Center for Global Integrated Education (CGIE)

Where to Start When You Worry About Your Child’s Speech - Cgie - Center for Global Integrated Education

I am inviting all of our CGIE friends to see and visit the newly built website by Farid Ahmed my skilled developer.

Where to Start When You Worry About Your Child’s Speech - Cgie - Center for Global Integrated Education Language development and ability to talk is both a source of joy and worry for many parents.In raising my own three children, I felt so lucky and gratified as all three started to say their first words around 9 months and by 18 months all three could express their thoughts, feelings and wants in 5

Indonesian Muslims gamble on problematic ties to Saudi government vehicle

Indonesian Muslims gamble on problematic ties to Saudi government vehicle Thank you to all who have demonstrated their appreciation for my column by becoming paid subscribers. This allows me to ensure that it continues to have maximum impact. Maintaining free distributions means that news website, blogs, and newsletters across the globe can republish it. I launched my col...

The paradox that is Persia: Abbas Milani at TEDxStanford

The paradox that is Persia: Abbas Milani at TEDxStanford Abbas Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford and a co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Instit...

Indonesian Muslims gamble on problematic ties to Saudi government vehicle

Indonesian Muslims gamble on problematic ties to Saudi government vehicle Thank you to all who have demonstrated their appreciation for my column by becoming paid subscribers. This allows me to ensure that it continues to have maximum impact. Maintaining free distributions means that news website, blogs, and newsletters across the globe can republish it. I launched my col...

PEP Team April 19, 2016 summary reflection

One of many illuminating reflections and evidence-based reviews by the team of my interns, after administering a PSEP training at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences, at Pomona Unified School District. The training was attended by Principal Dr. Camille Beal.
I would like to thank and acknowledge my devoted and dedicated interns in this video and the institutions of higher Education they represented: Valerie Zamora Pritz Cal Poly Pomona, Natalie Vijil Preschern Claremont Colleges Scripps College, Zoe Flavin Claremont Colleges Pomona College, Susan Selfridge Cal Poly Pomona, Roxana Bautista University of La Verne, and Eddie Zamora Cal State Fullerton. The students each applied to the Center for Global Integrated Education to serve as interns.
Throughout the years of their service, the students were trained and supervised by Keyvan Geula who is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child therapist, to design and implement the Palomares Spiritual Empowerment Program, (PSEP).
The curriculum was designed to answer the unique social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the students assessed through clinical observation, interviews plus teachers and school counselor referral. The curriculum design was guided by the Baha'i principle of oneness of all humanity and most recent findings in psychology and integrated education that meets the need of the students at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences in Pomona Unified School District.

PEP Team April 19, 2016 summary reflection PEP team shares a summary reflection on the empowerment training process on April 19, 16. PEP appreciates the feedback received from the students and the obs...

Star of Understanding; Keyvan Geula LMFT explains to Rojina how it works with Junior youth.

I am teaching the 5 pointed STAR as a tool for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) exploration of ourselves in integration with Baha'i Writings. The STAR has been one of the favorite tools of my patients as well as my students for self-exploration and discovery of the spiritual self as opposed to the animal or material self.

Star of Understanding; Keyvan Geula LMFT explains to Rojina how it works with Junior youth. Star of Understanding is a Cognitive Behavioral Tool for teachers, parents, community leaders, and youth and junior youth in understanding the dynamics of ou...

PEP Team April 12, 16 summary reflection on story telling and community building

In this video you see the evaluation of the training video on my youtube channel called PEP Explores the Power of Prayer and Pitfalls of Hot Dog Wishes. My interns and also students share their take away and insights about the effective implementation of the delivery of PSEP training. As you see our evaluation is intentionally informal but most effective and fun.

