Islandstone's Paradise

What is the Bahá’í Faith?

2008-09-20T16:44:00.003+10:00

The Bahá’í Faith is a world wide religion with adherents in more than 235 countries and territories in the world comprising over 116,000 localities.

Bahá’ís come from many religious and even non-religious backgrounds. The underlying common belief is that religion derives from one common divine source and is continually renewed through special Teachers such as Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad, Bahá'u'lláh and others to provide never ending spiritual guidance to humanity. Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith has come to bring teachings and principles to establish the oneness of humanity: "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens"

The major beliefs of the Bahá’í Faith concern the promotion of world peace and the establishment of a united global commonwealth by the peoples of the world. Its auxiliary teachings include:

All humanity is one family.

The Bahá’í teachings emphasize that all of us, as creations of one God, are part of one human family.

Bahá’u’lláh said, “The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.”

People of nearly every background, in every nation, have become Bahá’ís.

Women and men are equal.

Full equality and a firm sense of partnership between women and men are essential to human progress and the transformation of society. “Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God," said Bahá'u'lláh.

The worldwide Bahá'í community has been at the forefront of the movement to advance the rights of women for more than a century.

All prejudice—racial, religious, national, or economic—is destructive and must be overcome.

Bahá’u’lláh gave special attention to the problem of prejudice. At the heart of His message is a call for mutual understanding and fellowship among nations, cultures, and peoples.

There is, Bahá'u'lláh insists, only one human race. Prejudice—whether based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or social background—must be overcome if humanity is to create a peaceful and just global society.

We must investigate truth for ourselves, without preconceptions.

One of the main sources of conflict in the world today is the fact that many people blindly and uncritically follow various traditions, movements, and opinions.

Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the fundamental obligation of human beings to acquire knowledge with their "own eyes and not through the eyes of others."

Science and religion are in harmony.

The Bahá'í teachings stress the fundamental harmony of science and religion. Bahá'ís consider that it is the same unique God who is both the Author of revelation and the Creator of the reality which science investigates.

If indeed there is only one truth (reality), it is not possible for something to be scientifically false and religiously true; contradictions are attributed to human fallibility and arrogance.

Our economic problems are linked to spiritual problems.

The Bahá'í teachings envision that economic justice and prosperity will come about only when the essential connection between the spiritual and practical aspects of life is recognized.

A satisfactory solution to the world's present economic crisis lies in a profound change of heart and mind which only religion can produce.

The family and its unity are very important.

Bahá'u'lláh came to bring unity to the world, and a fundamental unity is that of the family.

Bahá’ís understand that the family is the basic unit of society and unless this all-important building block is healthy and unified, society itself cannot be healthy and unified.

Bahá’í writings say, “If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual.”

There is one God.

The Bahá'í belief in one God means that the universe and all creatures and forces within it have been created by a single supernatural Being.

Such designations as God, Allah, Yahweh, and Brahma all refer to the One Divine Being, Whose nature is unknowable and inaccessible to humankind. We learn about God through His Messengers, who teach and guide humanity.

All major religions come from God.

When Bahá'ís say that the various religions are one, they do not mean that all the creeds and organizations are the same. Rather, they believe God has revealed Himself through a succession of Divine Messengers, Whose purpose is to guide and educate mankind.

They are expressions of a single unfolding Divine purpose, "the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future."

World peace is the crying need of our time.

Whether peace is to be reached only after unimaginable horrors precipitated by humanity's stubborn clinging to old patterns of behaviour, or is to be embraced now by an act of consultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the earth.

The Bahá'í community believes that humanity can confront this supreme trial with confidence in its ultimate outcome.

as quoted from Bahai.org

Beliefs.

2008-02-16T11:04:00.004+10:00

Recently, several people have asked me about my religious beliefs. I'd like to clarify them considering the content of the majority of my recent posts.

