And Naw Ruz - all joy and bliss !

"Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw Rúz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and absatined from all that is abhorrent unto Thee." Bahá'u'lláh

Today, the 21st of March, is Naw Ruz (also spelt Nowrūz or in Persian نوروز, which means New Day) and is the New Year of Persians, celebrated and observed by Iranian and Afghan peoples and the related cultural continent and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, Caucasus, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in the Balkans. The day marks first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian Calendar, as well as the Baha'i Calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday and having significance amongst the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iranians, the same time is celebrated in parts of the South Asian sub-continent as the new year. The term Nowruz in writing, first appeared in Persian records in the 2nd century AD, but it was also an important day during the time of the Achaemenids (c. 648-330 BC), where kings from different nations under the Persian empire used to bring gifts to the Emperor, also called King of Kings (Shahanshah), of Persia on Nowruz.

The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized the International Day of Naw Ruz, describing it a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. During the meeting of The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held between 28 September – 2 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Nowrūz was officially registered on the UNESCOList of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are so many traditions associated with celebration of Naw Ruz, including jumping over a fire, and a "Hafd Sin", or "Haftseen" or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting including seven specific items, all starting with the seen (Sā) in the Persian alphabet. Originally called Haftchin (Haftĉin), the Haft Seen has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families have the Haft Seen families as an expression of traditional, spiritual, and social value, for visitors during Naw Ruz visitations The Haft Seen items are:

1. Sabzeh - wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolising rebirth

2. Samanu - sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolising affluence

3. Senjed - dried oleaster fruit - symbolising love

4. Sir - garlic - symbolising medicine

5. Sib - apples - symbolising beauty and health

6. Somāq - sumac fruit - symbolising (the color of) sunrise

7. Serkeh - vinegar - symbolising old-age and patience

Where ever you are this year, if you are Persian or you are a Baha'i, may you have a splendidly joyous and spirited Naw Ruz and your year be filled with all delights, prosperity and health!

Our thoughts are with the beloved of Japan

"O LORD! Thou art the Remover of every anguish and the Dispeller of every affliction. Thou art He Who banisheth every sorrow and setteth free every slave, the Redeemer of every soul. O Lord! Grant deliverance through Thy mercy and reckon me among such servants of Thine as have gained salvation." - Baha'i Prayers

In solidarity and tender thoughts for the people who have suffered and are suffering in Japan. May our prayers of compassion and love help ease the suffering of the sisters and brothers trying to recover from this terrible disaster. They have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. May their grief and suffering be solaced.

The Universe and us.....

“When we observe the phenomena of the universe, we realize that the axis around which life revolves is love. If attraction did not exist between the atoms, the composite substance of matter would not be possible. Every existent phenomenon is composed of elements and cellular particles. This is scientifically true and correct. If attraction did not exist between the elements and among the cellular particles, the composition of that phenomenon would never have been possible. For instance, the stone is an existent phenomenon, a composition of elements.

A bond of attraction has brought them together, and through this cohesion of ingredients this petrous object has been formed. This stone is the lowest degree of phenomena, but nevertheless within it a power of attraction is manifest without which the stone could not exist. This power of attraction in the mineral world is love, the only expression of love the stone can manifest.”

– Abdul Baha - The Promulgation of Universal Peace.

Plea of a timid Heart …

(In Celebration of the Birth of the Bab)

Behold how the Divine Morning Light has broken…….

Fleeting all mortal glimmerings of reality

His smoldering Revelation posing a Divine token…….

How blessed I am, a mere drop in the ocean of this renewed Vitality

Mountains and valleys have echoed the Majesty of His Voice…….

My heart vibrates ardently to His powerful Utterances

And today I ecstatically rejoice……..

Reminded of the Greatest Promise that molds my spiritual nuances

Sealing with His Lifeblood the Covenant of universal brotherhood......

All is evident, non can dispute His Truth

I desire to forsake all, in sacrifice to the suffering He withstood.......

Feeble yet yearning, to serve this radiant Youth

Thousands in humility to this Herald, have bowed……..

Yet instantly with joy and ecstasy, quickly risen

Wielding swords of conviction, raising cries of fervour - so loud……

Shedding pure blood on their spiritual mission

And I swoon and I tremble, unworthy – yet my heart humbly pleas…..

To rise to His call, as a leaf soaring in the autumn breeze……

I am reminded how His infinite Grace…….

Blessed so many on this earthly face……..

Today in 1819, Harbinger of the Abha Luminary was born

His Holy quintessence - by all - witnessed and sworn

And my heart is filled with pleas that rain……..

To draw confirmation from ‘The Mystic Fane’……

- Rouzeh (20/10/10)

Football - opera of the people - or climate hazard?

" Football is the opera of the people"- Stafford Heginbotham

So 2010 FIFA World Cup is creeping up fast, and this year to be hosted in the gorgeous and dynamic continent of Africa! To many this has become an almost life-changing event to look forward to - the hype, excitement & socio-economic zoom in on games continue to avalanche in South Africa, and other parts of the African continent. But what will it really mean - beyond the thrill of the game and apprehension of who will win e.g. will the cup stay in Africa? A famous football manager Bill Shankly once stated that football is more important than life and death! Now that is "profound".

Back to 'what does this mean'? Throwing a spanner into the works...one angle is the influence that football events have on climate change.

Yep climate change (also another topical area gripping the globe in recent years). Here are some points to ponder on effect of football events (and other sports events that gather multitudes within the space at the same time):

- Recycling: how many players and watching fans worry about recycling during the games and events, how many 'going green' companies come on board to raise awareness on environmentally friendly disposal of bottles, cans, plastic food wrappers etc as consumerism escalates, do organisers think of the after effect on the environment when planning to host events of such magnitude?

- Energy sources: with all the travel, maintaining training grounds and stadiums, what strategies are in place to counter the large amounts of CO2 emitted each season e.g. use of wind turbines or car-pooling or solar panels or grass roofs?

A 'team green' approach to football (and other games) is surely worth exploration at a large scale. Where it has been employed, it has been shown to be effective and cost-effective e.g. the eco-friendly soccer stadium in Brazil.

So -happy games and winnings - and safety always - during the 2010 FIFA World Cup games :)