGhjSdHNne4Gc7XgRk6rlaAOnA-UtxpsCUQpZRtj3nnHhHe6ZRRbkjBVsZj0xycy1RNYbFUUd3pLGp0RFSfm-NEduvVKORlZj19A89MSKW6Oh6/s1600/Mazraih+Interior+Stairs+Roses+Day7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_-iERRkGm9IlaL0RWGiX9KtGhjSdHNne4Gc7XgRk6rlaAOnA-UtxpsCUQpZRtj3nnHhHe6ZRRbkjBVsZj0xycy1RNYbFUUd3pLGp0RFSfm-NEduvVKORlZj19A89MSKW6Oh6/s1600/Mazraih+Interior+Stairs+Roses+Day7.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mazra'ih - House near Acre where Baha'u'llah lived two years</td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
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<em><a href="http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/#f=f19-1141" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At certain times the spirit must assist the body.</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> We cannot accomplish really great things through physical force alone; the spirit must fortify our bodily strength.” </span></em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 85%;">– </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.bahai.org/abdul-baha/" target="_blank">‘Abdu’l-Baha</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{I have refreshed this popular post with links to the beautiful new </span><a href="http://www.bahai.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Baha'i World Center</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> site.}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am immersed in this year's period of </span><a href="http://www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/devotion/fasting" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baha’i fasting</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> with the simple acknowledgement that the Fast is a great equalizer. To refrain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset requires each one of us to deal with our own animal-lower nature. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As w</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">e are called to refresh our inner life with a greater focus on <a href="http://www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/devotion/prayer" target="_blank">prayer</a> and <a href="http://www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/devotion/meditation" target="_blank">meditation</a>, our spiritual response, hour to hour and day to day, is in our own hands. An individual’s place in the world, whether lofty or humble, has little bearing on this intensely personal experience.</span></div>
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To brush away the last, thin layers</h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I must admit I would probably not fast if it were not obligatory, but at least a part of me is grateful that it is. I find the inner workings of the Fast to be like writing – each process a kind of archeology of spirit<strong>.</strong> Treasure is not cast carelessly on the surface. Only when I push off from what is comfortable and dig deep, or take the infinitely patient time to brush away those last, thin layers, do I unearth even a portion of what lies hidden beneath.</span><br />
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To discover surprising things</h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And of course, no one else can do it for me – fasting or writing – but why would I want them to? How else will I discover those surprising things<strong> – </strong>feel the thrill of new insight, of learning what I didn’t know I didn’t know, and discover, too, that I can handle tough stuff, solve difficult problems, and accomplish the very thing that felt at first impossible. How very human, in its noblest sense. Why would I want to miss out?</span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
To Deepen the Most Intimate Relationship</h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, while the law of fasting may sound from the outside like one of those “rules and regs” kind of things, from the inside it is truly a creative process – as creative as you let it be – nourished by the more <a href="http://www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/devotion/" target="_blank">reflective practices</a> of prayer and meditation and the thoughtful reading of sacred writings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At its heart, fasting is a deepening of the most intimate relationship<strong>,</strong> that mystical tie between </span><a href="http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-0-5.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the soul</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and its </span><a href="http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-0-1.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Creator</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. "The heart becomes tender and the spirituality of man increases," said 'Abdu'l-Baha, which, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">in turn, nourishes every other tie, even to one’s own self.<strong>* </strong></span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>A Note: Brain Science & Qualities of the Soul</strong></div>
<strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is <strong>a related science note</strong> that I bring to writer workshops. Current research supports an underlying truth: To continually stretch ourselves in a deeply creative process, to tackle and solve difficult problems in any arena, alters our brain. We become participants in our own evolution. The process requires from us attitudes of attention and care, writes eminent </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://youtu.be/-G-jrLljDUk" target="_blank">neurobiologist Gerald Huther</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">,<strong>**</strong> and a range of human qualities, such as humility and truthfulness -- which </span><a href="http://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baha’u’llah</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> identifies as </span><a href="http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-0-5.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">qualities of the soul</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I return to fasting – and writing, and extend an invitation to you to comment with an inspiration or challenge from your own experience.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>*</strong>See </span><em><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah</a></span></strong></em><span style="font-family: inherit;">, Chapter 54 – <em>“The Keys of My Mercy”</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>**</strong> Author of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Compassionate-Brain-Empathy-Intelligence/dp/159030330X" target="_blank">The Compassionate Brain: How Empathy Creates Intelligence</a></em></span><br />
<div>
</div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-6493277227478843412014-08-18T17:36:00.002-05:002014-09-07T13:40:25.011-05:00"For thousands of years the human race has been at war. It is enough." <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="331" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/41921652" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/41921652">Remover of Difficulties</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/usbahai">Bahai.us</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/channels/329603/page:1" target="_blank">Listen to more CHOIR VIDEOS</a> <br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<em>“Temples are the symbols of the divine uniting force”<o:p></o:p></em></h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The graceful movements of heavenly planets were the <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2014/08/super-moon-and-architects-inspiration.html" target="_blank">architect’s inspiration</a> for this Baha'i House of Worship near Chicago. But it was<a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-11.html" target="_blank"> ‘Abdu’l-Baha</a>
who defined the temple’s true purpose, and who, with simple but profound logic,
challenged the presumption of holding a human-centric view of things above the divine.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"the same sea of divine favors"</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/talk/original-purpose-temples-and-houses-worship-unity" target="_blank">In the words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha*</a>: “The world of existence may
be likened to <a href="http://www.bahaitemple.com/" target="_blank">this temple</a> and place of worship. For just as the external world
is a place where the people of all races and colors, varying faiths,
denominations and conditions come together – just as they are submerged in the
same sea of divine favors – so, likewise, all may meet under the dome of <a href="http://www.bahai-encyclopedia-project.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70:mashriqul-adhkar&catid=36:administrationinstitutions" target="_blank">the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar</a> and adore the one God in the same spirit of truth . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"For thousands of years the human race has been at war. It is
enough. Now let mankind, for a time at least, consort in amity and peace.
Enmity and hatred have ruled. Let the world, for a period, exercise love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
The Drop and the Ocean</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JntkUBUF8mA/U_J3vmY6BdI/AAAAAAAAEDg/ZpwgQ4WrRG8/s1600/Arch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JntkUBUF8mA/U_J3vmY6BdI/AAAAAAAAEDg/ZpwgQ4WrRG8/s1600/Arch1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scene from 2012 Devotional Concert <br />
<a href="http://www.bahaitemple.com/" target="_blank">Baha'i House of Worship</a> - Wilmette, IL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
"<span style="font-family: Arial;">. . . for the divine policy is the oneness of humanity. God
is just and kind to all. He considers all as His servants. He excludes none,
and His judgments are correct and true. No matter how complete human policy and
foresight may appear, they are imperfect. If we do not seek the counsel of God
or if we refuse to follow His dictates, it is presumptive evidence that we are
knowing and wise, whereas God is ignorant; that we are sagacious and God is
not. God forbid! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">". . . No matter how far the human intelligence may advance,
it is still but a drop, while divine omniscience is the ocean. Shall we say
that a drop is imbued or endowed with qualities of which the ocean is devoid?
Shall we believe that the policy and plan of this atom of a human soul are
superior to the wisdom of the Omniscient? There is no greater ignorance than
this.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p>When Religion is Not Divine</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At an International Peace Forum ‘Abdu’l-Baha said plainly, “If
religion be productive of discord among mankind, it is a destroyer and not
divine, for religion implies unity and binding together and not separation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Acknowledging our human imperfections ‘Abdu’l-Baha advised, “Briefly,
some are mere children; with the utmost love we must educate them to make them
wise. Others are sick and ailing; we must tenderly treat them until they
recover. Some have unworthy morals; we must train them toward the standard of
true morality. . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/channels/329603/page:1" target="_blank">View more BAHA'I Choir & Meditation VIDEOS</a> <o:p></o:p></h4>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Excerpts from a talk in Chicago, April 30, 1912<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/talk/original-purpose-temples-and-houses-worship-unity" target="_blank">LISTEN</a> to a reading of 'Abdu'l-Baha's complete talk<o:p></o:p></span><br />
RELATED POST: <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-post_23.html" target="_blank">"Dawning Place of the Mention of God"</a> </div>
Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-65555234732338113642014-08-09T14:01:00.004-05:002014-09-06T21:04:01.143-05:00Super moon and an Architect's Inspiration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8hS76w_7nY/U-ZvdzGAhQI/AAAAAAAAEC4/F0DFq0Yg3UY/s1600/Photo+by+Nat+Carmichael+95ae676ef3dae1431986df64cde41ae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8hS76w_7nY/U-ZvdzGAhQI/AAAAAAAAEC4/F0DFq0Yg3UY/s1600/Photo+by+Nat+Carmichael+95ae676ef3dae1431986df64cde41ae.jpg" height="400" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Moon over Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois<br />
- Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/natcarm/5542955308/in/set-72157621468327741" target="_blank">Nat Carmichael</a> (2011) - used with permission </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This photo of the <a href="http://earthsky.org/tonight/most-super-supermoon-of-2014-on-august-10#what" target="_blank">super moon</a> shining large and golden over
the <a href="http://www.bahaitemple.com/" target="_blank">Baha'i House of Worship</a> near Chicago reminds me of architect
Louis Bourgeois and the story of his inspiration for this temple and its intricate lace-like
design. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Tracings on the sand</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.ca.bahai.org/canadian-bah%C3%A1%C3%AD-history/historical-figures/jean-baptiste-louis-bourgeois-1856-%E2%80%93-1930" target="_blank">Bourgeois</a>, also an amateur astronomer, had often “thought
with wonder of the beautiful spiral curves which the heavenly bodies trace in
the sky as they circle the sun in their elliptical orbits that cut each other
in different planes . . .” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One day as he stood on a stretch of California seaside, he
could suddenly see “how these pure mathematical lines of astronomy could be
worked into designs of wonderful beauty.” Quickly and intently he “traced on
the sand . . . such figures as I have wrought into the dome of that temple.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hem600lJOIk/U-0UWy5qzwI/AAAAAAAAEDI/P4SlZ7iNZ3g/s1600/templeceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hem600lJOIk/U-0UWy5qzwI/AAAAAAAAEDI/P4SlZ7iNZ3g/s1600/templeceiling.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside looking up at the dome of the Baha'i House of Worship </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bourgeois designed many beautiful buildings, but felt that his
life’s mission was “to build a large temple dedicated to Truth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had a strong psychic feeling that the
Christ spirit was astir in the world,” Bourgeois would recall, “and that I
should design the temple for this spirit.”</span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Architect at work</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A few years later in 1906 Mr. Bourgeois became a Baha'i.
When designs were sought for the House of Worship, Bourgeois planned to
complete his own architectural drawings in three months. In reality he worked eight
years, putting in many 16-hour days to render his intricate architectural
drawings. The work was worth it. In 1920, when Bourgeois’ was 64, his Temple design, among 15 architects' entries, won the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSvd4WNvP1s/U-0VyjMXjmI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/g0tTP-YHGQY/s1600/Meet_Louis_Bourgeois.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSvd4WNvP1s/U-0VyjMXjmI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/g0tTP-YHGQY/s1600/Meet_Louis_Bourgeois.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Bourgeois</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The next year Bourgeois traveled to the Holy Land to show
his drawings to <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-11.html" target="_blank">‘Abdu’l-Baha</a> in person. “Beautiful, very beautiful,”
‘Abdu’l-Baha said, over and over. “It was given you from the Kingdom. . . You
have been confirmed in this work.” Words that stirred the heart of Louis
Bourgeois and made him very happy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">‘Abdu’l-Baha had turned the first shovel-full of dirt at the
temple’s ground-breaking ceremony in the spring of 1912. But the building could
be only as important as the spirit that filled it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
For "different races and souls of every capacity"</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Temples are the symbols of the divine uniting force,” said ‘Abdu’l-Baha
in a <a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/talk/original-purpose-temples-and-houses-worship-unity" target="_blank">public talk in Chicago</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">“In brief, the original purposes of temples and
houses of worship is simply that of unity – places of meeting where various
peoples, different races and souls of every capacity may come together in order
that love and agreement should be manifest between them. . ." </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For “the divine
policy is the oneness of humanity.” And in a simple but lucid argument 'Abdu'l-Baha laid out why we should pay attention to that divine policy. See my <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2014/08/for-thousands-of-years-human-race-has.html" target="_blank">next post</a>.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/talk/original-purpose-temples-and-houses-worship-unity" target="_blank">LISTEN</a> to a reading of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s talk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Bourgeois Quotes - <em>The Dawning Place</em> by Bruce Whitmore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
RELATED POST: <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-post_23.html" target="_blank">"Dawning Place of the Mention of God"</a><br />
RELATED POST: <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2014/08/for-thousands-of-years-human-race-has.html" target="_blank">"For thousands of years the human race has been at war. It is enough."</a></div>
Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-79838158872081990492014-07-09T23:05:00.001-05:002014-09-06T20:55:16.003-05:00"The path to guidance is one of love and compassion, not of force and coercion." - the Bab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwci_2grLuHcusg7S1cfa0TQoSqtEuHA8UUhamzNrRwyXRD37fY72ylTVl5HmSNILMXrx_FF7-DA3qsyROkA_a0yeU1OY0kwwPbGOJT5NLStMcXnXllzyFJeVUE7xfsTCAQ0OjA/s1600/Essay+4+-pix+3+-+people+to+shrine-6786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwci_2grLuHcusg7S1cfa0TQoSqtEuHA8UUhamzNrRwyXRD37fY72ylTVl5HmSNILMXrx_FF7-DA3qsyROkA_a0yeU1OY0kwwPbGOJT5NLStMcXnXllzyFJeVUE7xfsTCAQ0OjA/s1600/Essay+4+-pix+3+-+people+to+shrine-6786.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel. Baha'is from around the world walk up the central staircase of the Terraces on Mount Carmel as part of inaugural ceremonies 23 May, 2001 - permission Baha'i International Community<br />
<br />
<h3 align="center">
An Astonishing Turn of Events</h3>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today is July 9, the date each year when I join my Baha'i community to commemorate the martyrdom of <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-10.html" target="_blank">the Bab</a>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The original setting was Tabriz, Persia 1850. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The players in the real life-and-death drama were Muslim, Christian, Babi - each faced with making a personal choice, none knowing what consequences might be visited on them. Not knowing that their individual decisions would be woven into the fabric of collective remembrance. What were the choices they made? Read my short essay: <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-12.html" target="_blank">An Astonishing Turn of Events</a></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<h3 align="center">
. . . not the miracle but the mind-set . . .</h3>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">What I find most compelling about this episode is not the "miracle" but the mind-set of those like the grand vizier, who presumed that killing the Bab would destroy His message; that those in positions of power had power over minds and hearts; that Truth could be so easily extinguished. </span><span style="font-size: small;">What is compelling is what happened in the years following the martyrdom of the Bab - the unforeseen that continued to be<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-12.html" target="_blank">An Astonishing Turn of Events</a>. </span></span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<h3 align="center">
"private possessions of the heart and soul"</h3>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-11.html" target="_blank">'Abdu'l-Baha</a> would later write that "a just government can [find] no excuse" to interfere with "thought and conscience, which are the private possessions of the heart and soul." </span><span style="font-size: small;">Today i</span><span style="font-size: small;">n Iran Baha'is continue to suffer <a href="https://www.bic.org/media/Current-situation-Bahais-in-Iran" target="_blank">imprisonment and persecution</a> for nothing more than conscience - their religious belief. And on every side each human player must make a choice. </span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<h3 align="left">
For more . . . </h3>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">*View multi-media <a href="http://www.nybahai.org/july9th/index.html" target="_blank"><strong>Meditation on the Martyrdom of the Bab</strong></a> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">*See Related blog post for <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2007/07/astonishing-turn-of-events.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">What is a martyr, really?</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">and <a href="http://www.bahairights.org/about/" target="_blank">Muslims for Baha'i Rights</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">*Read all about the life of Bab in <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></em>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">*See </span><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Who is the Bab?</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> for a descriptive Chapter listing of Where to find the Bab in <em>The Story of Baha'u'llah</em>.</span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-25057584545628856572013-11-27T15:15:00.000-06:002014-07-10T07:21:16.240-05:00Ask great questions. Share great stories. National Day of Listening<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGPTWJrS21M/UpY_1UsKVPI/AAAAAAAAD98/sOQGtd1CQ8Q/s1600/National+day+listening.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGPTWJrS21M/UpY_1UsKVPI/AAAAAAAAD98/sOQGtd1CQ8Q/s400/National+day+listening.png" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Want a meaningful alternative to holiday shopping frenzy?