History of the Beliefs of James... I was born on Rota, a small island in the CNMI, and like all Chamorros was baptized a Catholic. This could be the beginning of my religious upbringing as I can remember spending time in a Catholic cathedral and of course all those christenings, funerals, rosary's, baptisms etc...
In my early years (about 5-7) after moving to the mainland United States the other side of my family was fully engrossed in the Baptist church. So I was brought to church and over time adopted the beliefs of the Baptist church. I actually went to a private school that took a hard line view of "Bible" principals with an exclusionary view of other religions.
When I was 15 my Grandmother (maternal) passed away and I flew back to the CNMI for her funeral and experienced the complete religious culture shock between beliefs and rituals surrounding the beliefs of the afterlife. I both prayed and took part in a completely Catholic ceremony (ritual?) and went back to SF kind of confused. This started a pattern of questioning in my mind about what I believed in.
I truly think that is was a this time that I started to look at what I was being taught in church and school. I realized that my upbringing was a bit one sided and so started to review different religious views. This did upset several people as it inadvertently cause me to pull away from my church.
My early adulthood had me "floating in the breeze" sort of agnostic. I had a belief that God existed and that He and I had some sort of relationship, however I really did not have a way to describe it.
About the time I was 24 I was introduced to a few people that had a unique perspective on religion. The Bahai community of Saipan initially (in my view) was an unorganized religion that believed in the equality of humanity, unity, spiritual responsibility and universal religious source. I underwent a period of three years in which I attended activities sponsored by the Bahais, participated in discussions, attend devotional meeting and generally learned what I could. One of the teachings that resonated with me was the teaching of progressive revelation (There is only one God and His will was/is revealed through time by different "Manifestations" or teachers depending on the needs of the human race of the time). To me this meant that the different religions of the world all had a single source. Another teaching which is in parallel is the Universal Truth that spans different religions love for all, unity, truthfulness etc..

About 5 years ago I declared my belief in Baha'ullah and his station as a manifestation of God. In that time I have learned that the seemingly unorganized is in reality quite organized. Just in a way that is more decentralized and removes power from any single individual.

I will be posting a series of beliefs and social teaching of the Bahai's soon so please feel free to comment.

Happy Valentines Day!!

2008-02-16T10:46:00.002+10:00

Just a somewhat serious note on love and relationships.

The bond that unites hearts most perfectly is loyalty. True lovers once united must show forth the utmost faithfulness one to another. You must dedicate your knowledge, your talents, your fortunes, your titles, your bodies and your spirits to God, to Bahá'u'lláh and to each other.

Let your hearts be spacious, as spacious as the universe of God! Allow no trace of jealousy to creep between you, for jealousy, like unto poison, vitiates the very essence of love. Let not the ephemeral incidents and accidents of this changeful life cause a rift between you. When differences present themselves, take counsel together in secret, lest others magnify a speck into a mountain. Harbour not in your hearts any grievance; but rather explain its nature to each other with such frankness and understanding that it will disappear, leaving no remembrance. Choose fellowship and amity and turn away from jealousy and hypocrisy.

Your thoughts must be lofty; your ideals luminous, your minds spiritual, so that your souls may become a dawning place for the Sun of Reality. Let your hearts be like unto two pure mirrors reflecting the stars of the heaven of love and beauty.

Together make mention of noble aspirations and heavenly concepts. Let there be no secrets one from another. Make your home a haven of rest and peace. Be hospitable, and let the doors of your house be open to the faces of friends and strangers. Welcome every guest with radiant grace and let each feel that it is his own home.

No mortal can conceive the union and harmony which God has destined for man and wife. Nourish continually the tree of your union with love and affection, so that it will remain ever green and verdant throughout all seasons and bring forth luscious fruits for the healing of nations.

ATTRIBUTED TO ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2007-11-23T20:38:00.000+10:00

Another Weekend...

2007-10-28T19:16:00.000+10:00

ok so it's been awhile since my last post. what has been going on.. I spent most of Saturday looking over a house I am interested in purchasing. it looks like a good deal except for the condition of the electrical wiring of the house. I want to do some expansions (add a dining room) since the kitchen is too small to have more than 4 people in it around a table.

On another note. has anyone noticed how many people are leaving the CNMI? I mean come on, things will not get better just because you move away. There are problem all over the world and moving just places you into a new environment with new stresses.

Elections are coming up.. Enough Said!!

Work is doing fine. the website I was working on is up. Please feel free to visit. http://www.cnmiwic.org

I have nt gone diving in quite a few weeks. I think that the community of people that I live in is taking for granted that there is more to life that the land. I plan on diving next weekend. Anyone interested in joining me? no destination yet. I hope to link up with a few people I was diving with in the past.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2007-10-18T20:42:00.000+10:00

I was born 32 years ago today. October 18, 1975 on the tiny island of Rota (Luta to you traditionalists) It has been an interesting life so far. Thank you to all of you that are involved in my life in one way or another you each contribute to my development and character in some way or another.

