In May 2021, Baha’is and like-minded friends from across Brisbane Bayside, Australia, gathered
together to take part in a Festival to Celebrate the Five Year Plan. It was an opportunity to
wholeheartedly celebrate the achievements of the cluster over the past five years, and to
form a unified vision of the One-Year Plan ahead. A year that is described by the Universal
House of Justice as one “for profound reflection on the life of Abdu’l-Baha and the strength
of the Covenant of which He was the Centre.” Songs and stories about Abdu’l-Baha were
performed throughout to inspire us to walk in His footsteps, and we are excited to now
share this collection of songs for us all to be able to revisit this year and beyond.

This song is called 'Serried Lines' by Tom Francis. You can watch the video recording of this song here: https://bit.ly/3k1IHOg

You can also watch the version of this song from the 'Heroes Teaching Conference' here: https://bit.ly/37RmzAj

You can watch the entire playlist of songs from the '5 Year Plan Festival' here: https://bit.ly/3k38DJl

And you can also check out the songs from the previous conference called the 'Heroes Teaching Conference' here: https://bit.ly/2UqShRN

Serried Lines

Serried Lines - Tom Francis (5 Year Plan Festival)

In May 2021, Baha’is and like-minded friends from across Brisbane Bayside, Australia, gathered together to take part in a Festival to Celebrate the Five Year Plan. It was an opportunity to wholeheartedly celebrate the achievements of the cluster over the past five years, and to form a unified vision of the One-Year Plan ahead. A year that is described by the Universal House of Justice as one “for profound reflection on the life of Abdu’l-Baha and the strength of the Covenant of which He was the Centre.” Songs and stories about Abdu’l-Baha were performed throughout to inspire us to walk in His footsteps, and we are excited to now share this collection of songs for us all to be able to revisit this year and beyond.

In this song called 'Necklace of a King', Zac and Devina share the following quote from a talk by Abdu'l-Baha:

"Affliction beat upon this captive like the heavy rains of spring, and the victories of the malevolent swept down in a relentless flood, and still ‘Abdu’l-Bahá remained happy and serene, and relied on the grace of the All-Merciful. That pain, that anguish, was a paradise of all delights; those chains were the necklace of a king on a throne in heaven. Content with God’s will, utterly resigned, my heart surrendered to whatever fate had in store, I was happy. For a boon companion, I had great joy."
-Abdu'l-Baha

You can watch the video recording of this song here: https://bit.ly/3CVAiEt

And watch the entire playlist of songs from the '5 Year Plan Festival' here: https://bit.ly/3k38DJl

And you can also check out the songs from the previous conference called the 'Heroes Teaching Conference' here: https://bit.ly/2UqShRN

Necklace of a King

Necklace of a King - Zac and Devina (5 Year Plan Festival)

This is the audio version of an online presentation given by Dr. Vahid Saberi at the 'Shelter for all Mankind Conference', held across Queensland and Northern New South Wales, Australia, over the weekend of 11-12 of September, 2021.

Watch the video of this presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrBn3jH7YiI

Held in honour of Abdu'l-Baha (https://bit.ly/2XaAtvi), the 'Shelter for all Mankind Conference' was aimed at helping its participants draw closer to the Beloved Master, to walk in His footsteps, and to consider the impact He had on those privileged to cross His path and the world at large. Participants were then encouraged to reflect on their own reality, and then draw up systematic plans of action relating to things like fostering the devotional character of their community, and opportunities to serve the neighbourhoods and communities we live in.

Check out more Baha'i-inspired talks and interviews here on Baha'i Blog's Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3EelZM7

Reflections on the Life of Abdu'l-Baha

Reflections on the Life of Abdu’l-Baha - Vahid Saberi (Shelter for All Mankind Conference)

Cameroon – Tu Es Le Genereux

Australia – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Perfect Exemplar

Samoa – From Bahá’u’lláh’s Hidden Words

Baha'i Blog sponsored their first event at the Baha'i Centre in Sydney, Australia which was a talk by Tom Price called "Following the Example of Abdu'l-Baha".

