Theme: Philanthropic Deeds – Part III

Did you know that Hollywood stars and doctors are rising to the many challenges of the world? Read more…

If you did not get a chance to read part I and II of Philanthropic Deeds, the links are:

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/05/theme-philanthropic-deeds-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/05/theme-philanthropic-deeds-part-ii.html

Devotion

Know, O thou possessors of insight, that true spirituality is like unto a lake of clear water which reflects the divine. Of such was the spirituality of Jesus Christ. There is another kind which is like a mirage, seeming to be spiritual when it is not. That which is truly spiritual must light the path to God, and must result in deeds. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 107)

You must become the means of lighting the world of humanity. This is the infallible proof and sign. Every progress depends on two things, knowledge and practice. First acquire knowledge, and, when conviction is reached, put it into practice. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 108)

Deeper Learning

Hollywood stars are rising to the many challenges of the world. The famous Angelina Jolie Voight, an Academy Award winner, is well known for promoting humanitarian causes. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations, she has shown great compassion for the underprivileged of the world. Through this organization, she has been sent on special missions to disaster zones, such as Sierra Leon, Pakistan, Haiti, Cambodia, Tanzania and many more. “We cannot close ourselves off and ignore the fact that millions of people are out there suffering,” Angelina Jolie said, “I honestly want to help. I don't believe I feel differently from other people. I think we all want justice and equality, a chance for a life with meaning. All of us would like to believe that if we were in a bad situation someone would help us." Just like her, there are hundreds of celebrities who are associated with organizations to fight poverty, Aids, illiteracy and injustice. It seems every celebrity is involved in some charity work, and some like Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Aniston have their own foundations. In their position of wealth, power and popularity, they are totally engaged in the betterment of humanity by reducing poverty, illness, abuse, and conflict. 

Let’s look at the professional level. Doctors Without Borders is a well-known organization of doctors and nurses who volunteer their services in war zones and natural disaster areas. Just think of places recently hit by earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami, drought and wars, these professionals have rendered great medical services in saving lives and avoiding catastrophic spread of diseases. This year (2011) was plagued with calamities everywhere, and, at times risking their own lives, these medical professionals were in Somalia, Japan, Haiti, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Bahrain, and Libya treating the most venerable.

At the local level, retirees are giving their experience, time and efforts to hospitals and other community services. In my own Baha’i community of Newmarket, spearheaded by Lisa Yazdani, many signed up to supply meals for one day at “In from the Cold,” a community service for the homeless; fifteen individuals, both adults and youth, volunteered to help. A few days before the event, the team bought enough food for 150 meals. Some showed up early in the morning to cook, and the cost of the food was funded by the Local Spiritual Assembly. At meal times, more volunteers arrived at the shelter to serve food. At the end of the day, about ninety guest showed up, one as young as 2 weeks and some in their sixties. The management was very impressed with the maturity, friendliness and politeness with which the service was provided by the youth. The experience was so rewarding this first time that the Baha’i community has signed up to do more such service activities in coming years.

Who says the sky is falling? Not according to the work of these noble souls that I have just mentioned. These deeds amount to very little compared to a massive philanthropic movement that is taking place and covers the globe like a comfort blanket. Individuals, organizations and businesses from all parts of the world have found in their hearts a place for the needy.  The spirit of service is well and alive. Like a deep and wide river, charity works continues, yet it does not get the headline attention. It also shows the power of spiritual attributes. These volunteers are compassionate, kind and generous. Their motives are only to help others, in whatever capacities they have. In my mind, they are doing many items from Baha’u’llah’s list of deeds given earlier. And all this work is part of God’s plan to build a paradise on Earth. Everyone is part of it.

Reflection

Do you do any volunteer work?

Deeds (path of service)

 Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid Our Cause, and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 287)

Theme: Philanthropic Deeds – Part II

If you ever wondered what deeds are acceptable in the sight of God, Baha’u’llah has given us a list of such actions to serve as a guideline.

If you did not get a chance to read part I of Philanthropic Deeds, the link is: http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/05/theme-philanthropic-deeds-part-i.html

Devotion

Now is the time for you to put forth your leaves, and yield your fruit. The fruits of the tree of man have ever been and are goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 25)

Yet it behoveth the people of truth that the signs of humility should shine upon their faces, that the light of sanctity should radiate from their countenances, that they should walk upon the earth as though they were in the presence of God and distinguish themselves in their deeds from all the dwellers of the earth. (Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 59)

Deeper Learning

If you ever wondered what deeds are acceptable in the sight of God, Baha’u’llah has given us a list of such actions to serve as a guideline. This list is long and may seem too overwhelming to achieve in one lifetime. As a standard of deeds, it is advisable to read this passage many times. It is beautifully written and is as follows:

“Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.” (Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93)

I have read this passage many times throughout my life. At different times, different parts resonate with me. How about you?

