# The Garden of the Heart

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Abdu'l-Bahá, The Garden of the Heart, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> The Garden of the Heart
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá
> Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Frances Esty, compiler
> 
> New York: Roycrofters, 1930
> 
> 1. PDF (see uncorrected text below)
> 
> Download: esty_garden_heart.pdf.
> 
> 2. Uncorrected text (from archive.org)
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> “In the garden of the heart
> plant only flowers of love.”
> Baha’u’llah
> 
> Hidden Words
> Persian
> 
> Copyrighted 1930
> By
> Frances Esty
> Buffalo, N. Y.
> 
> Approved by the Reviewing Committee of
> the National Spiritual Assembly of the
> Baha’is of the United States and Canada
> 
> To
> Shoghi Effendi
> Guardian of the Gardens
> of
> Bah@’u’llah
> and
> ‘Abdu’l Baha
> And to all seekers of
> Truth and Beauty
> This is ‘offered humbly
> as one offers a gift to
> a King.”
> 
> Grateful acknowledgement is made to
> the late Mr. Louis Bourgeois, architect of
> the Bah@’i Temple (Temple of Light) at
> Wilmette, Illinois, for the cover design,
> which was taken from the center of one
> of the archways.
> 
> To Mr. Dugald Stewart Walker for the
> drawing of the Greatest Name.
> 
> To Mrs. Max Greeven for writing what
> ‘Abdu’l Bahé said to her in “ likening
> the Cause of God to a Garden.”
> 
> To Miss Jessie Revell; Mrs. Marjory
> Morten; Soheil Afnan; Mr. A. C. Killius;
> and Mr. Curtis Kelsey for photographs
> used in the illustrating of this book:
> 
> “THE GARDEN OF THE HEART”
> 
> The Garden of the Heart
> 
> HE Divine Reality may be likened unto
> the sun and the Holy Spirit unto the rays
> of the sun. As the rays of the sun bring the
> light and warmth of the sun to the earth,
> giving life to all created beings, so do the
> ‘ Manifestations’ (of God) bring the
> Power of the Holy Spirit from the Divine
> Sun of Reality to give Light and Life to
> the souls of men.’ ‘Abdu’l Baha.
> 
> During the last century three great seers
> have brought to the world teachings for
> the New Era. They were born in Persia.
> The Bab (i. e. the Gate) heralded the ad-
> vent of a universal teacher. He instructed
> his followers concerning ‘‘ Him whom God
> shall make manifest.” In ‘‘ A Traveller’s
> Narrative ’’ we read that: ‘‘ What he in-
> tended by the term ‘ Bab’ was this: that
> he was the channel of grace from some
> great Person still behind the veil of glory,
> who was the possessor of countless and
> boundless perfections.”’
> 
> The Bab was martyred at the age of thirty-
> one. At the time Baha’u’ll4h arose like
> unto a Glorious Sun and proclaimed the
> doctrine of the oneness of the world of
> humanity Se Se
> 
> After imprisonment the Shah ordered that
> ’ he should be exiled to Baghdad, with his
> 
> 12 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> family and about seventy followers. Nine years after the
> Bab foretold the coming of a Great World Teacher, in the
> beautiful garden of the Rizwan, Baha’u’ll4h announced
> himself as “‘ Him whom God shall manifest.” (Baha’u’lla4h
> i. e. Glory of God.)
> 
> Baha’u’llah with his family and followers was banished to
> Constantinople, to Adrianople and finally to the Most
> Great Prison at ‘Akka in Palestine.
> 
> “From the moment that Baha’u’llah became accessible
> to his followers, so that even a glimpse of his radiant face
> would reward a toilsome journey to ‘Akk4a, throngs of pil-
> grims turned toward the prison city, eager to carry away
> a memory of ‘‘ The Glory of God,”’ and eager also to do
> something to show the ardor of their faith.
> 
> “They soon discovered that Baha’u’llah would not accept
> gifts of value, but that he loved flowers and rare plants.
> So they began to carry with them seeds, slips and roots, from
> the flora of their own locality, especially such as were
> fragrant, unusual and beautiful. Tradition has it that no
> frail atom of a delicate shrub, wrapped in moss, and borne
> across the desert ever failed to live and thrive when planted
> at length in the grateful soil of much blessed ‘Akka.
> 
> “The result has been the charming garden of the RizwAn*,
> surely one of the loveliest spots in the universe. Here are
> plants and flowers from Egypt, Arabia and India, fragrant
> violets, crimson passion flowers, red anemonies, tea roses,
> flowers so delicate and white they are like frost in the trop-
> 
> * Rizwa4n—Garden named for the Rizwan where Baha’u’ll4h announced to his fol-
> lowers that he was the one the B4b foretold.
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 13
> 
> ics, and blossoms that seem to weigh down the plant that
> bears them with their rich fragrance. Oranges ripen here,
> the deep colored roses like those of our American Beauty
> variety, but more sweetly odorous.
> 
> “Baha’u’llah was especially fond of these magnificent
> blooms, and was accustomed to water their roots with
> his own hand.’’**
> 
> When Baha’u’llah opened the door of the world, He uttered
> this most Great Word: ‘‘To gather jewels have I come to
> this world. If one speck of a jewel is hidden in a stone
> and that stone is beyond the seven seas, until I have
> found and secured that jewel, my hand shall not stay from
> its search.”
> 
> On the twenty-third of May 1844, the day the Bab an-
> nounced the coming of Baha’u’llah, Abbas Effendi was
> born in Teheran, Persia. ‘Abdu’l Baha, Servant of God,
> was the title given him by his Father, Baha’u’lla4h. With
> his Father, the family and followers “‘Abdu’l Baha was sent
> to the prison city of ‘Akka, Palestine. There he was impris-
> oned for forty years.
> 
> Many American pilgrims visited ‘Abdu’l Baha at ‘Akka
> and Haifa. They have brought to us word pictures of the
> life of the Master, as he was called, among the flowers of
> the hills of the Holy Land and in the gardens there. One
> said: ‘‘ He had a great love for children, for flowers, and
> for the beauties of nature.”
> 
> The “ ministry of flowers’ was a feature of the life at
> ‘Akka, of which every pilgrim brought away fragrant mem-
> 
> >
> 
> ** The Oriental Rose by Mary Hanford Ford.
> 
> 14 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> ories. Another writes: ‘‘ When the Master inhales the odour
> of flowers, it is wonderful to see him. It seems as though
> the perfume of hyacinths were telling him something, as
> he buries his face in the flowers. It is like the effort of the
> ear to hear a beautiful harmony—a concentrated atten-
> tion.” To one who visited in Haifa, ‘Abdu’l Baha said sub-
> stantially, in likening the Cause of God to a Garden: ‘“‘At
> the gate of the garden some stand and look within, but do
> not care to enter. Others step inside, behold its beauty, but
> do not penetrate far. Still others encircle this garden inhal-
> ing the fragrance of the flowers, having enjoyed its full
> beauty, pass out again by the same gate. But there are
> always some who enter and, becoming intoxicated with
> the splendor of what they behold, remain for life to tend
> the garden.”’
> 
> After his freedom was granted ‘Abdu’l Baha traveled to
> Egypt, England, France—later he came to America where
> he traveled from coast to coast, addressing all sorts and
> conditions of men, in each case giving addresses suited to
> the audience and the occasion. ‘‘ For universality is of God
> and all limitations are earthly.” After traveling through
> America and Canada, ‘Abdu’l Baha went to England, Scot-
> land, France, Germany and Ausrtia. This was in 1911 and
> 1912 se se
> 
> One who knew and loved him wrote: “ Thus did ‘Abdu’l
> Baha, the Servant of God, quietly pass, almost unheralded
> in our midst, calling to men to follow the great spiritual
> light which he was bearing aloft, to forget all racial, national
> and religious prejudices, to recognize One God and one
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 15
> 
> human family—that the Kingdom of God ‘on earth as
> it is in heaven ’ might be realized, according to the teach-
> ings of our Lord, Jesus Christ; the kingdom which lies in
> the hearts of men, causing them to soar in the atmosphere
> of Reality whither the Prophets and Messengers of God
> have always summoned them and to which ‘Abdu’l Baha
> was drawing them again, after they had strayed like unto
> lost sheep from the fold.
> 
> “Know verily, the Reality of Christ never dies.