The content and nature of each training program are decided in consultation with all the interns based on my clinical experience as a Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist, our group observation of the psycho social and emotional, and spiritual needs of the students inspired and guided by the Teachings of the Baha'i Faith on the principle of the oneness of all humanity and our thoughts our reality as Abdu'l-Baha explains. The appealing delivery of the training and the willing participation of the students is very important in our process and also evaluation. We believe learning takes place in the context of emotions; a happy soul is most available to learn than a bored and uninterested student.

PEP Team April 12, 16 summary reflection on story telling and community building 10th and 11th graders, discover how hard it is to tell a story. Students are discovering the power of story in learning about life long life skills and aware...

PEP EXPLORES THE POWER OF PRAYER AND PITFALLS OF HOT DOG WISHES

This video is one of the many training presentations we made in the 4 years we did the Palomares Spiritual Empowerment Program at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences in Pomona Unified School District. My wonderful interns, Natalie Vigil, Valerie Zamora, Eddie Zamora, Susan Selfridge, Roxana Butsida, and Pomona College intern Zoe Flavin were in training to learn how Integrated Education can be effectively administered in public schools. This was under the big umbrella of teaching the oneness of humanity and community-building skills. My much-loved interns particularly loved this training for so a few specific reasons. They especially loved the way I set the stage to teach about the importance of prayer as a universal human process. They also were most touched by the way I disciplined one of the bright students who was making a full out of himself and being distractive to others. After the training, my interns shared their reflections on what they experienced and earned. I hope to find the video of their reflection that complements this very illuminating video of what we really mean by integrated education.

PEP EXPLORES THE POWER OF PRAYER AND PITFALLS OF HOT DOG WISHES In this Keyvan Geula LMFT explores with the PEP students the way story can help us understand the constructive or destructive power of our wishes. How can we...

Fragrant Roses Presentation in Celebration of Ridvan Festival

This presentation was prepared for the Sustainable Claremont Garden Club. As a member of the Garden Club, I was invited to give a presentation and when they asked me about the topic, the subject of Fragrant Roses in My Garden came to mind. Fragrant roses have been special for me as a metaphor for joy, beauty, and hope, and are frequently mentioned in the Baha'i Writings as a metaphor for the Oneness of all humanity and the celebration of unity in diversity. For Baha'is Roses are associated with the celebration of the annual festival: Ridvan.

Fragrant Roses Presentation in Celebration of Ridvan Festival This presentation was prepared for the Sustainable Claremont Garden Club. As a member of the garden Club, I was invited to give a presentation and when they...

Fragrant Roses Presentation in Celebration of Holy Festival: Ridvan

This presentation was prepared for the Sustainable Claremont Garden Club. As a member of the Garden Club, I was invited to give a presentation and when they asked me about the topic, the subject of Fragrant Roses in My Garden came to mind. Fragrant roses have been special for me as a metaphor for joy, beauty, and hope, and are frequently mentioned in the Baha'i Writings as a metaphor for the Oneness of all humanity and the celebration of unity in diversity. For Baha'is Roses are associated with the celebration of the annual festival: Ridvan.

Fragrant Roses Presentation in Celebration of Holy Festival: Ridvan This presentation was prepared for the Sustainable Claremont Garden Club. As a member of the garden Club, I was invited to give a presentation and when they...

Fragrant Roses in Celebration of festival of Ridvan

I was asked by the Garden Club of the City of Claremont to speak for the club members. My topic of choice was Fragrant Roses. This slide show turned into a movie that was just finished and posted. It was, definitely a labor of knowing and loving. This is one of the ways I have chosen to celebrate the Festival of Ridvan with my friends in Claremont and all over the world. I would love to hear everyone's feedback. It is a humble expression of social action for the betterment of the world.

Fragrant Roses in Celebration of festival of Ridvan This presentation was prepared for the City of Claremont Garden Club. I was invited to give a presentation for the garden club and when they asked me about t...