How about this: Interview a loved one and record their story – and possibly
post it at the StoryCorps <a href="http://nationaldayoflistening.org/listen/" target="_blank">Wall of Listening</a> on this <a href="http://nationaldayoflistening.org/" target="_blank">National Day of Listening</a>, the
day after Thanksgiving. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>"It's the least expensive but most meaningful gift you can give this holiday season." </strong></em> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Listening to people reminds them that their lives matter,”
says <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thisisnpr/2013/10/21/237033638/storycorps-profile-if-i-could-share-a-coffee-with-anyone-it-would-be-my-wife?utm_source=thishisnpr&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20131023" target="_blank">Dave Isay</a>, founder of <a href="http://storycorps.org/" target="_blank">StoryCorps</a>, which launched National Day of Listening five years ago. And the stories people tell, when given the opportunity, can be surprisingly interesting, funny, moving.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A recording means that you, your children, your
great-grandchildren, will be able to listen to a family member’s voice telling
their story even after they are no longer with you. Or perhaps you want to
interview another person – a teacher, a friend, a person who made a difference
to you, or someone you simply want to know better. My husband and I plan to interview his 95 year-old mother. </span></div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Simple How-To Guide</h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Whoever you choose to interview, StoryCorps has put together
an elegantly <a href="http://nationaldayoflistening.org/participate/" target="_blank">simple How-To Guide</a> to make the process easy, including this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dohm3-plvv8#t=16" target="_blank">StoryCorps video of tips</a>. Need help with questions to get your interview going? Check out the <a href="http://nationaldayoflistening.org/great-questions-list/" target="_blank">Great Questions list</a>. Here is a sample that should prompt some good story-telling:</span></div>
<br />
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StoryCorps’ Favorite Questions</h4>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* What was the happiest moment of your life? The saddest?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>* Who was the most important person in your life? Can you
tell me about him or her?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What
lessons did that person teach you?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* Who has been the kindest to you in your life?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>* What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in
life?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* What are you proudest of in your life?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to pass along to
me?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>* How would you like to be remembered?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* Is there anything that you’ve never told me but want to
tell me now? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">* Is there something about me that you’ve always wanted to know
but have never asked?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">(I love these Questions for anytime! Think of the
conversations you could have instead of talk about celebrities, politicians .
. !)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For inspiration tune in to <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIZ_MbQ5bQw#t=36" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Listening is an Act of Love</span></a></em> – the first StoryCorp <strong>animated feature</strong>, which airs Thanksgiving night on as a POV on PBS stations. These animations are visuals given to real interviews, and the stories are well worth hearing. (See the <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2013/11/eyes-on-stars-and-visit-from-storycorps.html" target="_blank">“Eyes on the Stars”</a> in my last post for a sample.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Of course you can choose to do an interview any day of the year.</strong> Over 90,000 people have interviewed one another in <a href="http://storycorps.org/mobile-tour/" target="_blank">StoryCorps booths</a> over the last ten years. It is a rich experience to listen to any of the 500 NPR broadcast</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <a href="http://storycorps.org/listen/?show=featured" target="_blank">interviews</a>, <a href="http://storycorps.org/podcast/" target="_blank">podcasts</a>, and <a href="http://storycorps.org/animation/" target="_blank">animated shorts</a>. For more tips see <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/11/on-national-day-of-listening-how-to-get-someones-story/265548/" target="_blank">How to Get Someone's Story</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">StoryCorps, which celebrated its <a href="http://storycorps.org/storycorps-10th-anniversary-gala-the-recap/" target="_blank">Tenth Anniversary</a> this October. See my <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2013/11/eyes-on-stars-and-visit-from-storycorps.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Eyes on the Stars”</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> post for the story behind StoryCorps.</span></span><br />
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<br />
<strong>Related Blog Post:</strong> <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-was-happiest-moment-of-your-life.html" target="_blank">"Is there anything you've never told me, but want to tell me now?"</a><br />
</div>
</div>
Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-67013843678605792272013-11-24T16:57:00.000-06:002014-10-06T17:44:11.582-05:00"Eyes on the Stars" - and a Visit from StoryCorps' Dave Isay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/okF5UGpivR8" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Carl remembers his brother, Ronald McNair, a physicist and crew
member of the 1986 Challenger shuttle that exploded seconds after takeoff. They
grew up in Lake City, South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This animation of a real-life remembrance – a favorite of mine
– was also one shared by <a href="http://bookpeople.com/event/dave-isay-ties-bind-stories-love-and-gratitude-first-ten-years-storycorps" target="_blank">Dave Isay at BookPeople</a> here
in Austin. Dave was on tour for <em><a href="http://bookpeople.com/event/dave-isay-ties-bind-stories-love-and-gratitude-first-ten-years-storycorps" target="_blank">Ties that Bind</a></em>, the fourth book of selected interviews
from StoryCorps. <a href="http://storycorps.org/" target="_blank">StoryCorps</a>, founded by Dave Isay, is celebrating its <a href="http://storycorps.org/storycorps-10th-anniversary-gala-the-recap/" target="_blank">ten-year anniversary</a>, and Dave
Isay’s October 23<sup>rd</sup> appearance at BookPeople marked the very day it
all started in 2003. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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“The largest single collection of human voices </h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
ever gathered”<o:p></o:p></h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">“StoryCorps grew out of a very simple idea,” said Isay in an
<a href="http://www.pbs.org/pov/storycorps/interview_isay.php#.Uok8m0WhnU8.email" target="_blank">interview</a>. “We wanted to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with
the opportunity to record their life stories. We built a soundproof booth in
Grand Central Terminal and invited people to come in pairs and interview each
other about their lives.” (<a href="http://www.pbs.org/pov/storycorps/interview_isay.php#.Uok8m0WhnU8.email" target="_blank">+video</a>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A copy of each forty-minute interview is deposited in the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/folklife/storycorpsfaq.html" target="_blank">American Folklore Center of the Library of Congress</a>, and participants take home their
own copy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">StoryCorps statistics tell one side of this story of success:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*50,000 interviews<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*90,000 participants<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*54 languages <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*in all 50 states<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*500
NPR broadcasts <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Over time different <a href="http://storycorps.org/programs/" target="_blank">locations</a> were opened, and <a href="http://storycorps.org/programs/" target="_blank">various initiatives</a>
developed to capture distinctive threads of stories. But at the heart of it all
is the experience. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<o:p>"poetry, wisdom and magic"</o:p></h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“The StoryCorps experience reminds us,” said Isay, “that if
we take the time to listen, we’ll find poetry, wisdom and magic in the stories
of the people we find all around us.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9YdT1WBrIe9sUz10BDdYkETnvmNsX6NbziuwnuW8dUWGEyWf9Ei5rSBF7_K3joaCxWOSEO_wXN4aH1jsXO1yYZsZ52178Z7lRwoAp5QwIY_VflPRjw8_d6XKfoJMJpLFCZoC3Q/s1600/dave-isay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9YdT1WBrIe9sUz10BDdYkETnvmNsX6NbziuwnuW8dUWGEyWf9Ei5rSBF7_K3joaCxWOSEO_wXN4aH1jsXO1yYZsZ52178Z7lRwoAp5QwIY_VflPRjw8_d6XKfoJMJpLFCZoC3Q/s200/dave-isay.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">StoryCorps interviews are the opposite of reality tv, said
Isay at BookPeople. You’ll know what he means if you listen to any of the <a href="http://storycorps.org/listen/?show=featured" target="_blank">short interviews</a>, <a href="http://storycorps.org/animation/" target="_blank">animations</a>, and <a href="http://storycorps.org/podcast/" target="_blank">podcasts</a> from the NPR (National Public Radio)
broadcast each week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A lesser-known fact that Dave Isay shared at BookPeople was
that <strong>his inspiration</strong> for StoryCorps came from the WPA (Works Project Administration)
interviews of the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/collection/federal-writers-project/about-this-collection/" target="_blank">Federal Writers’ Project</a> 1936 to 1940. All proceeds from <a href="http://storycorps.org/books/" target="_blank"><em>Ties That Bind</em> and other StoryCorps books</a> go to fund StoryCorps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What about you? Don’t think that you have to go
to a StoryCorps booth to participate. See my next post
about the National Day of Listening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-37072837455678150032013-11-16T15:44:00.001-06:002014-09-06T20:53:40.326-05:00Birth of Baha'u'llah: "The people must be set completely free"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxW3B2U3Sdw/UofjCNpcp_I/AAAAAAAAD9E/DSrbPDYQDk0/s1600/IMG_32952-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxW3B2U3Sdw/UofjCNpcp_I/AAAAAAAAD9E/DSrbPDYQDk0/s400/IMG_32952-300x225.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo from <a href="http://www.bahaiwords.com/2013/11/16/november-16/" target="_blank">Baha'i Words</a></span></div>
This week, on November 12, Baha'is celebrated the Birth of Baha'u'llah. The story of Baha'u'llah comes alive in this two-part video <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank">Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i Faith</a></em>, which you can find on my <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index.html" target="_blank">Luminous Realities</a></em> website. For insight in to why Baha'is celebrate, and how it all relates to the world at large, here is a passage from the writings of <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-11.html" target="_blank">'Abdu'l-Baha</a>:<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"Holding on to husks"</h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"O ye respected souls! From the continual imitation of
ancient and worn-out ways, the world had grown dark as darksome night. The
fundamentals of the divine Teachings had passed from memory; their pith and
heart had been totally forgotten, and the people were holding on to husks. The
nations had, like tattered garments long outworn, fallen into a pitiful
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Out of this pitch blackness there dawned the morning
splendor of the Teachings of Baha’u’llah. He hath dressed the world with a
garment new and fair, and that garment is the principles which have come down
from God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Arts Reborn</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Now the new age is here and creations reborn. Humanity hath
taken on new life. The autumn hath gone by, and the reviving spring is here.
