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Groups > Baha'i > Discussions > Topic: Introductions
Topic: Introductions

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Walelu M.	June 26, 2008 12:09 PM Greetings to all Thank you Runningfox Moss for the invitation. I am Walelu Moss wife of Chief Runningfox. I am interested in learning about the Bahai Faith. Blessings This post was modified from its original form on 26 Jun, 12:11 [ send green star] [ accepted]
anonymous	May 10, 2007 9:17 PM Thank you for the information. I'm going to get started right now! I really appreciate it. Peace, Love, and Carrot Juice [report anonymous abuse] [ accepted]
Meg S.	Introductiions May 10, 2007 6:05 PM Dear Anna ,Tess and anoymous, investigating the Faith of Baha'u'llah can be the mot exciting thing you will ever do. No one can tell you what to believe or what to think. It is all up to you and your own spiritual maturity. With the comming of Baha'u'llah all the prophets and Manifestations of the past were fulfilled, " the age of prophacy hath ended and the age of enlightenment hath begun" There are a lt of resources some of which I will post here. But remember asking questions is good as long as you follow your own feelings. a good discussion group is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bahai_Discuss/ Baha'i Faith - Official Website of the Bahai Faith - Home Bahai'world .com Bahá'í Media Bank Bahá'í Library Online Baha'i News These will get you started, good luck and keep coming with discussion topics. Owlwoman/Meg [ send green star] [ accepted]
anonymous	what can be said... ? May 10, 2007 10:39 AM Meg, Owl woman, perhaps you could help out Tess and Ana who are new in the Baha'i Faith. This group has been without any official direction for 5 months now and no one has had the courage to speak out. A Faith, without true works and commitment, becomes just another social ideology or collection of nice myths. To tell the truth, many prefer being followers. My goodness, Abdul Baha was willing to be put away in a prison and sleep on the hard floor together with his father; but when he visited America and Montreal in 1912 he found many well to do, comfortable believers who enjoyed giving warm firesides, followed by a generous serving of enjoyable refreshments. But, my friends, that's easy; and would you believe? you only really know your friend when times are tough and you're up against the wall. Will those same generous good natured folk come aknocking; or would they prefer to go somewhere where there's a nice pleasant group nibbling on sweets? Over the years I've found that one must be like that prodigal son that Jesus spoke of; and I believe Jesus himself was like an outcast from the regular Philistines, the money makers in the temple, and the general run of the mill. Even though Baha'ullah was born a Persian prince, when he commited himself to the cause of the Bab the authorities ostracized him, and yet he was willing to undergo the consequences and uncertainties that went along with his impending mission. He sojourned on faith alone; not a princely show that he had been born into; and so in many ways he was Siddartha Gautama ~ Buddha returned. Siddartha, the original Buddha, was born a Kshatriya around 566 BC. At the age of twenty-nine, he left his family in order to lead an ascetic life. A few years later he reappeared with a number of followers who would devote their lives to "The Middle Way," a lifestyle midway between an ascetic lifestyle and one that is world-devoted. At one point Siddhartha gained "enlightenment" and he began to preach this new belief in the region of Bihar and Uttar Kadesh. His teaching lasting several decades then the Buddha died, having eaten some bad pork, stuffed into a mushroom, that was given to him. Following his death at 80, a few disciples (or bhikkus) continued to wander the countryside in yellow robes, which indicated their devotion (or bhakti) to the master. For almost two centuries these Buddhists were relatively an inconsequential group among an infinite variety of Hindu sects. But when the great Mauryan emperor, Asoka, converted in the third century BC Buddhism spread like wildfire throughout India and across the Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka where that original form of Siddhartha's teachings is maintained. In the rest of India and beyond Buddhism splintered into many sects. Theravada Buddhism still holds its ground in Sri Lanka. When Siddhartha Gautama was born, a seer predicted that he would either become a great king or he would save humanity. Fearing that his son would not follow in his footsteps, his father raised Siddhartha in a wealthy and pleasure-filled palace in order to shield his son from any experience of human misery or suffering. This, however, was a futile project, and when Siddhartha saw four sights: a sick man, a poor man, a beggar, and a corpse, he was filled with infinite sorrow for the suffering that humanity has to undergo. After seeing these four things, Siddhartha then dedicated himself to finding a way to end human suffering. He abandoned his former way of life, including his wife and family, and dedicated himself to a life of extreme asceticism. So harsh was this way of life that he grew thin enough that he could feel his hands if he placed one on the small of his back and the other on his stomach. In this state of wretched concentration, in heroic but futile self-denial, he overheard a teacher speaking of music. If the strings on the instrument are set too tight, then the instrument will not play harmoniously. If the strings are set too loose, the instrument will not produce music. Only the middle way, not too tight and not too loose, will produce harmonious music. This chance conversation changed his life overnight. The goal was not to live a completely worldly life, nor was it to live a life in complete denial of the physical body, but to live in a Middle Way. The way out of suffering was through concentration, and since the mind was connected to the body, denying the body would hamper concentration, just as overindulgence would distract one from concentration. With this insight, Siddhartha began a program of intense yogic meditation beneath a pipal tree in Benares. At the end of this program, in a single night, Siddhartha came to understand all his previous lives and the entirety of the cycle of birth and rebirth, or samsara, and most importantly, figured out how to end the cycle of infinite sorrow. At this point, Siddhartha became the Buddha, or "Awakened One." Instead, however, of passing out of this cycle himself, he returned to the world of humanity in order to tea [report anonymous abuse] [ accepted]
anonymous	May 10, 2007 12:07 AM Hello, my name is Ana. I am very interested in learning about the Baha'i Faith. I have a very open mind and have always enjoyed learning others belief systems. Peace, Love, and Carrot Juice [report anonymous abuse] [ accepted]
Tess K.	August 27, 2006 12:27 PM As I have just recently joined this group, I thought I would introduce myself. I first came across the Baha'i' Faith, about 16 years ago. I have a Catholic mother and a Shia Muslim father. When I decided that I wanted to be a Bahai, it was a difficult thing for my family to accept. Despite being in a very large extended famlily, I am still the only Bahai and it can be rather lonely! But the worldwide Bahai community itself is fabulous and very supporitive, the the loveliest group of people one could ever hope to meet. I am very pleased to have found this group, where I hope further ideas, questions and thoughts about the Faith will be discussed. [ send green star] [ accepted]
anonymous	Possible convert June 17, 2006 7:26 AM Greetings! I joined this group so that I could interact with others in the Baha'i faith as I am investigating and exploring as a potential convert. But by all means, consider me as a Care2 friend. Although I haven't yet received a response from my initial contact by email, I expect I will soon. I sent an inquiry email to the U.S. division of the faith to find out whether there may be a Baha'i fellowship or perhaps study group in my community. The closest city to my knowlege that has one is La Crosse, WI which is 27 miles south of Winona. Unfortunately, too distant to walk it!! [report anonymous abuse] [ accepted]
Meg S.	Hello March 06, 2006 11:14 AM I am a Baha'i and have been for over 40 years now, but I am still learning. I found this site when I found Care2. I live in Canada (Ontario) with my daughter and her husband and almost 3 grandchildren. I have two other children and 3 other grandchildren. So I keep busy, I love to visit people on the computer. Owlwoman [ send green star] [ accepted]
Lily F.	also March 02, 2006 11:20 AM all my life i have believed in angels and spiritual and animal guides as well as spirit family and friends,from what i have gathered these are not really considered in bahai faith and i wonder infact what is the bahai view on this? one thing i love and find very important about bahai is the idea of one universal family - i think civilisation are aiming for this, this doesn't make us lose our uniqueness or our pride in ourselves, our familys, our communities,our nations and our cultures, it just makes us know the important thing is that we are all spiritual people of the world and once this idea is established really in our hearts and souls - there can't be any more wars - everyone will be striving to help the other - because we are one. [ send green star] [ accepted]