Abdu’l-Baha, (also referred to as the Master) was Baha’u’llah’s eldest son and appointed successor, and He is considered the perfect example of how to live according to the Bahá’í teachings. 

You can listen to 'Following the Example of Abdu'l-Baha' by either streaming it live from our site or by downloading it – and best of all, it’s completely free!

Following the Example of Abdu'l-Baha - A Talk by TomPrice

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 speak with Hong Kong based Chinese soul-pop superstar Khalil Fong, otherwise known in Chinese as 方大同, which is "Fang Da Tong". Khalil has been very instrumental in bringing an eclectic mix of international styles of music to Chinese audiences, but especially Soul music and R'n'B. Besides creating hit songs, Khalil has been recognized as a positive role model for his upright character. In this interview we talk about his musical influences and what inspired him to pursue a career in music. He tells me what his songs are about and how his faith inspires his music and everything he does. We discuss spirituality in China, being a vegetarian, having his own record label, what really draws him to the Faith, the exciting new project for children that he's working on with his mother, and the advice he would give to other aspiring artists.

To find out more about Khalil Fong and some of the things we covered in the interview, check out the following links:

* Khalil Fong's official website: khalilfong.com/en

* Khalil Fong's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/soulboykhalilfong

* Khalil Fong's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/KhalilFongofficial

* Fu Music is Khalil Fong's record label: www.fringebacker.com/en/t/fu-backer/

* Khalil refers to a song about suicide called 'Goodbye Melody Rose' which can be found on the album 'This Love': https://itunes.apple.com/my/album/%E6%84%9B%E6%84%9B%E6%84%9B/id220365864?i=220365871

* Excerpts from the following songs were used in the interview (with permission):
i. "Listen" found on the album JTW: https://itunes.apple.com/my/album/jtw-%E8%A5%BF%E9%81%8A%E8%A8%98-deluxe/id1195003851
(You can also watch the music video for 'Listen' here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwLa3A2kfWg)
ii. "Goodbye Melody Rose" found on the album 'This Love': https://itunes.apple.com/my/album/%E6%84%9B%E6%84%9B%E6%84%9B/id220365864?i=220365871
iii. "夢蝴蝶" found on the album JTW: https://itunes.apple.com/my/album/jtw-%E8%A5%BF%E9%81%8A%E8%A8%98-deluxe/id1195003851

* Khalil mentions the Baha'i Blogcast interview with Andy Grammer: http://bahaiblog.net/site/2016/07/bahai-blogcast-rainn-wilson-episode-6-andy-grammer-aijia/

* Khalil refers to the following Baha'i quote from the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah: 
"O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds." -Baha'u'llah

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

*iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/bahai…son/id1127132519

*Soundcloud: @user-545312385

You can also stream the Blogcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mSeu2veRnU1XPBAa0hf9i

Thanks for listening!

-Rainn Wilson
Thanks for listening!

-Rainn Wilson

Episode 18: Khalil Fong 方大同

Baha’i Blog’s “Studio Sessions” is an initiative where we invite Baha’is and their friends from around the world to come into a studio and share the Baha’i Writings put to music.
 
In this Baha’i Blog Studio Session, we’re in New York, USA with Nadia Affolter, Zaynab Affolter and Earl Henrikson who sing “The Power of the Covenant” based on a quotation by Abdu’l-Baha.
 
You can also watch the recording of this song on Baha’i Blog’s YouTube channel here: 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP9XzbAIe_A

The music for this song was written by Dominic Lutley and the Youth of the TfP (Transformation for Peace) Junior Youth Camp at Townshend School in the Czech Republic.
 
This song was filmed and recorded in New York, USA, August 2018.

