By candlelight, Cyndi Lauper exhorted the gathering to show their true colours. Then, as a Bach concerto played, words from the Bible were read: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”
Later, a Mozart Concerto serenely accompanied words of Baha’u’llah: “As the sun is to the body of a man so is the Sun of Truth to his soul.”
The occasion was the monthly Tranquillity Zone at the home of Keith and Fiona McDonald in East Fremantle, Western Australia.
Sixteen people sat in the living room for the half-hour devotional program of sacred readings, mixed with a few quotations from contemporary thinkers.
Music and candles added to the spiritual atmosphere, and refreshments were served afterwards.
Each month the readings are on a different theme. So far this year the McDonalds have chosen love, friendship and beauty as themes. In May the theme was truth.
“Many people claim to have found the truth, in other words to have found God,” said Mr McDonald.
“Others claim there’s more than one truth, and as many again reject the idea of truth altogether.
“As Baha’is we believe it is the same truth that animates Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and the other world religions.”
The readings always generate discussion afterwards, and everyone is given a copy of the readings to keep.
“We’ve been holding monthly Tranquillity Zones for six years now,” Mrs McDonald said.
“Strong friendships have formed through these events and every month we get up to 20 people crowded into our living room.”
After the recent death of Tranquillity Zone regular Anthony Temple, the next Tranquillity Zone on friendship was dedicated to his memory. Some of the regulars also went down to his favourite beach on what would have been his 60th birthday and said prayers for him as the sun set over the ocean.
The McDonalds promote the Tranquillity Zones among their friends by word of mouth or by email.
“People find these Tranquillity Zones both relaxing and stimulating,” Mrs McDonald said.
“Friends often comment on how much they enjoy them. One told us that we are providing a wonderful service and he looks forward to the event every month.”
Baha’i Tranquillity Zones, also known as devotional gatherings or “Soul Food”, are held in all parts of the country.