good podcasts

Interfaith Religious Studies Seminars

A collection of talks given by Dr. Hossain Danesh in Canada, where he shares his personal reflections on a variety of subjects.

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

Dr. Hossain Danesh Talks

talks

Baha'i stories/ podcast.

Baha'i Talks & Interviews

This is the story of Nora Crossley and her sacrifice of cutting off her long auburn hair to raise money for the construction of the Baha'i Temple in North America, a sacrifice which was heralded by Abdu'l-Baha as an act of "imperishable glory".

You can watch this story on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMcypm1Y-sE

The text is based on this Baha'i Blog tribute written by Rob Weinberg: https://www.bahaiblog.net/articles/history-tributes/a-tribute-to-nora-crossley/

You can find more animated stories, including a vignette about Abdu'l-Baha at Christmas and an anecdote of how Fred Mortenson "rode the rails" to visit Him, in this playlist:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLePDtgwcyKASfsEoxN7rX9-K4Fdlp6118

Curious to know more about Baha'i temples? You might find this introduction helpful: https://www.bahaiblog.net/articles/bahai-life/bahai-temples-a-brief-introduction/

Special thanks to George Ronald for their permission to share the historical photograph of the Manchester Baha'is.

Narrator
Rouhangeze Baichoo 
https://linktr.ee/Rouhangeze
https://www.instagram.com/rouhangeze_music/

Music Credit
https://uppbeat.io/t/arend/ode-ii
License code: CAOIE2RWYN5B9SKG

Nora Crossley - A Story from the Baha'i Faith

This is an account from the historian Nabil, one of those present at the Ridvan Garden in Baghdad in 1863 when Baha'u'llah announced His Mission as the Promised One of all religions. This description is quoted in Shoghi Effendi's seminal history of the early years of the Baha'i Faith, God Passes By, and is read beautifully here by Corinne.

You can watch a video of this account on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1X3PdnCTc

Here is Nabil's description:

“Every day, ere the hour of dawn, the gardeners would pick the roses which lined the four avenues of the garden, and would pile them in the center of the floor of His blessed tent. So great would be the heap that when His companions gathered to drink their morning tea in His presence, they would be unable to see each other across it. 

All these roses Bahá’u’lláh would, with His own hands, entrust to those whom He dismissed from His presence every morning to be delivered, on His behalf, to His Arab and Persian friends in the city.

One night, the ninth night of the waxing moon, I happened to be one of those who watched beside His blessed tent. As the hour of midnight approached, I saw Him issue from His tent, pass by the places where some of His companions were sleeping, and begin to pace up and down the moonlit, flower-bordered avenues of the garden. 

So loud was the singing of the nightingales on every side that only those who were near Him could hear distinctly His voice. He continued to walk until, pausing in the midst of one of these avenues, He observed: `Consider these nightingales. So great is their love for these roses, that sleepless from dusk till dawn, they warble their melodies and commune with burning passion with the object of their adoration. How then can those who claim to be afire with the rose-like beauty of the Beloved choose to sleep?’ 

For three successive nights I watched and circled round His blessed tent. Every time I passed by the couch whereon He lay, I would find Him wakeful, and every day, from morn till eventide, I would see Him ceaselessly engaged in conversing with the stream of visitors who kept flowing in from Baghdád. Not once could I discover in the words He spoke any trace of dissimulation.”

You can read God Passes By online in its entirety on the Baha'i Reference Library: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/god-passes-by/

Find more resources dedicated to the Festival of Ridvan in this special Baha'i Blog collection: https://www.bahaiblog.net/collection/calendar/festival-of-ridvan/

Some images and text are courtesy of the Baha'i International Community. Other images are from Pexels, Unsplash, Rawpixel, or are in the public domain.

Narration: Corinne

Music: Ophelia by Roo Walker
https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/ophelia
License code: CS60KJHMP6CWOV8N

Roses of Ridvan - A Story from the Baha'i Faith

In this reading, we explore a story from early Baha'i history, sourced from famed Baha'i historian Nabil's much celebrated opus "The Dawn-Breakers". We hear of the Bab's summoning to a convocation of religious leaders in Tabriz, and the extraordinary pronouncement He made at that gathering.