> 
> “He is with us always. Though the lamp is laid away, the
> light remains, ever increasing in its brilliance as we are able
> to perceive and approach it more and more.’’***
> 
> Nellie S. French
> 
> #& Star of the West.
> The Baha’i Magazine
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> The Light of the Glory of God shines in the
> Garden.
> 
> The Garden—a Place of Peace.
> 
> Open the gate and enter the Garden. Behold this
> beauty!
> 
> It is dawn. A bird call comes from the silence.
> 
> Other birds answer singing: ‘‘ Glory to God.”
> 
> A silvery light reveals the loveliness of the flowers.
> 
> Sunbeams appear on the dew-covered paths and
> flowers stir in the gentle breeze.
> 
> In the drowsy stillness of noontime we hear bees
> and occasional birdnotes. A jeweled hum-
> ming-bird takes nectar from the flowers.
> The fountain’s water splashing casts a magic
> spell. It is resting time.
> 
> Noble trees stand guard, their branches protect-
> ing the Garden.
> 
> A summer shower brings a refreshing fragrance.
> 
> The light of the setting sun touches the vibrant
> colors of the flowers, blending them into
> opalescent hues.
> 
> The lengthening shadows fall. It is night.
> 
> The Garden is radiant under the stars.
> 
> In the silver sheen of moonlight ‘‘ spirituality
> halos everything.”
> 
> —Frances Esty
> 
> Gablegarth
> 
> 1930
> 
> 17
> 
> 18 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> N the beginning God created the heaven and the earth
> —and God called the dry land Earth and the gathering
> together of water called he Seas; and saw that it was good
> —and God said, ‘‘ Let the earth bring forth grass, and herb
> yielding seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind
> whose seed is in itself upon the earth and it was so—and God
> 
> saw that it was good.”’
> “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward of Eden.”’
> Genesis I
> 
> HE wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for
> 
> them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the
> TOSE.”” Se So
> “It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy
> and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it,
> the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory
> of the Lord and the excellency of our God.
> “ And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall
> be called the way of holiness.”
> 
> Isaiah 35, 1-2-8
> 
> IVE ear, O ye Heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O
> Earth, the Words of My Mouth. My Doctrine shall
> drop as the rain, My Speech shall distil as the dew, as the
> small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon
> the grass: Because I will publish the Name of the Lord: ©
> Ascribe ye Greatness unto our God.”
> Deuteronomy, 32, 1-3
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> 19
> 
> The Bab said:
> 
> ERILY I am the first servant who
> believed in Him and in His texts
> (revelations) and who partook of the
> first fruits of the gardens of the paradise
> of His knowledge—the gardens of His
> 
> utterances.”
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 119
> 
> Sun
> 
> 20 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> Just as the solar cycle has its four seasons the cycle of the
> Sun of Reality has its distinct and successive periods.
> Each brings its vernal season or springtime.
> 
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 90
> 
> HE Sun of Truth is the Word of God, upon which de-
> 
> pendeth the training of the people of the country of
> thought. It is the Spirit of Reality and the Water of Life.
> All things owe their existence unto It. Its manifestation is
> ever according to the capacity and coloring of the mirror
> through which it may reflect. For example: Its Light, when
> cast on the mirrors of the wise, giveth expression unto wis-
> dom; when reflected from the minds of artists it produceth
> manifestations of new and beautiful arts; when it shineth
> through the minds of students it revealeth knowledge and
> unfoldeth mysteries. All things of the world arise through
> man and are manifest in him, through whom they find life
> and development; and man is dependent for his (Spiritual)
> existence upon the Sun of the Word of God. All the good
> names and lofty qualities are of the Word.
> The Word is the Fire of God, which, glowing in the hearts
> of people, burneth away all things that are not of God.
> The minds of the lovers are ever aflame with this fire. It
> is the essence of water which has manifested itself in the
> form of fire. Outwardly it is the burning fire, while in-
> wardly it is calm light. This is the water which giveth life
> unto all things. We beg of God that we may partake of
> this Life-Giving Water of Heaven and quaff from the
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 21
> 
> Spiritual Chalice of rest, and thus be free from all that
> tendeth to withhold us from approaching His Love.
> Glory be upon the people of Glory.
> Words of Wisdom by Bahd@’u’llah
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 156-157
> 
> ONSIDER the phenomenal sun which shineth forth
> 
> upon all existent and contingent beings with the same
> effulgence, and poureth light upon all things by the com-
> mand of the King of Manifestation. But its appearance in
> every place, and the light it shedeth thereon, is in accord
> with the degree of capacity of the place itself. For instance
> —in a mirror it reflecteth as forms and disks, and this is
> due unto the clearness of the mirror itself. It createth fire
> in the crystal, while in other things only the effect of its
> reflection is manifest and not its disk; and, through that
> effect, it developeth everything according to its capacity
> by the Command of the Causer of effects, even as thou seest.
> Likewise, colors also appear with respect unto the condi-
> tion of the place; even as in a yellow glass the splendor is
> yellow, in a white one the ray is white, and in a red one it
> is red. These differences are therefore due unto place and
> not unto the effulgence of light; and if the place is con-
> fronted by an obstacle such as a wall or ceiling, that place
> is entirely bereft of the splendor of the sun, and the sun
> shines not thereon.
> 
> Seven Valleys, p. 24, Valley of Unity. Baha@’u’llah
> 
> Sun
> 
> Sun
> 
> 22 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> MY brother! A pure heart is like unto a mirror; polish
> 
> it with the purity of love and severance from all else
> save God, until the ideal sun may reflect therein, and the
> eternal morn may dawn. Then wilt thou find clear and
> manifest the meaning of: “‘ Neither doth My earth nor My
> heaven occupy Me, but the heart of My faithful servant
> occupieth Me ”—and wilt take thy life in thy hands and
> sacrifice it, with a thousand longings unto the new Beloved.
> 
> Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 165
> 
> The first utterance of the Wise One is:
> 
> YE sons of earth! Turn from the darkness of foreign-
> ness unto the shining of the sun of unity. This is that
> which shall benefit the people of the world more than aught
> else. O friend! The tree of the Word hath no better blossom
> and the ocean of wisdom never shall have a brighter pearl
> 
> ee ue Bah@i Scriptures, p. 132
> 
> HE station of man is great if he holdeth unto truth
> and rectitude and keep firm and steadfast in the com-
> mands. A real man is seen before the Merciful One like
> unto the Heaven; his sight and hearing are the sun and
> moon and his luminous and shining qualities are the stars;
> his station is the highest station and his traces are the
> 
> educators of the world. Bahé’i Scriptures, p. 259
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 23
> 
> O friend! Not until thou reacheth the garden of these sig-
> nificances wilt thou taste of the immortal wine of the Valley
> 
> of Contentment. Seven Valleys, p. 39
> 
> O Friend!
> N the garden of thy heart, plant not but the rose of love,
> and from the nightingale of desire and yearning loosen
> not thy hold. Treasure the companionship of the righteous
> and withdraw thyself from fellowship with the ungodly.
> Hidden Words, p. 3
> 
> O Dwellers of My Paradise!
> HAVE planted with the hands of loving kindness the
> sapling of your love and friendship in the holy garden of
> paradise and have watered it with the goodly showers of My
> tender grace; now that its hour of yielding fruit is at hand,
> strive that it may be protected, and be not consumed with
> the flame of desire and passion. FiddensWoids, 34
> 
> HE Servant hath assuredly come to vivify the world
> and bring unto union whosoever is upon the surface
> of the earth.
> That which God willeth shall overcome and thou shalt see
> the earth as the garden of El-Abha*; thus hath it been writ-
> ten by the Pen of Command in an irrevocable Tablet.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 90
> 
> * Abha—* Most glorious” a title of Baha’u’llah ; in ‘“‘ Abhaé Kingdom” it refers to the
> plane or sphere of Oneness or World of Light.
> 
> Splendor (of Infinite Essence.)
> 
> The Unknowable (of Infinite Essence.)
> 
> Garden
> 
> izwan
> 
> .
> 
> The Garden of the R
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 25
> 
> O Offspring of Dust!
> 
> ONTENT not thyself with the ease of a passing day
> and deprive not thyself from the everlasting rest. Bar-
> ter not the garden of eternal delight for the dustheap of a
> mortal world. Up from the prison ascend unto the glorious
> meads above, and from thy mortal cage wing thy flight
> unto the paradise of the placeless. Hidden Words, #39
> 
> O Ye People of Insight and Discernment!
