Find the reciprocity, balance in all relationships

 
Regarding the realization of unity between peoples and individuals - in terms of mutuality and justice - the first of the quotations below could be said to illustrate this principle on a more superficial level, the second on a deeper one.

A sustainable social order is distinguished, among other things, by an ethic of reciprocity and balance at all levels of human organization. A relevant analogy is the human body: here, millions of cells collaborate to make human life possible. The astounding diversity of form and function connects them in a lifelong process of giving and receiving. It represents the highest expression of unity in diversity.

(Bahá'í International Community statement of 3 May 2010: Rethinking Prosperity: Forging Alternatives to a Culture of Consumerism)

The great mass of humanity does not exercise real love and fellowship. The elect of humanity are those who live together in love and unity. They are preferable before God because the divine attributes are already manifest in them...

[...] believers whose characteristics are agreement, fellowship and love. The Bahá’í friends in Persia attained such a brotherhood and love that it really became a hindrance in the conduct of material affairs. Each one into whatever house of the friends he went considered himself the owner of the house, so to speak. There was no duality but complete mutuality of interests and love. The visiting friend would have no hesitation in opening the provision box and taking out enough food for his needs. They wore each other’s clothes as their own when necessary. If in need of a hat or cloak, they would take and use it. The owner of the clothing would be thankful and grateful that the garment had gone. When he returned home, he would perhaps be told, “So and so was here and took away your coat.” He would reply, “Praise be to God! I am so grateful to him. Praise be to God! I am so thankful I have been given this opportunity of showing my love for him.”

To such an extreme degree this love and fellowship expressed itself that Bahá’u’lláh commanded that no one should take possession of another’s belongings unless presented with them. The intention is to show to what an extent unity and love prevailed among the Bahá’í friends in the East.

I hope that this same degree and intensity of love may become manifest and apparent here; that the spirit of God shall so penetrate your hearts that each one of the beloved of God shall be considered as all; that each one may become a cause of unity and center of accord and all mankind be bound together in real fellowship and love.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, PUP 208-9)

View photo source here.
 

Find the reciprocity, balance in all relationships

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A View on Education for Peace

 
Here from India's department of education.

Education for peace is different from peace education. In the latter, peace is a subject in the syllabus. In the former, peace becomes the shaping vision of education. This implies a paradigm shift in the total transaction of education. Currently, the enterprise of education is driven by market forces. Education for peace is not antagonistic to the market, but it does not recognise the market as the purpose of education. The market is only a part of our life-world. Education for peace is education for life, and not merely training for a livelihood. Equipping individuals with the values, skills, and attitudes they need to be wholesome persons who live in harmony with others and as responsible citizens is the goal of education for peace.

(National Focus Group on Education for Peace, India, p. 1)

Read the full article here.

        Tamil Nadu - SACCAR

Dictums:

Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well-behaved—even though he be ignorant—is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill-natured, and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts. The reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, SWA 135-6)

[T]he primary challenge in dealing with issues of peace is to raise the context to the level of principle, as distinct from pure pragmatism. For, in essence, peace stems from an inner state supported by a spiritual or moral attitude, and it is chiefly in evoking this attitude that the possibility of enduring solutions can be found.

(The Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace, p. 9)

Photo source is here.
 

A View on Education for Peace

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Leader of thought, Iranian poetess, women's activist Behbahani under country arrest

 
Here from a PBS article I was reading.

Poet Behbahani Writes for Peace Amid Iran's Political Turmoil

"My country, I will build you again" - This is one of the most anthologized poems of Simin Behbahani, one of Iran's most renowned and prolific female poets, also a women's rights advocate [more about her latter activity here].

My country, I will build you again, if need be, with bricks made from my life. I will build columns to support your roof, if need be, with my own bones. I will inhale again the perfume of flower favored by your youth. I will wash again the blood off your body with torrents of my tears.

Simin Behbahani recognizes the power of words, and she has used them to write a different kind of history of Iran...
Because she is not an ideologue, because she doesn't belong to any political party, because she loves the country she lives in, she has presented an image that is fair and judicious, that is [complex] and multilayered.

The Islamic republic confiscated Behbahani's passport on March 8 as she was leaving Tehran Airport for Paris. She had been invited there to deliver a speech and read a few of her poems on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Read the full article here.

Dictum:

It is my hope that the banner of equality may be raised throughout the five continents where as yet it is not fully recognized and established. In this enlightened world of the West woman has advanced an immeasurable degree beyond the women of the Orient. And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible. For the world of humanity consists of two parts or members: one is woman; the other is man. Until these two members are equal in strength, the oneness of humanity cannot be established, and the happiness and felicity of mankind will not be a reality. God willing, this is to be so. ('Abdu'l-Bahá PUP 8)

 

Leader of thought, Iranian poetess, women's activist Behbahani under country arrest

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This is solidarity. This is the power of the ARTS! (Great VIDEO - 5 min.)

 
Watch the video. Read the inspiring article, Replicating the prison conditions of the 7 Baha’i: video of worldwide solidarity, at United4Iran.org.

The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 85


All great works of art and science are witnesses to [the] power of the [Holy Spirit, working through his soul].

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 85


[A]lthough music is a material affair, yet its tremendous effect is spiritual, and its greatest attachment is to the realm of the spirit. If a person desires to deliver a discourse, it will prove more effectual after musical melodies. The ancient Greeks, as well as Persian philosophers, were in the habit of delivering their discourses in the following manner:--First, playing a few musical melodies, and when their audience attained a certain receptivity thereby they would leave their instruments at once and begin their discourse...

In this Cause the art of music is of paramount importance. The Blessed Perfection, when He first came to the barracks (Acca) repeated this statement: "If among the immediate followers there had been those who could have played some musical instrument, i.e., flute or harp, or could have sung, it would have charmed every one." In short, musical melodies form an important role in the associations, or outward and inward characteristics, or qualities of man, for it is the inspirer or motive power of both the material and spiritual susceptibilities. What a motive power it is in all feelings of love! When man is attached to the Love of God, music has a great effect upon him.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Music #1421

 

This is solidarity. This is the power of the ARTS! (Great VIDEO - 5 min.)

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