Baha’is believe in the power of prayer and you’ll find Baha’is and their friends, throughout the world, getting together to pray. This is often referred to as a ‘devotional gathering’ or ‘devotional meeting’, and they happen in diverse settings, whether in cities or villages.
Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson.
In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick.
In this episode I interview professional life coach Susan Gammage from Canada. We talk about how she became a Baha’i, why she became a life coach, and how she uses the Baha’i Writings in her work and everything she does. We delve deep into the idea of “sin” and “shame” and she explains why she believes “it’s the stories that separate us and the reactions that unite us”. We talk about her very popular blog SusanGammage.com and all of the books she’s written and working on. We discuss the spiritualization of money; workaholism and other addictions; what she’s currently reading, and how forgiveness is the key to solving so many things within us.
To find out more about Susan Gammage, read her articles, discover her books and all that she does, go to her website: SusanGammage.com
Here are a few links to some of the things we mentioned in our conversation, and some of the quotes from the Baha’i Writings we mentioned as well:
* Susan mentions the book The Promulgation of Universal Peace which is a compilation of talks delivered by Abdu’l‑Baha in New York, Montclair, and Jersey City.
* Susan talks about reading the entire prayer book with her friend Janna Denton-Howes, who’s a marriage coach and who has also written for Baha’i Blog.
* Susan quotes this portion of a prayer by Baha’u’llah:
Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Every time I venture to make mention of Thee, I am held back by my mighty sins and grievous trespasses against Thee, and find myself wholly deprived of Thy grace, and utterly powerless to celebrate Thy praise. My great confidence in Thy bounty, however, reviveth my hope in Thee, and my certitude that Thou wilt bountifully deal with me emboldeneth me to extol Thee, and to ask of Thee the things Thou dost possess.
* Susan quotes this prayer by Abdu’l-Baha:
O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.
Is Susan involved in the plenary for the periodic BNASAA conferences? I plan to attend the conference this May in Green Acre. I hope to meet and visit with Susan somewhere down the road.
Actually I’m not sure if Susan is involved, but feel free to send her a personal email asking her if she is or if she’ll be there. You can find her contact details on her website.
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An uplifting interview. She is really a good life coach. Again, thank you.
Criselda R. Figuerres (April 4, 2017 at 2:50 PM)
You’re very welcome, Criselda!
Sonjel Vreeland (April 4, 2017 at 9:44 PM)
Is Susan involved in the plenary for the periodic BNASAA conferences? I plan to attend the conference this May in Green Acre. I hope to meet and visit with Susan somewhere down the road.
Deborah Miller (March 3, 2018 at 3:50 PM)
Actually I’m not sure if Susan is involved, but feel free to send her a personal email asking her if she is or if she’ll be there. You can find her contact details on her website.
Naysan Naraqi (March 3, 2018 at 8:24 PM)
Thank you, Susan, for this magnificent dewdrop of God’s love.
Keith J. Taylor (February 2, 2019 at 3:51 PM)