> 
> HE first call of the Beloved is this: O mystic nightin-
> gale! Abide not save in the rose-garden of the spirit.
> O messenger of the Solomon of love! Seek thou no shelter
> except in the Sheba of the well-beloved; and O immortal
> phoenix! dwell not save on the mount of faithfulness.
> Therein is thy habitation, if upon the wings of thy soul
> thou soarest unto the realm of the infinite.
> Hidden Words, p. 1 (From the Persian)
> 
> F the spiritual and divine eye of man be opened, he will
> 
> see that nothing existeth without the appearance of the
> splendor of that Ideal King. For thou dost perceive that
> all contingent and created things express the manifestation
> and emanation of that Ideal Light, and dost behold the
> doors of the divine Rizwan (Garden of Paradise) opened
> in all things for seekers to enter the cities of intelligence
> and wisdom, and attained ones to pass into the gardens
> of knowledge and power. Bahd@’i Scriptures, p. 36
> 
> Garden
> 
> Garden
> 
> 26 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> T is evident and certain that all the Prophets are the
> Temples of the Command of God who have appeared in
> different garments, and if thou lookest with an attentive
> eye thou wilt find all of them dwelling in one Rizwan (Par-
> adise) soaring in one sky, seated upon one carpet, speak-
> 
> ing one speech and enjoining one Command.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 41
> 
> Understand the meaning of the “‘ changing of the earth.”
> PON whatsoever hearts the clouds of mercy of that
> heaven poured down the shower of beneficence the
> 
> earth of those hearts was changed into the earth of knowl-
> 
> edge and wisdom. What myrtles of unity have grown in
> the gardens of these hearts and what anemones of realities
> of knowledge and wisdom bloom from the shining breasts!
> 
> If the earth of these hearts be not changed, how is it that
> 
> men not instructed in one letter, without seeing a teacher
> 
> or entering a school, speak words and knowledges which
> no one can apprehend? They seem to have been moulded
> from the clay of eternal knowledge and kneaded with the
> water of intuitive wisdom. Therefore it is said, ‘‘ Knowl-
> edge is a light which God shedeth in whatsoever heart He
> 
> eae Bah@i Scriptures, p. 16
> 
> F a garden of roses be in the east of the earth, and that
> kind of rose also cometh forth from another branch in the
> west, the name “ rose ”’ is applied to it. In this case it is not
> in respect to the limitations of the branch and its form, but
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 27
> 
> on account of the fragrance and odor which are manifest
> in both. Consequently sanctify and purify thy gaze from
> outward limitations, that thou mayest behold them all in
> one name, one office, one essence, and one truth and that
> thou mayest perceive the mysteries of the “‘ return ” of the
> Words in the revealed Words. Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 44
> 
> O Ye Dwellers in the Highest Paradise!
> 
> ROCLAIM unto the assured ones that within the realms
> 
> of holiness, nigh unto the celestial paradise, a new gar-
> den hath been made manifest, round which circle the deni-
> zens of the realm on high and the immortal dwellers of the
> exalted paradise. Strive then, that ye may attain that sta-
> tion, that ye may unravel from its wind-flowers the mys-
> teries of love and know from its eternal fruit the secret of
> divine and consummate wisdom. Solaced are the eyes of
> those who enter and abide therein! piggen Words, p. 18
> 
> HAT maketh you to keep afar from Him who hath
> 
> desired to bring you nigh unto the shining abode?
> Say: Verily, we have opened unto you the gates of the King-
> dom; are ye closing the door of your houses before My Face?
> Verily, this is naught but a great error.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 125
> 
> Garden
> 
> Gates
> 
> Path
> 
> 28 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> ees
> 
> Verily the Kingdom and the earthly world belong to God.
> He will guide you into the Path.
> 
> Tablets of Bah@u’llah, p. 62
> 
> VERY soul who sincerely accepteth the Word of God,
> hath verily passed through the (right) path and suc-
> ceeded in approaching the paradise of (God’s) pleasure,
> and hath assembled with those who are nigh unto to God—
> 
> uk fate cia (ef Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 202
> 
> O Children of Dust!
> ELL the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor, lest
> haply negligence may lead them unto the path of de-
> struction; and deprive them of their share of the tree of
> wealth. Mine is benevolence and bounty; well is it with him
> who adorneth himself with My virtues.
> 
> Hidden Words, p. 49, Persian
> 
> HE True One is sanctified above all; (but) His Signs are
> manifest in all things. The signs are from Him—not
> He Himself—and all of them are recorded and visible in the
> volume of the world. The plan of the world is a great Book;
> every one endowed with perception can grasp (therefrom)
> that which shall enable him to attain to the Right Path and
> 
> the” * Great - Message. Tablets of Bahé’w'llah, p. 45
> 
> Cypress Trees on Mt. Carmel
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 33
> 
> of Light: this is why all move through Him, and arise by His
> Desire. This is that Fountain wherefrom drink those near
> 
> unto God. Seven Valleys, p. 28
> 
> HE Peerless Beloved sayeth the way of freedom is
> 
> opened. Hasten ye. The fountain of knowledge is gush-
> ing, drink ye! Say! O friend! The tabernacle of oneness is
> raised, look not upon each other with the eye of strange-
> ness. Ye are all the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one
> branch. Truly I say, whatever lesseneth ignorance and in-
> creaseth knowledge that has been, is, and shall be accepted
> 
> Byery se reater, Bah@’i Scriptures, pp. 132-133
> 
> The Word of God is like unto a tree: its planting ground
> must be the hearts of the people.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 140
> 
> O My Servants!
> E are the trees of My garden; ye must give forth goodly
> and wondrous fruits, that ye yourselves and others may
> profit therefrom. Thus it is incumbent upon every one to en-
> gage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of
> wealth, O men of understanding! For things are dependent
> upon their means, and the grace of God shall be all-sufficient
> unto you. Trees that yield no fruit have been and will ever
> be fit for fire.
> Hidden Words, p. 80
> 
> Fountain
> 
> Trees
> 
> Fountain
> 
> 32 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> BEG of Thee, O Thou Beloved of the hearts of Thy
> lovers—by the manifestation of Thy Commandments,
> by the depths of Thine Inspiration, by the heights of Thine
> Exaltation, and by the stores of Thy Wisdom—forbid me
> not from visiting Thy sacred house and holy abode. Permit
> me, O my God, to drink from the fountain of its holy place,
> to wander about its courts, and to stand beside its gates.
> For thou art He who is, was, and ever shall be Powerful and
> Mighty! Nothing can be hidden from Thy knowledge. Thou
> art He who hath all power, majesty, and glory! Praise be
> 
> unto God, the Lord of all the worlds!
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 185-186
> 
> NOW thou that in every age and dispensation all
> Divine Ordinances are changed and transformed
> according to the requirements of the time, except the law
> of love, which like unto a fountain, floweth always and is
> never overtaken by change. This is one of the wonderful
> mysteries which God hath mentioned for His Servants! .
> Verily, He is the merciful, the compassionate.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 249
> 
> SERVANT always draweth nigh unto Me with pray-
> 
> ers, until I respond unto him. And when I have re-
> sponded to him, then I become his ear wherewith he hear-
> eth,’’—For (in this case) the Owner of the house becometh
> manifest in His Own house (i. e., the heart), and the pillars
> of the house are all illuminated and radiative through His
> Light. The action and effect of the Light is from the Giver
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 31
> 
> HE ideal consummate wisdom is hidden in every plant,
> 
> and a thousand nightingales of speech are in ecstacy
> and rapture upon every rose branch. The mystery of the fire
> of Moses is revealed in its wonderful tulips and the breath
> of the Holy Spirit of Jesus emanateth from its immortality
> without death. A paradise is concealed in every leaf, and a
> hundred thousand wisdoms are treasured in every one of its
> chambers. Those who earnestly endeavor in the way of
> God, after severance from all else, will be so attached unto
> that city that they will not abandon it for an instant. They
> will bear conclusive proofs from the hyacinth of that assem-
> bly and will receive clear arguments from the beauty of the
> rose and the melody of the nightingale.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 51-52
> O Son of Man!
