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Archival Collection of Talks on Various Bahá'í Subjects

Dr. Jane Faily

Jane Faily starts by saying that as the “all human institutions are in disorder”; so too is Bahá’í marriage.  We live in one of the most trying times in history.

Ms. Faily then explores the traditional roles of men and women in marriage and society. In the past there was stability and harmony in marriage; that order rested on the dominance of men and the compliance of women. That has disappeared. “We are in an awkward age.” The harmony has vanished. We need to recreate the institution of marriage based on Bahá’í teachings.

 “Men and women are different: biologically, intellectually and emotionally.” Some shifting of traditional roles is predicted in the Bahá’í Writings. Men will become kinder, more gentle, more thoughtful than in the past. Women will take on more masculine roles as the couple consults and shares decision-making in the family.

Presentations by Dr. Jane Faily

This Cycle is Distinguished

The USA and Canada are co-sharers in ‘Abdu’l-Bahia’s “Tablets of the Divine Plan”. Describes the secular American culture contrasted with the Bahá’í culture. Discusses the twin processes of “disintegration” and “integration” going on in the world. Describes the role of the Hands of the Cause of God.

Appeals to the friends to respond to suffering of the Baha’is of Iran by teaching the Faith and living the life.

The Whole Individual

Dr. Faily discusses the interrelationship of individual and global longing for wholeness and harmony, which leads to peace. She labels the three elements of growth as desire, thinking and action.  Balance in these aspects results in moderation, while imbalance leads to exaggeration.  The destructive forces of racism and nationalism are brought about by imbalance. The human soul directs desire, learning and action.  How we develop thes elements makes us the raw material for either peace or war.

The Family: A Refuge and a Workshop

Jane Faily starts by saying that as the “all human institutions are in disorder”; so too is Bahá’í marriage.  We live in one of the most trying times in history.

Ms. Faily then explores the traditional roles of men and women in marriage and society. In the past there was stability and harmony in marriage; that order rested on the dominance of men and the compliance of women. That has disappeared. “We are in an awkward age.” The harmony has vanished. We need to recreate the institution of marriage based on Bahá’í teachings.

The Challenge to the Baha’i Parents

In its 1983 Ridvan message the Universal House of Justice wrote, “The observable acceleration, during the past decade, of the two processes described by our beloved Guardian, the disintegration of the old order and the progress and consolidation of the new World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, may well come to be regarded by future historians as one of the most remarkable features of this period” The human heart is the “repository of the covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.” Everything in Bahá’í family life is affected by the two-fold process given by Bahá’u’lláh.

Opportunities for Service

Dr. Faily parallels the last six years of Bahá'u'lláh's life with the Six Year Plan (1986-1992). Bahá'u'lláh emerged from the prison at ‘Akka and the Baha'is emerged from the prison of obscurity. In "Epistle To The Son Of The Wolf", Baha'u'llah summons His followers to achieve personal salvation and in 1986, the Universal House of Justice summons Baha'is to work toward achieving world peace. Acceptance of the Covenant brings tests, but there is true freedom in obedience and service to God's Will.

 

May I Be of Service

Dr. Jane Faily speaks of her experience of growing up in a family of twin cultures…American and Iranian. ‘Abdu’l-Baha warned the North American Bahá’ís that tests here will be “mental tests”, not physical. Shoghi Effendi, in one of his last messages to America warned us of "apathy, timidity or complacency” that could rob us of “the prizes within your reach”. Dr. Faily believes that testing can be described as happening within three circles. The widest circle is the world. Within that circle is the Bahá’í Community and the inner-most circle is your heart. All three circles will be tested.

From Oppression to the Feminine Principle in the Establishment of World Peace

Dr. Faily begins by explaining she has never before given a “paper”. She feels strongly that the institution of motherhood has been extremely undervalued by society. She explores how women, historically, came to lack a proper education, which put her at a disadvantage in child-rearing. Motherhood can change the world for the better. She quotes famous thinkers, such as Aristotle, who inserted negative views of women into Western culture. Describes how differently women approach issues from men.