All things are now made new. Arts and industries have been reborn, there are
new discoveries in science, and there are new inventions; even the details of
human affairs, such as dress and personal effects – even weapons – all these
have like-wise been renewed. The laws and procedures of every government have
been revised. Renewal is the order of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"People must be set completely free" </h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"And all this newness hath is source in the fresh outpourings
of wondrous grace and favor from the Lord of the Kingdom, which have renewed
the world. The people therefore, must be set completely free from their old
patterns of thought, that all their attention may be focused upon these new
principles, for these are the light of this time and the very spirit of this
age.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Unless these Teachings are effectively spread among the
people, until the old ways, the old concepts, are gone and forgotten, this
world of being will find no peace, nor will it reflect the perfections of the
Heavenly Kingdom.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> - </span>‘Abdu’l-Baha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-24026044087670998842013-04-30T23:47:00.003-05:002014-09-06T20:52:35.655-05:00Record a Poem - yes you! or just listen in<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88g0TgubL4AWdGZvu1iEiplsmg5i26axuuc1MT0uWV-sL9KN_YXLF2D13lN51apPXixjDe47TEDhA7VqQaSRDE_Bqy7GfLfIomNqMHpJaw3giAhtE1Bj7U04pL1GyuCdTQWlY/s1600/Luminous+Realities+photo+epostcard+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88g0TgubL4AWdGZvu1iEiplsmg5i26axuuc1MT0uWV-sL9KN_YXLF2D13lN51apPXixjDe47TEDhA7VqQaSRDE_Bqy7GfLfIomNqMHpJaw3giAhtE1Bj7U04pL1GyuCdTQWlY/s400/Luminous+Realities+photo+epostcard+.jpg" height="491" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://soundcloud.com/druzelle/invitation" target="_blank">Listen to "Invitation"</a> written and read by Druzelle Cederquist<br />
More by author at <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/more-4.html" target="_blank">Luminous Realities </a>website</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
hope you enjoyed the poet videos in my last post: <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2013/04/invite-party-of-poets-and-they-will-come.html" target="_blank">Invite a Party of Poets - and they will come!</a> But don't let name-brand poets have all the fun. The <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Poetry Foundation</a> has set up a <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poetryfoundation" target="_blank">Record-a-Poem</a> site on <a href="http://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a> and invited everyone
to post recordings of their favorite poems. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a gift, to record a poem that
spoke especially to you, that inspired you or tickled your funny bone, that brought "a sliver of
insight a fresh perspective.”</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2013/03/record-a-poem-on-soundcloud/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_media&utm_campaign=general_marketing" target="_blank">How-to steps are listed here</a> on Harriet: poetry blog</span>, along with a few already
recorded poems. I took time to record a short poem of my own: "<a href="http://soundcloud.com/druzelle/invitation" target="_blank">Invitation</a>." The tech stuff is do-able - the best news
being that you can erase and record again, so mistakes can be made! Since SoundCloud is
a social site, Record-a-Poem members can also follow fellow poet-readers as they
choose. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
really, if the first-graders of St. Giles School can record and post <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poetryfoundation/the-crocodile" target="_blank">“The Crocodile”</a> (by Lewis Carroll), you can do this, right? Let me know when I can look for your recording on Record-a-Poem.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-26204082200186855352013-04-30T13:37:00.000-05:002014-12-06T16:22:57.456-06:00Invite a Party of Poets - and they will come! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/biJ3FP8aDjY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Naomi Shihab Nye reads "One Boy Told Me." Listen to more poets on </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere" style="color: rgb(78, 178, 254) !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Poetry Everywhere.</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On this last day of April – poetry month – a reminder
that throughout the year </span><a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2008/04/poets-are-at-their-windows-in-every.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“the poets are at their windows . . . in every section of the tangerine of earth.”</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNChOJv1PoaKQKhb7eUhKwChkVxyTfwBILjrl9V9cHt8WDyYxeFSOmdb6YopCfjU3r9YXq9AKROHY7ox3dg9rY26NhUXKbtdWEmkvT-jECafmnxHl6pX9YIpUYsVuXG3nVKkvR/s1600/BillyCollins-images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNChOJv1PoaKQKhb7eUhKwChkVxyTfwBILjrl9V9cHt8WDyYxeFSOmdb6YopCfjU3r9YXq9AKROHY7ox3dg9rY26NhUXKbtdWEmkvT-jECafmnxHl6pX9YIpUYsVuXG3nVKkvR/s1600/BillyCollins-images.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>poets, being people like the rest of us, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are as different from one another as we all
are – and their poetic renderings of our world, both without and within, come
as varied as their own individual lives. No need to take my word for it. These days
via internet you can invite a poet, or a party of poets, into your own home at
any hour – and they will come! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwojfzK4KA7sdaIm1AuQP9uFkpaIqTt0rJTaOefONV4_bUsQhoUfM6twelvLlgMPdW1-elHY7fTOpP3R9ptyvNEyWFwsxjljoJWqgiwg40abedO_6D7A4NMlYVCRa7WLzY2id/s1600/RTEmagicC_shihab-nye_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwojfzK4KA7sdaIm1AuQP9uFkpaIqTt0rJTaOefONV4_bUsQhoUfM6twelvLlgMPdW1-elHY7fTOpP3R9ptyvNEyWFwsxjljoJWqgiwg40abedO_6D7A4NMlYVCRa7WLzY2id/s1600/RTEmagicC_shihab-nye_jpg.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A few of my favorite videos are found in the <a href="http://www.dodgepoetry.org/archive/video/" target="_blank">video archives</a> of the <a href="http://www.dodgepoetry.org/" target="_blank">Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry </a>site and on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/" target="_blank">Poetry Everywhere</a> with Garrison Keillor.