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - Crowdcast

Nature is God's Will and is its expression in and through the contingent world.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 142)
This nature is subject to a sound organization, to inviolable laws, to a perfect order, and to a consummate design, from which it never departs. To such an extent is this true that were you to gaze with the eye of insight and discernment, you would observe all things - from the smallest invisible atom to the largest globes in the world of existence, such as the sun or the other great stars and luminous bodies - are most perfectly organized, be it with regard to their order, their composition, their outward form, or their motion, and that all are subject to one universal law from which they never depart.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chpt. 1, p. 3)

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - Crowdcast Register now for SiteGround's event on Crowdcast, scheduled to go live on Monday April 18, 2022 at 6:00 pm EEST.

How the World’s Best Rose Water Is Made

In early May I am asked to make a presentation on fragrant roses in my garden by the garden club of our city. I like to include the process of making rose water in my presentation and share the many uses of rose water, in food, cosmetics, mental health, and sleep hygiene, and making delicious snacks.
This video came closest to what I was looking for. It shares the historical background and the manner rose water has been made for centuries in Iran. Fortunately, my garden has the Damask Rose which is traditionally used to make rose water. Also, the fragrant Mr. Lincoln Roses also can be used to make rose water.
This unification of the East and the West to produce a fragrant and uplifting product appeals to me as a Baha'i. It is yet another small step in the direction of the oneness of all humanity and celebration of unity in diversity.

How the World’s Best Rose Water Is Made You’ve probably spritzed rose water on your face, or drank rose water tea. It’s trendy now, though the aromatic liquid has been a staple for centuries in the...

PSEP Teaching Metaphoric Thinking Skills

Teaching public high-school students at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences on May 17, 2016, the metaphoric thinking skills and benefits. We created a metaphoric pairing activity and the candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power. This is our summary review after each session with our Empowerment team. The process in detail was also recorded. The wonderful team includes Natalie Vigil, Valerie Zamora, Eddie Zamora, Susane Selfridge, and Roxana Bautista. Thank you, my dearest team.

PSEP Teaching Metaphoric Thinking Skills This is a summary reflection right after Palomares Spiritual Empowerment Program Team taught the students metaphoric thinking skills for personal, social, em...

روان درمانی با الهام از ایین بهائئ، Keyvan Geula

I have been invited to speak for my Persian-speaking friends on the integration of science and religion in the application of mental health and Baha'i principles, values, prayers, meditation, and teachings on April 3, 2022, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time on Zoom. Mrs. Simin Moghaddas is the person to get more information from.
My research and work in the past 30 years have focused on the application and integration of science and religion from a Baha'i perspective. The talk in the video below was prepared for my Baha'i students of psychology some years ago. I am hoping we have more opportunities to explore what it means in the process of psychotherapy to take our cues from the ocean of Baha'i teachings that guide and protects all of us from being left to our own selves.

روان درمانی با الهام از ایین بهائئ، Keyvan Geula This video explores the unique nature of Baha'i inspired psychotherapy focusing on the powers of the mind elevated by divine teachings, grounded in ones spir...

Spiritual Relationship; A Baha'i Perspective

I feel blessed to have a slight chance to celebrate this Divine Cause of God with the loving and generous believers who are the champions of putting the Teachings into the daily practice of life.
The magic is in the many examples of living the Baha'i life that inspires and transforms the people of the world.

"The spiritually learned must be characterized by both inward and outward perfections; they must possess a good character, an enlightened nature, a pure intent, as well as intellectual power, brilliance and discernment, intuition, discretion and foresight, temperance, reverence, and a heartfelt fear of God. For an unlit candle, however great in diameter and tall, is no better than a barren palm tree or a pile of dead wood. Abdu'l-Baha

Spiritual Relationship; A Baha'i Perspective Keyvan Geula LMFT is exploring spiritual relationships drawing from her clinical experience and understanding of the Baha'i Writings to see how a universal s...

