Seeking Layli in the Holwell Gorge

Today, I joined with 9 of my friends to have a walk, share a picnic lunch and some prayers at Holwell Gorge. This beautiful gorge is situated near Beaconsfield, north of Launceston and on the Western side of the Tamar River.
It was a perfect day for a walk through bushland, following a well marked path beside a stream. We had our picnic lunch, followed by prayers at the top of one of the two waterfalls that can be visited in this part of the gorge.

A quote from Baha'u'llah:

'It is related that one day they came upon Majnún sifting the dust, and his tears flowing down. They said, “What doest thou?” He said, “I seek for Laylí.” They cried, “Alas for thee! Laylí is of pure spirit, and thou seekest her in the dust!” He said, “I seek her everywhere; haply somewhere I shall find her.”

Yea, although to the wise it be shameful to seek the Lord of Lords in the dust, yet this betokeneth intense ardor in searching. “Whoso seeketh out a thing with zeal shall find it.”

The true seeker hunteth naught but the object of his quest, and the lover hath no desire save union with his beloved. Nor shall the seeker reach his goal unless he sacrifice all things. That is, whatever he hath seen, and heard, and understood, all must he set at naught, that he may enter the realm of the spirit, which is the City of God. Labor is needed, if we are to seek Him; ardor is needed, if we are to drink of the honey of reunion with Him; and if we taste of this cup, we shall cast away the world'

Bees and poppies in our garden

We have a beautiful variety of poppies currently flowering in the garden. The amazing thing about these poppies is that I saved some of the seeds from the garden of my great grand mother. Bees just love the flowers. This morning, when I went to have a look at the new flowers, there were 10 bees in one flower. Amazing!

Vale Odetta

Vale Marjorie Moores

This photo was taken of Marjorie in April. She is pictured here with her grand daughter, Clare Stark who was celebrating her 21st birthday.

Marjorie Moores was one of the earliest remaining members of the Australian Baha'i community. Marjorie served most of her Baha'i life in Brisbane, and moved in her last years to Hobart to be near her daughter Ann Stark, and family, Kevin, Eleanor and Clare. One of Marjorie's final wishes was to donate her grand piano to the recently completed Tasmanian Baha'i Centre of Learning, a wish that was fulfilled when it was played in the main auditorium in the last week of her life.

Art

Last Movember update

Well, it is almost the end of the month of Movember so I thought that I should give an update.

Vale Anne McKay

Anne and Noel

Our aunt, Anne McKay passed away today in Queensland on her 91st birthday.
She was a very special lady, who will be sadly missed.

The Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

On Wednesday, November 26 and Friday, November 28, Baha’is commemorate the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Baha’u'llah appointed His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, as the protector of the Covenant of Baha’u'llah. The Covenant has helped maintain unity and prevent schism within the Baha’i Faith.

The Covenant of Baha’u'llah is unique in religious history and provided clear instructions of the organization of the Faith after the passing of Baha’u'llah.

`Abdu'l-Bahá (1844-1921)

Portrait of `Abdu'l-Bahá.

From earliest childhood,`Abbas Effendi, the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh , shared His father's sufferings and banishments. He took as His title `Abdu'l-Bahá, the "servant of Baha." Bahá'u'lláh appointed Him the one authorized interpreter of the Bahá'í teachings and as Head of the Faith after His own passing. In`Abdu'l-Bahá was seen a perfect example of the Bahá'í way of life.

While `Abdu'l-Bahá was still a prisoner of the Ottomans the first Bahá'í pilgrims from the western world arrived in Acre in 1898. After His release in 1908, `Abdu'l-Bahá set out on a series of journeys which, in 1911-1913, took Him to Europe and America. There He proclaimed Bahá'u'lláh's message of unity and social justice to church congregations, peace societies, the members of trade unions, university faculties, journalists, government officials, and many public audiences.

`Abdu'l-Bahá passed away in 1921, having consolidated the foundations of the Bahá'í Faith and greatly expanded its reach. The northern rooms of the Shrine of the Báb, where He is interred, are a place of pilgrimage for Bahá'ís visiting Haifa, Israel where the World Centre of their Faith is located.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UN rejection of Iranian 'no-action motion' is victory for human rights

UNITED NATIONS, 21 November (BWNS) - The Baha'i International Community praised the United Nations General Assembly for today rejecting a so-called "no-action motion" on human rights in Iran.

Such a motion, if it had passed, would have used procedural rules to set aside a resolution that is sharply critical of the Islamic Republic of Iran over its use of torture, the high incidence of executions, the "violent repression" of women, and "increasing discrimination" against Baha'is, Christians, Jews, Sufis, and Sunni Muslims, among other minorities.

