Baha'i Spiritual Virtues

In this episode we read the story The Seat of Honour and talk about racism, racial unity and how deeds matter more than words.

*I clumsily try to explain race to my children in this episode. Please have follow-up conversations with your children if they have questions or you feel things need to be explained in a different way. *

Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK

Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates.

Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration.

Show Notes:

Louis George Gregory - One of the first Baha'is in America. In 1922 he was the first African American elected to the nine-member National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada. He was  appointed by Shoghi Effendi in 1951 as a Hand of the Cause. Gregory and Louisa Mathew married on September 27, 1912, becoming the first known Baháʼí interracial couple.

Howard University -  historically Black university founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., and named for General Oliver Otis Howard, head of the post-Civil War Freedmen’s Bureau, who influenced Congress to appropriate funds for the school.

History of US Racism:
I feel it's important when talking about our shared history to remember that African American history started well before slavery in America. Which is why it is important to educate our children about the kings, rulers, and nobles that lived well before slaves were ever brought to the USA.

Loving vs. Virginia - June 12, 1967
was a landmark civil rights decision of the U.S. Supreme Courtin which the Court ruled that laws banning interracial marriage violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Loving Day - June 12, Yearly
People around the world observe Loving Day every year on June 12th in meaningful and personal ways. While all are welcome, it can be especially significant for interracial couples, multiracial families, mixed race and transracially adopted people, and those with similar lived experience.

In this episode we read the story The Veil and talk about why we treat people with dignity, respect and kindness.

Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK

Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates.

Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration.

Show Notes:
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá - Saturday, November 27th
Reluctant: Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
Veil : a concealing curtain or cover of cloth (K was correct when she was talking about a cape or blanket of fabric on someone's back - she was referring to a wedding veil.)

"Love gives life to the lifeless.
Love lights a flame in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless
and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful."
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

"Be good to people for no reason." - Be good to people without any expectation of what you'll get back from them. We are good to people because we view them as spiritual beings; as souls worthy of our respect, our kindness and our compassion.
*I posted the sign we have in our kitchen at our instagram page!

We sang this prayers:
"O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star.  Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful." -Abdu'l-Bahá.

In this episode we read the story The Apple and the Bread and talk about the Twin Holy Days and sacrifice, humility & love.

Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK

Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates.

Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration.

Show Notes:

We referenced the Bahá'í Twin Holy Days - The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh.
We talked about three different types of calendars:
Lunar - based on the phases of the moon
Gregorian - 365 days (also based on the solar calendar)
Solar - based on the position of the sun and stars
This story took place in 1912
'Abdu'l-Bahá lived from 1844-1921 making him 77 years old when he ascended or passed-on.
Bahá'u'lláh lived from 1817 - 1892 making him 74 years old when he passed to the Abha Kingdom.
The story took place in 'Ishquábád (today in Turkmenistan) and London
- Some of the countries bordering Iran and Afghanistan's north, such as Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are sometimes included within the northern borders of the Middle East, but are other times seen as their own Central Asian region alongside Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

To make a sacrifice is to receive a gift.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá