Re: There is a power in this Cause...
In a message dated 1/11/07 5:11:13 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: ... far, far, far away from the ken of men and angels; That starts a quote describing the Covenant that instantly struck a chord with me when I read it in The Power of the Covenant series pamphlets published in 1976. Shoghi Effendi quoted about as much of it as I have above and attributed it to Abdu'l-Baha but I am aware that some years back, the Research Department at the World Centre identified the whole quote found in the pamphlets as coming from the diary of Ahmad Sohrab calling it interesting material but not scripture. My dilemma: I am teaching a high school level Baha'i class and would like to use this wonderful description of the Covenant in my introduction to the subject. Should I? Kind of ironic to use the utterance of a Covenant-breaker to describe the Covenant but it is such a great overarching description. Does anyone know if there is a similar but authentic description I could use? I think it's probably okay to use the quote from Sohrab, based on the parallel circumstance that when we finally build the house of worship on Mt. Carmel, we'll be using Mason Remey's design-- the principle being that just because somebody eventually became a covenant-breaker, it doesn't negate the things he/she did when he/she was still a loyal Baha'i. --Sekhmet The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: There is a power in this Cause...
... far, far, far away from the ken of men and angels; That starts a quote describing the Covenant that instantly struck a chord with me when I read it in The Power of the Covenant series pamphlets published in 1976. Shoghi Effendi quoted about as much of it as I have above and attributed it to Abdu'l-Baha but I am aware that some years back, the Research Department at the World Centre identifiedthe whole quote found in the pamphlets as coming from the diary of Ahmad Sohrab calling it interesting material but not scripture. Dear Dick, I just checked Ahmad Sohrab's diary and he claims to be quoting the Master Himself. Apparently Shoghi Effendi believed this was the case. I would simply identify it to my students as a pilgrim's note and leave it at that. I'm posting the passage from Ahmad Sohrab's diary here. Note he is pretty specific about the circumstances in which this utterance was made. There is a power in the Cause , a mysterious Power, far, far, far, away from the ken of men and angels. That invisible power is the Cause of all these outward activities. It moves the hearts* It rends the mountains. It administers the complicated affairs of the Cause. It inspires the friends. It dashes into a thousand pieces all the forces of opposition. It creates new spiritual worlds. This is a mystery of the Kingdom of Abha. Thus spoke the Beloved, after dictating several wonderful Tablets to MtsrD Harriet 0. Cline, and Mrs, Mabel Rice- Wray of Los Angeles, Miss Harriet Magee of New York, Mrs4 Dixon of Washington, D*C*, Viss orothy Hodgson of Paris, and Miss General Jack of London. warmest, Susan The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: There is a power in this Cause...
Thank you Susan - that is great information and I like the suggestion of calling it a pilgrim's note. Looks like that is exactly what it is. Dick From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Subject: Re: There is a power in this Cause... Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:18:44 -0600 ... far, far, far away from the ken of men and angels; That starts a quote describing the Covenant that instantly struck a chord with me when I read it in The Power of the Covenant series pamphlets published in 1976. Shoghi Effendi quoted about as much of it as I have above and attributed it to Abdu'l-Baha but I am aware that some years back, the Research Department at the World Centre identifiedthe whole quote found in the pamphlets as coming from the diary of Ahmad Sohrab calling it interesting material but not scripture. Dear Dick, I just checked Ahmad Sohrab's diary and he claims to be quoting the Master Himself. Apparently Shoghi Effendi believed this was the case. I would simply identify it to my students as a pilgrim's note and leave it at that. I'm posting the passage from Ahmad Sohrab's diary here. Note he is pretty specific about the circumstances in which this utterance was made. There is a power in the Cause , a mysterious Power, far, far, far, away from the ken of men and angels. That invisible power is the Cause of all these outward activities. It moves the hearts* It rends the mountains. It administers the complicated affairs of the Cause. It inspires the friends. It dashes into a thousand pieces all the forces of opposition. It creates new spiritual worlds. This is a mystery of the Kingdom of Abha. Thus spoke the Beloved, after dictating several wonderful Tablets to MtsrD Harriet 0. Cline, and Mrs, Mabel Rice- Wray of Los Angeles, Miss Harriet Magee of New York, Mrs4 Dixon of Washington, D*C*, Viss orothy Hodgson of Paris, and Miss General Jack of London. warmest, Susan The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu _ Get live scores and news about your team: Add the Live.com Football Page www.live.com/?addtemplate=footballicid=T001MSN30A0701 __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: There is a power in this Cause...
At 8:32 AM -0500 1/11/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think it's probably okay to use the quote from Sohrab, based on the parallel circumstance that when we finally build the house of worship on Mt. Carmel, we'll be using Mason Remey's design-- the principle being that just because somebody eventually became a covenant-breaker, it doesn't negate the things he/she did when he/she was still a loyal Baha'i. I think a better reference would be Shoghi Effendi's comments on the Ruhi's book on Mysticism. Don C -- -.-.-.-.- He who believes himself spiritual proves he is not. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: There is a power in this Cause...
