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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 my friends Leyla and Ryan Haidarian who live in Johannesburg, South Africa with their son. We talk about the unexpected way in which they moved to South Africa from Los Angeles, their media company which produces, distributes and develops financing for movies, television shows and creative projects. We talk about the special story of how they met on pilgrimage, about their professional path, their experience in the film industry, and their passion for doing work that has an impact and affects lives. We also look at topics like surrendering to the will of God, the struggle of fame and status, the concept of self, tests and accepting them with radiant acquiescence, and their experience with marriage as a fortress of wellbeing.
You can learn more about Leyla and Ryan’s media company here: http://www.forefrontmedia.co.za/fmg/home.html
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Thanks for listening!
-Rainn Wilson
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Baha’i beliefs address essential spiritual themes for humanity’s collective and individual advancement. Learn more about these and more.
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The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha’i Faith.
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Thanks Guys! I enjoyed this!
vobbie (August 8, 2016 at 8:01 PM)
Nice interview.
Criselda R. Figuerres (August 8, 2016 at 1:48 PM)
Love the energy you guys exude! Marvellous story – from your magical meeting in the Shrine of Bahá’u’llah to all the great work you’ve been able to do in a corner of the world that needs your developing expertise following your spontaneous leap of faith, going with the flow Bahá’í-style. Leyla, your words about faith having to do with acceptance of uncertainty, “walking where there is no path” resonates deeply with my own spiritual journey and reminds me of Dan Jordan’s definition of faith as “that attitude to the unknown that allows more of it to become known.” And speaking of radiant acquiescence, the most powerful example of this for me is the story of that pure soul Thomas Breakwell, who in the midst of his agony in the death throes of tuberculosis, called out to his Lord with love, joy, and gratitude, having traversed all of the Seven Valleys on his way to the next world. Remembering that chastens me in the midst of the myriad but trivial hassles involved in the current learning stage of my path of service, for which I am grateful – like you two, with no regrets about the twisting route I took to get here – which is, in itself, a good first step toward full radiant acquiescence and “a tranquil conscience”, in my view.
PS: Your son probably doesn’t know how fortunate he is to have such exemplary role-models as his parents, but in time he will – and this will give him a fantastic head-start on his own journey of life and faith.
Keith J. Taylor (February 2, 2019 at 6:28 AM)