You can also watch a video of this story on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz4kd3-RC0M&lc=UgyoAK0ef-Ini9pn4Mt4AaABAg

Visit this Baha'i Blog collection for more information and resources related to the Declaration of the Bab: https://www.bahaiblog.net/collection/calendar/the-declaration-of-the-bab/

The words of the Bab included in this video have also been sung in our Studio Sessions series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQi94Q_JUyE

And: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo4Nk_Z1gLI

Narration by: Jamie Evans

Music Credits:
Where It All Began by Cory Alstad
https://uppbeat.io/t/cory-alstad/where-it-all-began
License code: RA5WZJPE2TNZFUMA

Lament by Arend
https://uppbeat.io/t/arend/lament
License code: 1QSN5E1AIZ7GQQ2Y

Some images and text are courtesy of the Baha'i International Community. Other images are from Encyclopædia Britannica, Pexels, Unsplash, Rawpixel, or are in the public domain.

The text of the video is courtesy of the Baha'i International Community and is from:
The Life of the Bab - https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/life-the-bab
The Babi movement - https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/babi-movement
God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi
The Dawn-Breakers: Nabil’s Narrative of the Early Days of the Baha’i Revelation
https://oceanoflights.org/shoghi-effendi-trans-011-the-dawn-breakers-en/

The Promised One - A Story from the Bahai Faith

The Promised One - A Story from the Baha'i Faith

June 18, 2023 will mark 40 years since 10 Baha’i women were hanged in Shiraz. Their only ‘crime’ was their refusal to renounce their beliefs in a faith that promotes the principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness. 

Today, in the blood, tears and wounds of thousands of young women in Iran fighting for equality, we can see the legacy of the 10 women of Shiraz whose tragic death touched the lives of many. 

With this video, we honour not only the anniversary of these 10 women but we honour all women who have contributed to building a better Iran through their suffering, to say that our story is one.

To participate in the Our Story is One campaign, visit this special website by the Baha'i International Community: https://www.ourstoryisone.bic.org/

For more artistic expressions and resources related to the ongoing persecution of the Baha'is in Iran, visit this Baha'i Blog collection: https://www.bahaiblog.net/collection/themes/our-story-is-one-the-persecution-of-bahais-in-iran/

Narration: Corinne

Photos courtesy of the Baha'i International Community sourced from the Archives of Baha'i Persecution in Iran - https://iranbahaipersecution.bic.org/ 

Music:
Lights by Danijel Zambo
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/lights
License code: 2SAUUOTJENAKTINN

Lament by Arend
https://uppbeat.io/t/arend/lament
License code: LZEQ4PKRN01OPQMI

10 Women of Shiraz - A Chapter from Baha'i (and Iranian) History

BIC statement to the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women emphasizes self-transformation in institutions that aim to foster more gender-equal societies.

BIC New York: Reimagining the role of institutions in building gender-equal societies

Part 2: Recreating Ourselves in the Image of the Master

Mr. Lample gave a talk in August 2013 at the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, USA, and he covers a number of topics including his personal thoughts on the current Plan and the activities propelling the community-building process forward.

Paul Lample - Community Building Process

Thanks to the Baha'i Publishing Trust of Sweden, we’re happy to share with everyone a great talk given by Dr. Steven Phelps called “The Baha'i Faith & Atheism (Part 1 of 2)”.

You can also listen to and download Part 2 of this talk here: https://soundcloud.com/bahai-blog/the-bahai-faith-and-atheism-part-2-of-2

This talk was given by Dr. Steven Phelps at the Swedish Baha'i Summer School in July, 2009.

Dr. Steven Phelps is an American Baha’i physicist, philosopher and translator who currently lives in Oregon, USA. If you're interested in learning more about him, he was interviewed by Rainn Wilson in this episode of the Baha'i Blogcast: https://soundcloud.com/user-545312385/bahai-blogcast-steven-and-rainn

We’d really like to thank Dr. Steven Phelps for giving us permission to publish this wonderful talk, and to the Baha'i Publishing Trust of Sweden for organising the recording of the talk, and for giving us permission to publish it as well.

Happy listening!

The Baha'i Faith and Atheism (Swedish Summer School July 2009)

The Baha'i Faith & Atheism (Part 1 of 2) - A Talk by Dr. Steven Phelps

Thanks to the Baha'i Publishing Trust of Sweden, we’re happy to share with everyone a great talk given by Dr. Steven Phelps called “The Baha'i Faith & Atheism (Part  2 of 2)”.

You can also listen to and download Part 1 of this talk here: https://soundcloud.com/bahai-blog/the-bahai-faith-and-atheism-part-1-of-2-swedish-summer-school-july-2009

This talk was given by Dr. Steven Phelps at the Swedish Baha'i Summer School in July, 2009.

