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HEALING THROUGH UNITY
October, 2004
A monthly newsletter dedicated to serving the principles of
physical and spiritual health envisioned in the Baha'i TeachingsVolume 8, Issue No.8
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CONTENTS
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— Look Into All Things
— Healing the Family Conference
— Health Note
— Book Corner
— A Woman's Worth
— Two Wings Of One Bird
— Readers Respond to Question of the Month
— Whole Foods Recipe Swap
— Readers Request Assistance
— A Prayer for Tests & Difficulties
— Question of the Month
— Letters
• Baha'i Author To Appear on TV
— Purpose of the Newsletter/Subscriptions************************************
LOOK INTO ALL THINGS
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"The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye." — Baha'u'llah, "Tablets of Baha'u'llah," pages 155-157.
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HEALING THE HUMAN FAMILY CONFERENCE
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The Healing Ourselves, Healing the Human Family International Conference, cohosted by the Squamish Nation, will be held in Vancouver, BC, November 18 - 21, 2004.
For more information about the conference, contact: Phil Lane, Jr.
International Coordinator, Tele: (403) 320-7144, Fax: (403) 329-8383.
E-Mail: 4worlds@uleth.ca Web sites: http://home.uleth.ca/~4worlds and www.4worlds.org
The Four Worlds International Institute For Human and Community Development, is located at 347 Fairmont Blvd. , Lethbridge, AB. T1K 7J8
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HEALTH NOTE
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TEEN USE OF DRUGS/ALCOHOL
CARRIED INTO ADULTHOOD
If you think that hard-drinking and drug-taking teens will outgrow their habits by middle age, think again. Only the youngest baby boomers will hold to this illusion. Big indulgers in high school tend to stay that way.
"The foundation for later substance use is set for most people by the time they finish high school," said Alicia Merline, a University of Michigan psychologist who studied men and women who graduated from high school between 1977 and 1983.
She and her colleagues found that those who drank heavily in school were three times more likely to drink heavily at age 35 than those who were high school teetotalers. Those who had tried marijuana in school were eight times more likely to be using marijuana at age 35 than those who hadn't tried it by graduation.
The report, published in January 2004 American Journal of Public Health was based on responses from 7,541 people to the Monitoring the Future study conducted at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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BOOK CORNER
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR SOCIAL
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Phyllis K. Peterson, of Machesney Park, Illinois (USA) is the author of "Assisting the Traumatized Soul: Healing the Wounded Talisman" published by the Baha'i Publishng Trust and offered by BDS 800-999-9019.
Her company, "Skylark Publishing" carries many Baha'i products that can be used in Social and Economic Development projects, especially the newly published DVD, "Protective Behaviors: Safety and Courage for Children", a one-hour workshop utilizing arts and crafts for Kindergarten through grades 6 (and younger). This is a helpful tool for organizations implementing SED Programs for those infected with HIV/AIDS.
This DVD comes with an outline, two coloring sets and the list of skills.
The most practical way to conduct this workshop is to combine parents and children. That way both will learn the language and skills together. Parents can then review and reinforce what the child has learned.
The workshop has been used in public settings in the United States and in Thailand schools and orphanages. It can also be used at home in a family setting and can be conducted by parents, babysitters, teachers, therapists, counselors, women's organizations, parent-teacher associations, boys and girls clubs, and other groups.
Kindergarten through sixth grade students can learn from "Protective Behaviors: Safety and Courage for Children." available in DVD or video.
Other items available from Skylark: "An Afternoon of Storytelling: Women and Girls as Heroes" DVD; "The Boundary Sculpting Game: Firm Boundaries make Unity Possible!"; "Children and TV Violence.
For more information or a free catalog write: Phyllis K. Peterson, Skylark Publishing Company, 7945 Coopers Hawk Trail, Machesney Park, IL 61115.
Phone: (815)-633-0492. E-mail: skylarkpp@aol.com Web site: www.edsed.net
SACRED LITERATURE CATALOG NOW ON-LINE
A comprehensive catalog of Baha'i sacred literature as well as Baha'i books on history, social teachings, and other aspects of the Baha'i Faith, is now available on the World Wide Web.
For more on this story see the Baha'i World News Service site http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/
NOTE: "Book Corner" is a regular feature in this newsletter. Here is a chance for you to tell the world about books (and other educational materials) that have inspired your life. We welcome your book stories.
Please send them to the editor of this newsletter at: dreams@uninets.net
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A WOMAN'S WORTH
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The following was written in the Talmud, a book where sayings of rabbis are compiled, throughout the ages. The book closes by saying:
"Be very careful in making a Woman cry... because God counts her tears! The Woman came out from the man's rib; not from the feet to be stepped on; not from the head to be superior. But from your side... to be equal; under the arm, to be protected. And at the heart's side, to be loved."
Submitted by: Bahiyyih Tabrizi
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TWO WINGS OF ONE BIRD
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"And among the teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah is the equality of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings — one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly.
Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be." — Abdu'l-Baha, "Baha'i World Faith," Page 288
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READERS RESPOND
TO QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH
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INFORMATION ABOUT BACK PAIN
This is in response to the reader who has lower back pain. Dr. John Sarno has written a couple of books about back pain (such as "Healing Back Pain") in which he has pointed out that the root cause of virtually all back pain (and many other conditions for that matter) is unresolved anger/rage.
He finds that once people accept this fact, their back pain starts resolving on its own without any additional treatment. This has worked for thousands of patients, even many who have had multiple surgeries and other aggressive treatments.
If you want to get to the root cause even quicker, check out emofree.com and learn a simple technique to resolve deeply held emotions through rebalancing the acupuncture meridian system. It's called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). My husband is a physician (M.D.) who uses this in his practice, and it's very effective. — Linda, Wichita, Kansas USA
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WHOLE FOODS
RECIPE SWAP
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FEAST DAY COOKIES
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4-1 cup water
1 cup shelled pinon nuts
Mix dry ingredients thoroughly. In another bowl, blend shortening and sugar until fluffy. Gradually add flour to this mix. Gradually add water until non-sticky dough is formed. Add pinon nuts. Roll out on lightly floured board until 1/2 inch thick. Cut into fancy shapes and dip into a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Bake in 375 - 400 degree Fahrenheit oven until crisp.
INDIAN CORN PUDDING
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
2 tablespoons honey
6 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 scant teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
Heat milk to scalding. Mix cornmeal and salt and stir slowly into hot milk until smooth. Add honey-sugar mixture, stir in raisins and cinnamon. Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 3/4 hours. Serve hot with cream.
Source: Pueblo Indian Cookbook (Museum of New Mexico Press)
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ON PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER
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By BILL STEARNS
Though no requests for prayers have appeared in this newsletter, I did get a few e-mails regarding what I had written in the June 2004 issue about the effectiveness of requesting prayers on the Maine Baha'i e-mail list, and saying prayers for others.
One letter was about setting up an e-mail prayer list. In another, a Bahá'í youth in Canada asked about my interpretation of saying the Greatest Name 95 times a day.
My sister just returned from pilgrimage. While there, she prayed for me at all the holiest places. I called her when she got back recently, and she wanted to know what effect her prayers had.
I said, "Well, God works in mysterious ways." It is obvious to me that what I am going through is for my own spiritual growth. But the human side of me wishes I didn't have to go through all this. I was joking with my sister that I must need to gain more humility in God's eyes, because I have have been laid low as of late. I'm sure there are other lessons in the works with all this.
Since I last wrote about the power of prayer via e-mail, I have become even more convinced that we need to constantly pray for each other. I have recently encountered many people whose tests and difficulties are at least obvious to me, and probably even greater than my own. So I say a quick, silent prayer for them, and whenever I think of them and their situation. I hope that I may be present in the prayers of others. As in the prayer of the Bab, I would cherish remembrance of God far more than anything this material world has to offer. So all I ask is that you pray that God may lead me down the correct path.
I have been enduring some difficult times. I am putting the following prayer out there in an effort to deal with my troubles. I am so thankful that God has provided us with these wonderful prayers and writings to strengthen and encourage us.
"Thou knowest full well, O my God, that tribulations have showered upon me from all directions and that no one can dispel or transmute them except Thee. I know of a certainty, by virtue of my love for Thee, that Thou wilt never cause tribulations to befall any soul unless Thou desirest to exalt his station in Thy earthly life with the bulwark of Thine all-compelling power, that it may not become inclined toward the vanities of this world.
Indeed Thou art well aware that under all conditions I would cherish the remembrance of Thee far more than the ownership of all that is in the heavens and on the earth.
"Strengthen my heart, O my God, in Thine obedience and in Thy love, and grant that I may be clear of the entire company of Thine adversaries.