That resolution subsequently passed the Assembly's Third Committee, by a vote of 70 to 51 with 60 abstentions, in a second vote today. The resolution will now be sent for final approval by the full Assembly in mid-December.

"This motion allowed governments an easy way to evade their responsibility to protect international human rights, and by rejecting it they have cleared the way for a thorough investigation of human rights abuses in Iran," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the BIC to the United Nations.

Happy birthday to Noel.

We have been together now for 42 birthdays!

Brideshead Revisited

Another movember update

Movember update

This is serious mo (and beard) growing!

Movember update

Noel took this snap of me while we were in the studio at City Park Radio. We were just preparing to present the weekly 30 minute Baha'i program : One Planet, One People. I have almost two weeks growth of whiskers and it is the half way mark for Movember 2008.

Happy birthday, Tahirih!

Happy birthday to our daughter, Tahirih.

There's Never Enough Time

Brick Lane -

Birthday of Baha'u'llah

Baha'u'llah was born on 12th November 1817

From childhood He was extremely kind and generous. He was a great lover of outdoor life, most of His time being spent in the garden or fields. He had an extraordinary power of attraction, which was felt by all. People always crowded around Him. Ministers and people of the Court would surround Him, and the children were always devoted to Him. When he was only 13 or 14 years old He became renowned for His learning. He would converse on any subject and solve any problem presented to Him. In large gatherings He would discuss matters with the leading mullas and would explain intricate religious questions. All of them used to listen to Him with the greatest interest.

When Baha'u'llah was 22 years old, His father died and the Government wished Him to succeed to His Father's position in the Ministry, as was the custom in Persia, but Baha'u'llah did not accept the offer. Then the Prime Minister said: " Leave Him to Himself. Such a position is unworthy of Him. He has some higher aim in view. I cannot understand Him, but I am convinced that He is destined for some lofty career. His thoughts are not like ours. Let Him alone."

The Duchess

Day 9 of Movember

Vale John Oliver

John Oliver
2 March, 1949 - 8 November, 2008

I was very sad to have to say farewell to John. John was a student at Riverside High School when I was appointed there to be in charge of the art department in 1965.
Although he spent a great deal of his working life interstate and overseas, we have kept in contact through out that time, often through news of mutual friends.
A very special, gifted human being.

Vale Valma Lette

Our dear friend Valma has died. Valma was a charming, gracious, delightful, warm-hearted friend. She touched the hearts of everyone who met her. She was a gifted hockey player, a devoted teacher and at one time, a police woman.

Marigolds, Californian poppies and poached eggs

Spring time is amazing, when so many plants quickly grow and bloom, producing colourful areas throughout the garden. Here are some common old marigolds, Californian poppies and poached eggs.

A stick insect in our garden

This morning we found a beautiful, green stick insect having a feast on some leaves of a clematis plant near our back door.

Day five of Movember

I am looking very serious as I begin day five of my Movember efforts to help raise funds for men's health research.

My first day of Movember

This morning I totally shaved my face for the first time in 12 years. It was quite a shock for Noel but amazingly, when I went shopping at my favourite haunts this morning, people recognised me - but they gave me some strange looks.

During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growing a Mo. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about tackling men's health issues and being proactive in the fight against men's depression and prostate cancer.

To donate to my Mo you can either:

1. Click this link https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink&rego=1618941&country=au and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account, or
2. Write a cheque payable to 'Movember Foundation', referencing my Registration Number 1618941 and mailing it to:

Movember Foundation
PO Box 292
Prahran VIC 3181

Remember, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The money raised by Movember is used to raise awareness of men's health issues and donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative. The PCFA and beyondblue will use the funds to fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and depression.

Did you know:

• Depression affects 1 in 6 men....most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.
• Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who will die from breast cancer annually.

For those that have supported Movember in previous years you can be very proud of the impact it has had and can check out the details at: [ Fundraising Outcomes ].

Movember in Australia

Michael and Kathy Mason pay us a surprise visit

Noel, Michael and Kathy

Michael, Kathy and Edward

This afternoon, we had a surprise visit from our good friends, Michael and Kathy Mason. They live on the east coast of our island home, in the beautiful seaside town of Swansea. We have known Kathy and Michael since the mid sixties and it is always a lot of fun to spend time with them. We were delighted that they made time to come and visit us while they were in Launceston.

Happy birthday to Caitlin

Our 4th grandchild, Caitlin, celebrated her 17th birthday today. Her friend, Lucas is very happy too!Happy birthday dear Caitlin!

Happy birthday, Dorian

Our 3rd grand child celebrated his 18th birthday today. Happy birthday, Dorian.