Family, Community, Society, Humanity

2007-10-18T20:34:00.000+10:00

If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual; but if enmity and hatred exist within it destruction and dispersion are inevitable. This is likewise true of a city. If those who dwell within it manifest a spirit of accord and fellowship it will progress steadily and human conditions become brighter whereas through enmity and strife it will be degraded and its inhabitants scattered. In the same way the people of a nation develop and advance toward civilization and enlightenment through love and accord, and are disintegrated by war and strife. Finally, this is true of humanity itself in the aggregate. When love is realized and the ideal spiritual bonds unite the hearts of men, the whole human race will be uplifted, the world will continually grow more spiritual and radiant and the happiness and tranquillity of mankind be immeasurably increased. Warfare and strife will be uprooted, disagreement and dissension pass away, and Universal Peace unite the nations and peoples of the world.All mankind will dwell together as one family, blend as the waves of one sea, shine as stars of one firmament, and appear as fruits of the same tree. This is the happiness and felicity of humankind. This is the illumination of man, the glory eternal and life everlasting; this is the divine bestowal.

Baha'i Faith. 'Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace

******

How interesting that ideas that develop the Micro (small) can also be applied to the macro (large). I believe that we we each strive to love with our individual families and practice honesty and honor with our families we can affect the entire community and from there the world.

Lantiyas

2007-09-30T22:57:00.000+10:00

The following recipe is for the best dessert you can have (after Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia that is) and make at home. Be warned the recipe makes enough for a FIESTA party!!!

***

Lantiyas

Ingredient Amount

Water 5 cups

Sugar 1 cup

Sweetened condensed milk 3 cans

Eggs (yolk only) 6 eggs

Cornstarch 3 tablespoons

Sponge cake

Cinnamon

1. Boil 5 cups of water

2. Add 1 cup of sugar (as preferred) let boil 5 minutes

3. Separately mix 3 cans of sweetened condensed milk with 6 egg yolks. Blend to a thin consistency

4. Lower heat to medium. Until water is not boiling

5. Stir in milk and egg mix. Stir constantly

6. Separately mix 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1 cup of water

7. Pour in slowly and keep stirring to avoid burning until thick

8. Slice sponge cake into ½ inch slices

9. Pour Batter on tray. Even spread

10. Place Sliced sponge cake on Batter

11. Sprinkle cinnamon on sponge cake

12. Pour batter on the sponge cake for final layer

13. Sprinkle powdered cinnamon or powdered (sweet) chocolate on top

14. Garnish as needed

***
If anyone out there makes this please bring me a piece.

Everybody, Somebody, Nobody & Anybody

2007-09-30T22:56:00.001+10:00

Once upon a time, there were four people; their names were Everybody, Somebody, Nobody and Anybody. Whenever there was an important job to be done, Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. When Nobody did it, Everybody got angry because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Somebody would do it, but Nobody realized that Nobody would do it. So consequently Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done in the first place.
***

I love this story. Which one are you?

Who am I?

2007-09-30T22:49:00.000+10:00

Who am I

Chamorro born, Spanish raised.

I am the answer to the past

I ask the questions for the future

Salt flows in my veins, hot as fire

The winds blow my hair, feeding that flame

I am power, so long as i believe

I am strength, so long as I live

My Father is the maker, the All Mighty Creator

My mother is the earth, the one provider

He gives me power and wisdom

She gives me strength and faith

He feeds my soul and heart

She feeds my body and wind.

I am the tree that stands alone

The island on which it stands

I am the stone unmovable

The strength it possesses.

I am the ocean pure and blue

The life it produces

I am the winds unseen

The fury or love it gives

I am the seasons unpredictable

The forgiveness or scorn it sows.

Who am I

Chamorro born, Spanish raised

I am the Oceans, Winds, Clouds and rains

I am the rocks, the sands, the trees and animals

I have anger uncontrolled

I am a savage, out of his time

I have learned from books and life

I am who I am

My blood carries the salt from the seas and runs hotter than the sun

My blood has tasted the wild winds and carries life’s promises

My blood is red, like nature’s poisons.

It runs freer than water

My blood carries the strength of the Earth

I am that strength in a man

My blood is primitive and savage

I am a savage, yet learned from books

My blood carries ancient memories

I am the answer to those memories

My blood carries the futures promises

I am that future, this is who I am.

I

2007-09-30T22:48:00.001+10:00

I've been asked...

to stop the sun from shining

I've been asked...

to keep myself from smiling

I've been asked...

to keep the rain from falling

I've been asked…

to stop myself from loving

Am I crazy, or stupid?

Did I know what I am thinking?

Am I slow or an idiot?

Do I know what I am missing?

Was I wrong or blind?

Did I feel a wrong something?

Was I foolish or to kind?

Did I do the right thing?

What do I see...?

