“…It is becoming clearer and clearer that there is a greater and greater need for finding some hope in the world today…”

Stefan's Baha'i Journey

“…I learned about the lives of the black people I lived among,…and I saw the strength and determination they had to go on living and loving…”

Joan's Baha'i Journey

“…Even though I'm just a drop, all the other drops can combine to form a stream and then a mighty river…”

Allison's Baha'i Journey

“…It's like being part of a construction crew that's building a new home for humanity to move into…”

Carol's Baha'i Journey

“…Catholicism was all that I ever knew. It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I met my first Baha’i.  He was this incredibly kind, friendly, open-minded person…”

Debbie's Baha'i Journey

“… As a scientist, I can believe in a religion that really values the scientific method that places reason above superstition and seeks to answer all the questions of the universe…”

Melanie's Baha'i Journey

“…See the good in people first and foremost and to overlook the flaws of other people…”

Avrel's Baha'i Journey

“…I knew little to no English. I was attracted to the Baha’i friendliness and sincerity. A community like that was very much what I wanted to be part of….”

Maria's Baha'i Journey

“…Being a black woman, prejudice has always been a concern in my life.  When I found a faith that reinforced all the values that I hold… I was elated, relieved and filled with gratitude…”

Lynette's Baha'i Journey

El viaje baha’i de Maria (en español)

The gardens that surround the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, are extensions of the sacred space of the Temple. Come for a walk with Landscape Architect Carol Yetken as she guides us through some of the behind-the-scenes efforts in creating these lovely gardens.

A Garden Walk through Sacred Space

Editor’s Note: We found this recording, which was done several years ago, pre-pandemic, in one of our files and thought it was too good not to share.  Tricia Bailey is a person who likes to experiment with ideas.  She discovered that the Baha’i Faith was the missing ingredient that led to her living a more integrated life. Here is her engaging story.

Tricia Bailey: On exploring ideas

In this audio interview, composer Halim Beere reflects back on the details, delights and difficulties of creating a concert to honor the Births of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, Founders of the Baha'i Faith.

Composer reflects on creating a concert for the Twin Holy Birthdays

Nancy Kassei Watters is a Bahai who is using her musical talents to encourage people to chant and sing in community. Watters shares practical ways to use sound to heal ourselves and draw closer to one another.

Nancy "Kassei Watters

In this episode of the US Bahá'í News podcast, guests Sina from the Vicary Meadow neighborhood in Dallas and Sam from Mission Park in Boston share their decade-long experiences with the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program and Ruhi Institute courses. They discuss the methods and challenges in fostering community bonds and spiritual education among diverse youth populations, including overcoming language barriers and engaging with families. The conversation dives into the practical application of spiritual teachings to enable youth to contribute positively to their communities and the transformative power of these programs on individuals and neighborhoods.

01:26 Early Efforts and Challenges in Victory Middle
03:16 Pioneering and Youth Engagement
03:16 Consultation and Focus in Mission Hill
03:16 Youth Conferences and Their Impact
03:16 Language Barriers and Cultural Challenges
07:21 Engaging Local Youth and Building Friendships
09:23 Reflecting on Outreach and Engagement Strategies
17:16 Home Visits and Building Relationships
19:15 Securing Grants for Youth Engagement
19:54 Understanding Family Aspirations
21:02 Reconnecting with Youth
24:02 Introducing Programs in Schools
24:02 Challenges and Successes in Youth Programs
28:18 Engaging Parents and Community
30:52 Personal Reflections and Motivations
33:33 Dealing with Challenges

The Journey of Grassroots Community Building in Boston and Dallas

Chris Vodden shares architectural highlights in a tour of the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Architecture Tour of the Baha'i House of Worship

Deborah Walters is a holistic health practitioner and the author of “The Supreme Remedy: Reflections on applying natural healing arts to the Baha’i Fast.”

The Baha’i Fast is a period of 19 days in March when Baha'is are called to abstain from food and drink during daytime hours.

Walters says she was surprised to find that many Baha’is struggle with the Fast while others are eager to embrace fasting for its physical and spiritual benefits.

Walters says her book was an outgrowth of her own journey to find healthy, uncomplicated strategies for fasting.

Healthy approaches to the Baha'i Fast: A conversation with Deborah Walters

"Year of Living Deeply: A Memoir of 1969," by Robert Atkinson, is a coming-of-age spiritual quest framed by the marker events of that historic year—the moonwalk, Woodstock, the maiden voyage of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater—focusing on the inner journey of investigating the world’s religions. 

Atkinson had Pete Seeger and Joseph Campbell as mentors, lived in a cabin in the woods, visited Arlo Guthrie at his farm, stayed in a Franciscan monastery and returned to his college to teach a course on folk-rock lyrics as poetry. He shared with his students the lessons of a life lived deeply—what all his adventures had been preparing him for.

DR. ATKINSON'S BOOK IS AVAILABLE HERE:  https://www.bahaibookstore.com/Year-of-Living-Deeply-P9580.aspx

Year of Living Deeply: A Conversation with Robert Atkinson

Mary Hansen shares her thoughts on how the Baha’i Faith sustains and inspires her in the face of environmental advocacy challenges, as well as suggestions for ways individuals, families, and communities can help.

"I believe that sustainability is a worldwide problem and a worldwide opportunity for us as individuals to understand that we are one humanity," says Hansen. "If we solve one piece of this, we're going to solve a whole lot of other pieces because this is a Justice problem."

Here is a list of resources for further learning:

Wilmette Institute 
Interfaith Power and Light 
International Environmental Forum 
Eleven 
Richard St. Barbe Baker	 
Sixth Great Extinction 
Merchants of Doubt

Mary Hansen: Seeking justice and oneness in environmental issues

The family of Hollywood composer Russ Garcia and his wife, lyricist Gina Garcia, are coming together to produce a musical that honors the life of Tahirih, one of the heroines of the Baha'i Faith. Listen as Kristy Corwin tells about this inspirational story and her grandparents' role in creating the eloquent music that conveys the passion behind it.

The Unquenchable Flame: A musical about Tahirih

Listen as Wayne Wilson, resident of the Navajo Nation, shares his perspective on how traditional Diné teachings intersect with his beliefs as a member of the Baha'i Faith.

Wayne Wilson: A Baha'i perspective on Navajo teachings

The song, “Youthful Báb/One Human Race” is a collaboration from individuals spanning the globe and stands as an example of the effort of love, prayer, meditation, consultation and belief in the capacity of everyone involved. It is a showing of the beautiful work that can be created when people around the world work together as one human race.

Youthful Bab/One Human Race

The Boones: On making art as spiritual expression

Amy Cordova Boone and Steven Boone are artists and gallery owners in multicultural Santa Fe, New Mexico. In a city steeped in art, culture and ancient traditions, the Boones infuse their lives and work with inspiration that comes from the Baha’i Faith. Here are some of their stories.

The Boones: On making art as spiritual expression

A dream Ilona Surgaile had as a 12-year-old shaped her life-long search to find 
purpose in life. She was born in Lithuania and in 1996 moved to the United States where she became a member of the Baha'i Faith. Ilona serves as a receptionist in the Welcome Center at the Baha'i House of Worship where she meets people from all over the world. She is also an Executive Leadership Coach. These roles are partly in fulfilment of her dream.  Here, Ilona shares some of her story and life philosophy.

Ilona Surgaile on finding purpose

It's time to hear about Sommerfest! Come listen as Christopher LaMountain visits the Baha'i House of Worship in Germany, in  Langenhain, near Frankfurt.

US Baha'i News

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