But with Susan'sclarification - that it was Sohrab taking notes as Abdu'l-Baha spoke, it puts this squarely into the category of a pilgrim's note. From the Research Depts note which didn't mention this context, I was assuming the quote was something Sohrab came up with himself. The former I have no problems with at all, the later was something I was uncomfortable with. From: Don Calkins [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Subject: Re: There is a power in this Cause... Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:04:19 -0700 At 8:32 AM -0500 1/11/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think it's probably okay to use the quote from Sohrab, based on the parallel circumstance that when we finally build the house of worship on Mt. Carmel, we'll be using Mason Remey's design-- the principle being that just because somebody eventually became a covenant-breaker, it doesn't negate the things he/she did when he/she was still a loyal Baha'i. I think a better reference would be Shoghi Effendi's comments on the Ruhi's book on Mysticism. Don C -- -.-.-.-.- He who believes himself spiritual proves he is not. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu _ Dave vs. Carl: The Insignificant Championship Series. Who will win? http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp007001msn/direct/01/?href=http://davevscarl.spaces.live.com/?icid=T001MSN38C07001 __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: There is a power in this Cause...
In a message dated 1/11/07 3:04:00 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: But with Susan'sclarification - that it was Sohrab taking notes as Abdu'l-Baha spoke, it puts this squarely into the category of a pilgrim's note. From the Research Depts note which didn't mention this context, I was assuming the quote was something Sohrab came up with himself. The former I have no problems with at all, the later was something I was uncomfortable with. Then I guess you're all set! ;-) --Sekhmet The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
RE: There is a power in this Cause...
I saw these in Star of the West There is a power in this Cause, a mysterious power, far, far, far away from the ken of men and angels. That invisible power is the cause of all these outward activities. It moves the hearts. It rends the mountains. It administers the complicated affairs of the Cause. It inspires the friends. It dashes into a thousand pieces all the forces of opposition. It creates new spiritual worlds. This is a mystery of the Kingdom of Abha. Abdul Baha. - SW, Vol. 7, p. 34 Men and women who are devoting their lives to the work of the National League for Justice to American Indians were there and others devoted to the welfare of all races. A Filipino from the island of Luzon; other Indians of worth and distinction were there too, like Walking Eagle, research worker, and Sunflower his wife. But the dinner at last had to come to an end and so must this inadequate report which when all is said falls short of fully portraying the spirit of these gatherings. Perhaps it will be best understood by these words from the Teachings of 'Abdu'l Baha: There is a Power in this Cause, a mysterious Power, far, far away from the pen of men and angels. That invisible Power is the source of all these outward activities. It moves the hearts. It inspires the friends. It dashes into a thousand pieces all the forces of opposition. It creates new spiritual worlds. This is a Mystery of the Kingdom of Abha. - SW, Vol. 23, p. 51 PORTALS TO FREEDOM , He held my hand in His or rested it lightly upon my knee. There flowed from Him to me during that marvelous contact a constant stream of power. The has brought to me through the years, at higher moments of insight, thoughts difficult to etore s s. Words cannot step into that Court. When 'Abdu'l Baha says that there is a Power in this Cause far transcending that of men and angels, what does He mean in terms applicable to our everyday human experience, if not that the World of Reality is a World of such Power as this world has never known? When mankind learns how to become a channel for that Power as He always was and is, instead of attempting to mop it up for one's own use, then indeed this world will become a garden and a paradise. Certainly I felt that transcendent power flowing from Him to me; and Mr. Mountfort Mills once told me that he had the same experience when sitting close to Abdu'l Baha during an automobile ride. He said it was like being charged by a divine battery. - SW, Vol. 25, p. 389 No testimony to the truth and the strength of the Cause could have been greater than the triumphal conclusion of the Guardian's World Crusade which the believers achieved. It had been a hard, an overwhelming task to begin with. That the Bahá'ís achieved it, that for over five years they worked and sacrificed to a greater degree than ever before in their history without his leadership, without those appeals, those reports, those marvellous word-pictures he painted for them in his messages, without the knowledge that he was there at the helm, their so dearly-loved captain steering them to victory and safety, is little short of a miracle and testifies not only to how well he builded, but to those words of the Master: there is a mysterious power in the Cause, far, far above the ken of men and angels. (Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Priceless Pearl, p. 444) The phenomenal progress made and the extraordinary victories won during the last five years, have demonstrated to us all, not only the immense power of the Cause of God -- a power which the Master said was mysterious and far above the understanding of men and of angels -- but have shown us that through the canalization of this force by the Guardian into the mighty blueprint of the Divine Plan conceived by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, an immensely potent instrument has been devised in the form of this World Crusade which constitutes a step in the spiritual conquest of the entire planet. The pattern has been clearly defined, the design of God we see distinctly emerging before our eyes. Every act of obedience to the instructions of the Guardian, every fulfilment of a goal set by him, every execution of a phase of his plan, brings victory, breeds strength, creates new spiritual life. He himself was immensely heartened and pleased over the victories won during the first half of this Holy Crusade, and characterized this five year period as one of marvellous progress achieved in so vast a field in so short a time by a small band of heroic souls (Custodians, Ministry of the Custodians, p. 93) There is a power in this Cause, a mysterious power, far, far beyond the ken of men and angels... This passage is from Ahmad Sohrab's diary and should be considered as interesting material, but not as scripture. (The Universal House of Justice, 1992 Sept 27, Authenticity of Some Well-known Prayers) The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto
