A winning recipe for tranquillity and spiritual upliftment has put a multi-faith devotional event on the weekend menu for Melbournians from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Live music, inspiring readings and audio-visual presentations on spiritual themes are the essential ingredients of Soul Food, a Baha’i-organised event held monthly at the State Library of Victoria.
Media recognition of the appeal of Soul Food came quickly. It soared to number 10 in the list of “20 things to do in Melbourne”, published by The Age newspaper’s “Good Weekend” magazine, and its popularity has continued.
Now in its fourth year, Soul Food is also held in Adelaide (where it began) and has even been exported to Canada and the United States where the program and atmosphere also strikes a chord.
Opportunities
Many people in the community are seeking opportunities to explore their spiritual development, said Monib Mahdavi who, with Nima Ferdowsi, started the event in Melbourne.
“It provides Melbournians with a place to unwind and reflect once a month,” said Mr Mahdavi, who estimates the average attendance at between 120 and 140.
“One of the most rewarding outcomes of Soul Food has been the way people from all backgrounds actively participate by helping with setup, readings, promotions and suggestions for enhancing the event,” he said.
The program for the event held in Melbourne on Sunday, 7 September 2008 is an example of a typical Soul Food program.
Playing live at the event was the winner of the inaugural jazz award as Australia’s best keyboardist, Bob Sedergreen.
The theme of the morning was “Prison of Self” and the readings, complemented by a corresponding video or photograph projected on a screen, came from a wide range or sources: Confucius, Albert Einstein, Khalil Gibran, James Joyce, Saint Teresa of Avila, Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde.
There were also inspiring spiritual readings taken from the words of an indigenous American elder, the Baha’i Writings, the Hindu scriptures, Islam, the Bible, and Zen Buddhism.
Socialising with light refreshments completed the morning.
Topics for previous Soul Food events have had similar poetic titles such as “Visions of Oneness”, “The Sacred Balance”, “The Inner Landscape” and “The Light Within.”
Participant
Asked to describe her experience of Soul Food, a regular participant, Monica Subai, who is not a member of the Baha’i community, said the event was as the title suggested—food for the soul and the heart.
“I feel blissful when sitting in the room, listening to the music and the quotations and watching the always appropriately selected pictures,” she said.
“I am always amazed how carefully and lovingly the program is put together. It is very powerful with its message about world peace, humanity and everything else that is offered to the audience.
“The live music is really a treat. The musicians are such an integral part of the program — they enhance and blend into the readings.”
Event dates, more details and programs for downloading can be found by visiting Soul Food.