> Divest not thyself of My beauteous robe, and forfeit not
> thy portion from My wondrous fount, that to all eternity
> thirst may not afflict thee. Hidden Words, p. 37
> 
> RAISE be unto Thee, O God of Names and Creator of
> Heaven! Praise be unto Thee, for Thou hast made
> known unto Thy servants Thy Day wherein the River of
> Life streamed forth from the finger of Thy Generosity and
> the Fountain of Revelation and Unity became manifest by
> Thy Manifestation, unto all who are in Thine earth and
> 
> Beene Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 183
> 
> Plant
> 
> Fountain
> 
> Seeds
> 
> Flowers
> 
> 30 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> O Son of Dust!
> 
> HE wise are they who speak not unless they obtain a
> 
> hearing, even as the cup-bearer who proffereth not his
> cup till he findeth a seeker, and the lover who yearneth not
> till he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved. Wherefore
> sow the seeds of My wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil
> of the heart, and conceal them from view, till the hyacinths
> of divine wisdom may spring from the heart and not from
> 
> BEC SSI Hidden Words, p. 36
> 
> From flowers inhale the fragrance of the Beloved One, and
> in every fire see the light of the desired One.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 248
> 
> S by the command of the real Adored One the develop-
> 
> ment of material things such as fruits, trees, colors,
> minerals, and whatever exists in the phenomenal world is
> through the assistance of the phenomenal sun, so the trees
> of unity, the fruits of oneness, the leaves of abstraction, the
> flowers of knowledge, the assurance and the myrtles of wis-
> dom and utterance appear through the training of the
> Ideal Suns. Therefore when these Suns arise, the world is
> renewed, the rivers of life flow, the seas of beneficence move,
> the clouds of grace gather and the breezes of bounty blow
> 
> upon the temples of being. Bahé’t Scriptures, p. 13
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 29
> 
> HE Right Path is a path which leadeth man unto
> the day-spring of Perception and dawning place of
> Knowledge and directeth him unto that which is the cause
> 
> of honor, glory and greatness. Tablets of Bahé’w'llah, p. 6
> 
> FRIEND! We have seen the pure ground and cast the
> 
> seed of knowledge. Now it dependeth upon the rays
> of the sun whether it burneth up or is caused to grow. Say,
> today, through the greatness of the Peerless Wise One, the
> sun of knowledge hath appeared from behind the covering
> of the spirit and all the birds of the meadow of Oneness are
> intoxicated with the wine of understanding and are com-
> memorating the name of the Beloved. Happy is the one who
> finds this and becometh immortal.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 133
> 
> O Son of My Handmaid!
> 
> UAFF from the tongue of the merciful the stream of
> divine mystery, and behold from the day-spring of
> divine utterance the manifest splendor of the day-star of
> wisdom. Sow the seeds of my divine wisdom in the pure
> soil of the heart, and water them with the water of certitude,
> that the hyacinths of knowledge and wisdom may spring
> 
> verdantly from the holy city of the heart.
> Hidden Words, p. 78
> 
> Path
> 
> Seeds
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 35
> 
> O Moving Form of Dust!
> 
> DESIRE communion with thee, but thou wouldst have
> no trust in Me. The sword of thy rebelliousness hath
> felled the tree of thy hope. At all times I am nigh unto thee,
> but thou art ever far from Me. Imperishable glory I have
> chosen for thee, yet boundless degradation thou hast chosen
> for thyself. While there is yet time, return, and lose not
> 
> thine opportunity. Hidden Words, p. 21
> 
> O Son of Love!
> 
> UT one step separateth thee from the glorious heights
> 
> above and from the celestial tree of love. Take thou one
> 
> step, and with the next advance toward the immortal realm
> 
> and enter the tabernacle of eternity. Give ear then unto
> that which hath been revealed by the pen of glory.
> 
> Hidden Words, p. 7
> 
> PEOPLE, walk ye under the shade of the tree of right-
> 
> eousness, enter ye under the protection of the tent of
> unity. O ye possessors of sight: the past is the mirror of the
> future, look and perceive, perchance after the acquirement
> of knowledge, ye may know the Friend and attain unto
> His good pleasure. Today the best fruit of the tree of sci-
> ence and knowledge is that which benefiteth mankind and
> 
> improveth his condition. Bahdé’t Scriptures, p. 133
> 
> Trees
> 
> Trees
> 
> Bird
> 
> 36 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> O My Friends!
> 
> AVE ye forgotten that true and radiant morn when in
> 
> those hallowed and blessed surroundings ye were all
> gathered in My presence, neath the shade of the tree of life,
> planted in the all-glorious paradise? Ye all harkened in
> bewilderment, as I gave utterance unto these three most
> holy words: O friends! Prefer not your will to Mine, never
> desire that which I have not desired for you, and approach
> Me not with lifeless hearts, defiled with worldly hopes and
> desires Se se
> If ye but sanctify your souls, ye will at this present hour,
> recall that place and those surroundings, and the truth of
> My utterance shall unto all of you be made manifest.
> 
> Hidden Words, p. 19
> 
> O Son of Man!
> ROM the tree of effulgent glory I have ordained for
> thee the choicest fruit; wherefore hast thou turned
> away and contented thyself with that which is inferior?
> Return then unto that which is better for thee in the realm
> 
> of glory. Hidden Words, p. 21
> 
> SON of Spirit: Break the cage, and like unto the bird
> of love, soar in the atmosphere of holiness; leave the
> self and rest with heavenly souls upon the sacred Plain of
> 
> EES es Hidden Words, p. 38, Persian
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 37
> 
> THOU gazing questioner and O thou whom the Su-
> 
> preme Concourse have attracted unto the exalted
> Word! For the birds of the realm of My Kingdom and for
> the doves of the garden of My Wisdom, there are tunes and
> melodies, of which none is informed save God, the King of
> the world of dominion and the empyrean realm.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 240
> 
> N former ages it has been said: ‘‘ To love one’s native
> land is Faith.’? But the Tongue of Grandeur hath said in
> the Day of this Manifestation: ‘“‘ Glory is not his who loveth
> his native land, but glory is his who loveth his kind.” By
> these exalted words He taught the birds of souls a new
> flight and effaced restriction and blind imitation from the
> 
> Book: Se Se Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 26
> 
> O Son of Spirit!
> 
> HE bird seeketh its nest; the nightingale the charm of
> 
> the rose; whilst those birds, the hearts of men, content
> with mortal dust, have strayed from their eternal nest, and
> with eyes turned towards the mire of negligence are bereft
> of the splendor of the divine presence. Alas! how strange
> and pitiful: for a mere cupful they have turned away from
> the billowing ocean of the realms above, and remained far
> from the heaven of glory. Hidden Words, p. 2
> 
> Bird
> 
> Fragrance
> 
> Day-Star
> 
> Star
> 
> 38 5 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> O Brothers of the Path!
> 
> HY are ye heedless of the remembrance of the Be-
> 
> loved, and why are ye far from the Presence of the
> Friend? The Absolute Beauty is established upon the
> Throne of Glory, under the Peerless Canopy, while ye are
> engaged in contention according to your own desire. The
> fragrances of holiness are wafted, and the breezes of gener-
> osity are blowing, but ye have lost the power of scent, and
> are bereft of them all. Alas for you, and for them who fol-
> low in your steps and walk after your ways.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 179
> 
> O My Friend!
> HOU art the day-star of the heavens of My holiness, let
> not the defilement of the world eclipse thy splendor.
> Rend asunder the veil of negligence, that from behind the
> clouds thou mayest emerge resplendent and array all things
> 
> with the robe of life. FigdeniWordsapa7s
> 
> O Son of Man!
> Y Eternity is My creation. I have created it for thee;
> therefore make it the garment of thy temple. My One-
> ness is My design. I have designed it for thee; therefore
> clothe thyself with it. Thus thou mayest be a star of My
> 
> Omnipresence forever. Bahé’i Scriptures, p. 174
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 39
> 
> “ In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and
> glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent.”
> Isaiah IV; 2
> 
> ‘* Behold I will bring forth my Servant the Branch.”
> Zachariah III; 8
> 
> HUS speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying: Behold the
> 
> man whose name is The Branch and he shall grow up
> out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.
> Even he shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear
> the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he
> shall be a priest upon his throne; and the Council of Peace
> shall be between them both. And they that are afar off shall
> come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know
> that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this
> shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of
> 
> the Lord your God.”’ Zachariah VL; 12, 13, 15
> 
> AHA’U’LLAH spoke of himself always as the “‘ Tree of
> Life.”’ He gave this explanation of the symbol of the
> tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The Manifestation of
> God is the Tree of Life, he declared, for it is he whose mis-
> sion it is to give the bread of life to mankind, and explain
> the wonder of the world’s creation, and man’s relation to
> God. When he selected his oldest son as his interpreter, he
> called him the greatest Branch from the Tree of Life, using
> the term unquestionable in its spiritual significance, and
> always spoke of him as ‘‘ The Branch.”
> The Oriental Rose, p. 149
> 
> «Paaogjag fim OQ ‘asuasaig fyy fo ssauspau ay} fo uapsvg ay} ut yjom oO} aut asnDg,,
> 
> Uaplvy sly ul DYDD ].Npay,
> 
> 2
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 41
> 
> HIS is a new cycle of human power. All the
> 3 st) horizons of the world are luminous, and the
> world will become indeed as a garden and a
> paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons
> 
> WR) of men and of the drawing together of all
> races and all classes.
> 
> The gift of God to this enlightened age is the Knowledge
> of the oneness of mankind and the fundamental oneness of
> religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will
> of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be
> seen as a new world and all men will live as brothers.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 273
> 
> ET this be a foreshadowing of what will in very truth
> take place in this world when every child of God realiz-
> 
> eth that all are leaves of one tree, flowers of one garden,
> drops of one ocean, and sons and daughters of one Father,
> 
> j !
> whose name is Love! = « 4.4) Bahd, Paris Talks, p. 25
> 
> If we are not happy and joyous at this season, for what
> other season shall we wait and for what other time shall we
> 
> ?
> a ong III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bah, p. 641
> 
> HATEVER objects appear in this world of existence
> are outer pictures of the world of heaven.
> When we look upon the phenomenal world we perceive
> that it is divided into four seasons; one is the season of
> 
> Season
> 
> Season
> 
> Spring
> 
> 42 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> spring, another the season of summer, another autumn and
> then these three seasons are followed by winter.
> When the season of spring appears in the arena of existence
> the whole world is rejuvenated and finds new life. The soul-
> refreshing breeze is wafted from every direction; the soul-
> quickening bounty is everywhere; the cloud of mercy
> showers down its rain and the sun shines upon everything.
> Day by day we perceive that the signs of vegetation are
> all about us. Wonderful flowers, hyacinths and roses per-
> fume the nostrils. The trees are full of leaves and blossoms
> are followed by fruit. The spring and summer are followed
> by autumn and winter. The flowers wither and are no more;
> the leaves turn gray and life has gone. Then comes another
> springtime; the former springtime is renewed; again a new
> life stirs within everything.
> 
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 8
> 
> ‘A new springtime hath appeared for the Sun of Truth
> hath risen again.”
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 13
> 
> OON it will be the time of Spring. Already the signs of
> 
> the flowers may be seen upon the mountains and the
> valleys. When spring cometh there is a divine wisdom in
> its appearance. God hath a special object in renewing the
> earth with its bounty. For the dead earth is again made to
> blossom so that the life of plants and flowers may continue
> and be reproduced. The trees put forth their leaves and
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 43
> 
> are able to bear all kinds of delicious fruits. All the birds
> and animals, everything with soul-life is rejoiced and re-
> juvenated in the coming of Spring. If this does not come
> to pass, it is not Spring; it may be Autumn. But it is pos-
> sible that Spring may come and yet a tree rooted in bad
> ground will be deprived of its vivifying powers. Or a fruit-
> less tree may not bear, although the warm sun and vernal
> shower are descending upon it. So likewise an evil soul may
> derive no benefit, produce no fruit from the coming of a
> Manifestation of God. The divine springtime which bring-
> eth forth spiritual flowers in other souls faileth to beautify
> the soul that is evil. In general, however, just as everything
> is vivified, refreshed and renewed by the bounty of the lit-
> eral spring, so every soul receiveth some degree of illumin-
> ation and growth from the Manifestation when he cometh.
> He is the Divine Spring which comes after the long Winter
> of death and inaction. The wisdom of God is seen in his com-
> ing. He adorneth the soul of man with new life, divine attri-
> butes and higher spiritual qualities. By this the soul is en-
> lightened, illumined. That which is dark, gloomy and for-
> bidding becometh light, hopeful and productive of new
> growth. So in the Divine springtime, the blind receive
> sight, the deaf are made to hear, the dumb speak, the timid
> becometh courageous and the heedless awaken unto new
> realization. In short, they have become the image of that
> which God planned them to be and which the heavenly
> books promised shall be the true station of man. This is the
> power, purpose and virtue of the Heavenly Springtime.
> 
> Ten Days in the Light of Aqa, pp. 57-58
> 
> Spring
> 
> 44 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> Spring prs be unto God! The springtime of God is at hand.
> This century is verily the Spring season. The world of
> mind and kingdom of soul have become fresh and verdant
> by its bestowals. It hath resuscitated the whole realm of
> existence. On one hand the lights of reality are shining;
> on the other the clouds of divine mercy are pouring down
> the fullness of heavenly bounty. Wonderful material prog-
> ress is evident and great spiritual discoveries are being
> made. Truly this can be called the miracle of centuries, for
> it is replete with manifestations of the miraculous. The
> time hath come when all mankind shall be united, when all
> races shall be loyal to one fatherland, all religions become
> one religion and racial and religious bias pass away. It is a
> day in which the oneness of humankind shall uplift its
> standard, and international peace like the true morning,
> 
> flood the world with its light.
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 148
> 
> LESSED is a man who forgeteth his own self-interest,
> like the Beloved Ones of the Threshold of God, and
> throweth the ball of resolution into the arena of the com-
> mon interest! Thus, by the divine Bounty and heavenly
> Assistance, he will cause this glorious nation (Persia) again
> to attain the zenith of its former Grandeur, and these deso-
> late regions to become refreshed by New Life! So that, as
> the Nature-renewing Spring, he will give unto the trees of
> Human Souls the holy blessings of Spiritual Leaves, Flow-
> ers, and Fruits!
> Mysterious Forces of Civilization, p. 131
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 45
> 
> O Thou seeker after Truth!
> 
> HE Realm of the Kingdom is a unit. The only difference
> 
> lies in this: that when the season of Spring dawneth,
> a new and wonderful motion and rejuvenation is witnessed
> in all the existing things; the mountains and meadows are
> revived; the trees find freshness and delicacy and are clothed
> with radiant and bright leaves, blossoms and fruits. In like
> manner the preceding Manifestations form an inseparable
> link with the subsequent dispensations; nay, rather, they
> are identical with each other. Since the world is constantly
> developing itself, the rays becometh stronger, the outpour-
> ing becometh greater and the sun appeareth in the meridian
> 
> Chena Bah@i Scriptures, p. 436
> 
> Whenever the sun of reality dawns, the lower sphere ex-
> presses the virtues of the higher world.
> 
> Divine Philosophy, p. 78
> 
> RAISE be unto God that the Sun of Reality hath shone
> forth with the utmost brilliancy from the eastern
> horizon se se
> The regions of the world are flooded with its glorious light.
> There are many rays unto this Sun:
> The first ray is heavenly teachings.
> The second ray is the oneness of the world of humanity.
> The third ray is the establishment of universal peace.
> The fourth ray is the investigation of reality.
> The fifth ray is the promulgation of universal fellowship.
> 
> Spring
> 
> Sun
> 
> Sun
> 
> 46 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> The sixth ray is the inculcation of divine love through the
> 
> power of religion.
> 
> The seventh ray is the conformity of religion with science
> 
> and reason.
> 
> The eighth ray is the abandonment of religious, racial,
> 
> patriotic and political prejudices.
> 
> The ninth ray is the universal spread of education.
> 
> The tenth ray is the organization of the arbitral court of
> 
> justice, or Parliament of Man, before the members of
> 
> which all the international and inter-governmental prob-
> 
> lems are arbitrated.
> 
> The eleventh ray is the equality of the sexes—the giving
> 
> of the same educational facilities to women as to men,
> 
> so that they may become adorned with all the virtues of
> 
> humanity se se
> 
> The twelfth ray is the solution of all the economic prob-
> 
> lems of the world, so that each individual member of
> 
> humanity may enjoy the utmost comfort and well-being.