2007-09-30T22:45:00.000+10:00

Oceans so blue

Skies so Fair

Touching like lovers

Melding together

Fields of green

All different hues

Trees waving and plants swaying

to natures wonderful tune.

Clouds, fluffy and white

Floating across a bright blue night

The sun to my back

The moon already set

The morning is glorious

The day will be met

The world all-silent

Only the wind playing her tune

***

I was looking over some poetry I wrote when I was about 17 or so... Hope you like them.

Disunity and politics

2007-09-27T12:55:00.000+10:00

So it's that time once again... election fever is on the rise and with it starts the divisions of families, parting of friends, and A** kissing of running political candidates. With all this happening around me I sit back and think about what type of world we could be in if there were nor career politicians. What would things be like if every single person of age was eligible to be elected (I said elected not run) there were no debates, no campaign speeches, no rallies or other fervor raising activities of individuals tooting their own horn or allowing others to toot their horn.
What if everyone could choose say five (5) individuals per position and the people with the most votes are elected. But there couldn't be any electioneering of any kind. BY the way in my fantasy world these peoples salaries would not be paid by public funds, they would still have to hold a regular job in the private sector or have some other source of income (rentals, business owned etc). The only way people would be voted for is by their ACTIONS. Actions and deeds. Actions that were genuine and not politically motivated.

Hmm this looks like I am dreaming of a part time administration of elected officials. This looks like a scenario where all campaigning funds would not be wasted and could be possibly used to develop our community. This looks like a dream.

I am reminded of something I read on unity.

***

Consort with all the peoples, kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness; that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Baha, that ignorance, enmity, hate and rancor may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the Light of Unity. (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 445)

***

I personally have a long way to go to fulfill those attributes, but I try.

Bahai Quote of the Week!

2007-09-24T09:33:00.000+10:00

Forget self and work for the whole race. Remember always that one is working for the world, not for a town or even for a country; because, as all are brethren, so every country is, as it were, one's own. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 122)

***

If everyone were to follow that tidbit of advice where do you think we would be today?

Life, Death, and the Soul

2007-09-23T12:02:00.000+10:00

I ran across the following article on Bahai.org and in light of recent events I would like to share it. Death is such a part of life and is quite misunderstood by so many that I thought it would be good to share the Bahai viewpoint on Death. As you read this please just keep an open mind and respect the beliefs of others.

The Bahai Temple in Haifa ***
According to Bahá'í teachings human nature is fundamentally spiritual. Although human beings exist on earth in physical bodies, the essential identity of each person is defined by an invisible, rational, and everlasting soul.

The soul animates the body and distinguishes human beings from the animals. It grows and develops only through the individual's relationship with God, as mediated by His Messengers. The relationship is fostered through prayer, knowledge of the scriptures revealed by these Teachers, love for God, moral self-discipline, and service to humanity. This process is what gives meaning to life.

Cultivation of life's spiritual side has several benefits. First, the individual increasingly develops those innate qualities that lie at the foundation of human happiness and social progress. Such qualities include faith, courage, love, compassion, trustworthiness and humility. As these qualities are increasingly manifest, society as a whole advances.

Another effect of spiritual development is alignment with God's will. This growing closer to God prepares the individual for the afterlife . The soul lives on after the body's death, embarking on a spiritual journey towards God through many "worlds" or planes of existence. Progress on this journey, in traditional terms, is likened to "heaven." If the soul fails to develop, one remains distant from God. This condition of remoteness from God can in some sense be understood as "hell." Thus, heaven and hell are regarded not as literal places but descriptions of one's spiritual progress toward the light of God.
***

Bahai Quote of the Day!!

2007-09-18T15:40:00.000+10:00

We say "this man is a German, the other an Italian, a Frenchman, an Englishman," etc. All belong to the great human family yet language is the barrier between them. The greatest working basis for bringing about unity and harmony amongst the nations is the teaching of a universal tongue. (Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 143)

Mini 2

2007-09-17T15:24:00.000+10:00

I am surrounded by cuteness!!

Minions

2007-09-17T15:14:00.000+10:00

and so the minions are hard at work (see post Sept 12th) trying to keep things from working smoothly and efficiently. When will our Government realize that quality and efficiency mean streamlining the process. More people does not necessarily equate to better services (Not that I want anyone to lose a job) but at least get those people to provide service not pass the buck on to the next guy.

On a lighter side maybe for a better future we hire fewer people and put money into training and technological tools they can use.

OK so how about a dive picture?