Lily F.	hello everyone March 02, 2006 8:24 AM i have been visiting this site and thought it was about time to introduce myself. i am a little like maureen in that my family are a rainbow tribe, we are dutch, mohawk,scottish,cree,irish,romany,blackfoot,norwegian, i have lived in morocco, portugal,spain,scotland and england and after beginning with the catholic faith, i have since embrassed islam, sufism and buddhism, and for some reason all during my life the bahai faith keeps putting it's head in the door, and as it already incorporates much of what i already believe (in a rainbow way) i am now saying - welcome! come in take a seat, tell me more about yourself! and i am very happy to find myself in good company with this wonderful community here, blessings to all,sumea [ send green star] [ accepted]
Paul S.	I really enjoy this group and their posts February 18, 2006 12:24 PM I am learning a lot, and meeting some very nice people. I look forward to reading more. [ send green star] [ accepted]
Celeste O.	new December 26, 2005 6:30 PM Although I am not B'hai, I had the opportunity to work with a B'hai Childrens Theatre Company as a dance instructor. We rehearsed in the temple. The commitment to peace, non-violence and Women's Rights were amazing. I would like to learn more. [ send green star] [ accepted]
Kin M.	Introduction and small question which hopefully is above level of pet peeve December 25, 2005 10:17 PM Bahá’u’lláh seems to be the proper way to write the name. I am not a follower of Bahá’u’lláh but I once was a spelling champion and I was wondering why it was not easier for you to just keep the spelling of the prophet's name copied and ready to paste. Your cute use of the keyboard to me seemed innovative, surprising and a bit unusual. I am aware that photos of the prophet and Shohgi Effendi and perhaps others are not desired to be propagated but I would have thought that the spelling of the name would be consistent within the faith. What with the Internet you can bop over quickly to the national or international site by any search engine and lift and be prepared to paste the name of the faith and the prophet, whenever you are dealing with Bahá’u’lláh and his teachings. Again this is just a perspective of an outsider, who will remain outside your faith, but will respect it as one worthy of protection (not all "faiths" are worthy for they fail to appear to be genuine and to meet even the most minimal standards, but most will endure in the USA regardless). I was just wondering if you understood how a non-member and even a member might see the innovative script. [I can actually type most accented characters using the number pad and various keys. It is a pain to do it that way, but one way or another those who write in English should learn that accents and spellings are important enough to get write when you right, weird looking to me, so I often go to www.m-w.com not to learn the spelling but to get the proper accent. But in internet spelling as to the whole concern: u mite thnk me stpd.] [ send green star] [ accepted]
Maureen S.	Whoops December 08, 2005 12:22 AM I guess that I should also tell something about my being a Bahai. I did a journey to find out what I wanted in a spiritual way. I was raised by a Catholic father & Seventh Day Adventist mother & they just didn't go there when religion was discussed. 34 years ago, I went into a laundromat on the Colville reservation where my Lakota/Irish/French/Scots husband & I were working on an apple orchard. I am Blackfeet/Seneca Indian, Irish/Scot & French. I asked the lady in the laundromat whether she believed in the progression of the prophets & world unity! Bam, I was a Bahai & didn't know it. LOL. There is a folder in the discussions about the Bahai Faith & it's origins. Our tribe, the Blackfeet, had one of the few real Bahai experiences at a Sun Dance on the Blood reserve in Canada, & many people of my tribe SAW Bahauallah, the founder of our Faith, at the Sun Dance. I have a VERY mixed race family & at one family reunion, over 300 countries were represented! I was both amazed & happy. We are truly a Rainbow family. Roger & Pat Olsen were my Bahai "parents" & though Pat is now gone into the Abha Kingdom, she was a wonderful, kind, caring person who was my first contact to the Faith. I love the Faith very much & it REALLY changed my life a lot. Prayers to all, Moe & family [ send green star] [ accepted]
Maureen S.	Love it! December 08, 2005 12:13 AM I am SO happy that some of my dearest, new Care2 friends have joined! I am so glad to have you here dear ones. Hugs & blessings, Moe, Taz & Katy Kitty bighug [ send green star] [ accepted]
Agnes C.	Thanks Maureen! December 07, 2005 9:26 PM Am glad to have accepted Moe´s invite to join the group and even not being of the Baha´i faith, I do want to learn about it and on other topics that seem to be very good for the spirit. Will be around whenever possible - Moe (Maureen) knows I have little time to be in the internet. Thank you for accepting me here with you. Blessings, peace, love and hopes! [ send green star] [ accepted]