> 
> The thirteenth ray is the spread of an auxiliary world
> 
> language Se Se
> 
> UST as the rays of the phenomenal sun are infinite,
> 
> likewise the rays of the Sun of Reality are infinite. The
> 
> above summary containeth only a few of its rays. The
> spreading of these rays will deliver the world of humanity
> from the darkness of ignorance, strangeness and narrowness,
> and will guide it unto the center of all these rays. Then
> the foundation of warfare and strife, animosity and hatred,
> will be destroyed from amongst the people and the mis-
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 47
> 
> understandings existing between the religions will be
> dispelled Se» Se
> The foundation of the religions of God is one, and that is
> the oneness of the world of humanity.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 444
> 
> LL creatures that exist are dependent upon the Divine
> 
> Bounty. Divine Mercy giveth Life itself. As the light
> of the sun shineth upon the whole world, so the Mercy of
> the infinite God is shed upon all creatures. As the sun ripen-
> eth the fruits of the earth, and giveth life and warmth unto
> all living beings, so shines the Sun of Truth upon all souls,
> filling them with the fire of Divine Love and understanding.
> The Superiority of Man over the rest of the created world is
> seen again in this, that Man has a soul in which dwelleth
> the Divine Spirit; the souls of the lower creatures are in-
> ferior in their essence.
> There is no doubt then, that of all created beings Man is
> the nearest unto the Nature of God, and therefore receiveth
> a greater gift of the Divine Bounty.
> The mineral kingdom possesseth the power of existing. The
> plant hath the power of existing and growing. The animal,
> in addition to existence and growth, hath the capacity
> of moving about, and the use of the faculties of the senses.
> In the human kingdom we find all the attributes of the
> lower worlds, with much more added thereunto. Man is the
> sum of every previous creation, for he containeth them all.
> To man is given the special gift of the Intellect by which
> he is able to receive a larger share of the Light Divine. The
> 
> Sun
> 
> Sun
> 
> 48 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> Perfect Man is as a polished mirror reflecting the Sun of
> Truth manifesting the Attributes of God.
> Talks by ‘Abdu’l Bahé, pp. 20-21
> 
> HE Divine Reality is unto man what the sun is unto
> 
> the earth. The sun is life, radiance, heat, power, energy.
> The earth is dead, inert, helpless, incapable of initiative or
> change so see
> The sun in its remoteness could never reach the earth—
> and the earth, wretched, helpless—could never attain unto
> the glory and splendor of the sun.
> An intermediary there must be. In some way the radiant,
> life-giving power of the sun must be brought to the dark-
> ened earth, and this becometh possible through the media
> of light and heat. Through this means this dark ball of
> earth becometh the home of fragrant, blooming life. As
> there must be an intermediary to transmit to the earth
> the life-giving power of the sun, so must there be an inter-
> mediary to bring God unto man; and this is realized through
> the ever present power of the Holy Spirit. The media of
> light and heat carry fragrance and bloom unto the earth,
> so the Holy Spirit brings to man perfection and inspiration.
> The earth alone is but a senseless clod, touched by the sun it
> becometh life and energy. So the Holy Spirit toucheth the
> heart of man and awakeneth him to eternal life. It giveth
> man all possibilities. The cause of life wideneth before his
> eyes; eternity openeth unto him and becometh his, and
> every moment it is his inviolable possession. Limitations
> disappear, and he becometh more and more sensitive unto
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 49
> 
> the teachings of the Holy Spirit, all things are his own.
> Without the intermediary of the Holy Spirit, man would
> remain dull, helpless and deprived of attainment. But
> touched by that Divine Elixir he becomes tender, loving,
> responsive, and capable of every perfection of existence.
> Turn your faces away from the contemplation of your own
> finite selves and fix your eyes upon the everlasting radiance,
> then will your souls receive in full measure the divine powers
> of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of the infinite bounty.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 451-452
> 
> The sun is always the sun. According to the position of the
> earth we receive its radiation differently.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 69
> Divine Philosophy
> 
> ARCH 21st. At this moment the sun appeareth at the
> 
> meridian and the day and night are equal. Until to-
> day the north pole hath been in darkness. This sacred day
> when the sun illumineth equally the whole earth is called
> the equinox and the equinox is the symbol of the divine
> messenger. The sun of truth ariseth on the horizon of divine
> mercy and sends forth its ray upon all. This day is con-
> secrated to this commemoration. It is the beginning of the
> spring. When the sun appeareth at the equinox it causeth
> a movement in all living things. The mineral world is set
> in motion, plants begin to sprout, the desert is changed
> into a prairie, trees bud and every living thing respondeth,
> including the bodies of animals and men.
> 
> Sun
> 
> Sun
> 
> 50 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> The rising of the sun at the equinox is the symbol of life
> and the human reality is revived; our thoughts are trans-
> formed and our intelligence is quickened. The sun of truth
> bestoweth eternal life, just as the solar sun is the cause of
> 
> Bae EN Divine Philosophy, p. 75
> 
> PIRIT in the human world is the discoverer of the real-
> 
> ities of existence. All the inventions, all the sciences,
> all the hidden mysteries are brought to light through the
> activity of the spirit on the plane of life. While living in
> the Orient it organizeth affairs in the Occident; while living
> on the earth it discovereth the heavenly constellations.
> These examples ought to show you that the spirit of life
> is omnipotent, especially when it establisheth a communi-
> cation with God and becometh the recipient of the eternal
> light—then it transformeth itself into a ray of the efful-
> gence of the eternal sun.
> This station is the greatest of all stations, for this con-
> nection of the spirit of man with God is like unto a mirror
> and the sun of reality is reflected in it. Thus it becomes the
> collective center of all the virtues; its emanation is the be-
> stowal of the king of bestowers; its radiations are the man-
> ifold splendors of the infinite luminary; its sanctity is from
> the highest summit of divine essence. This station is the
> station of heavenly inspiration and is called the station of
> the divine grace. It signifieth that the rays of the sun of
> reality are resplendent in the mirror and the attributes of
> the sun of reality are reflected therein. This is the ultimate
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 51
> 
> degree of human perfection, for the attainment of which
> the thinkers and philosophers of all time have longed and
> poets have dreamed; it is the mystery of mysteries and
> the light of lights wherein the spirit becomes eternal, self-
> 
> subsistent, age-abiding. Divine Philosobliy p2166
> 
> N the East there is continual sunshine, the stars are
> 
> never veiled, and there are very few clouds. Light always
> riseth in the East and sendeth forth its radiance into the
> West 2 se
> There are two kinds of light. There is the visible light of
> the sun, by whose aid we can discern the beauties of the
> world around us—without this we could see nothing.
> Nevertheless, though it is the function of this light to make
> things visible unto us, it cannot give us the power to see
> them or to understand what their various charms may be,
> for this light hath no intelligence, no consciousness. It is
> the light of the intellect which giveth us knowledge and
> understanding, and without this light the physical eyes
> would be useless.
> The light of the intellect enableth us to understand and
> realize all that existeth, but it is only the Divine Light that
> can give us sight for the invisible things, and which en-
> ableth us to see Truths that will only be visible unto the
> world thousands of years hence.
> It was the Divine Light which enabled the prophets to see
> two thousand years in advance what was going to take
> 
> Sun
> 
> Sun
> 
> Dawn
> 
> 52 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> place and today we see the realization of their vision. Thus
> it is this Light which we must strive to seek, for it is greater
> 
> than any other. Talks by ‘Abdu’l Bahé, pp. 61-62
> 
> OW is the early dawn; ere long the effulgent sun shall
> 
> rise and station itself in the meridian of its majesty.