Below is a sampling – the first three poems are humorous – with an invitation
to explore more on your own: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtN1EAngUtitc3_O5EYAn766lhEKpeAbaFGX35z2O0aLyT6CjGQi-jRQesNcYFDu4FZo2bpv8l-3m2ODKbd8W9l3gJLOYxshV7eR2a48zUiBO_2gNDsrk77p_UY9VU-lG2i4M/s1600/RTEmagicC_clifton_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtN1EAngUtitc3_O5EYAn766lhEKpeAbaFGX35z2O0aLyT6CjGQi-jRQesNcYFDu4FZo2bpv8l-3m2ODKbd8W9l3gJLOYxshV7eR2a48zUiBO_2gNDsrk77p_UY9VU-lG2i4M/s1600/RTEmagicC_clifton_jpg.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Naomi
Shihab Nye<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/nye.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One boy told me</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tony Hoagland<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSDh01zwed0" target="_blank">Romantic Moment</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Billy Collins <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/collins.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lanyard</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kurtis Lamkin <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="https://vimeo.com/36987763" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘jump mama’</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(with music)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lucille Clifton<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/clifton.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">won’t you celebrate with me</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Taha Muhammad Ali<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4fpjDUl1vk" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Revenge</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(in Arabic and English)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coleman Barks<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/barks.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">poem by Rumi</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(with music)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">RELATED BLOG POSTS:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2007/12/rumi-800-years-and-still-strong.html" target="_blank">"Let the Beauty We Love be what We Do" - Rumi</a> </o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2008/04/hold-it-up-to-light-walk-inside-poems.html" target="_blank">"walk inside the poem's room"</a> - "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins </o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f39B1iDDFR4g6IX8UHNz4V_bLdnB6IwIgsOpDMlvoCAPAshpt5tLUPcqP9OhDcVKzsSOSN_9UJhPgZhtP4vydTqAhX2IyX6y0JjfUel_Nhepqg1xf3ir3EtRKwXPF7RM-Srh/s1600/ColemanBarks-untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f39B1iDDFR4g6IX8UHNz4V_bLdnB6IwIgsOpDMlvoCAPAshpt5tLUPcqP9OhDcVKzsSOSN_9UJhPgZhtP4vydTqAhX2IyX6y0JjfUel_Nhepqg1xf3ir3EtRKwXPF7RM-Srh/s1600/ColemanBarks-untitled.png" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-63702675612270541282013-04-15T18:09:00.000-05:002016-10-18T21:11:35.627-05:00Ridvan: 150th Anniversary! A few small Gifts for the Occasion<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRRWw3_cs9_YTyIYjQ_zQSwA7pw3hV7vHhiQud3kDYVrFmIeHYQckWIw7kl6klNUEa4CZr-yG93s0BJvv4k9LbmpsUUTpmhkUh_iu7x0dn0eID9RFa4GuNK7rJ2GQBEmGMk2L/s1600/Book+Cover+-+Baha'u'llah.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRRWw3_cs9_YTyIYjQ_zQSwA7pw3hV7vHhiQud3kDYVrFmIeHYQckWIw7kl6klNUEa4CZr-yG93s0BJvv4k9LbmpsUUTpmhkUh_iu7x0dn0eID9RFa4GuNK7rJ2GQBEmGMk2L/s320/Book+Cover+-+Baha'u'llah.bmp" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“It was an
April afternoon in Baghdad, 1863, when Baha’u’llah left His home and made His
way through the press of people gathered to see Him one last time. . . .” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So begins the
story of <a href="http://www.bahai.us/2012/04/20/in-a-garden-of-paradise-the-bahai-faith-takes-root/" target="_blank">Ridvan</a> – when Baha’u’llah
transformed an occasion of intended disgrace into one of abiding joy. When, on
an island garden in the River Tigris, the air rich with the scent of roses, Baha’u’llah
announced that He was the Promised One whose advent the
faithful of every Faith had prayed to witness. (Read <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-14.html" target="_blank">On the Banks of the Tigris</a>.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
The Story of Baha'u'llah - Anniversary Discount</h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This April
(April 21- May 2) marks the 150<sup>th</sup> anniversary of that historic occasion. In
celebration, <a href="http://www.bahaibookstore.com/productdetails.cfm?sku=SBPO" target="_blank">Baha'i Distribution Service</a> is offering <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha’u’llah: Promised One of All Religions</a></em> at the discounted price of $9.99 through April. Visit my website to find out <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-3.html" target="_blank">what readers say</a> and this page for links to <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank">ebook</a> platforms, your favorite <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank">booksellers</a> and <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank">book-sharing sites</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span> </h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ridvan Gifts from <em>Luminous Realities</em></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span> </h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This Ridvan I
am also delighted to offer a few small gifts at my new <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/" target="_blank">Luminous Realities</a> </em>website. Visit these pages: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank">Who is Baha’u’llah?</a> - Features two-part <strong>Video</strong> about the life of Baha’u’llah. Part One ends with Ridvan. Also view <strong><em>A Photographic Narrative</em></strong>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">Bookpage</a> – View / Print a unique <strong>Timeline</strong> for the life of Baha’u’llah and the Bab.
See more Reader Resources.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/more.html" target="_blank">Maps & More</a> – View / Print maps for the time and life of Baha’u’llah and the
Bab</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/more-3.html" target="_blank">Essays</a> – Read / Print short essay for Ridvan: <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-14.html" target="_blank">On the Banks of the Tigris</a></em> . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong>Related Blog Post: </strong><a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-post.html" target="_blank">The Roses We Bring to Our Friends</a></div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-77333955308765565802013-04-02T21:06:00.000-05:002014-09-07T13:48:45.350-05:00A Courageous, Creative Response to Education Under Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29493907" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/29493907">Rainn Wilson BIHE Video Appeal</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/educationunderfire">Education Under Fire</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe you saw </span><a href="http://argothemovie.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Argo</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> - the gripping escape story that had us
sitting on the edge of our seats – a true story set in Iran in the early days
of its 1979 Revolution. Last night, at a living-room gathering in a friend’s home,
I watched another compelling film set in Iran: </span><a href="http://educationunderfire.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Education Under Fire (<strong>see trailer</strong>)</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> – also a true story – about another group of people in Iran, the Baha’is.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For Baha’is the 1979 Revolution brought </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/story/942" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the beginning of anightmare</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">: from acts of arson and
vandalism to kidnappings, imprisonments, torture, and execution – and the
ongoing, systematic strangulation of human rights </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/story/945" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">spanning all stages of life</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
Still, Baha’is in Iran do not want to run away – Iran is their home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>An Underground College</h4>
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<a href="http://educationunderfire.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Education Under Fire</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> shows the courageous, creative response
to the denial of one right that Baha’is hold dear – the right to higher
education. Since Baha’is are barred from all universities in Iran, they created
their own underground college, the </span><a href="http://bihe.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baha'i Institute of Higher Education -- BIHE</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> –
which began “in kitchens and living rooms and basements across the country,” now
expanded to include online distance-learning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In May 2011 a series of raids and arrests, confiscation of
computers and other materials – which </span><a href="http://www.bahai.us/2007/05/15/rainn-wilson-hollywood%e2%80%99s-funny-guy-talks-straight-about-being-a-bahai/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rainn Wilson</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> talks about in the video clip
above – was intended to close it down. But BIHE returned, stronger than ever.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
A Dangerous Venture</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is still a dangerous venture. Niknaz Aftahi describes </span><a href="http://iran.bahai.us/?p=5948&preview=true" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">what it's like to be a BIHE student</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Volunteer professors and students alike are
always at risk of imprisonment (</span><a href="http://educationunderfire.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">see trailer</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">). But <strong>BIHE has “uplifted the lives of thousands
of Baha’is of all ages,”</strong> reports Rainn Wilson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In our own gathering last night a current teacher and a past
student of BIHE shared their experience in answer to our questions, and told us
that BIHE standards qualify its graduates for acceptance at high-ranking universities
in the U.S. and elsewhere, if they choose. Several have pursued advanced
degrees and returned to Iran to teach others at BIHE. Iranian Baha’is want to
contribute to the betterment of their homeland.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Speaking Up</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>On 4 April the complete 30-minute Education Under Fire
documentary will be released online in English, French, and Persian.</strong> You too
can view the video, share with others, perhaps write a letter or find another
way to lend support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike Argo, where secrecy was the name of the game, public
knowledge is critical to keep the pressure on Iran for human rights. </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/story/893" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amnesty International</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">,
