In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him.
NEW BOOK Dec. 2008
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An examination of a fascinating religious community and a penetrating look at the spiritual destiny of America.
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Heritage of Light: The Spiritual Destiny of America Author: Janet A Khan
Heritage of Light is an accessible descirption of the American Baha'i community and a penetrating look at the spiritual destiny of America. This exploration traces the historical and spiritual connections that link the American Baha'is with the early Baha'is of Iran, who displayed an unparalleled staunchness of faith and heroism in the face of unspeakable brutal persecution and oppression. The author's examination of the writings of the Baha'i Faith, along with extensive historical and archival records, demonstrates the unique role assigned to the American Baha'is and to the American nation as a whole in the development of a unified global society and the eventual inauguration of a world civilization. Janet A. Khan is a member of the Research Department at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel, the international headquarters of the religion. She has written two books for Baha'i Publishing and has held academic positions at the University of Michigan and the University of Queensland, Australia. She lives in Israel. —2—
A personal exploration of mortality and death, the inevitable journey of human life, and the acceptance of faith.
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Understanding Death: The Most Important Event of Your Life Author: John S Hatcher Understanding Death: The Most Important Event of Your Life illustrates the need to prepare for this important moment, even though many ignore its inevitability. There is no escape from death and the grief that can consume one when faced by the loss of family and friends. The author's personal insight offers encouragement that death is not the end but the beginning of a new spiritual existence. Authour John Hatcher surveys his own life, the decisions he has made over the years, and how those experiences have impacted him. He especially focuses on his discovery and exploration of the Baha'i Faith and his eventual acceptance of Baha'u'llah's teachings. Accepting that death is not the end, that there is another journey, and that there is time to accept the inevitable and prepare for the life hereafter can bring peace and comfort to all. John S. Hatcher is a professor emeritus of English Literatrure at the University of South Florida and holds degrees in English Literature and Old and Middle English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Georgia. He is the author of numerous books on Baha'i theology and scripture. He lives near Tampa, Florida. —3—
Real-life stories from teachers who share their passion for shaping the lives of young people today.
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Mind, Heart, and Spirit: Educators Speak Author: Heather Cardin Mind, Heart, and Spirit: Educators Speak is a collection of real-life stories from a diverse group of educators on a wide range of issues such as how to deal with difficult students, the role or parents and religion in a child's education, and the similarities and differences in educating children in different cultures across the globe. Filled with interesting anecdotes and personal accounts, this is an intimate, sometimes frustrating, sometimes exhilarating insight into the experiences of all these educators as they have struggled to overcome various challenges in educating children. Their passion for teaching and their devotion to their students come shining through and offer a glimpse of the important role that Baha'i education - with its emphasis on unity, tolerance, and diversity - can play in shaping the lives of young people today. Heather Cardin completed her B.A. and B.Ed. at the University of Saskatchewan in the 1980s and received a Master of Arts in English from Carleton University in Ottawa in 2005. She has taught in public and private schools since 1978. She and her husband Bernie have three grown children and, after several years of wandering, are returning to Saskatchewan to settle. Heather will teach part-time, continue several writing projects, and persue her passion for poetry.
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Marriage: A Fortress for Well-being Author: Elizabeth Marquardt
Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being offers valuable insights for every couple, whether married or in preparation for marriage, to apply spiritual principles to everyday needs. Redefining marriage as the basic building block for world peace and unity, the book explores issues such as dating, how to prepare for marriage, raising children, divorce, and more. By taking an in-depth look at what the Baha'i writings say about marriage, the book examines the institution in light of God's purpose for humanity and provides guidance for building spiritually founded marital unions. Coming at a time when modern social conditions are forcing a reexamination of the institution of marriage, the book offers sound advice, encouragements, and temendous hope for the future. This new edition has a foreword by Elizabeth Marquardt, author of Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce and an affiliate scholar at the Institute for American Values. —5—
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We are with you at all times...: Recognizing the Eternal Presence, Sovereignty and All-Knowingness of God within, with, through and around humanity
Author: Janet A Khan
Consciousness of the eternal presence of God – that He is with us at all times – gives rise to consciousness of the oneness of humanity, with its myriad social implications for the modern world, thus linking our behaviour as individuals and communities with spiritual guidance. We are with you at all times . . . brings together passages from the Bahá’í writings and other sacred texts on the themes of spiritual growth and service to the unity, well-being, peace and security of humanity. Compiled by James Elijio as a resource for daily prayer and meditation, it is an invitation to ‘turn the anguish of your separation from Him into the joy of an everlasting reunion, and let the sweetness of His presence dissolve the bitterness of your remoteness from His court’ (Baha’u’llah).
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Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees Author: John S Hatcher Women of the Middle East in the 19th century are generally absent from the pages of history. Even their names are not recorded. They have no voice. They are invisible. The women closest to the twin Manifestations, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, are especially enigmatic. What were they like as children? What was it like to live in the family of the Manifestation of God? What did they think about the new Revelations from God? How did they respond to the suffering and persecution that came upon them? So little is known. Baharieh Ma‘ani decided to rectify this. Her task was formidable. There is little published about these women and documents are rare. Over two and half decades she worked to gather all the known information about the women whose lives were intertwined with those of the Manifestations of God for this age ־mothers, wives, sisters, daughters. Looking beyond published sources, she was given permission by the Universal House of Justice to consult original documents in the Bahá'í International Archives and to make provisional translations of more than 50 Tablets, letters, memoirs and papers not previously published in English, many never before published in any language. The result is an engaging and readable book that provides a unique and intriguing insight into the lives and circumstances of the women who played such important yet unseen roles in shaping the early history of the Bábí and Bahá'í religions. Mrs Ma‘ani has made the invisible visible.
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Forces of Our Time - The Dynamics of Light and Darkness Author: Hooper C. Dunba Anyone looking at the condition of the world today will be struck by the dramatic changes taking place. On the one hand is the visible deterioration in so many fundamental processes and institutions, from the financial world, politics and the fabric of society to climate change and energy. On the other is an enlivening upsurge in knowledge, in concern for human rights and in technologies that bring people together. These energies are spiritual in nature and result from the coming of God's most recent representative to humankind, Bahá'u'lláh. He has set in motion processes that are creating a new, divine civilization. In response to this, negative forces have risen to resist the divine purpose. The nature of these spiritual forces is a prominent theme in the Bahá'í writings, particularly in those of Shoghi Effendi. They convey vital principles and laws, systematic processes and insights into the workings of the world. They explain the changes that are taking place and give us a glimpse into our own nature and reality. In this book Hooper Dunbar examines the character of the spiritual forces as set out in writings of Shoghi Effendi. The first part considers the terms 'force', 'energy' and 'power' in these writings, while the second comprises a selection of quotations drawn from the writings of Shoghi Effendi – many published here for the first time – arranged chronologically, so readers may consider the ideas in their original context.
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2010 Bahá'í Monthly Planner Our monthly planner features a pocket size planner in a monthly format. Expanded for your convenience, the planner runs from Jan '10 - April '11 and includes a forward planner for extended planning (May '11 to October '11). Bahá'í Feast and Holy Days plus other religious and civic holidays and significant United Nations observances are indicated throughout. Cover photo: Terraces Fountain, below the Shrine of the Báb, Haifa, Israel.
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Vancouver Bahá'í Bookstore & Information Centre 5880 Main Street (at 43rd) Vancouver, B.C. Canada PHONE: (604) 323-9919
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