> Then ye shall observe the effects—then ye shall behold what
> heavenly illumination hath become manifest—then ye shall
> comprehend that these are the infinite bestowals of God—
> then ye shall realize that this world hath become another
> world and ye shall perceive the divine instructions univer-
> sally spread. The teachings of His Holiness Baha’u’llah,
> like unto the spirit, shall penetrate the dead body of the
> world and like unto an artery shall beat through the heart
> 
> of the five continents. Divine Philosophy, p. 39
> 
> PIRITUAL advancement may be likened unto the light
> 
> in the early morning. This light of dawn is rather dim
> in its effulgence, but a wise man who looks at the early
> morn and sees the march of the sunrise at the beginning
> can verily foretell the ascendency of the sun with all its
> glory and effulgence. He knoweth for a certainty that it is
> the beginning of manifestation, and that later it will assume
> great power and potency. Again, for example, if he taketh
> a grain, and observeth that it is growing, he can rest assured
> that the growing seed shall ere long become a tree. Now
> is the beginning of the manifestation of the spiritual power,
> and surely day by day its potency will assume greater and
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 53
> 
> greater proportions. Therefore this twentieth century is
> the beginning or dawn of the spiritual illumination, and it
> is evident that day by day it will advance. It will reach
> such a degree that spiritual effulgences shall overcome the
> material; so that Divine susceptibilities shall overpower
> material intelligence and the heavenly light shall dispel
> and banish earthly darkness; Divine healing shall cure all
> ills and the cloud of mercy shall pour down its rain. The
> Sun of Reality shall shine and all the earth shall put on its
> beautiful green carpet.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 319
> 
> NATURE IS GOVERNED BY ONE UNIVERSAL LAW
> 
> ATURE is that condition, that reality, which in
> 
> appearance consisteth in life, and death, or in other
> words, in the composition and decomposition of all things.
> This Nature is subjected unto an absolute organization,
> unto determined laws, unto a complete order and a
> finished design, from which it will never depart; to
> such a degree, indeed, that if ye look carefully and with
> keen sight, from the smallest invisible atom up to such
> large bodies of the world of existence as the globe of
> the sun or the other great stars and luminous spheres,
> whether ye regard their arrangement, their composition,
> their form or their movement, ye will find that all are in
> the highest degree of organization, and are under one law
> from which they will never depart.
> 
> Dawn
> 
> Nature
> 
> Nature
> 
> 54 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> But when ye look at Nature itself, ye see that it hath no
> intelligence, no will. For instance, the nature of fire is to
> burn, it burneth without will or intelligence; the nature of
> water is fluidity, it foweth without will or intelligence; the
> nature of the sun is radiance, it shineth without will or
> intelligence; the nature of vapour is to ascend, it ascendeth
> without will or intelligence. Thus it is clear that the nat-
> ural movements of all things are compelled; there are no
> voluntary movements except those of animals, and above
> all, those of man. Man is able to deviate from and to oppose
> Nature, because he discovereth the constitution of things,
> and through this he commandeth the forces of Nature;
> all the inventions he hath made are due unto his discovery
> of the constitution of things. For example, he invented the
> telegraph which is the means of communication between
> the East and the West. It is evident then, that man ruleth
> over Nature.
> 
> Now, when ye behold in existence such organizations,
> arrangements, and laws, can ye say that all these are the
> effect of Nature, though Nature hath neither intelligence
> nor perception? If not, it becometh evident that this
> Nature, which hath neither perception nor intelligence, is in
> the grasp of Almighty God who is the Ruler of the world
> of Nature; whatever He wisheth He causeth Nature to
> manifest Se So
> 
> One of the things which hath appeared in the world of
> existence, and which is one of the requirements of Nature, is
> human life. Considered from this point of view man is the
> branch, nature is the root; then can the will and the intel-
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 55
> 
> ligence, and the perfections which exist in the branch, be
> absent in the root?
> 
> Hence it is evident that Nature in its own essence is in the
> grasp of the power of God, who is the Eternal Almighty
> One. He holdeth Nature within accurate regulations and
> 
> laws, leth it: i
> Mg BCI ea Answered Questions, —. 4
> 
> HE Creator of all is One God.
> 
> From this same God all creation sprang into existence,
> and He is the one goal, toward which everything in Nature
> yearneth. This conception was embodied in the words of
> Christ, when He said, ‘‘ I am the Alpha and the Omega,
> the beginning and the end.’’ Man is the sum of Creation,
> and the Perfect Man is the expression of the complete
> thought of the Creator—the Word of God.
> 
> Consider the world of created beings, how varied and diverse
> they are in species, yet with one sole origin. All the differ-
> ences that appear are those of outward form and color. This
> diversity of type is apparent throughout the whole of
> Nature So Se
> 
> Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs and trees.
> Each flower hath a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its
> own delicious perfume and beautiful color. The trees, too,
> how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage—and what
> different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and
> trees spring from the selfsame earth, the same sun shineth
> upon them and the same clouds give them rain.
> 
> So it is with humanity. It is made up of many races, and its
> 
> Nature
> 
> Nature
> 
> 56 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> peoples are of different colour, white, black, yellow, brown,
> and red—but they all come from the same God, and all are
> 
> servants unto Him.
> Talks by ‘Abdu’l Bahd, pp. 45-46
> 
> HEN we ponder over the reality of the microcosm we
> discover that in the microcosm are deposited three
> realities. Man is endowed with an outer or physical reality.
> It belongeth unto the material realm, the animal kingdom,
> because it hath sprung from the material world. This ani-
> malistic reality of man he shareth in common with the ani-
> mals. The human body is like animals subject to Nature’s
> laws. But man is endowed with a second reality, the rational
> or intellectual reality; and the intellectual reality of man
> predominateth over our nature. All these sciences which
> we enjoy were the hidden and recondite secrets of nature,
> unknowable to nature, but man was enabled to discover
> these mysteries, and out of the plane of the unseen he
> brought them into the plane of the seen. Thus, while man’s
> physical reality is captive to nature, man is the governor
> of nature through this intellectual power.
> Yet, there is a third reality in man, the spiritual reality.
> Through its medium one discovereth spiritual revelations,
> a celestial faculty which is infinite as regards the intellectual
> as well as physical realms.
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 399-400
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 57
> 
> ERSONALITY is obtained through the conscious effort
> 
> of man by training and education. A fruitless tree under
> the influence of a wise gardener becometh fruitful; a slab
> of marble under the hand of a sculptor becometh a beauti-
> ful statue. The ruined places are built up by captains of in-
> dustry; the ignorant children learn the secrets of phenomena
> under the tutelage of a wise teacher. The crooked branch
> becometh straight through cultivation.
> It is evident that we have two modes for the expression of
> life—individuality and personality—the former becometh
> as the son of God and the latter the son of man. As we have
> shown, the personality of some is illumined, that of others
> is dark; the personality of some is seen in the manifestation
> of divine justice, while that of others is the embodiment of
> tyranny. The personality of some is divine guidance made
> visible, while that of others is choked in the veils of self
> and desire. That which was hidden in the capability of these
> souls has been made manifest; just as, for instance, when
> you sow a seed, that which is hidden in the reality of that
> seed becomes revealed and unfolded—the trunk, the
> branches, the leaves, the blossoms and the fruits, which are
> in the seeds as potentialities. A teacher bringeth out the
> potentialities of the pupils. The clouds pour down rain, the
> sun shineth, and that which was hidden in the bosom of
> the earth springeth forth.
> The personality of man is developed through education
> while his individuality which is divine and heavenly should
> be his guide.
> 
> Divine Philosophy, p. 132
> 
> Gardener
> 
> Gardener
> 
> 58 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> AN from the beginning was in this perfect form and
> 
> composition, and possessed capacity and aptitude for
> acquiring material and spiritual perfections and was the
> manifestation of these words, ‘‘ We will make man in Our
> image and likeness.”” He has only become more pleasing,
> more beautiful, and more graceful. Civilization has brought
> him out of his wild state, just as the wild fruits which are
> cultivated by a gardener become finer, sweeter, and acquire
> more freshness and delicacy. The Gardeners of the world
> of humanity are the Prophets of God.
> 
> Answered Questions, pp. 225-226
> 
> TRUE gardener changeth this forest and jungle into a
> garden, training its trees into fruitful ones, and caus-
> ing numerous kinds of flowers and myrtles to grow therein.
> In the same way these holy Manifestations of God are the
> ideal gardeners. The world of existence is but a jungle of
> confusion. The state of nature is confusion such as that of a
> jungle, producing fruitless, useless trees. As the holy Man-
> ifestations of God are the ideal € gardeners, they there-
> fore, train these human trees and cause them to become
> fruitful and bestow upon them freshness and verdancy in
> order that they may grow day by day and produce every
> kind of pure fruit, and these become the cause of adorning
> the world of being and continue flourishing and in the ut-
> most purity.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 298
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 59
> 
> Know that in every home where God is praised and prayed
> to, and His Kingdom proclaimed, that home is a garden of
> God and a Paradise of His happiness.
