Istijlál, 11 Qawl (Speech), 178 B.E.

Seen

Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) almost “burned out” for the season …

Done

Started transition to what will become daily posts about “books and boxes” projects to my Micro.blog site. Here’s the one for today: Breaking Boundaries — A Commentary. Next steps include: 1) retitle and recategorize postings to this site, 2) provide the rationale for those changes, and 3) outline future areas of focus going forward. Feedback at any time is most welcome!

Noted

Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook

Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube

Tab’s Galaxy on YouTube

Quoted

We assert that the emerging global order, and the processes of globalization that define it, must be founded on the principle of the oneness of humankind. This principle, accepted and affirmed as a common understanding, provides the practical basis for the organization of relationships between all states and nations. The increasingly apparent interconnectedness of development, security and human rights on a global scale confirms that peace and prosperity are indivisible – that no sustainable benefit can be conferred on a nation or community if the welfare of the nations as a whole is ignored or neglected. The principle of the oneness of humankind does not seek to undermine national autonomy or suppress the cultural and intellectual diversity of the peoples and nations of the world. Rather, it seeks to broaden the basis of the existing foundations of society by calling for a wider loyalty, a greater aspiration than any that has animated the human race. Indeed, it provides the moral impetus needed to remold the institutions of governance in a manner consistent with the needs of an ever-changing world.

From the teachings of the Baha’i Faith, we offer the following vision, in the realization of which the members of the worldwide Baha’i community across 191 nations are engaged:

A world community in which all economic barriers will have been permanently demolished and the interdependence of capital and labour definitely recognized; in which the clamor of religious fanaticism and strife will have been forever stilled; in which the flame of racial animosity will have been finally extinguished; in which a single code of international law—the product of the considered judgment of the world’s federated representatives—shall have as its sanction the instant and coercive intervention of the combined forces of the federated units; and finally a world community in which the fury of a capricious and militant nationalism will have been transmuted into an abiding consciousness of world citizenship…” 1 2

My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.

  1. Shoghi Effendi, “The Goal of a New World Order” 1931, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (Wilmette, Ill.: Baha’i Publishing Trust, 1991). [return]
  2. Bahá’í International Community. The Search for Values in an Age of Transition. 1st ed., Bahá’í International Community, 2005, 6-8. https://www.bic.org/statements/search-values-age-transition. [return]