the </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/story/935" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">United Nations</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, the </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/story/939" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S. Congress</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">people and nations around the world</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> are
speaking up on behalf of Baha’is, as well as others who suffer in Iran. See the </span><a href="http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">latest updates here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For videos with personal stories from Baha’is and others –
including <strong>journalist Roxanna Saberi</strong>, once imprisoned with Baha’is in Tehran – visit
the </span><a href="http://educationunderfire.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Education Under Fire website</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (and scroll down).</span><br />
</div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-23880625049357684402013-03-24T15:19:00.000-05:002014-09-07T13:47:18.610-05:00Happy Naw-Ruz! from Around the World<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/62191250" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/62191250">Naw Ruz English version</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user13415956">Nadine Reyhani</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
In my last post I shared <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2013/03/naw-ruz-story-of-terrible-journey.html" target="_blank">a Naw-Ruz episode</a> from <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></em>. (Naw-Ruz is the Baha'i New Year) Today I want to share this lovely collection of global Naw-Ruz greetings - along with my heartfelt wishes to each and every blog reader for a year filled with abundant creative hours.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
A Blessing to Bring into a New Year</h4>
This passage* from a talk by <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-11.html" target="_blank">'Abdu'l-Baha</a> in another spring, during His visit to America, carries a blessing for us to bring into the New Year: <br />
<br />
<strong>"...the spiritual bounty and springtime of God quicken the world of humanity with a new animus and vivification.</strong> All the virtues which have been deposited and potential in human hearts are being revealed from that Reality as flowers and blossoms from divine gardens. It is a day of joy, a time of happiness, a period of spiritual growth. <br />
<br />
I beg of God that this divine spiritual civilization may have the fullest impression and effect upon you. May you become as growing plants. <strong>May the trees of your hearts bring forth new leaves and variegated blossoms.</strong> May ideal fruits appear from them in order that the world of humanity, which has grown and developed in material civilization, may be quickened in the bringing forth of spiritual ideals."<br />
<br />
* Quoted by author <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/homa-sabet-tavangar/happy-nowruz-to-all_b_2916012.html?utm_source=Alert-blogger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email%2BNotifications&utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=1122986,b=facebook" target="_blank">Homa Sabet Tavangar</a> in the Huffington Post Blog Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-42885509871202874832013-03-21T20:11:00.001-05:002013-03-24T16:18:13.239-05:00Naw-Ruz & the End of a Terrible Journey<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfwWUvIfArtt9exnXzXwWDX-S-ZzwXt6YdR6j4sWvCjIhtPWBQRkhCfQJbT9EZmsI4eXUQaDzmd7-l8YVcovCYDCv0MVNyxRhNj_G-8rjKqhScPdRomoaB7uKt8G8A3zqIdK/s1600/798px-Oshtoran_Kooh+-Zagros+Mts-Wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfwWUvIfArtt9exnXzXwWDX-S-ZzwXt6YdR6j4sWvCjIhtPWBQRkhCfQJbT9EZmsI4eXUQaDzmd7-l8YVcovCYDCv0MVNyxRhNj_G-8rjKqhScPdRomoaB7uKt8G8A3zqIdK/s400/798px-Oshtoran_Kooh+-Zagros+Mts-Wikipedia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zagros Mountains, along borders of Iran and Iraq - Wikimedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I felt especially grateful to be where I am, to celebrate
</span><a href="http://www.bahai.us/2012/03/20/with-spring-comes-the-bahai-new-year/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Naw-Ruz – the Baha'i New Year</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> – at a park in Austin, to greet friends I have
made in the past year, meet at least one someone new – and get jazzed by a
conversation with other writers eager to meet up to support one another. What a
great way to begin a New Year! Sweetest of all was the presence of our one-month
old grandson, who seemed quite content to accompany his dear mom and dad to their<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>first Naw-Ruz together. </span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Cold "so intense that one cannot even speak" </h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1853 </span><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baha’u’llah</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> celebrated Naw-Ruz with His family outside
of Baghdad. They were a small band of exiles who had survived a </span><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-27.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Terrible Journey</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> of exile across the towering Zagros Mountains – a journey made in the
harshest of winters, with cold “’so intense that one cannot even speak,’” Baha’u’llah
would later write, the “’ice and snow so abundant’” that it was “’impossible to
move.’” They had been expected to die. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But spring found them camped next to an orange grove, the
scent of orange blossoms wafting over them. Date palms grew all around. The
green of winter wheat and barley stretched over the fields beyond. Here, although
they would never see their homeland again, Baha’u’llah and His family celebrated
the New Year with gratitude. Everything had been taken from them, yet ultimate
power, Baha’u’llah assured them, did not belong to their enemies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-27.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excerpt 2: Terrible Journey</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-26.html#!prettyPhoto" target="_blank">Excerpt 1: Banished</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">f</span>or more of this episode from </span><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Story of Baha’u’llah</span></em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
– and more on the traditional Persian Naw-Ruz</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>***NEXT:</strong> </span><a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2013/03/happy-naw-ruz-from-around-world.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Naw-Ruz! from Around the World</span></strong></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></strong></o:p></div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-36150198319366174832013-01-01T22:43:00.000-06:002013-01-03T10:33:00.327-06:00New: Luminous Realities the website! - and - The Story of Baha'u'llah as ebook!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqrZPvnBhbmGkouhyJYHNbQGd7Tq_aGMaqz-7lb1aff3lQ_DNuso0wHb1T_B6cnSXodGaNVorFiWxKgn6WcQ3vB9pWVSqrmPNGlzJh1kNhQ-el8RmCct1boOdhITHt-tb7K_a/s1600/Druzelle13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqrZPvnBhbmGkouhyJYHNbQGd7Tq_aGMaqz-7lb1aff3lQ_DNuso0wHb1T_B6cnSXodGaNVorFiWxKgn6WcQ3vB9pWVSqrmPNGlzJh1kNhQ-el8RmCct1boOdhITHt-tb7K_a/s320/Druzelle13.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I'd like to begin 2013 with two fresh offerings created for readers over the course of 2012.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
The Story of Baha'u'llah <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank">as ebook</a></h4>
Baha'i Publishing made me very happy with this one. I love my own e-reader, the glow-light Nook, which lets me carry as many books as I want with no additional weight! And yes, I still love a 'real' book in hand: mine is also available in its orignal softcover form. Visit my <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-31.html" target="_blank">BUY THE BOOK</a> page for links to both forms. <br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
My New <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index.html" target="_blank"><em>Luminous Realities</em> website</a></h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4myPF_F9vMQEjp7nnJT8ajzdYTY5FsO9vCcarL4Hk7lk-V21tt7Uze1YSasyOeE0-Ygm3IS9fqCrekRePX5W1OAfjAahg37hYBJTnkLjIKCfeodG-GMiDLrEzg19UGq1GfEA5/s1600/AVPageView+4232011+30905+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4myPF_F9vMQEjp7nnJT8ajzdYTY5FsO9vCcarL4Hk7lk-V21tt7Uze1YSasyOeE0-Ygm3IS9fqCrekRePX5W1OAfjAahg37hYBJTnkLjIKCfeodG-GMiDLrEzg19UGq1GfEA5/s400/AVPageView+4232011+30905+PM.bmp.jpg" width="156" /></a>A labor of love with practical purpose. In particular it allows me to share book-related resources in a user-friendly way. Visit <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index.html" target="_blank">Luminous Realities</a></em> and find, in addition to Book Excerpts and Reader Reviews:<br />
<br />
<strong>Free website downloads</strong><br />
* Reader's Guide Questions<br />
* Timelines<br />
* Maps<br />
* Essays for Holy Days<br />
<br />
<strong>Videos</strong> <br />
* Overview of the life of Baha'u'llah<br />
* Short videos on Current Baha'i life<br />
* One Common Faith - set in India<br />
<br />
<strong>Readers will also find: </strong><br />
* This <em>Luminous Realities</em> blog<br />
* My Paradigm for Creativity <br />
* Poetry<br />
* An author reading<br />
* FreeRice - play a game & feed the hungry <br />
<br />
<strong>Readers often tell me they are using <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-2.html" target="_blank">The Story of Baha'u'llah</a></em> in their communities -</strong> in book clubs and study classes, devotions and holy days, in the education of children and youth. I hope the book-related resources serve you well. <br />
<br />
To all my readers: Write and let me know what you like! <br />
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</div>
Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-24992462801213022942012-09-26T15:22:00.002-05:002012-09-26T15:30:07.176-05:00Creative Nonfiction: "Mrs. Kelley's Monster" - How Jon Franklin wrote a classic<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvLx4gxzCzX9rBPa9wzfZOwVOG5t-aD-xhRMcwGh4RHArCesdRI-OS_qMtRM2rE0gKp9EDmjAnygS5BDj8LPmsdp3RCYqpnZ2XJRTbGgyiq4qduTcmQQxnWzfYcOCu7AQSn0d/s1600/Jon+Franklin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvLx4gxzCzX9rBPa9wzfZOwVOG5t-aD-xhRMcwGh4RHArCesdRI-OS_qMtRM2rE0gKp9EDmjAnygS5BDj8LPmsdp3RCYqpnZ2XJRTbGgyiq4qduTcmQQxnWzfYcOCu7AQSn0d/s200/Jon+Franklin.jpg" width="151" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s not often a master writer shares a line-by-line lesson
in the craft. Jon Franklin does just that in this interview and instructive
piece on the Neiman Storyboard: <a href="http://www.niemanstoryboard.org/2012/08/24/line-by-line-mrs-kellys-monster-how-jon-franklin-wrote-a-classic/" target="_blank">Line by Line: "Mrs. Kelley's Monster" - how Jon Franklin wrote a classic</a>. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I encountered Mrs. Kelley’s Monster years ago in <a href="http://www.jonfranklin.com/index.html" target="_blank">Jon Franklin’s</a> instructive book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0452272955/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=12970473235&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=329512509246366275&hvpone=8.82&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_7h9ff56ha6_b" target="_blank">Writing for Story</a></em> – <strong>the first book I read about
the emerging craft of writing creative nonfiction</strong>. Why do we continue to read it?
Storyboard interviewer Paige Williams answers that question at the outset: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBblvYEQ3_Sgv9UsZpFpCGFwbdGs0OMR7HfNOpH3Nm36XFEAldblzpFRlJmiabky-hMG-wa1G784bH6tT-uiJ8pr3uC0MpxzzjARWyyMoZpxs8qNjAH41e7oOmlWu18Lq0KBR/s1600/Writing+for+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBblvYEQ3_Sgv9UsZpFpCGFwbdGs0OMR7HfNOpH3Nm36XFEAldblzpFRlJmiabky-hMG-wa1G784bH6tT-uiJ8pr3uC0MpxzzjARWyyMoZpxs8qNjAH41e7oOmlWu18Lq0KBR/s200/Writing+for+Story.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“<span style="color: #660000;">Jon
Franklin’s "<a href="http://www.jonfranklin.com/Stories/Mrs_Kellys_Monster.html" target="_blank">Mrs. Kelly's Monster</a>," </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> which in 1979 won the <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/awards/1979" target="_blank">inaugural</a> </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial;">Pulitzer Prize for
feature writing, ran 33 years ago but never loses its power to captivate or
instruct. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Franklin</st1:city></st1:place>
followed a brain surgeon through a tense operation on a woman named Edna Kelly
and wrote a tight, timeless narrative that stands as a model of precision
reporting and evocative writing.”</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Not only is the interview insightful, but the Storyboard
version of Mrs. Kelley’s Monster integrates <strong>Franklin’s line-by-line writer
comments</strong> (in blue font) throughout – bringing our attention to the details of
pacing, tension, verbs, description, and more – how each serves to move the
story forward, to dig deeper into the story’s truth, to reach the human reality
at its heart. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>H</strong></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>ow often do you get that kind of instruction from such a
writer?</strong> It is something you can return to again and again, and still glean
something new. </span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt5uHIP7R2tdT-df9nPrPM9szqWHh4TlgiTmGtk8b1iVy-2FFrqQd02ERNfTjw2GtFkXV9KDRhmpYJqJK0Oa3h0ZLIEs1A4UNF82UefcATtqCoN062yw5JLIwjnPT5mVU4nrX/s1600/storyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt5uHIP7R2tdT-df9nPrPM9szqWHh4TlgiTmGtk8b1iVy-2FFrqQd02ERNfTjw2GtFkXV9KDRhmpYJqJK0Oa3h0ZLIEs1A4UNF82UefcATtqCoN062yw5JLIwjnPT5mVU4nrX/s200/storyboard.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is just one of the <a href="http://www.niemanstoryboard.org/category/essays-on-craft/" target="_blank">Essays on Craft</a> on the <a href="http://www.niemanstoryboard.org/" target="_blank">Neiman Storyboard<strong>*</strong></a> – an indispensable resource for creative nonfiction writers, in
particular, and for other writers looking to hone their skills. Read the
Storyboard’s <a href="http://www.niemanstoryboard.org/category/notable-narratives/" target="_blank">Notable Narratives</a> to see fresh, compelling true-story narratives.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Curious about creative nonfiction? Find out more on the <a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index-22.html" target="_blank">Creative Nonfiction page</a> of <strong>my new
website:</strong> <em><a href="http://druzellecederquist.com/index.html" target="_blank">Luminous Realities</a>.</em> </span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>*</strong>A project of the Neiman Foundation for Journalism at
Harvard </span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p>Luminous Realities: Exploring the Creative Process & Other Notes from an Author's Desk in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17459172792861210073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-55516014451105463992012-06-28T12:09:00.000-05:002012-06-28T16:26:27.296-05:00Writing to You from my Author's Desk in Austin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zl10nDIOhlo/T-vLhhgI3mI/AAAAAAAADxw/4Hjt6UXdPVM/s1600/Austin+-+House+&+Garden+2012+002-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zl10nDIOhlo/T-vLhhgI3mI/AAAAAAAADxw/4Hjt6UXdPVM/s400/Austin+-+House+&+Garden+2012+002-001.JPG" vca="true" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“We are all, at heart, gradualists, our expectations set by the steady passage of time.”</span> – <a href="http://www.gladwell.com/bio.html" target="_blank">Malcolm Gladwell</a></div>
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June 17 was my birthday, marking <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2007/06/one-more-time-around-sun.html" target="_blank">“one more time around the sun”</a> – the reassuring repetition of a familiar planetary journey. Almost enough to lull one into false expectations. But life does not move like a fixed planet. Change is likely to chart a course of its own, with a sudden shift at a “moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point” – <em><a href="http://www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html" target="_blank">The Tipping Point</a></em> – in the words of author Malcolm Gladwell. <br />
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<strong>That would explain the past year – </strong>and why blog readers haven’t seen so much of me in the blogosphere.<br />
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Not that I’m complaining. I am grateful. So many things, over which I had little or no control, went well. But CHANGE occurred. The gradual five-year post-retirement plan (my husband’s) became a nine-month pre-retirement whirlwind that moved front and center on our radar. <strong>MOVE was the eye of our personal hurricane.</strong> Even as we began conversation with a realtor, we had no idea of the fast and furious days to come. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Bare Bones</span></div>
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Here it is in bare bones: We first found a place in Austin, Texas, for my 93 year-old mother-in-law (our prime reason for moving); sold our New York house; <strong>culled stuff from 26 years in one place – including over 250 books (a new-found love for e-books!)</strong>; found a house in Austin; said good-byes to dear friends in the Hudson Valley with a pang of sorrow and promises of Facebook, phone, and otherwise keeping in touch; <strong>MOVED</strong>; unpacked (all but a last couple of boxes - papers over which I developed decision-fatigue), and began the settling-in and finding-our-way-around process. (Whatever did folks do before Google Maps?!)</div>
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<strong>Sometimes amid the speed of things I would pause,</strong> along with my husband, take a breath, and try to let my spirit catch up with physical events. I had not seriously thought about leaving the Hudson Valley – until I did. <strong>Amazing what a different mind-set will open up!</strong> We had done this sort of thing before – another Texas move, a move to Nigeria – but not in a long time. Still, change is good for the brain – and the spirit. Our move has already had good results. <br />
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My nonagenarian mother-in-law is thriving with family nearby. We live close enough to one set of adult children to share a meal or a movie or a hike – what a joy! Our home is a new point of gathering for more family, too, and a growing garden of new friends as we learn our way around a new community, in all the many paths of community life. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quietly in the Background</span></div>
As grateful as I am, these life events and related things have been <strong>a HUGE interruption to my writing life</strong>. (In addition to work on a new author website – to be launched soon!) I have a publisher waiting patiently for a book over-due, and you, my blog readers, have barely heard from me. <br />
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Other writers might have coped better, <strong>but at last I am here</strong> – connecting with you now from my author’s desk in a new place. Writing a book means that my blogging time is limited. But there are new writer resources I want to share with you - and the on-going learning that beats at the heart of the <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/p/grow-writers-brain.html" target="_blank">creative paradigm</a>. <br />
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Some change, I am reminded, happens quietly in the background, with subtle shifts – like the growing of a writer’s brain. <br />
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<strong>Related Blog Post:</strong> <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-delightful-surprise-to-answer-door.html" target="_blank">Birthday Flowers, Birthday Reflections</a><br />
<br /></div>Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-39166190099799857482012-06-24T10:25:00.000-05:002014-10-10T21:57:03.932-05:00FreeRice: Yes, you DO make a Difference when you Play this Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1476" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Click Play at FreeRice.com</span></strong></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <strong>– feed a hungry person. Everybody wins.</strong> Watch the video above and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://youtu.be/OigfQZEx5iw?list=UUfxThYythP_91wsR7F9a3dg" target="_blank">this video</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> to see <span style="color: black;">why FreeRice is <em>"not your average trivia game."</em></span> </span><br />