Discover more Baha'i-inspired content on BAHAIBLOG.NET

Here is the quotation used for the lyrics below followed by the quotation and chords:
 
"It is indubitably clear, that the pivot of the oneness of mankind is nothing else but the power of the Covenant [...] The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things on earth. The light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the educator of the minds, the spirits, the hearts and souls of men."
- Abdu’l-Baha
 
----------------------
 
Capo 2

CHORUS

          Am         F
It is indubitably clear, 

            C                G              am            F
that the pivot of the oneness of mankind

   C                            G                        am        F,C,G
is nothing else but the power of the Covenant….     (REPEAT)


VERSE

      Am                      F
The power of the Covenant 

             C                              G                         am        F
is as the heat of the sun which quickeneth and promoteth 

          C                 G              am       F
the development of all created things 

     C          G
on earth. 

CHORUS
It is indubitably clear, 
that the pivot of the oneness of mankind
is nothing else but the power of the Covenant…. (REPEAT)


VERSE
The light of the Covenant, 
in like manner, is the educator of the minds, 
the spirits, the hearts and souls of men.

"The Power of the Covenant" by Nadia, Zaynab & Earl

Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions is an initiative where we invite Baha’is and their friends from around the world to come into a studio and share the Baha’i Writings put to music.

In this Baha’i Blog Studio Session, we’re in Seattle, USA with Sina Najafi, Saba Najafi and Ben Spriggs singing “Man of Two Visions” based on the Writings of Baha'u'llah.

This song was filmed and recorded in Seattle, USA, August 2019.

You can also watch the video recording of this song on Baha’i Blog’s Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHG-tnyMYKc

Here is the quotation used for the lyrics, followed by the chords and lyrics below:

"O MAN OF TWO VISIONS! Close one eye and open the other. Close one to the world and all that is therein, and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Beloved."
-Baha'u'llah


CHORDS:

[intro]
Fm, Db, Ab, Eb

Fm
Close one eye and open the other Db, Ab, Eb
Close one eye and open the other
Fm
Close one eye and open the other Db, Ab, Eb
Close one eye and open the other
Fm, Db
Close one to the world and all that is therein Ab, Eb
Close one to the world and all that is therein
Fm, Db
Close one to the world and all that is therein Ab, Eb
Close one to the world and all that is therein
Fm, Db
and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Ab, Eb
Beloved, of the Beloved
Fm, Db
and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Ab, Eb
Beloved, of the Beloved
Fm
O Man of two visions Db
O Man of two visions Ab
O Man of two visions Eb
O Man of two visions
Fm
O Man of two visions Db
O Man of two visions Ab
O Man of two visions Eb
O Man of two visions
Fm, Db
and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Ab, Eb
Beloved, of the Beloved
Fm, Db
and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Ab, Eb
Beloved, of the Beloved
Fm, Db, Ab, Eb


Check out BahaiBlog.net (http://bahaiblog.net/) for more great Baha'i-inspired content, and watch the Studio Sessions video series on Baha’i Blog’s YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/1LtjUx9

Man of Two Visions

"Man of Two Visions" by Benjamin, Sina & Saba

Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions is an initiative where we invite Baha’is and their friends from around the world to come into a studio and share the Baha’i Writings put to music.

In this Baha’i Blog Studio Session, we’re in Johannesburg, South Africa with Dominique Sylvester who sings “Blessed is the Spot” from the Writings of Baha'u'llah.

This song was filmed and recorded in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 2017.

You can also watch the video recording of this song on Baha’i Blog’s Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srYcRsN--UI

Here is the quotation used for the lyrics below followed by the chords:

"Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified."
-Baha'u'llah


 CHORDS: 

C G Am F


Check out BahaiBlog.net (http://bahaiblog.net/) for more great Baha'i-inspired content, and watch the Studio Sessions video series on Baha’i Blog’s YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/1LtjUx9

Episode 18: Khalil Fong 方大同

Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson