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 in Chelsea, England with Moojan Momen – medical doctor by day, academic by night! Moojan has authored dozens of books and papers on a variety of topics ranging from things like The Baha’i Faith and Hinduism, to The God of Baha’u’llah. Moojan tells me what led him to research and writing, and he also shares his thoughts on what makes the Baha’i Faith unique. We discuss the emphasis Baha’u’llah places on consultation, and we also look at how certain social structures can change if we want them to, and the importance of that change coming from the grassroots. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!
To find out more about Moojan Momen and some of the things we covered in this podcast, check out the following links:
Check mout Moojan and his wife, Wendi’s website here: momen.org
Here are links to some of Moojan Momen’s books mentioned in the podcast:
Moojan mentions the films from the Universal House of Justice such as A Widening Embrace.
Moojan shares the following quote from Baha’u’llah:
“We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may he lifted up unto the realm on high…”
Rainn shares the following quote from Baha’u’llah:
“It followeth, therefore, that rendering assistance unto God, in this day, doth not and shall never consist in contending or disputing with any soul; nay rather, what is preferable in the sight of God is that the cities of men’s hearts, which are ruled by the hosts of self and passion, should be subdued by the sword of utterance, of wisdom and of understanding.”
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 there a link to the article they referenced in the discussion about taking a 20,000 ft view of the processes started by the House of Justice in 1996 as how it is building a new society?
After years of reading so many of Dr. Momen’s words, it was wonderful to hear him speak and for the two of you to explore so many different aspects of what this heaven on Earth will look like. And not that I won’t always love Scranton, but it was great to “go” somewhere else!
I’ve checked in with Rainn and sadly, the paper referenced at around 33:55 is one that Moojan Momen in still working on and it has yet to be published. The article “The God of Baha’u’llah”, however, can be read here https://bahai-library.com/momen_god_bahaullah. Thanks for listening!
I especially appreciated Dr Momen’s focus on the “culture of learning” that Bahai’s are promoting in sharing Baha’u’llah’s process of human capacity building, not giving the answers but assisting all the peoples of the world to use the power of mature, levelheaded consultation to come up with the answers, community by community, to build the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth together – following God’s DIY kit instructions – in the lighthearted but to my mind quite apt image that Rainn’s dad came up with. Good stuff!
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Is there a link to the article they referenced in the discussion about taking a 20,000 ft view of the processes started by the House of Justice in 1996 as how it is building a new society?
Badi Morris (January 1, 2019 at 3:17 PM)
After years of reading so many of Dr. Momen’s words, it was wonderful to hear him speak and for the two of you to explore so many different aspects of what this heaven on Earth will look like. And not that I won’t always love Scranton, but it was great to “go” somewhere else!
Carol (January 1, 2019 at 1:36 AM)
It’s the paper referenced at 33:55
Badi Morris (January 1, 2019 at 2:02 AM)
Hi Badi!
Thank you for your question! We’ll see if we can chase up that reference for you! Thanks for asking!
– Sonjel
Sonjel Vreeland (January 1, 2019 at 11:23 PM)
Hi Badi!
I’ve checked in with Rainn and sadly, the paper referenced at around 33:55 is one that Moojan Momen in still working on and it has yet to be published. The article “The God of Baha’u’llah”, however, can be read here https://bahai-library.com/momen_god_bahaullah. Thanks for listening!
– Sonjel
Sonjel Vreeland (January 1, 2019 at 1:49 AM)
I especially appreciated Dr Momen’s focus on the “culture of learning” that Bahai’s are promoting in sharing Baha’u’llah’s process of human capacity building, not giving the answers but assisting all the peoples of the world to use the power of mature, levelheaded consultation to come up with the answers, community by community, to build the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth together – following God’s DIY kit instructions – in the lighthearted but to my mind quite apt image that Rainn’s dad came up with. Good stuff!
Keith J. Taylor (March 3, 2019 at 6:08 PM)