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June is my birthday month, <strong>so I am inviting friends to play my favorite game</strong> – <a href="http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1476" target="_blank"><strong>FreeRice</strong> </a>– and join more than 9 billion players who have made FreeRice a world-wide phenomenon! <a href="http://freerice.com/category" target="_blank"><strong>Choose a subject</strong></a> such as Vocabulary – Famous paintings – Languages – World landmarks – Math – Science – SAT prep. The set-up is multiple-choice. Each right answer earns 10 grains of rice. It’s fun to play, either solo or with friends. <br />
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<strong>The best part is this:</strong> Your game rice translates into real rice – food distributed through the <a href="http://www.wfp.org/" target="_blank">World Food Program (WFP)</a> to people who desparately need it. <strong>Watch the video above</strong> to see how it all adds up around the world – billions of grains of rice - caring in the form of a simple game.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Take a 5-Question Quiz & Feed a Child</u></span></div>
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To get a sense of the global picture, check out the <a href="http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats" target="_blank">WFP Hunger Stats</a>. Take this simple <a href="http://quiz.wfp.org/?icn=hunger-iq-test&ici=homepage-link" target="_blank"><strong>5-question quiz</strong></a> – you may be surprised at the answers – but just taking the quiz lets you provide a warm meal to a child who needs it. See what the <a href="http://www.wfp.org/hunger/malnutrition" target="_blank">critical window for children </a>means in this 2' video. </div>
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And from the <a href="http://freerice.com/about/faq" target="_blank">FAQ’s</a> of the FreeRice folks: <br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>QUESTION:</strong></span> Do I really make a difference by playing FreeRice? <br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>ANSWER:</strong></span> Yes, the rice you donate makes a huge difference to the person who receives it. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Cooperation & A Science Footnote</u></span></div>
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FreeRice is the power of cooperation at work in the world – which brings me to a science footnote. Remember the “survival-of-the-fittest” notion of evolution? Current science suggests an update: <strong>“[C]ooperation has been a driving force in the evolution of life on earth,”</strong> writes Harvard professor and researcher Martin A. Novak,* and humans are “the most cooperative species.” He highlights the “monumental feats” we have accomplished by working together in his article <em><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-we-help-evolution-cooperation" target="_blank">Why We Help</a>.</em> [<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/sciammag/" target="_blank">Scientific American</a>: <em>The Evolution of Cooperation</em>. July 2012]</div>
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Yes, we have cycles of more or less cooperation, “visible in the ups and downs of human history,” writes Novak. ”And yet the altruistic spirit always seems to rebuild itself; our moral compasses somehow realign.” <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Cooperation: in the Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha</u></span></div>
Which brings me to America in 1912 – 100 years ago – and the words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. <a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/talk/love-first-effulgence-divinity" target="_blank">"The supreme need of humanity is cooperation and reciprocity,"</a> said ‘Abdu’l-Baha to His audience – which became thousands during His nine months <a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/abdul-baha-in-america" target="_blank">sojourn in America</a>. “The stronger the ties of fellowship and solidarity amongst men, the greater will be the power of constructiveness and accomplishment in all the planes of human activity.” <br />
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<a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/" target="_blank">In every talk, in every personal encounter,</a> <strong>‘Abdu’l-Baha’s intent</strong> was to broaden the mind and open the heart to ever larger spheres of cooperation. This was the purpose of all the divine religions, He would affirm in a myriad ways – to establish true bonds of love and fellowship – beyond the smaller spheres of family, of nation, of race. <br />
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<strong>However you choose to think of </strong><a href="http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1476" target="_blank">FreeRice</a> – as a fun game, a way to feed the hungry, or an emblem of something larger – play often and enjoy. And know that you are part of something larger than the daily news feed. A little birthday blogger’s gift from me to you. <br />
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<strong>Related Blog Posts:</strong><br />
* <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-action-day-poverty.html" target="_blank">Blog Action Day - Poverty: FreeRice & A Story</a><br />
* <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2010/06/fight-world-hunger.html" target="_blank">My Birthday Wish? Play a Game at FreeRice</a><br />
* <a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post.html" target="_blank">FreeRice: From the Heartland</a></div>
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Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20440739.post-58678098634113091332012-04-02T17:12:00.002-05:002012-04-05T22:05:48.414-05:001912 - 2012: Celebrate A Cherry Blossom Day & 'Abdu'l-Baha in America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year's <a href="http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/" target="_blank">Cherry Blossom Festival</a> in Washington, D.C. celebrates 100 years since that the first gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912, <em>"a diplomatic gesture of goodwill."</em> What escapes the hype is the more complicated backstory, which began in 1885 with one woman, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cherry/cherry-blossom-history.htm" target="_blank">Mrs. Eliza Scidmore</a>, and speaks volumes on what individual intiative can lead to.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The trees blossomed unusually early this season - March instead of April - disappointing many who planned April visits. But I invite anyone who wishes, to a few meditative moments immersed in the beautiful <strong>video</strong> </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/04/cherry_blossoms.html?ps=bb2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Cherry Blossom Day, sunrise to sunset</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Let the haunting, instrumental strains of <em><strong>Sakura</strong></em>, a traditional Japanese folk song, seep into your spirit as the beauty of the day opens before you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or, if that doesn't rock your boat, try this </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RftUET762j4#!" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">more lively take on a D.C. cherry blossom day</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. The video may be amateur, but the music makes me <em>feel</em> spring. </span></div>
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April 1912 saw another sort of visitor to Washington, D.C. - <a href="http://www.bahai.us/welcome/founders-and-history/abdul-baha/" target="_blank">'Abdu'l-Baha</a>, known as <em><strong>"an ambasador of peace, a champion of justice, and the leading exponent of a new Faith."</strong></em> This year Baha'is throughout the U.S. are celebrating the <a href="http://centenary.bahai.us/abdul-baha-in-america" target="_blank">centennial of 'Abdul-Baha's nine-month sojourn in America</a>, during which He spoke at amazingly diverse venues, to thousands eager to listen, on topics that could be at home on op ed pages today - and with insights still current. </div>
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<strong>'Abdu'l-Baha encouraged those in the arts,</strong> in person and in personal correspondence, so let me end with this brief excerpt: </div>
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"I rejoice to hear that thou takest pains with thine art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship. </div>
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The more thou strivest to perfect it, the closer wilt thou come to God." </div>
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Related Blog Post: <strong><a href="http://luminousrealities.blogspot.com/2009/04/cherry-blossom-day.html" target="_blank">A Cherry Blossom Day</a></strong></div>
</div>Druzelle Cederquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662564520309380136noreply@blogger.com0