Dr. Steven Phelps is an American Baha’i physicist, philosopher and translator who currently lives in Oregon, USA. If you're interested in learning more about him, he was interviewed by Rainn Wilson in this episode of the Baha'i Blogcast: https://soundcloud.com/user-545312385/bahai-blogcast-steven-and-rainn

We’d really like to thank Dr. Steven Phelps for giving us permission to publish this wonderful talk, and to the Baha'i Publishing Trust of Sweden for organising the recording of the talk, and for giving us permission to publish it as well.

Happy listening!

The Baha'i Faith & Atheism (Part 2 of 2)- A Talk by Dr. Steven Phelps

This wonderful talk by Dr. Nader Saiedi, titled "Fire and Light in the Bab's Tablet Proclaiming to be the Qa'im", has been graciously shared with us by the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Santa Monica, California. 

Dr. Nader Saiedi, a scholar of the Writings of the Bab, shares some context about a historically important and complex Tablet of the Bab's that has yet to be translated into English.

If you are interested in other talks by Dr. Nader Saiedi, you can listen to one titled "Identity and the Spiritual Journey in the Badi Calendar" here: https://soundcloud.com/bahai-blog/identity-and-the-spiritual-journey-in-the-badi-calendar

You can also enjoy a series of 11 talks by him called "Text and Context in the Baha'i Heroic Age" here: https://soundcloud.com/bahai-blog/sets/nader-saiedi-text-and-context

Fire and Light in The Bab's Tablet Proclaiming to Be the Qa'im - Dr. Nader Saiedi

In this talk, given at the Grand Canyon Baha'i Conference (Phoenix, USA) in December, 2012, Dr. Vahid Rafati explores the life, achievements and works of Abdu'l-Baha.

Dr. Vahid Rafati received his B.A degree in Psychology from Tehran University. He subsequently completed his PhD in Islamic Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Rafati has been serving at the Research Department of the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel since 1980 and is the author of numerous articles and books in both Persian and English. 

We'd like to thank the organizing committee of the Grand Canyon Baha'i Conference for granting us permission to share this talk with you, and you can find out more about this annual conference here on their website (http://grandcanyonbahai.org), or from this Baha'i Blog article about the conference: http://bahaiblog.net/site/2016/12/grand-canyon-bahai-conference-phoenix-arizona/#more-24531

You can also watch a lecture by Dr. Rafati on the evolving role of Baha'i scholarship here: http://bahaiblog.net/site/2015/04/the-evolving-role-of-bahai-scholarship-a-talk-by-vahid-rafati/

Abdu'l-Baha the Exemplar - A Talk by Dr. Vahid Rafati

In this series of four talks by Dr. Nader Saiedi called 'Worldview and the Law of the Persian Bayan', Dr. Saiedi offers a holistic, yet concise look at the Persian Bayan, the Mother Book of the Bab's Dispensation. These talks explore the worldview offered in the Persian Bayan by looking at the work in its totality, as well as examining its laws, commandments and ordinances. 

These four talks were given at the Santa Monica Baha'i Center (USA) in September of 2019, and a very special thanks to Dr. Nader Saiedi and the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Santa Monica, California, for allowing Baha'i Blog to publish these talks.

Professor Nader Saiedi is well known for his books 'Logos and Civilization' and 'Gate of the Heart'. Born in Tehran, Iran, he holds a Master’s degree in economics from Pahlavi University in Shiraz and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin. For over 25 years he was a professor of sociology at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. In 2013, he became the Taslimi Foundation Professor of Baha’i Studies in the department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA.

If you enjoyed this talk, you might also enjoy listening to these two interviews with Professor Saiedi on the Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson:
1) Ep. 20: Nader Saiedi:  https://bit.ly/2EfpGTq
2) Ep.48: A Declaration of the Bab Conversation with Nader Saiedi: https://bit.ly/2C5RTPl

You can find out more about the Bab, His life and His Station here: https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/

You can also find an introduction to the Bayan, here on Baha'i Blog: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2014/05/bayan-introduction/

For more talks by Dr. Nader Saiedi, as well as others, please check out Baha'i Blog's Talks playlist:  https://bit.ly/331P7UC

The Worldview and the Laws of the Persian Bayan

Worldview and the Law of the Persian Bayan (Part 1/4) - Dr. Nader Saiedi

Worldview and the Law of the Persian Bayan (Part 2/4) - Dr. Nader Saiedi

Worldview and the Law of the Persian Bayan (Part 3/4) - Dr. Nader Saiedi

Worldview and the Law of the Persian Bayan (Part 4/4) - Dr. Nader Saiedi

Baha’i Blog is delighted to share an audio recording of one of our articles titled, “Seasons of Spirituality: Ayyam-i-Ha, the Fast and Naw-Ruz",” in which we learn how all these holy days are connected in their emphasis on the unity of humanity and service to others. This article is read by its author, Preethi. 