Verily, I swear by Thy glory that I yearn for naught besides Thyself, nor do I desire anything except Thy mercy, nor am I apprehensive of aught save Thy justice. I beg Thee to forgive me as well as those whom Thou lovest, howsoever Thou pleasest. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Bountiful.
"Immensely exalted art Thou, O Lord of the heavens and earth, above the praise of all men, and may peace be upon Thy faithful servants and glory be unto God, the Lord of all the worlds." — The Báb (Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, page 193.)
Bill Stearns lives in Maine, USA and handles the Maine Baha'i e-mail list.
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READERS REQUEST ASSISTANCE
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Flu season is coming, and every year I wonder if flu shots are always advisable for people who are healthy and not elderly, such as myself? I have heard that they may not be effective against all strains of the flu. — An Inquiring Reader
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QUESTION OF THE MONTH
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What are the teachings on energy fields, chakras and the like? I would also be interested in anyone's experience regarding this, and if prayer helps to "clean" our chakras in the way that others say visualisation and meditation can. — Louise Russell, health promotion consultant, Australia
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LETTERS
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GRATEFUL FOR REVIEW
I was glad to read in your newsletter an excellent review of my book, "Stories Told By Abdu'l-Baha." Thank you for the attractive and generous review of the book. A friend of mine who receives this newsletter forwarded it to me. Otherwise, I would have never had a chance to see the review, or to know about it. In turn, I forwarded it to the editor of my book and to the manager of George Ronald Publisher. They were very appreciative of the fine article.
Has there been a review of "God Speaks Again" by Kenneth Bowers? If not, it might be a good one for your next article. — Kindest regards, Amir Badiei
BAHA'I AUTHOR TO APPEAR ON TV
EDITOR'S NOTE: There has not yet been a review in this newsletter of the recently released book, "God Speaks Again:An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith (2004)." Readers in the United States will be interested to know that, according to a release from Baha'i Publishing, an imprint of the U.S. Baha'i Publishing Trust, the book's author, Ken Bowers, will appear on a new cable television program called "Faith Under Fire," on a segment exploring Baha'i and evangelical Christian perspectives on the question: Do All Paths Lead to God?
The program will be broadcast on the PAX-TV network at 10 p.m. EST/PST on Saturday, Oct. 9 and at 9 p.m., CST, MST.
"Faith Under Fire" is described by its producers as a "provocative program that takes an unflinching look at the most controversial issues involving religion, spirituality and morality." PAX-TV has local station affiliates in over 90 U.S. cities. To find the channel of your nearest station, go to www.paxtv.com
According to the show's producers, books featured on "Faith Under Fire" will appear for a limited time on a "Faith Under Fire" display shelf at Barnes & Noble Booksellers stores across the United States. Books will be displayed during the month in which they are featured on the program. Accordingly, "God Speaks Again" (ISBN 1-931847-12-6) will be part of the "Faith Under Fire" display during the month of October.
If someone would like to review "God Speaks Again" for this newsletter, please contact the editor, Lynn Ascrizzi at: dreams@uninets.net
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PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
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All of us have had healing experiences — physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual. Please share your stories and other ideas about staying healthy in a stressful world. Your articles do not have to be long — just a few paragraphs will suffice. Encouragement is a big part of a healthy lifestyle, and sharing stories and ideas that work for you brings encouragement to others.
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WHERE TO SEND STORIES & CORRESPONDENCE:
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Many thanks to all of you who share helpful ideas for "Healing Through Unity" Newsletter. We welcome submissions from everyone. The decision to select and edit material submitted for publication is determined by the editor.
Please e-mail your stories, comments, suggestions or "Question for the Month" ideas to newsletter editor Lynn Ascrizzi, at: dreams@uninets.net
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WEB SITE
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You can visit our Web site, obtain back issues and the Healing Through Unity Course at: http://www.healingthroughunity.org.
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PURPOSE OF THE NEWSLETTER
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"Healing Through Unity" is published for the purpose of sharing thoughts, comments and experiences on how the teachings of the Baha'i Faith are being applied to physical and spiritual health. Other than the quoted Holy Writings, the material in this newsletter represents the thoughts and opinions of the writers and has no authority. None of the material published in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for the advice of your physician.
You are free to copy articles, provided you indicate the source of the article. There are 10 issues per year; it is not published during July and August. The newsletter is produced in Freedom, Maine, USA.
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SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:
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Please e-mail all new subscriptions, subscription cancellations and e-mail address changes (please include old address along with new one) to rocketman@mwt.net
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