Now let’s examine the next part: philanthropy. This action—an impulse generated from a deep concern for the welfare and advancement of humanity—is usually manifested by donation of money and property. To many philanthropists, it means devoting their time in activities to help the needy, poor and sick. They listen to the cry of suffering whether in places as close as home or remote corners of the world. In their heart, they find ways to respond. 

Since the dawn of Baha’u’llah’s revelation, acts of good deeds have flourished around the world beyond one’s wildest imagination. I don’t mean in the Baha’i world only, rather, there is a massive movement, as huge as the ocean, in which participants from all parts of the globe are forging forward to help their fellow humans.   

It is so overwhelming I don’t know where to start. Let us look at the top and go down. One such philanthropy is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I knew Bill in the early 80’s, not personally, but rather as a programmer who had used some of his very first software tools he developed. Over the next ten years, his company, Microsoft, grew from a start up to a mega multinational. The software that came from this company not only changed the computing world but transformed business and society alike. I am not so much impressed by Bill Gate’s technological ingenuity, as he never invented anything new, but for his business creativity in making his products so successful globally. As the CEO and founder of Microsoft, he was ranked as the wealthiest man from 1995 till 2011, except in 2008 when he was third. His worth has reached around 40 billion dollars. In 2008, Bill Gates announced that he was working full-time for the foundation, started by him and his wife. What has this foundation achieved? As of 2007, this organization, which is known for its transparency in how money is spent, gave about $28 billion in charity. It deployed funds in global problems that have been ignored by governments. What did they specifically do with this large sum of money? This list is long. Some of them are fighting polio around the world, improving health through nutritious crops, educating about the benefits of breast-feeding, and eradicating malaria. The projects are always global in scope.

What is clearly emerging is that more and more billionaires are joining the charity club. Warren Buffet, a friend of Bill Gates and a well-admired investor in the business world, had given about $20 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. When asked about enlisting others to this noble cause, Buffet said, “In most cases we had reason to believe that the people already had an interest in philanthropy. It was a very soft sell but 40 have signed up.” In this campaign, he was asking the US billionaires to give at least half of their wealth. Giving among the rich has become part of a trendy lifestyle these days.

Many politicians, after retiring from running for government offices, have used their experience, knowledge and connection to help the needy. One of them is Bill Clinton, former president of USA, who formed the Clinton Global Initiative. This organization is a community of leaders dedicated to building a sustainable world. According to its mission statement, “CGI is to inspire, connect, and empower a community of global leaders to forge solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.” In terms of real action, its members have made nearly 2,000 commitments in the fields of education, health and economy, to improve lives of 300 million people in more than 180 countries. If all is successful, the cost will exceed $63 billion.

Another politician turned philanthropist is Tony Blair, former prime minister of England. His organization, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, aims at promoting respect and understanding between major religions. He uses faith to unite diverse groups and remove extreme poverty in over 100 countries. 

In 1982, Jimmy Carter, shortly after leaving the president’s office of the United States, founded a not-for-profit organization named the Carter Center. His aim has always been, as a politician and a philanthropist, to promote human rights and reduce suffering. He has clearly heard the groaning of war over many decades in the Middle East, and thusly has taken many trips to that region to bring about peace, for which he has been awarded the Nobel Prize. Jimmy Carter is also known for improving health around the world. He is a key figure in Habitat For Humanity, a worldwide organization to bring about affordable homes.

Reflection

What do you think of Baha’u’llah’s list of deeds mentioned earlier? After reading about good deeds of many rich and famous, does this change your perception of humanity?

Deeds (path of service)

This morning before rushing out of the door to work, my wife wanted to this:

One righteous act is endowed with a potency that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to pass beyond the heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunder, and hath the power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished....(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 286)

When I read this pronouncement from a Messenger of God, I felt the urge to share it with the audience of this blog. It shows that we don’t have the slightest clue as to what our action has on the entire creation. There is more to this passage to be shared in the next blog. 

Theme: Philanthropic Deeds – Part I

One of the themes of many messages from Universal House of Justice is for us, the believers, to find our path of service, a way to engage to in building a neighborhood and become the catalyst of change in society. A similar divine guidance echoed through the words of Abdu'l-Baha, hundred years ago when he travelled in North America. He said: through Philanthropic deeds, one can obtain “merciful gifts and powers.”

A quick study shows that the human spirit of helping our brothers and sisters is alive and healthy. Look beyond the headlines and you will find a mighty river of generosity flowing towards the needy, poor and sick and filling their hearts with hope. It is happening in places close to home and in the far corners of the world.  The philanthropic movement is so vast and enduring that it boggles the minds of most pessimists. The wealthy, poor and educated are all part of this phenomenon.  Baha’is can connect with these like-minded citizens in building a new world order.