You can read this article here: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2018/02/seasons-spirituality-ayyam-ha-fast-naw-ruz/

You can also listen to this reading on Baha’i Blog’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaGdFMktAnI

If you'd like to hear more audio readings and talks, check out Baha'i Blog's Audio Books & Readings playlist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xLMN2tCC80&list=PLePDtgwcyKATXnKB4fbIUiQj90rIv5FiH) and Baha'i Talks playlist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-f6oG-gSnc&list=PLePDtgwcyKAR-YtCDQomfurBPiEKxPPQg).

You can find more resources about Ayyam-i-Ha here on Baha'i Blog: www.bahaiblog.net/bahai-calendar/about-ayyam-i-ha/

Here are more Baha'i Blog resources dedicated to the Fast: https://www.bahaiblog.net/about-the-bahai-fast/

And last but not least, here are some about Naw-Ruz: https://www.bahaiblog.net/bahai-calendar/naw-ruz/

Seasons of Spirituality: Ayyam-i-Ha, the Fast, and Naw-Ruz

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson.

In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick.

As Baha'is and their friends around the world celebrate the 12-day Festival of Ridvan, I thought it would be nice to create a special episode about Ridvan and its significance, so I got online with my friend, Tom Price, to have a chat about this special time for Baha'is. I hope you find this little conversation about Ridvan interesting and informative.

* Find out more about Ridvan by checking out this Baha'i Blog page full of articles and resources: https://www.bahaiblog.net/bahai-calendar/about-the-festival-of-ridvan/

* Check out the 'Ridvan Is Everywhere' playlist, which brings you family-friendly programming for all 12 days of the Festival of Ridvan: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsn_g0OpWDwIp99WjEHvuNIYIbOfz-WIr

* Learn more about Tom Price by listening to this previous Baha'i Blogcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF2kiyY_uZ0&list=PLePDtgwcyKAQmifUJTw0Kk-hBGL2ZGMJi&index=37&t=1s

Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: 

*YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO 
* iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL 
*Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast 
*Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb 

If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/

Thanks for listening!

-Rainn Wilson

Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Episode 46: A Ridvan Conversation with Tom Price

Episode 46: A Ridvan Conversation with Tom Price

Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson.

In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick.

In this episode, I'm with Mohammad AL Samawi, an interfaith activist from Yemen and a best-selling author of 'The Fox Hunt', a page-turning book about his life and escape from Yemen. Mohammed tells me about his life in Yemen and the civil war there. He tells me how his disability helped change the course of his life and how he became an interfaith activist. We learn about the importance of seeking knowledge and the truth for one's self, and the positive power social media can play in the world. He tells us about his harrowing escape from Yemen to the U.S, and celebrates the fact that there are so many good people in the world. I hope you enjoy this exciting conversation with Mohammed as much as I did! 

To find out more about some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links:

* Mohammed's book 'The Fox Hunt' can be found here on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2SChvZh

* Mohammed's non-profit organization is called 'The Abrahamic House': https://www.abrahamichouse.org/

* Learn more about the situation of the Baha'is in Yemen here: https://www.bic.org/situation-in-yemen/reports-situation-yemen

* Mohammed mentions supporting the good work that the 'International Rescue Committee' is doing: https://www.rescue.org/

* Mohammed mentions the important Baha'i principle of the 'independent investigation of truth', which you can learn more about here: https://bahaiteachings.org/bahai-principles-independent-investigation-of-truth/

* We mention Layli Miller-Muro and supporting the work of 'The Tahirih Justice Center': https://www.tahirih.org/

* You can also listen to our Baha'i Blogcast episode with Layli Miller-Muro here: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2016/07/bahai-blogcast-rainn-wilson-episode-4-layli-miller-muro/

Be sure to subscribe to the Baha’i Blogcast for more episodes on: 

*YouTube: http://bit.ly/2JTNmBO 
* iTunes: http://apple.co/2leHPHL 
*Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bahaiblogcast 
*Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2IXRAnb 

If you would like to find out more about the Baha'i Faith visit BAHAI.ORG, and for more great Baha'i-inspired content check out BAHAIBLOG.NET: http://bahaiblog.net/

Thanks for listening!

