Meaningful Conversations Austin

Is death the end…or just the beginning?

Part of our common humanity is also our shared mortality. But what happens when we die? The world’s great religious traditions and spiritual paths offer us clues and, while differing to some extent in the details, nearly all seem to point to some form of continued existence.

If we are able to grasp some truth of the mystery of what happens to us after we die, could it shape the choices we make while we are alive on this earth? Would we live differently? What if death isn’t something to be feared? Could it just be the next step on a spiritual journey that will endure for eternity? What implications could such insights give us as to the purpose of our lives that could help us live a richer and more meaningful life?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on death, the afterlife… and life! Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the spiritual journey of our souls, in this physical world and beyond.

“The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother. ” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

The event is held at the Austin Bahá'í Center

Some people believe that as long as we’re not hurting anyone else, that we can do as we like. But is it enough to simply “do no harm”? Or do we need to actively seek to “do good”?

What about when it comes to our spiritual lives? Is our spirituality limited to our own personal growth and progress, or can we live in a way that our beliefs and actions make a positive impact on the world around us? When we think about ideas like sustainability and carbon footprints, we are thinking about the impact of our lives on our material environment. But what about our spiritual environment? Are we considering the spiritual footprints we are leaving behind? What would it look like to live conscious of the lasting impact of our choices and our spirituality on not just the world around us, but on future generations as well?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the lasting impact we each have on our communities. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how we can each contribute to the spiritual growth of the world around us, now and for generations to come.

“Turn all your thoughts towards bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! Lest ye offend any heart!” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

The event is held at the Austin Bahá'í Center

Is there such a thing as a just, equitable and even moral economy?

Whatever our personal values or system of beliefs, many would agree that how we interact with our fellow human beings should reflect certain core values such as kindness, honesty, fairness and compassion. But if that is how we interact with each other individually, then should those same values also inspire our economic systems?

Typically economies are talked about in terms of theories, policies or statistics. But isn’t our economic system also a reflection of our values or, if not, shouldn’t it be? Do we create our economic systems or do they create us? Do the choices we’re currently making (or failing to make) truly reflect our values? More often than not, the determining question asks what is good for my bottom line – as an individual, as an organization, as a society. And the determining answer is usually whatever yields the highest dollar amount. But what if what is good for the collective also happens to be good for the individual? What if as a society, we judged ourselves not on the wealth of our richest, but by the comfort of our poorest? What if our decisions were made not based on principles of scarcity, but on spiritually founded principles of love, justice, and our essential oneness?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the deeper truths that unite us – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the need for an economy driven by morality. Please join us for a lively discussion as we explore how an economy based on spiritual principles can allow for the conditions needed for all of humanity to reach its full and true prosperity.
“The good pleasure of God consists in the welfare of all the individual members of mankind.” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

The event is held at the Austin Bahá'í Center

In a world often marked by division, uncertainty, and conflict, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless. But what if, instead of despair, we saw these challenges as an invitation to create spiritually vibrant communities where unity, trust, and hope are not just utopian ideals, but actually shape our lived reality?

Amidst the chaos around us, the increasing fractures apparent in our society, many of us find ourselves asking: What can I do to make a difference, to contribute something better? But the answers so often presented to us don’t seem to be enough. Perhaps what is needed is a new, positive vision of humanity’s future, one centered around and reflecting the spiritual reality of humanity’s oneness – and filled with people working together to bring that vision to fruition. What would this world look like? How can we create communities where every individual feels they have a role to play in the betterment of society? How can we work together to build a society defined not merely by shared geography or common interests, but by a shared commitment to principles such as unity, justice, mutual support, and spiritual growth?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on how we can each contribute to creating communities of hope. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how we as individuals and as neighbors can come together to create a more just, compassionate, and spiritually vibrant society where everyone can thrive not just materially, but spiritually as well.

“...the purpose for which mortal men have, from utter nothingness, stepped into the realm of being, is that they may work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony.” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

The event is held at the Austin Bahá'í Center