International Environment Forum

Devotional meetings and other gatherings for prayer, meditation and reflection are an ideal time to reflect also on the environment and sustainability. The creation is so full of beauty and wonderment that it naturally creates a strong emotional resonance and a desire to protect and nurture so wonderful a gift from God. Linking the mind and the heart is one of the best ways to build motivation for change.

The following devotional materials include both selections of readings and presentations that combine beautiful pictures and quotations, and can appropriately be used for devotional meetings or to open seminars and conferences. A musical accompaniment is included with some, or it can be added.

If male and female readers alternate reading, with a male reader starting, followed by a female, the female will read the passage on the equality of women and men, which seems to work well.

A powerpoint file (conf10_03.ppt - 3.5 MB) and a music file (conf10_03.mp3 - 2.2 MB). Start the music first, but immediately afterwards (within 2 seconds) start the powerpoint slide show. If you do this correctly, the music and pictures harmonise without having to manually flip through the slides. If you find the 3.5 MB powerpoint file too large to download, you can also choose to download an acrobat reader (conf10_03.pdf) version of the powerpoint file, which is only 1 MB.

A powerpoint file (conf10_10.ppt - 1.9 MB) and a music file (conf10_10.mp3 - 2 MB). Start the music first, but immediately afterwards (within 2 seconds) start the powerpoint slide show. If you do this correctly, the music and the pictures harmonise without having to manually flip through the slides. If you find the 1.9 MB powerpoint file too large to download, you can also choose to download an acrobat reader (conf10_10.pdf) version of the powerpoint file, which is only 1 MB.

A powerpoint of dramatic photographts and quotations from scriptures of many religions. 5.5 MB.

Text materials for group discussion and reflection on the transforming power of Baha'u'llah's message, including stories and quotations from Baha'u'llah.

A selection of readings and prayers relevant to climate change and environmental stewardship for use in Devotional Gatherings