Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Pilgrimage Part 2 Edirne,Turkey
To walk around a place like Istanbul and hear this amazing chanting about God was something that I didn't want to forget.I don't have that here.I would walk around and five times a day God comes to mind for all who are in the area.It really started to prepare me for my next part of my journey.I called the person that I had been given the phone numbers to in London.he phoned me back very promptly.We discussed going to Edirne, to the Mosque where Baha'u'llah would pray.I was actually going to walk where My Beloved Beauty
had walked many a time.I was waiting for the return phone call from Shapar Afnan about our ride.No one was at the reception and the phone kept ringing and I knew it was him!AND IT WAS!I phoned him back and he said he had been trying to call me!There were 8 Malaysian Baha'i's coming from Haifa and they wanted to go to Edirne and the bus had two seats left!I said "we want those seats!" We go friday and we meet the loveliest people from Malaysia.They told of their struggle to get to Haifa,due to the fact that their coming from a muslim country.They were taking notes so that other Malaysian families would be better able to navigate the trip and what they needed to do.
We got to Edirne and we went to sign in with our i.d. and they took us to Baha'u'llah's house across the street.The feeling was that of meeting my Lord,in retrospect which I will tell about in part 3!
We went into the house and waited for instructions.There was a basket of rose petals by the window.....I was looking at them and Mr.Afnan said,"you can take some if you want?"I gasped and started to tear up.I had always heard of the rose petals from the threshold but this was part of my journey......You could small roses everywhere,a really strong scent ,just beautiful.......We went upstairs to pray in the six rooms available.Praying was wonderful,I felt such love,powerful love.It is impossible to describe.I went to the first room on the right.I continued to feel love,I know love "is",it always exists,it just is.......I was always the last one out.....Our guide just got used to it and always said,"take your time."I didn't want to leave this house because I knew it would be a while before I came back here again.I wanted to soak up everything I could like a sponge.....sounds,smells,feelings.....
We went to the garden where Baha'u'llah revealed The Tablet of Ahmad.We walked around the garden,had some fruit and nuts and enjoyed the time we had there.These places are places of history,beauty,have felt the footsteps of the Manifestation of God!To breathe the same air........to imagine what it was like during that time.....It was truly a very special moment that will never be repeated.
Next,we went to the Sultan Salim Mosque,This is where Baha'u'llah would pray.Under a canopy by the pillar on the left side where a upside down tulip is as seen below is.I went to touch it and to stand where My Beloved had prayed many times......I couldn't believe the feeling of this place.......I couldn't believe how overwhelmed I felt.All the visions that went through my head as I was in this mosque, in the Bazaar.I was going to Haifa in a few days and I thought I would explode....I didn't think I could handle much more.......but God never gives you more than you can handle......and I didn't really know what that meant because that can mean something that you just had no clue was going to come your way.......
On our way home we had such wonderful conversations about our lives and service and how we are all connected and how fast we can make friendships that can continue on.It was such a splendid transition from London.
Below is a photo of me infront of one of the entrances to the mosque,I think the one Baha'u'llah would use when he would come up through the bazaar.I feel happy and peaceful,like I have never felt in my life.I knew that there was alot more to come in Israel......I just had no idea what it would look or feel like......or where I would be transported next.To share these experiences,I feel is a duty.It was an absolute privilage to be able to go on this trip and very timely......
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Days Ahead.......
are interesting ones.As the New Year starts to most of the world I look back and think about what I had been thinking???YOu may ask your self if you are reading this,what does that mean?Well,in retrospect we can understand many things once they have occurred.This is when we have a choice to move on from them or not.If we don’t what is it about that particular thing, person or event that we just can’t leave behind?Is it the fantasy that we have built up around it that we love so much?Is it the idea of the possibility of it not being finished or closed?
I often wonder if we ever really get closure at all in our lives about anything?Is this the struggle that we as humanity face constantly in our lives.I have looked back at my life for the span of more than just last year but for about 15 years.I could have made alot of other choices ,yet the cycle that I have myself in is that of a repeat offender!AS much as I change and learn,and get better at making better choices,I sometimes find myself at the crossroads again.
When we are afraid and get that scared feeling we tend to do something or make a choice that is familiar because we are coming from fear.I have realized that I need to make choices that come from a place of being fearless.Having the thought of “what is the worst thing that could happen to me?
Maybe I should have called this blog fearless?
People who are successful are fearless,and by success I don’t necessarily mean money wise,although that ain’t a bad situation to be in!Being fearless in relationships with family,friends,spouses,work associates etc.I think love and passion are heavily involved in this process.Without love we are nothing,without passion we have no drive,we are static.
When life hits you on the side of the head and you have no idea which direction it came from it is time to be fearless because there is no other way to be.
Be fearless in love,life and faith.
