How it got started
We are six friends sharing one thing in common. Baha'u' llah's vision - 'The Earth is one country, and mankind its citizens.'
We are quite different and may never have met. This Blog may never have started without Lockdown.
It was the catalyst.
One more thing in common. We want to explore how the world can be better for each human being, now and into the future.
So we started this Blog…
We see Humankind as one family, one Body, and, just as a pain in our head for example affects the whole body, so suffering; pain ( and joy!) in any part of the world affects us all.
We want to build bridges towards each other.
Philomena Clifford: My life’s journey took me from the Midlands to Mexico, Central America and France - finally settling on teaching profoundly Deaf students here in Cornwall. In time and through life’s many challenges, I found three common threads on the ongoing journey towards greater flourishing for all of us. Small acts of service to others is a sure path to Joy. Open, honest communication towards finding truth is vital towards well being. Positively developing our individual character – at any age, in any life situation is key.
Philip & Esmyr Koomen: We live in a small village near Oxford. In small ways we strive to create a resilient community through building supportive friendships and hosting a regular sacred space for spiritual renewal. We collaborate with friends to use the creative arts to bring people together to enjoy making things or sharing ideas. Our community is not limited by physical constraints; it is truly global. We are committed to the betterment of the world through using our skills, resources and time. Love is the secret.
Audrius Šimaitis: I am a Cardiologist working in Cornwall. In retrospect, the decision to leave my own country Lithuania and to go to Australia and then to nearly Land's End was a spiritual journey, that had no boundaries, no limits, no time and no space. Each day of this journey testified Baha'u'llah's diagnosis of humanity being sick with multiple spiritual illnesses. He also prescribed a potent cure for all these maladies, and it is my life's dream to prescribe this medicine.
Andrew Shepherd: I am a Cornishman living in the Duchy and a recently retired lecturer and assessor. I continue to do a little freelance assessment work, but most of my spare time is now taken up volunteering for a national advice agency. Whether it’s helping young people realise their potential or helping members of the public deal with life’s problems, my driving force is a passionate sense of equality. I believe that the route to a better society is through changing hearts and minds.
Geoff Smith is a speaker, author and consultant focussing on the development of healthy character. A former headteacher and founder of the Association of Character Education, his recent publications include:
The Primary Character Curriculum (Birmingham University 2015
Character Education: The Star Awards Programme” (Rising Stars 2018)
Geoff has appeared on BBC Breakfast Time, Cambridge University Festival of Ideas, Wild and Well Education Festival and the Character Scotland Education Conference.
Geoff has served on the board of the Virtues Project International and his educational work has been praised by Philosopher Alain De Botton and Lord O'Shaughnessy Founder