Fiftieth Baha'i Anniversary Celebration and Compelling Dream Experience
A while ago, I stumbled upon an old photo from 1974 - me, aged 22, cradling my newborn son Will, and a snapshot of my life-changing decision: embracing the Baha'i Faith.
Frankly, I felt compelled.
My initiation into the Baha'i world started in high school when a friend mentioned the term. I dug up more details in the school library's World Book Encyclopedia, but didn't realize that a vibrant Baha'i community resided in Regina, Saskatchewan, where I lived.
Fast forward a few years, and an acquaintance showed up at my doorstep with a copy of Baha'i World Faith. While I found the book tough to penetrate, something inside me compelled me to persevere. The words gradually resonated, even though I didn't completely grasp them.
After devoting years to learning the Baha'i teachings, I recognized their profound significance. I appreciated the notion that diverse religions like Christianity, eastern practices, and indigenous spirituality were all connected, a gradual unfolding of divine teachings delivered by prominent figures like Christ, Buddha, Deganawida, and many others. Baha'u'llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha'i Faith, emerged as the most recent spiritual messenger.
Baha'u'llah wrote that his mission was "to regenerate the whole world and establish the unity of its peoples." As someone actively involved in the environmental movement, I could not help but relate to that message. I understood that the Baha'is had a comprehensive plan to make Baha'u'llah's vision a reality, a plan gradually unfolding across the globe. I dreamed of contributing in some manner, and hoped that my little son would grow up in a harmonious world.
A particular passage from Baha'u'llah's writings had a profound impact on my decision: "... he who turneth away from this Beauty hath also turned away from the Messengers of the past..."
I sensed that it was true, and I couldn't turn my back. Thus, my decision was not voluntary, but inevitable.
Shortly after joining the Baha'i Faith, I had an awe-inspiring dream. In the dream, I was at a Baha'i Institute, facing a cold November day in Saskatchewan. As I approached a well, everything seemed dead and uninviting. Yet, the moment I reached the well, it transformed into a breathtaking, multi-dimensional garden. The plants exuded vibrant colors and fragrances that I could feel. I plucked a pail of living water, nourishing and satisfying. As I returned, the dream faded back to the cold reality.
This dream confirmed my decision, a reminder that has stayed with me for more than five decades. Now, at 72, I cannot help but share this message I've learned over the years: invite everyone to seriously consider the Baha'i teachings of Baha'u'llah. His revelation remains a beacon of hope for a better, united world.
In my pursuit of personal growth and education-and-self-development, I found the Baha'i Faith to be instrumental in my understanding of personal growth and the notion of connectedness among diverse religions, leading me to embrace a path of life-long learning and commitment. This ongoing journey has been a crucial aspect of my personal growth, fostering my desire to share the meaningful teachings of Baha'u'llah, which I believe can contribute significantly to personal growth and the unity of the world.
