12th Day of Ridvan Celebration
Happy Ridvan!
As I tote my cameras to various places and events, many people often ask where many of the images can be found. As much as I’d like to have all the photos in a gallery; time and resources have hindered such an endeavor. But, at a recent event held at the St. Mary’s Boat Club in Halifax I did take many photos & video footage at the Baha’i Community’s Ridvan Celebration. I’ve compiled a collage of images, audio, and video that can be viewed online.
“Ye are stars of understanding…”
There is a passage In the book Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u'lláh where He extolls the virtues of mankind. It reminds us not to forget our great destiny by busying ourselves with the vain imaginings of this world.
Gordi Munro sings a line from that passage,
” Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding, the breeze that stirreth at the break of day, the soft-flowing waters upon which must depend the very life of all men…”.
“Aspire to Greater Things…”
Inspired by the above passage of Baha’u’llah, Gordi states that the creative Word of God encourages us to,
“…aspire to things greater than our simple existence…”
“The Matadors…”
This song was written about the manifestations (prophets) of God. The title is a metaphor for these “Supreme Beings”.
The song is accompanied by photos of the event incorporated with video snippets of Gordi’s performance.
Quotation of Bahá’u'lláh, Gleanings XCVI
Bahá’u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u'lláh, p. 195
The Pen of the Most High is unceasingly calling; and yet, how few are those that have inclined their ear to its voice! The dwellers of the kingdom of names have busied themselves with the gay livery of the world, forgetful that every man that hath eyes to perceive and ears to hear cannot but readily recognize how evanescent are its colors.
A new life is, in this age, stirring within all the peoples of the earth; and yet none hath discovered its cause or perceived its motive. Consider the peoples of the West. Witness how, in their pursuit of that which is vain and trivial, they have sacrificed, and are still sacrificing, countless lives for the sake of its establishment and promotion. The peoples of Persia, on the other hand, though the repository of a perspicuous and luminous Revelation, the glory of whose loftiness and renown hath encompassed the whole earth, are dispirited and sunk in deep lethargy.
O friends! Be not careless of the virtues with which ye have been endowed, neither be neglectful of your high destiny. Suffer not your labors to be wasted through the vain imaginations which certain hearts have devised.
Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding, the breeze that stirreth at the break of day, the soft-flowing waters upon which must depend the very life of all men,
the letters inscribed upon His sacred scroll. With the utmost unity, and in a spirit of perfect fellowship, exert yourselves, that ye may be enabled to achieve that which beseemeth this Day of God. Verily I say, strife and dissension, and whatsoever the mind of man abhorreth are entirely unworthy of his station. Center your energies in the propagation of the Faith of God. Whoso is worthy of so high a calling, let him arise and promote it. Whoso is unable, it is his duty to appoint him who will, in his stead, proclaim this Revelation, whose power hath caused the foundations of the mightiest structures to quake, every mountain to be crushed into dust, and every soul to be dumbfounded. Should the greatness of this Day be revealed in its fullness, every man would forsake a myriad lives in his longing to partake, though it be for one moment, of its great glory – how much more this world and its corruptible treasures!
Be ye guided by wisdom in all your doings, and cleave ye tenaciously unto it. Please God ye may all be strengthened to carry out that which is the Will of God, and may be graciously assisted to appreciate the rank conferred upon such of His loved ones as have arisen to serve Him and magnify His name. Upon them be the glory of God, the glory of all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and the glory of the inmates of the most exalted Paradise, the heaven of heavens.
Lyrics to Matador, written by Gordi Munro
MATADOR
(© Gordi Munro, Steve Farrel, Album: Unity in Diversity)
Don’t you worry ’bout a thing
Despair is coming to an end
He has come again and the sword of glory has been thrust
No need to hesitate, let us cheer on with the crowd
There was once a time when the bulls were running free
Through blatant city streets which knew no harmony
Then came the Matador inspired by our need
Dressed in swords from Heaven, His purpose to bring peace
CHORUS:
Make me one, make me wonder
Make me wonder, make me one
The Matador keeps on trying
And the crowd cheers on for more
The bulls are slowly dying
Pierced by spirit swords. La la la la . . .
Sword of righteousness pierced the bull of greed
Sword of eternity bring us liberty
Come thou, the sword of love, pierce the bull of hate
These swords of discipline, humanity is made
CHORUS:
As He thrust the final sword, the crowd begins to rise
The courage of the Matador keeps their hearts alive
Dressed in His swords of truth and fire in His eyes
The crowd anticipating knows the beast will surely die
(Lyrics cited from: WINGS FOR THE SPIRIT by Diane and Bruce Rothaar)
Neda Ezhari responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 10:49 am →
dear Gordi, your music is beautiful and we would love to use it in our next IPG to inspire the friends. Can you please guide me on where I can purchase your Album/s. Thank you and keep up the great work. Fantastic website.
Glory Fraser responds:
Posted: June 2nd, 2009 at 1:20 am →
Dear Gordi, we met in sacramento in the 80″s at a Baha’i concert you gave…I Love your music and have worn out 2 tapes …I have searched and cannot find where to buy your music…PLEASE HELP ME OUT I would be ever so appreciative…Glory Fraser
maria chouchtari responds:
Posted: December 16th, 2009 at 4:06 pm →
Gordi , your music has lifted the hearts and drawn others closer to the Mighty Ocean.
Your heart has filled spaces with many wondrous treasures and left no space for other music.
All souls rejoice in hearing you sing. Please don’t ever stop composing as your words fill the universe which much needed guidance. When you sing the Angels from on High join in the glorious chorus.
Be blessed, for you have been a Knight in the realm of orchestration in a solo.
Your songs and words bring many threads into the tapestry of Unity.
Your fan that has never stopped wishing for more.
Keep us lit with the flame of your endearing serenades.
Cathy Wolfe responds:
Posted: April 11th, 2010 at 11:52 am →
Dear Gordi,
I have been listening to your songs since the 80’s also. Heard you live at a conference in London, Ontario. Your voice singing the words of Baha’u'llah has uplifted my soul and heart during many difficult times and brought me much joy and hope. It still does today. I have started a multi-media journal, matching music and images with quotes I read during my daily devotions. Today’s reading was about encouragement. One of the readings included the quote “Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding”. I still could hear your voice singing those verses and so I was inspired to look online and found this site. So grateful to know you are still sharing your heavenly voice.
maria chouchtari responds:
Posted: July 8th, 2010 at 1:11 am →
Only the true Matadors can calm the roaring beasts
Rose-Reta responds:
Posted: April 21st, 2011 at 9:37 pm →
wonderful Gordi I met you about 30 years ago at a summer school in Bowser.Vancouver Island B.C. I have a picture of you there. Great to hear you again. So inspiring. Thanks