anonymous	December 07, 2005 9:16 AM Thanks Moe for the invite Good to be part of this group Look forward of learning more on Bahai [report anonymous abuse] [ accepted]
Annie O.	November 17, 2005 8:05 PM hi rose, The bahai's have a wed site go to www.bahai.org. you can get some info from there. [ send green star] [ accepted]
Rose B.	November 17, 2005 3:57 PM Hello I am Rose not of the Baha'i faith but very interested in learning all about it. I am part Cherokee Indian and find it interesteing that Moss is an name in my ancestry line also. I have enjoyed the Indian Elder Meditations very much and get a sense of peace reading them. I am hoping to learn much about the Baha'i faith and new angles on my life also. I like a poster before me seem to be a very angry person also full of love but so hurt and angry about so much and do not want to continue with that. I was raised in a presbyterian orphanage, and have prayed all thru my life but as an adult have not attended any church feeling that I am closer to my creator sitting by a riverside than in a building. I am a person that enjoys solitude also. its good to be here. Are there any publications I might read about the Baha'i faith and the teachings? Rose [ send green star] [ accepted]
Joye B.	October 06, 2005 6:49 AM that was supposed to say it's good meeting you!... OPPS>..sorry.. see what happens when I post things way late at night... Sorry! [ send green star] [ accepted]
Joye B.	October 05, 2005 11:52 PM Welcome Barbara! Good to see you here and glad you are asking questions about the Baha'i Faith, I am sure all here will do their best to answer any questions you may have. Since this is an introductions thread I should really introduce myself. My name is Joye Braun, I am a Lakota (Sioux) Native originally from South Dakota, but live in Washington state with my hubby and two wonderful children. I am also a Baha'i, second generation Baha'i as my mom and aunt and uncle are all Baha'is, and that is where I learned of the Baha'i Faith. Although, I didn't become a Baha'i just becuase they were.. oh no! I searched hard, went through the bible, studied the Quoran, read as much as I could, went to various churches, before I decided after a few very poignant dreams that I better declare...Independent Investigation of truth is a fundemental teaching of Baha'u'llah so my mom never pushed me into anything I didn't want to be a part of ot believed in. I am a journalist by trade, although right now I am working on my own writing and staying at home taking care of my family. I volunteer for my community through the BLock watch, neighborhood patrol, food drives, and for my children's school as well. Although I am disabled now (rheumatoid arthritis, heart problems) I manage to get around and do what I need to do. It is goof meeting you and I look forward to getting to know the people here in the group better... oh yes... Running Fox makes a real good host of a group! [ send green star] [ accepted]
Barbara L.	October 05, 2005 11:20 PM Greetings Chief Runningfox, This may seen stupid but I will state it. I have always been curious about the Baha'i faith. My first exposure was through Seals & Crofts music (I didn't know that they were Baha'i). Their music was so soothing for my soul when I was then pregnant & after our daugther, Mai-Ling was born. It was a God Send. Our daugher, Mai-Ling is a very special & humble woman with many talents. She is 30 now. I am willing to learn about the Baha'i faith. I have been a buddhist in my heart. I was baptized a Catholic, attending Catholic Youth Group, mainly a Jewish Collegiate, YWCA, YHMA, United Church...never happy...heavy in my heart...I AM VERY ANGRY MIXED UP WOMAN! I never belonged. Rejected in all of the above mentioned. Pouring my heart out. I am not the brightest bulb in the package (joke)... Perhaps I trust that I will find a Baha'i group to join here on the Sunshine Coast, BC. Talk soon. Say hello to Silverwolf... In friendship & love/ Barbara Lee [ send green star] [ accepted]
Runningfox M.	Introductions September 30, 2005 2:56 PM Please use this thread to introduce yourself to the group if you desire..There is no need to feel obligated but it sure would be nice if you do,, I will start things of: My Name is James Robert Runningfox Moss I am 65 years mature..I am a retired army officer and I am also a retired Psychologist..I have been a Bahai longer than many of you have been alive..I am the son of a Baptist minister but my dad and I had many long great and wonderful discussions about the Bahai faith before he crossed into the spirit world.. If you are a member of the Bahai faith please share some of your experiences with us.. I am very happy to be here.. Love and many blessings to you and yours Chief Jim Runningfox Moss [ send green star]