SANTAR Ensemble Concert for Human Rights of the Baha's of Iran

The subject of defending the human rights of the 'is of Iran, sadly, has been the center of human rights news for many years. today, Feb. 1, 2022, Baha'i students are banned from attending university, Baha'i families never know who from their government, will raid their home in the middle of the night to drag a mother or father or brother to an unknown prison subjecting the one who gets arrested for his or belief and the family and the community caught in yet another surge of a frightening set of events and cruelties. I want to thank our friends at the music department of Claremont Colleges, Professors Tom Flaherty, Cindy Fogg, Rachel Huang, and late Johnathan White who have been our loving partners sharing their gift of music in our house concerts in defense of the human rights of the Baha'is of Iran since 1979.

SANTAR Ensemble Concert for Human Rights of the Baha's of Iran The subject of violations of human rights, injustice and how different communities and believes respond to it is at the forefront of the news today. The Baha...

Palomares Empowerment singing Song for Oneness at Interfaith Peace Walk

The choir is mainly the students of the Palomares Spiritual Empowerment Program (PSEP) at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences in Pomona Unified School District.
The students were from all religious and ethnic and racial backgrounds.
With the help of my dedicated interns; Natalie Vigil, Valerie Zamora, Eddie Zamora, Marsha Valencia, and dedicated community members, the Superintendent of Pomona Unified School District, Richard Martinez, and Principle of Palomares Academy of Health Sciences Dr. Camille Beal the program proved not only successful to teach the oneness of humanity but was indeed transforming for all of us.
Our team was engaged in the assessment of the issues students were presenting, designing a curriculum inspired by the Baha’i Writings and the science of pedagogy and psychology designed to address the presenting problems.
As a result of this integrated program and close participation in designing, implementing, and evaluating the curriculum based on our understanding of science, the Baha’i message of unity, and the social, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of the students, the PSEP proved to transform.
My never-ending thanks to all who supported us.

Palomares Empowerment singing Song for Oneness at Interfaith Peace Walk This video is about Palomares Empowerment singing Song for Oneness at Interfaith Peace Walk

SANTAR Mystical Persian Music Performance at Irfan June 2013 Bosch Baha'i School

The Poem of Hafez is about the power of love in honor of the unparalleled love of the Baha’is of Iran for the oneness of humanity.

SANTAR Mystical Persian Music Performance at Irfan June 2013 Bosch Baha'i School Irfan Colloquium brings together a community of scholars and lovers of knowledge on science and religion inspired by the Baha'i Teaching that says; we are cr...

My Mom Loves to Visit Our Garden; Nature Lifts up Her Spirit

My Mom Loves to Visit Our Garden. Nature Lifts her spirit.

My mom will be 100 years old on the 1st of January 2022. My husband Arsalan has been my best and foremost support in caring for her, especially in recent months when I myself have not been feeling well.

This video is Arsalan and my birthday gift to her for her 100th year birthday.

My mom was born in the city of Sanandaj in the province of Kordestan Iran in January 1922. Her mother and father were the first in their Jewish family to investigate, recognize and embrace the Baha'i Faith; the New Revelation from God and the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures of the past. Their family faced severe persecution by their extended Jewish family and endured much hardship for years. My mom is the oldest child out of the 6th children.
She served as a Baha'i pioneer for 7 years in Venezuela after leaving Iran as a result of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. She learned to speak Spanish in Venezuela and loves to speak Spanish every chance she gets.

She loves to pray every day for all her loved ones. She enjoys reading Baha'i history, watching Baha'i history videos, coloring in her coloring book, watering the plants in the garden, visiting with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends any chance she gets. She takes great joy from the fact that all her children are devoted Baha'is and serve humanity in all corners of the globe.

Happy 100th birthday Maman Hamideh

My Mom Loves to Visit Our Garden; Nature Lifts up Her Spirit My Mom Loves to Visit Our Garden. Nature Lifts her spirit. My mom will be 100 years old the 1st of January 2022. My husband Arsalan has been my best and fore...

Do you Remember? Bahiyyih Nakhjavani and Keyvan Geula (Bahizad) Share Memories

In 1968, right after my return from a two-year study at the University of Maryland in College Park, I was selected as one of the fortunate 9 Baha'is by the NSA of Iran to serve in Holy Land as one of the 60 ushers. August 1968 was the 100 anniversary of the arrival of Baha'u'llah and His family at the prison city of Akka. The Baha'i World Center was expecting the attendance of about 4000 Baha'is coming after the conclusion of the Palermo conference.

At that time there was no service core at the World Center and apparently, we were the first group who served in Holy Land. They housed all of us at the University of Haifa. Every day we would be bussed to our designated service locations. Mine was the Most Great Prison in the mornings and the House of Abboud down the street in the afternoon. We arrived way ahead of the guests and we were all trained how to do our service. Altogether we stayed for 23 three blessed days. I have so many treasured memories from this blessed and divine favour of Baha'u'llah.

I am more eager to hear the memories of other friends who served on that occasion.

Do you Remember? Bahiyyih Nakhjavani and Keyvan Geula (Bahizad) Share Memories Do you Remember? Bahiyyih Nakhjavani and Keyvan Geula (Bahizad) Share Memories About Serving as Ushers in the Baha'i World Center in 1968 after Baha'is who a...

Wally Funk, A Lifelong Aspiring Astronaut, Will Finally Head To Space At 82

Today is July 9th; the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab; the young Herald of the Baha'i Faith executed in Tabriz, Iran in July 9, 1850, by 750 soldiers before a crowd of many thousands.

This morning I heard the inspiring story of Wally Funk. Her determination to keep her eyes on her goals and hopes and her council to her grieving friend, "go to the clouds", reminded me of two stories, one by The Bab and another by the neuroscientist Ethan Kross in his recent book CHATTER on the powers of keeping our eyes on what we can do vs what we cannot.

While in the prison of Mahku, the Bab receives a letter from His mother and uncle asking Him how He is doing. At the end of His answer, the Bab refers to a poem of Sanaii that says: "I am well as much as a bird can be in the hand of his captor, but you who are free make the best of your freedom and fly to the high branches of the trees and enjoy doing what you can.

Both Wally and Ethan Kross have discovered the wisdom of using our minds and spirit to take a distance from what we cannot do focus on what we can do to serve the purpose of our lives.

Wally Funk, A Lifelong Aspiring Astronaut, Will Finally Head To Space At 82 In the 1960s, Wally Funk participated in a project intended to pave the way for female astronauts. It got canceled, but she will soon join the crew of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' suborbital rocket.

Cafeteria Complex; & Baha'i Laws; Comedy Skit by Judge james F. Nelson

I am in the process of converting, editing, and uploading some of my old VHS videos I had recorded many years ago so I can upload them into my Youtube Channel. I find the subject of the Baha’i laws and our unique relations with it quite timely.

I like to thank my dear friend and family member Mel Jacobson, for taking the trouble and the time to digitalize these VHS videos for me.

I have recorded this video many years ago in a conference in LA. I do not remember the name of the conference but Jim was speaking along with Wilma and Firooz. I trust it will delight your heart.

I am sharing it with some of my friends with the following explanation:

A most delightful approach, only Late Judge James nelson could deliver, on our historical background and relations as Americans towards laws. He further educates us how as Baha'is we are privileged to the secret about God's laws, Baha'u'llah reveals to us that "True liberty consisteth in man’s submission unto My commandments, little as ye know it. Were men to observe that which We have sent down unto them from the Heaven of Revelation, they would, of a certainty, attain unto perfect liberty. Happy is the man that hath apprehended the Purpose of God in whatever He hath revealed from the Heaven of His Will, that pervadeth all created things. Say: The liberty that profiteth you is to be found nowhere except in complete servitude unto God, the Eternal Truth. Whoso hath tasted of its sweetness will refuse to barter it for all the dominion of earth and heaven." Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah

Cafeteria Complex; & Baha'i Laws; Comedy Skit by Judge james F. Nelson With his deep appreciation for the Baha'i Laws, his delightful sense of humour, his lifelong commitment to serve humanity, and keen wisdom of how to deliver,...

Why People Lie | Reasons for Lying | Paul Ekman Group

Some friends have asked me to share some thoughts on the importance of truth and why people lie? As a Baha'i psychotherapist, I would like to combine the wisdom of the Baha'i Writings and the best the science of today can provide us. Dr. Paul Ekman has done years of research in human emotions and expressions. I like to share with you this article for a start.

Bahá’u’lláh says in the Tablet of Tarazát:—
Verily, Honesty is the door of tranquillity to all in the world, and the sign of glory from the presence of the Merciful One. Whosoever attains thereto has attained to treasures of wealth and affluence. Honesty is the greatest door to the security and tranquillity of mankind. The stability of every affair always depends on it, and the worlds of honor, glory and affluence are illumined by its light. …
O people of Bahá! Honesty is the best garment for your temples and the most splendid crown for your heads. Adhere thereto by the Command of the Omnipotent Commander.
Again He says:—“The principle of faith is to lessen words and to increase deeds. He who words exceed his acts, know verily, that his nonbeing is better than his being, his death better than his life.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:—
Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of mankind. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the other divine qualities will also become realized.
Let the light of truth and honesty shine from your faces so that all may know that your word, in business or pleasure, is a word to trust and be sure of. Forget self and work for the whole. (Message to the London Bahá’ís, October 1911). 86
I am struck by this visually captivating metaphor of; "the door of tranquillity to all ", and truthfulness being; " the sign of glory from the presence of the Merciful One." There is so much to meditate upon about the hidden powers and worth of this human virtue both individually and collectively. Pondering upon the depth of the meaning and the effect of truthfulness on any society leaves no doubt why; "Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of mankind."

Why People Lie | Reasons for Lying | Paul Ekman Group Dr. Paul Ekman explains why people lie. Read more about reasons for lying including avoiding punishment, harm, or embarrassment.

Star of Understanding; Keyvan Geula LMFT explains to Rojina how it works with Junior youth.

In my Baha'i inspired the counseling process, I ask my patients to send me a brief take away from their session. Some people take this important part of their learning and transformation to heart and write a very detailed narrative of what they have taken away. Some take little practice to get the hang of this important part of their important work. This in-between the sessions work is not initially appreciated but, those who take it to heart tell me how much it makes a difference in the effective outcome of the counseling. It also significantly shortens the time needed for counseling and saves money and time.
Depending on the depth, nature, and breath of your takeaway at each session, I will adjust our process.

As a rule, I tell my clients; Whatever you remember will become part of your reflection and eventually actions.
Whatever you do not remember, has very little power to make a difference. When you are able to articulate what you remember, you drive your gains deeper and it eventually illumines not just your thoughts, but your actions.

Star of Understanding; Keyvan Geula LMFT explains to Rojina how it works with Junior youth. Star of Understanding is a Cognitive Behavioral Tool for teachers, parents, community leaders, and youth and junior youth in understanding the dynamics of ou...

Transforming Human Consciousness

A thought-provoking and illuminating interview with professor Halford Fairchild Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Africana Studies at Pitzer College about race, racism, and the Baha'i principle of the oneness of all humanity. The interview was in 1995. Sadly to-date, August 30, 2020, the issues we discussed are still with us and racism is pressing its knees on our necks. I recently learned that Professor Fairchild has transformed the process of education of his students from consumers of knowledge to producers of information. It delighted me to know he continues to speak up about the Baha'i principles such as the oneness of all humanity, world peace, social justice, and the importance of engagement in social good. His student Samuel Martin seemed luminous and well versed in the high ideals of world peace, the organic oneness of all humanity, and the importance of preservation of our environment. I would love to have an interview with him.

Transforming Human Consciousness A thought-provoking and illuminating interview with professor Halford Fairchild Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Africana Studies at Pitzer College about...