On this page we will share the history behind some of the art used on our website.
Enable Me To Grow Logo
This logo represents the spirit of a mother and child being nurtured. We see these two spirits as being very connected to one another, and that the state of one greatly affects the state of the other.
Taking time and effort to nurture your own spirit will allow you to be a better mother. Therefore our website has been created with two goals in mind: to help nurture the spirit of mothers, and to give tools and inspiration to nurture the spirits of children.
[quote]O ye loving mothers, know ye that in God’s sight, the best of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind; and no nobler deed than this can be imagined.[/quote]
(Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 138)
Radiant Hearts Logo
This logo represents the virtues that we are trying to learn and teach when we use the Radiant Hearts materials. It was painted by Penina, and digitally remastered by Chelsea.
A crown decorated with beautiful jewels is a lovely way to describe spiritual qualities to children. God has endowed each human with numerous gems we call “spiritual qualities.” By learning about these spiritual qualities and practicing them, we polish these gems in order to reflect the Divine Attributes of God.
To read more quotations from the Baha’i Writings about crowns, download this PDF.
[quote]The truth is that God has endowed man with virtues, powers and ideal faculties of which nature is entirely bereft and by which man is elevated, distinguished and superior. We must thank God for these bestowals, for these powers He has given us, for this crown He has placed upon our heads.[/quote]
(Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 61)
Homepage Art
The banner featured on our homepage was especially created for our website by freelance artist Laura Caldentey from Spain. We are so pleased that Laura has transferred our ideas into artistic reality through her lovely work. You can find Laura’s Etsy shop here.
The ideas we want to convey in this piece are:
- A mother needs to nurture her spirit to be the best person, and mother, she can be
- A child learns from the mother how to nurture his/her spirit, as she is the first educator
- Children will often follow in the footsteps of their parents
- Both parents can nurture children, at home and in their neighborhood
- Children have a special role in community building
- Each child is a beautiful creation in the Garden of God (diversity of children)
- Each child has unique talents to offer the world (each one has tool and role to help with the garden – spreading seeds, planting, watering, bringing joy)
- Pure souls who have passed on to the spiritual world are still a special part of our family (baby with angel wings) Please note that Baha’is do not believe in the literal form of an angel, however this image has just been used to represent the spirit of a child who has passed on to the spiritual realm. Miscarriages are so common that we wanted to include a visual representation of these unborn children in our human family picture.
- Though we may not see the fruits of our labors while serving as educators of children, the seeds have been planted and we should have faith that they will grow in time
One particular quotation that inspired these ideas was:
[quote]The instruction of these children is even as the work of a loving gardener who tendeth his young plants in the flowering fields of the All-Glorious. There is no doubt that it will yield the desired results; especially is this true of instruction as to Bahá’í obligations and Bahá’í conduct, for the little children must needs be made aware in their very heart and soul that ‘Bahá’í’ is not just a name but a truth.[/quote]
(Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 142)
Interactive Arts Exhibition
To celebrate the launch of our upcoming CD “At First Light” Volume 1, we are holding an arts exhibition for which you and your children are invited to submit a digital photograph of a piece of art about our CD’s title “At First Light.” The deadline is 10 February 2013!
We hope that participating in this arts exhibition will not only give you a chance to win a copy of our CD but, more importantly, give you an opportunity to discuss praying with your family and explore the quotation above through artistic means. To find all the details, including how you may be able to win a copy of our CD, go to this post.
Art in the Baha’i Teachings
Art has a very special role in learning about life and conveying spiritual thoughts. As parents we must keep in mind, as we encourage our children in artistic endeavors, to be truly creative and not only engage in pre-made art projects that are so prevalent these days. Everything we do can be art: how we dress, how we arrange our homes, how we set the table, as well as what we create. Often beauty is found in simplicity and organization, in things that are made by hand, and by appreciating God’s art in nature. Our example will guide our children in how they appreciate these ideals.
[quote]I rejoice to hear that thou takest pains with thine art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship. The more thou strivest to perfect it, the closer wilt thou come to God. What bestowal could be greater than this, that one’s art should be even as the act of worshipping the Lord? That is to say, when thy fingers grasp the paintbrush, it is as if thou wert at prayer in the Temple.[/quote]
(Compilations, The Importance of the Arts in Promoting the Faith)