Devotion

The fruits of the tree of man have ever been and are goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 25)

When asked by an American friend: "Which is the best way to spread the teaching?" he said: "By deeds. This way is open to all, and deeds are understood by all. Join yourselves to those who work for the poor, the weak and the unfortunate; this is greatly to be commended. To teach by words requires the skill of a wise physician. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 98)

Deeper Learning

The carrying out of philanthropic deeds is the fourth way to obtain “merciful gifts and powers” in our awesome spiritual journey. Let’s start with deeds. What is a deed? It’s an act of doing something, like performing a task or achieving a goal in a measurable, concrete way. Through such actions, whether they are daily chores, service to others, work or whatever you may decide to do, your character is reflected through the deeds you perform. If you simply do or say nothing, no one will know, including yourself, your true capacities. When we do things well, it gives us confidence, stored in the psyche, thus becoming a treasure house of experience. More importantly, our deeds can serve as a measurement of our own capacities. And, if we fail, it is also considered a good thing, as it gives us opportunities to improve our skills. Just imagine a one-year old learning how to walk. At first the child may hold an adult’s hand or hang on-to furniture as she tries to walk. The moment of success is when she achieves balance and strength and is able to confidently stand on her own. Overall, following this same principal, this process is the only way to increase our own self-knowledge. Deeds do not happen in isolation; they are a part of a combination of other inner aspects of our being, three of which—knowledge, love and faith—we have dealt with in previous blog posts.

The next example illustrates this point. Let’s suppose you want to learn how to swim, which I did when I was forty years old. Let’s first assume that you are in good health with enough strength in your arms and legs to power your movement in water. You will also need love for water and an attraction to become a swimmer. Another important element is faith in yourself that you will be able to learn this new interest in your life. Armed with desire to learn something new, the next step would be to educate yourself, such as reading books on the subject and investigating possible venues and costs for swimming lessons. The crucial step is to get in the water, and ultimately there is no other way to begin to learn. The first time you jump into the pool, you will quickly realize that swimming is not easy. With practice and perseverance, you learn how to float, breath properly and move your arms and legs such that all work in concert propelling the body forward for a long period of time. In this simple example, knowledge, love, faith and action all come together and through them you create a successful experience in whatever you do.

Let’s look at another example. Terry Fox, a Canadian suffering from bone cancer, decided to embark upon a unique challenge. On April 12^th, 1980, he, after dipping his artificial foot into the Atlantic Ocean, started his “Marathon of Hope.” With one strong leg and the other, a prosthetic, limping along the way, his aim was to cross the vast continent of North America coast to coast in order to raise about twenty-four million dollars. On average, he walked about forty-eight kilometers a day. His brother, who accompanied him, could not believe how he managed. Terry was in constant pain, yet he kept moving forward. It was his spirit of hope and faith in finding the cure for cancer that kept him going. After 5373 kilometers, halfway across his journey, the cancer spread to his lungs, cutting short his life and his goal. His spirit, however, stayed forever.  Today, his heroic perseverance is commemorated through numerous awards, research grants, and an annual fund-raising run held in 60 countries in his name. His short life, filled with sacrifice, courage, and a good attitude was an inspiration to millions. With love for others and faith in himself, he started a journey of hope. Terry Fox recreated himself from being doomed to die, one month short of his twenty-third birthday, to becoming a vision of hope to others.

Terry Fox is a great example of how, when moved by the spirit, physical discomfort cannot prevent us from doing extraordinary things. Actions speak louder than words. In the Bahá’í Faith, idle talk is very much discouraged. Prayers and meditation alone are not enough to discover the true self; one has to put oneself in action. Bahá’u’lláh gives a stern warning about lack of action in one’s life with these words:

“The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life.” (Báhá’u’lláh, Tablets of Báhá’u’lláh, p. 156)

In the Báhá’i Faith, deeds are elevated to a much higher purpose. One must not only help oneself and ones immediate family, but have a world consciousness. This means regarding humanity as a global family and taking responsibility for being a member of this family. In our planet of billions of people, our good deeds can extend to any continent, wherever there is a need. This openness is another great phenomena of the age we live in.

Reflection

Have you noticed that at younger age we are eager to try new things? But as we grow older the enthusiasm for new adventure diminishes. What are some of the obstacles? Could it be fear of failure or lack of skills? 
  

Deeds (path of service)

Since we are dealing with deeds, I skipped this section.

Previous post links are:

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/05/theme-philanthropic-deeds-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/04/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-iii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/04/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-ii.htmlhttp://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/03/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-i_28.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/03/theme-love-of-god-part-iii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/03/theme-love-of-god-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-love-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-iii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-higher-spiritual-goals.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual_24.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-spiritual-birth-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2012/07/theme-spiritual-birth-part-i-theme.html