-Rainn Wilson

Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Episode 47: Mohammed AL Samawi

Episode 47: Mohammed AL Samawi

In this audio version of an online presentation, Mariette Leong, daughter of Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone, pays tribute to Hyde and Clara Dunn (often referred to as 'Father and Mother Dunn') by telling us about their lives, and also sharing some of her own personal memories as well.

You can watch the video of this online presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnxsIkY6h2U

John Henry Hyde Dunn and Clara Dunn were the first Baha'is to come to Australia on April 10, 1920, and this presentation takes place as Australian Baha'is celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Baha'i Faith in Australia.

This online presentation was given on April 18, 2020.

Special thanks to Mariette and Ho-San Leong, and to all those involved in helping to make this happen.

Learn more about Clara Dunn by either reading or listening to this article called "Remembering Clara Dunn" here: 
*Article: https://bit.ly/2RGaK8w
*Audio: https://bit.ly/2VvUI25

You may also enjoy this presentation by Graham Hassall about Clara and Hyde Dunn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwTJb4ObCjE

Mariette Leong is the daughter of Collis Featherstone, whom you can also read more about here: https://bit.ly/2Y79RKh

Learn more about the history of the Baha'i Faith in Australia here: https://bahai.org.au/index.php/australian-bahai-community/history-australian-bahai-community/

A Tribute to Hyde & Clara Dunn - by Mariette Leong

In this talk titled ‘Exploring Spirituality’, shared in Victoria, Canada on 27 November, 2013, Dr. Hossain Danesh shares some personal reflections on the subject of spirituality. 

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh, and are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

You can also listen to this talk on Baha'i Blog's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0baNCGYMezo

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

Exploring Spirituality

Exploring Spirituality - A Talk by Dr. Hossain Danesh

In this talk titled ‘On Knowledge & Knowing’, shared in Victoria, Canada on 23 January 2014, Dr. Hossain Danesh explores the idea of knowledge.

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

You can also listen to this talk on Baha'i Blog's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QahoSSbdDHY

For more talks by Dr. Danesh, check out the Dr. Hossain Danesh playlist: https://bit.ly/2ZAhpVI

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

On Knowledge and Knowing

On Knowledge & Knowing - A Talk by Dr. Hossain Danesh

In this talk titled ‘Solitude, Meditation, and Prayer’, shared in Victoria, Canada on 24 September, 2015, Dr. Hossain Danesh shares some personal reflections on the subject of solitude, meditation and prayer. 

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

You can also listen to this talk on Baha'i Blog's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBgTmFzKdzU

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

Solitude, Meditation, and Praye - A Talk by Dr Hossain Danesh

Solitude, Meditation, and Prayer - A Talk by Dr Hossain Danesh

In this talk titled ‘Celebrating the Sacred’, shared in Victoria, Canada on 26 December 2013, Dr. Hossain Danesh shares some personal thoughts on the sacred.

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

You can also stream and download this talk from Baha'i Blog's Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/bahai-blog/reflections-on-suffering_a-talk-by-dr-hossain-danesh

For more talks by Dr. Danesh, check out the Dr. Hossain Danesh playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLePDtgwcyKARfn8y3pXiUiIRfbEbf9e01

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

Celebrating The Sacred - A Talk by Dr. Hossain Danesh

Celebrating the Sacred - A Talk by Dr. Hossain Danesh

In this talk titled ‘Reflections on Suffering’, shared in Victoria, Canada on 12 January 2012, Dr. Hossain Danesh shares some personal thoughts on the nature of human suffering.

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works.

You can also listen to this talk on Baha'i Blog's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3onAsPfxg3w

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: bit.ly/31nREtw

Reflections on Suffering: A Talk by Dr Hossain Danesh

In this talk, Dr. Hossain Danesh shares his reflections on the biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs of children and youth’. 

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

This talk was given in Victoria, Canada on 9 February 2012.

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

You can also listen to this talk on Baha'i Blog's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPm6o1k3vTU

Listen to more talks by Dr. Hossain Danesh here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLePDtgwcyKARfn8y3pXiUiIRfbEbf9e01

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

Reflections on the Biological, Psychological, Social & Spiritual Needs of Children & Youth

In this talk titled ‘Origins of Love & its Role in Shaping Our Lives’, shared in Victoria, Canada on 29 March 2012, Dr. Hossain Danesh shares some personal reflections on the role love plays in our lives.

Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, and was a professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg International University), and the author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. For more information, please visit Dr. Danesh’s website: http://www.hbdanesh.org/

The Baha'i Blog team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Danesh. We are forever grateful to him for giving us permission to share these talks, and for the profound wealth of knowledge and insight he has left behind through the breadth of his service and works. 

You can also stream and download this talk from Baha'i Blog's Soundcloud page: 

For more talks by Dr. Danesh, check out the Dr. Hossain Danesh playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLePDtgwcyKARfn8y3pXiUiIRfbEbf9e01

If you’d like to hear more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews, check out Baha’i Blog’s Talks & Interviews playlist here: https://bit.ly/31nREtw

Origins of Love and its Role in Shaping Our Lives

Origins of Love & its Role in Shaping Our Lives - A Talk by Dr. Hossain Danesh

A few years ago, I was visiting Violette and Roderic Haake at their home in Melbourne, Australia, and I was filled with joy as we sat around their kitchen table, drinking tea and sharing stories.

Mrs. Violette Haake was a former member of the International Teaching Centre. She was born in 1928 and dedicated her life to sharing the teachings of the Baha'i Faith, whether in Iran, the United States, Australia or many of the other places she visited as an Auxiliary Board Member, Counsellor or member of the International Teaching Centre.

I was so moved by the recollections that she shared with me that we organized an impromptu get-together that same night and invited some of the young Baha'is in Melbourne to come hear about some of her extraordinary experiences and delight in her wisdom and encouragement.

Thankfully, we filmed what she said that evening and I feel honored to be able to share this video with you.

Mrs. Haake passed away on 24 September 2020 and I'd like to express my deepest condolences to Mr. Roderic Haake, who is seen sitting by Mrs. Haake's side in this video, and to their daughter, Susanne, at this hour of their loss. I'd also like to thank them for granting us permission to publish this video.

Special thanks also goes to Morris Salahifar for helping to organize the evening, and to Jordan Raj for bringing the camera and making it happen. I'd like to apologize: Mrs. Haake mentions my name a lot in the video, as this evening was, in many ways, a continuation of our earlier conversation and I was sitting off-camera. The Universal House of Justice wrote that "Violette possessed a character that blended extraordinary resilience, steadfastness, and inner strength with unfailing kindness, a nurturing instinct, and true joy." I hope this video gives you a glimpse of those attributes and qualities that she possessed in abundance. If you'd like, you can read more of the Universal House of Justice's tribute to her here: https://news.bahai.org/story/1452/

In her talk, Mrs. Haake mentions reading and studying the messages from the Universal House of Justice. You can find a selection of those letters, which she describes as "love letters" here: https://bit.ly/3ioMQcf

She also discusses studying the works of Shoghi Effendi. You can find them online here at the Baha'i Reference Library: https://bit.ly/2HPVLH0

Mrs. Haake mentions many others who dedicated themselves to serving the Baha'i Faith. To name but a few:

* She mentions Dr. Peter Khan, former member of the Universal House of Justice. You can read about him here: https://bit.ly/3ioKji6

* She talks about living close to Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone. You can read about him here: https://bit.ly/2HNd8Il 

* You can also read about what a Hand of the Cause is here on Baha'i Blog: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2014/06/hands-cause/

* Mrs. Haake mentions Alvin Blum, who lived in the Solomon Islands. You can read a little more about him, and his biography, here: https://bit.ly/2GbGKip

* Mrs. Haake was a family friend and she mentions my dad, Sirus Naraqi. I wrote this article in his memory: https://bit.ly/36rMrTO

* Lastly, she mentions her uncle, the esteemed Mr. Samandari, who met Baha'u'llah and whose life was dedicated to serving Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice. You can read about him here: https://bit.ly/34fYa5n

For more Baha'i-inspired talks, please check out this playlist: https://bit.ly/3ipONow

Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy these recollections as much as I do.

- Naysan

An Evening of Stories with Violette Haake

Welcome to Baha’i Blog’s SoundCloud channel!

We are an independent initiative for Australian Baha’is and likeminded friends to connect with personal stories, inspiration, arts and media about the Baha’i Faith, its ideals and transformational impact. 

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The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha’i Faith. The official website of the Baha’i Faith in Australia is: Bahai.org.au, and the global website for the Baha’i Faith is Bahai.org