2007-09-14T20:57:00.000+10:00

OK so I took a long time posting a picture of a dive. Here is a collage of pictures taken by Mark Robertson. He took the pictures I made the collage using Picasa. cool little free program you can download to help organize your pictures and do quick edits easily.

2007-09-13T22:53:00.000+10:00

So who is this cutie and why
does she look so familiar?

Mini ?

2007-09-13T22:43:00.000+10:00

Awww don't you think this is sooo cute!!!
Who is this?

Another Day Another Dollar...

2007-09-12T16:03:00.001+10:00

OK ok so it's more than a dollar, but you get the idea. What a lazy day, it's raining outside and all I want to do is sleep. So what do I do...
Get up in the morning (Late)
Go to work (Late again) see how that works
Battle the minions of Bureaucracy and inefficiency (well not really)
Update my blog and post more links and link a few blogs that I enjoy visiting.

Shop till you drop....

2007-09-06T23:59:00.000+10:00

Ahhhhh... That is the sound of my feet after sitting down just now. Why? you ask.. well I am in Guam today with some coworkers. Yeah!! After arriving on Guam (we are in meetings all day tomorrow (Friday the 7th of Sept) Oops make that today) we promptly checked into hotel and had lunch... Where? Of course at Denny's!! Duh why ask? Isn't that where every Saipanese goes to eat first? Oh wait... How about TACO BELL!!! Oh no the TexMex from Hell!!
Well what did we do afterward? Go to the museum or take in the sights? NO WAY!! Time TO SHOP till you drop. So from 2pm until 6pm we went to: First Hawaiian Bank, Micronesian Mall (Macys {Don't ask}, Kaybe Toy Store, Macys, walked around, ROSS, Bestsellers at GPO, ROSS again. Ate dinner at Lone Star, if you ever eat there I highly recommend the 20oz T-Bone Steak with a Baked potato and Salad. Then we went to KMART. The "Black Hole of Time" on Guam... What an adventure. Fighting through hoards of people parking then floating with the flow of people going into the store and mindlessly walking the aisles looking like Zombies from "Shawn of the Dead" (Funny movie by the way) for a mind Blowing TWO (2) HOURS. Oh My God I need to get a grip on how I spend my time. 2 hours in a single store.
I wish I could saw I purchased many things but alas I found a single pair of Jeans and a pair of shoes as well as a watch for a gift. 3 items in 2 hours, 120 minutes, 7200 seconds. That is longer that any dive I have ever been on. Hell that is longer that most movies I have seen recently.
The next time you go to Guam (or anywhere else for that matter) think of how you spend your time. I just realized I spent more time in a shopping center of some type today that I normally spend doing some sort of physical exercise (those of you that know me can stop snickering now).
I truly wish I had a more productive day... But on the bright side. I spent time getting to know some of my co-workers and developing a bond of friendship outside of the workplace. Maybe it was not such a waste of a day after all....

Working Stiff

2007-09-05T07:59:00.000+10:00

Have you ever woken up and felt totally out of sorts? If you haven't then more power to you. This morning woke up with pain in my shoulder and a twinge in my neck. AAARRRGGG I totally feel pain when I turn my head. oh well.. such is the pain of life. I am seriously contemplating another trip to the acupuncturist. I'll let you know if I do that and how it goes. The last time I went they stuck 36 needles in my back, head, legs, hands, and feet. Now why they put them in my feet I do not know. I went in cause of a pain in my neck (not my kids :-) and the kind lady made me stand up and she poked and prodded my back asking me "does it hurt there?" I of course said some but not like my back. She then proceeded to have me lay down and pricked me with needles over and over again after about the 10th I asked "why so many needles?" and she told me that my back nerves were heavy (obviously not from work) and she was going to fix me. I woke up about 30 minutes later when they started pulling out the needles from the sensitive point on the back of my heel, OUCH!!!
I did feel less pain about hours later, but the best part was all those little pains in the back (not the kids dammit!) were gone and I felt like a new man. So that is why when I feel pain in my back or shoulders I contemplate returning to do my impression of a pin cushion.

So what now?

2007-09-04T07:41:00.000+10:00

OK so I am now on the new gmail login for blogspot.. What now. I am sor I took so long to make an update but this has not been my number one priority. Lets catch up.

1) Had a baby boy in June 2006.
2) Started a new job (CNMI WIC) Novemeber 2006
3) Starting a Masters Online course September 2007

on top of all the other stuff I do.

I guess since I dive (semi regularly) and hike (even less regularly) I'll be concentrating my posts mostly on those topics.

I will try to post at least once a week.