Hello from Cino

[Cino]

Tony mentioned over at the Interfaith Dialogue Forum how this place does not have many subscribers yet.

I'm interested in the mystical sides of religions. Baha'u'llah left some tantalizing mystical writings, and spent some time in retreat in Kurdistan, but I have yet to find out more about this dimension of the Baha'i Faith.

My personal beliefs do not include a god. I hold no ill feelings towards any believers in God, and am mindful of the fact that I am a guest on a religious forum.

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

Tony mentioned over at the Interfaith Dialogue Forum how this place does not have many subscribers yet.

I'm interested in the mystical sides of religions. Baha'u'llah left some tantalizing mystical writings, and spent some time in retreat in Kurdistan, but I have yet to find out more about this dimension of the Baha'i Faith.

My personal beliefs do not include a god. I hold no ill feelings towards any believers in God, and am mindful of the fact that I am a guest on a religious forum.

Great to meet you here Cino. It sprung to mind that we must "Walk the mystical path with practical feet".

I wondered where I had heard it so did a quick google search and it was a Book written about Abdul'baha.

What are your interests with this topic?

I see it is indeed mentioned often in the Baha'i Writings as it is the mystical side of our lives, that forms the world we live in. I see in this following quote a call for us to find that mystical path.

"If spirituality be not renewed, what fruits come from mere physical reformation? For instance, the body of man may improve, the quality of bone and sinew may advance, the hand may develop, other limbs and members may increase in excellence, but if the mind fails to develop, of what use is the rest? The important factor in human improvement is the mind. In the world of the mind there must needs be development and improvement. There must be reformation in the kingdom of the human spirit; otherwise, no result will be attained from betterment of the mere physical structure.

'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 278

Regards Tony

[Cino]

Great to meet you here Cino. It sprung to mind that we must "Walk the mystical path with practical feet".

Good one! I fully agree. Talking the talk is all well and good, but walking the walk is where the rubber soles meet the road 

What are your interests with this topic?

I'm interested in the reports of other travellers on the mystical paths have to report. A practical mindset is important, but spiritual friendship is practically the whole of the path. Also, I enjoy a good story or poem about mystical insights.

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

Great to meet you here Cino. It sprung to mind that we must "Walk the mystical path with practical feet".

Good one! I fully agree. Talking the talk is all well and good, but walking the walk is where the rubber soles meet the road 

What are your interests with this topic?

I'm interested in the reports of other travellers on the mystical paths have to report. A practical mindset is important, but spiritual friendship is practically the whole of the path. Also, I enjoy a good story or poem about mystical insights.

Excellent idea for an OP.

I dabble in a little poetry. This is one inspiration of an old Aboriginal elder that had a great spirit and was sad to see the way his culture was getting destroyed by alcohol.

In Memory of Grandad "Rolly Gilbert"

Dreamtime Part 1 (A poem in 3 parts)

Old man Elder, sitting by the fire, drinking billy tea, reflecting on bygone years and His Races history.
There's a lump in His throat and tears in His eyes, as He gazes through the fire, knowing of His Cultures demise.

Young men sitting by the fire, drinking alcohol, minds poisoned by drink, no longer able to be told.

Old Man Elder, His heart begins to tear,unable to tell those men of His great despair.

The tongues of flame leap high, the fire crackles, Old Man tilts His head to the ground weary of the battle.
When will these men turn back to their Lord and give up drink of their own accord?

Old Man Jumps to His feet, while their is life in Him, He won't be beat.
He starts dancing stories of the Dreamtime, His feet pound the dusty soil, His voice echos in rhyme.

Young men in awe, drop their alcohol,
witnessing the power of the dance and the story being told.
They rise, slowly to their feet, joining the Old Man and adding to the beat.
Old Man Elder smiles, with wisdom in His eyes,
He knows they stand a chance, while the Culture is alive.

Sun slowly rising like a flame across the sky,
It's up to the young men now, if the culture is not to die.

Old Man Elder and young men sitting by the fire drinking billy tea,
they've come of age. learning about their Culture and History.

A Bristow-Stagg B.E. 148 (1991)

Dreamtime Part 2

Old Man Elder has passed away,
no longer able to have His say.

Dreamtime fades, nearly forgotten,
Old Mans Spirit makes memories begotten.

If there is a chance, though small,
may the race awake and so not fall.

Young men arise, time is nigh,
help Old Man Elder's Spirit fly,
remember the stories told by dance,
passed down by generations, not by chance.

The Culture is written upon your hearts,
only shrouded by the recent past,
written upon the stones and earth,
well before your time of birth.

Culture revival is already planned,
if not by yours a Mightier Hand.
Old Man Elder may have passed away,
but His Spirit still will have Its say.

A Bristow-Stagg BE 154 (1997)

Dreamtime Part 3 The Final Say

The years vanish into the past,
memories of Old Man Elder did not last.

Sitting by the fire, memories reflecting, dwelling on an ancient cultures neglecting, are the young men growing old and grey, wishing they'ed done it in their day.

Stories nearly lost, Dreamtime fading away culture no longer on display,
Hope! not all is gone, greying men move on.

Filled with memories of Old Man Elders Dreams spurred on by His Spirit, or so it seams,they arise to their feet
and once again dance the beat.

Hopefully the story now will end,
on the future generations we now depend,to connect with the Spirit and with no surprise, Old Mans Memories and Culture will have survived.

A Bristow-Stagg B.E. 155 (1998)