At some point in our lives, we all suffer from illnesses of the body or the mind and we face tests and difficulties. This collection highlights resources dedicated to physical and spiritual health and well-being, healing, resilience and overcoming challenges.
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’m joined by my dear friend, Shadi Toloui-Wallace, a singer and songwriter who also hosts her own podcast called ‘Cloud 9’. We talk about striving to be coherent in our everyday lives while trying to be a professional artist, and the creation of Baha’i-inspired music versus secular music. She tells me about the music she’s been working on, the exciting things happening with the youth in her neighborhood, the importance of service, and she shares a little about her family and upbringing, plus some exciting news in her personal life. We talk about Baha’i Blog’s Studio Sessions and the need for Baha’i-inspired grassroots music, and Shadi sings a beautiful song for us at the end of the podcast, so press ‘play’ and tune in to this fun conversation!
To find out more about Shadi Toloui-Wallace, and some of the things we covered in this episode, check out the following links:
* Find out more about Shadi Toloui-Wallace, her albums, videos and tour dates, by going to: www.shaditolouiwallace.com
* Rainn shares a quote from the Writings of Baha’u’llah: “Let deeds not words be your adorning”.
* Rainn shares a quote about music from Abdu’l-Baha: “…although sounds are but vibrations in the air which affect the ear’s auditory nerve, and these vibrations are but chance phenomena carried along through the air, even so, see how they move the heart. A wondrous melody is wings for the spirit, and maketh the soul to tremble for joy.”
* Rainn shares quote about music from Shoghi Effendi: “It is the music which assists us to affect the human spirit; it is an important means which helps us to communicate with the soul.”
* Rainn and Shadi talk about the importance of grassroots music and Baha’i Blog’s Studio Sessions series, which you can check out here: Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions
* At the end of the podcast, Shadi sings the song ‘Kindle’ from her album ‘Daughters of the Kingdom‘, based on the following prayer by Baha’u’llah:
“I know not, O my God, what the Fire is which Thou didst kindle in Thy land. Earth can never cloud its splendor, nor water quench its flame. All the peoples of the world are powerless to resist its force. Great is the blessedness of him that hath drawn nigh unto it, and heard its roaring. Some, O my God, Thou didst, through Thy strengthening grace, enable to approach it, while others Thou didst keep back by reason of what their hands have wrought in Thy days. Whoso hath hasted towards it and attained unto it hath, in his eagerness to gaze on Thy beauty, yielded his 53 life in Thy path, and ascended unto Thee, wholly detached from aught else except Thyself. I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by this Fire which blazeth and rageth in the world of creation, to rend asunder the veils that have hindered me from appearing before the throne of Thy majesty, and from standing at the door of Thy gate. Do Thou ordain for me, O my Lord, every good thing Thou didst send down in Thy Book, and suffer me not to be far removed from the shelter of Thy mercy. Powerful art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, the Most Generous. “
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.
I have been a Baha’i for forty-four years and I used to think that music and that arts were something extra in our Faith. But what remains of ancient civilization are remnants of their art and music!
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Rain and Shadi conversing in a wonderfully insightful and informative interview! Thank you!
Jay Bender (June 6, 2018 at 3:59 PM)
You’re welcome Jay! Glad you liked it!
Naysan Naraqi (June 6, 2018 at 9:46 PM)
Thanks for the kind words Jay! Glad you enjoyed the interview 🙂
Shadi Toloui-Wallace (June 6, 2018 at 12:23 AM)
I have been a Baha’i for forty-four years and I used to think that music and that arts were something extra in our Faith. But what remains of ancient civilization are remnants of their art and music!
Jay Bender (June 6, 2018 at 8:40 PM)
Sweet!
Keith J. Taylor (March 3, 2019 at 2:02 AM)