Welcome to the forum. We have several Baha'i's here. There are many ways to discuss on the forum without debating.

Very cool.

Hi
Well I agree with you because I have Expereinced what you speak of......................A year later I found what I expereinced written in a book called ACIM.
Since then I have found the same "source" message in many many writings...........which confirms these writers had the same expereince / remembering as well.
Agree with LK on when we have remembered, we can assist others and that we have all awakened but not all realise that yet

And, also, concentrating on the moment is quite healthy. Delving into past lives is something that should be reserved for when we're ready to face what those past lives will reveal. I mean, living one life is hard enough. To add the knowledge of multiple lives...that's quite an undertaking.

Thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad that you've enjoyed this post.

I have very much enjoyed this blog and am very happy that you are here.

Some think Spirit or Divine or whatever you want to call it experiences itself while in human form. IOW humans are very important to consciousness.

I don't know about past lives. I can only go by feelings on that and my talents. I don't think a lot about past lives and tend to concentrate on the moment.

I suppose it could certainly seem that I am in fact setting myself apart from others. That was not my intention. I have made it clear that I am different, true. But there are many different aspects of Existence that are aspects of the One Existence, and in that, the differences are the same. I will go back to the snowflake example. All people are unique as a snowflake, but each person shares the same basic elements as the people around them, as all snowflakes share the same basic elements. Yet while a snowflake consists of different elements than a pebble, both snowflake and pebble consist of the same building blocks of physical manifestation. So, while I may not share the same elements, all elements, no matter how different one element is from another, consist of the same necessary building blocks, and in that, they are the same, yet different.

As I said, the human experience is certainly necessary, given that it is a natural state in the process of spiritual evolution. In fact, part of moving into deeper awareness is realizing that all things done while in the human experience are things an individual needs to go through to truly understand and appreciate the aspects of eternal awareness. The idea that everyone is right to some degree, though...I don't really think of it as right or wrong, but I see and agree with the spirit of what you're saying. The ideas of right and wrong pose the possibility that there are some things wrong about the human experience, and I don't think that this is the case. I think there are things about the human experience that are unhealthy, sure. But when we use concepts such as wrong or evil, it tends to backfire. For instance, if I'm to tell a smoker that what they're doing is bad, they'll think that I am judging them as a bad person, and, more than likely, they will disregard my true intentions while refusing to listen to someone who obviously thinks so poorly of them. However, if I remind a smoker as often as I can that what they're doing is unhealthy, that they'll feel much better physically and emotionally should they quit, but that I love hanging out with them regardless, and respect them as I would if they were a non-smoker, then they'll be more likely to consider my words and dwell on them positively until they decide to give it a shot. I have expressed that I see a great many people suffering because of the confusion involved, and I would like to help people see how to end that suffering, which could give the impression that I think suffering is a bad thing, but this isn't the case. I think suffering brings us a great deal of perspective, shapes us into wiser, healthier beings. However, I do think the suffering is no longer necessary. And my quandary is, if people have had the truth this whole time, and if they've been studying these words during that whole time, but rather than seeing them have refused to see them, then how do you show them what the words have been saying all along? I figure if I can understand why people have refused to see the meaning of those words, I'll be able to understand the appropriate method for helping them see. If, in the end, I am unable to do this, will it be a bad thing? Will I have failed, or will they? No. There is no failure on the eternal journey, only setbacks. Should a person not realize the truth in one life, they will eventually realize the truth in a life yet to come. However, this doesn't mean those who know the truth should make an active effort to leave those who don't know the truth to needless suffering.

And, I apologize if I've given the impression that I claim to have attained true enlightenment in this lifetime. I have not. I have yet to take the necessary steps to align my instincts, my thinking mind, and my soul as one. I am not able to see the details of my past lives. However, I've experienced subtle indications concerning those lives, so I do know the answer to the question you've posed in the first comment, and the answer is that I have lived many lives. Yet this does not mean that I've lived lives for the same reason the average person has lived lives, nor does it mean that I've lived lives in the same way. I will say, though, that your question was refreshingly astute. Out of curiosity, have you seen into your past lives?

Ken Wilber would say that to some degee everyone is right. Everything is a part of the puzzle. There are stages of spiritual growth and all are necessary. We transcend and include. Exclusion just may be a road block.

You seem to be setting yourself apart from others. I think in full enlightenment you are one with others, there is nothing that is excluded.

I think in the West we might refer to enlightenment as enlightenment or awakening. More and more people are awakening. You wonder why more haven't awakened and faster. How many lives did you live before you awakened?

I agree with your post in all aspects. I might add that we are all awakened, some of us aren't aware of it. Those of us who are aware can assist those who are not.

I personally love the Beatitudes.

Hi, Nikki. I married an atheist who reasoned that since he didn't believe in a God (or wasn't sure—it varied from day to day) he wasn't promising anything more than that he would abide by the will of his best self.

But to answer your question: yes, he does have to say that one simple verse in order for you to be married in the eyes of the Faith. If he'd like, he can certainly write and deliver a message to the gathering that explains his agnosticism and perhaps that he is pledging only to do his best.

Oh, by the way, my husband became a Baha'i about a year after we married. We've been married for 29 years very happily and serve together teaching the faith and in Baha'i groups. Our kids are also very active in the Baha'i community and in outreach.

Best wishes to you and your fiance. Please don't hesitate to send me a private message if you have any further questions.

I will call on the Bahai's here to help with this.

Thank you Leonard for starting the thread. I really appreciate that and hope you will start more.

Very thought provoking. Is misery the failure to see the joy in a situation?

Thanks Lightkeeper. Here is something more recent:

Misery correctly embraced becomes the road to the magic of deliverance. Among my other friends, I allow Misery and Joy to sit at my table. There I can keep a better eye on these two darlings.

I enjoyed this and look forward to more posts from you.