For the month of October, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Baha'i tradition. Led by Abbas Mahvash of the Bahá'í Community of Houston, accompanied by Luke Slott, singer, songwriter and composer from Dublin, Ireland, this session explored a Baha'i perspective on the purpose of religious practice through prayer and meditation. The meditation also addressed individual and community healing after Harvey as a part of the Chapel's weekly Wednesday gathering series.

Slott performed songs and prayers, then participants read Baha'i scripture on prayer and meditation, discussing how these contemplative practices lead to individual and collective development. Mahvash provided a reflection on these prayers, and consulted on their practical implications for personal and societal advancement. The group then practiced Metta Bhavana, a Buddhist method that helps cultivate loving-kindness, to help put into practice inner and external transformation.

About the presenters: Abbas Mahvash is a native Houstonian, whose work in law and international development has allowed him to participate in Baha'i communities across North America, Europe, and Africa. He spent recent years volunteering at the Baha'i administrative and spiritual center in Haifa, Israel.

Luke Slott is a composer and singer-songwriter from Ireland. Born into a musical family in Dublin, he began playing music at an early age, learning guitar and trumpet from his father and studying piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He has released 5 CDs of both vocal and instrumental music and has toured extensively as a solo artist, giving concerts and music workshops in over 20 countries. At the age of 21, Luke embraced the Bahá’í Faith and began incorporating the Bahá’í Sacred Writings into his music. In honor of the Bahá’í Community’s 2017 celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’ï Faith, Luke has released a new album entitled Year of the Nightingale. He is spending 2017 on tour in various parts of the world giving special concerts about the history of the Bahá’í Faith and the inspiration behind his music. For more information visit lukeslott.com.