> 
> Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahé, p. 69
> 
> HIS period of time is the Promised Age, the assembling
> 
> of the human race unto the ‘‘ Resurrection Day,”’ and
> now is the great ‘“‘ Day of Judgment.” Soon the whole
> world, as in spring, will change its garb. The turning and
> falling of the autumn leaves is past; the bleakness of the
> wintertime is done. The new year hath appeared and the
> spiritual springtime is at hand. The black earth is becom-
> ing a verdant garden; the deserts and mountains are teem-
> ing with red flowers; (from the borders of the wilderness
> the tall grasses are standing like advance guards before the
> cypress and jasmine trees;) while the birds are singing
> among the rose branches like the angels in the highest
> heavens, announcing the glad-tidings of the approach of
> that spiritual spring, and the sweet music of their voices
> is causing the real essence of all things to move and quiver.
> O my spiritual friend! Dost thou know from what airs eman-
> ate the notes sung by those birds? They are from the mel-
> odies of peace and reconciliation, of love and unity, of jus-
> tice and security, of concord and agreement. In a short
> time this heavenly singing will intoxicate all humanity;
> the foundations of enmity shall be destroyed; unity and
> affection shall be witnessed in every assembly; and the
> lovers of the love of God at these great festivals shall behold
> their splendor.
> 
> Garden
> 
> Garden of the Bahji
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 61
> a
> 
> Therefore contemplate what a spirit of life God hath given
> that the body of the whole earth may attain life everlasting.
> Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bah, pp. 318-319
> 
> NOBLE friends, seekers after God! Praise be unto God!
> Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in
> its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blow-
> ing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard
> in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all
> hearts that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving eternal
> life. In this wonderful age the East is enlightened, the West
> is fragrant and everywhere the soul inhaleth the holy per-
> fume. The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its waves
> with joy, for there is real communication between the
> hearts and minds of men.
> The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it,
> and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day.
> Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 273
> 
> URN Thou unto the Kingdom of Oneness and chant
> thou the verses of Singleness. Be thou invested with a
> robe, the embroidery of which is purity and sanctity and
> the woof and the warp of which is the spirituality of the
> Mighty Lord, so that thou mayest inhale the fragrance of
> the rose-garden from the garment of the real Joseph and so
> divest thyself of the mantle of bodily things that angelhood
> 
> and ideal spirituality become realized (in thee).
> I Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bah, p. 124
> 
> Garden
> 
> Garden
> 
> 62 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> O Unequalled Lord!
> 
> OR this helpless child be a protector; for this weak
> and sinful one be kind and forgiving.
> O Creator! Although we are but useless grass, still we are
> Thy Garden; though we are but young trees, bare of leaves
> and blossoms, still we are of Thy orchard; therefore nourish
> this grass with the rain of Thy bounty; refresh and vivify
> these young, languishing trees with the breeze of Thy spir-
> itual springtime. Awaken us, enlighten us, sustain us, give
> us eternal life and accept us into Thy Kingdom!
> III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Baha, p. 588
> 
> O our God! O our God!
> 
> ERILY we invoke Thee and supplicate before Thy
> 
> threshold, asking Thee that all Thy mercies may des-
> cend upon these souls. Specialize them for Thy favor and
> Thy truth, O Lord! Unite and bind together the hearts,
> join in accord all the souls and exhilarate the spirits through
> the signs of Thy sanctity, and oneness. O Lord! Thou Pos-
> sessor of Great Mercy! O Lord of forgiveness and pardon!
> Forgive our sins, suffer us to be pardoned for our shortcom-
> ings and cause us to turn unto the Kingdom of Thy clem-
> ency, invoking the Kingdom of Might and Power, humble
> at Thy shrine and submissive at the appearance of Thine
> evidences. O Lord God! make us as waves of the sea, as
> flowers of the garden, united, agreed, fresh and verdant
> through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord! Dilate the breasts
> through the signs of Thy Oneness and make all humanity
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 63
> 
> as waves of the same ocean, as stars shining from the same
> height of glory, as luscious fruits borne upon Thy Tree of
> Life. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Self-subsistent, the
> Giver, the Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Omniscient, the
> 
> !
> ee Bah@i Scriptures, p. 353
> 
> NOW thou the value of the day of the Lord and take
> 
> a portion and ashare of the bounty in the glorious
> 
> cycle. If a tree doth not thrive and grow, in what season
> 
> will it bear fruit? I hope that, through the life-nurturing
> 
> breeze of the rose-garden of the Kingdom, thou mayest be-
> come a tree full of blossoms and fruit.
> 
> III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Baha, p. 696
> 
> O ye friends!
> HIS is not the time of rest and tranquillity! This is not
> the season of silence and stillness. The nightingale of
> the rose-garden of uprightness must display its wonderful
> melodies and trills. The bird of guidance must exhibit its
> eloquent speech. The light and the heat are the concomitant
> results of the lamp. The brilliancy of the stars must be
> everlasting. The existence of the ocean connotes the waves.
> The birds must soar towards the apex. The pearls are in-
> separable from their lustre and sweet fragrance must qual-
> ify the blossoms of the rose-garden of knowledge. It is
> hoped that through the favor of the living self-subsistent
> One, we may become assisted in a befitting manner.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 378
> 
> Garden
> 
> Garden
> 
> 64 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> LEANLINESS and sanctity in all conditions are char-
> acteristic of pure beings and necessities of free souls.
> The first perfection consists in cleanliness and sanctity and
> in purity from every defect. When man in all conditions
> is pure and immaculate, he will become the center of the
> reflection of the Manifest Light. In all his actions and con-
> duct there must first be purity, then beauty and independ-
> ence. The Channel must be cleansed before it is filled with
> sweet water. The pure eye comprehendeth the sight and
> the meeting of God; the pure nostril inhaleth the perfumes
> of the rose-garden of bounty; the pure heart becometh the
> mirror of the beauty of truth. This is why, in the heavenly
> Books, the divine counsels and commands have been com-
> pared to water. So, in the Koran it is said, ‘‘ We have
> caused a pure water to descend from heaven,’’ and in the
> Gospel, ‘‘ Except a man hath received the baptism of
> water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom
> of God.’’ Then it is evident that the divine teachings are
> the heavenly grace and the showers of the mercy of God,
> which purify the hearts of men.
> IIT Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahé, p. 581
> 
> O Thou Kind Lord!
> RAISE be unto Thee because Thou hast shewn unto
> us the highway of guidance, opened the doors of the
> Kingdom and manifested Thyself through the Sun of
> Reality. To the blind Thou hast given sight; to the deaf
> Thou hast granted hearing; Thou hast resuscitated the
> dead; Thou hast shewn the way unto those who have gone
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 65
> 
> astray; Thou hast led those with parched lips unto the
> fountain of guidance; Thou hast suffered the thirsty fish
> to reach the ocean of reality and Thou hast invited the
> wandering birds unto the rose-garden of grace.
> O Thou Almighty!
> We people are thy servants and Thy poor ones! We are
> remote, we yearn for Thy presence; we are thirsty for the
> water of Thy fountain; we are ill, longing for Thy medi-
> cine. We are walking in Thy path and have no aim or hope
> save the diffusion of Thy fragrances—so that the souls may
> raise the cry of: ‘‘O God! Guide us unto the straight
> path!’ May they open their eyes by beholding the lights
> and become freed from the darkness of ignorance! May
> they walk around the lamp of guidance. May the portion-
> less receive a share! and may the deprived ones become
> the confidants of the mysteries! O Almighty! Look upon
> us with the glance of mercifulness! Grant us heavenly con-
> firmation! Bestow upon us the breaths of the Holy Spirit!
> So that we may become assisted in service and like unto
> brilliant stars we may shine in these regions with the light
> of guidance! Verily! Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty
> and Thou art the Wise and the Seeing!
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 509-510
> 
> ONSIDER! When the rain, the heat, the sun and the
> gentle zephyrs co-operate with each other, what beau-
> tiful gardens are produced! How the various kinds of hya-
> cinths, flowers, trees and plants associate with each other
> and are conducive to the adornment and charm of one an-
> 
> Garden
> 
> Garden
> 
> Seeds
> 
> 66 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> other. Hence the oneness of the bounty of the sun, the one-
> ness of the rain and the oneness of the breeze have so over-
> come all other considerations that the variety of hues,
> fragrances and tastes have increased the adornment, the
> attraction and sweetness of the whole. In similar man-
> ner, when the divine collective center and the outpouring
> of the Sun of Reality and the breaths of the Holy Spirit are
> brought together, the variety of races and differences exist-
> ing between countries will become the cause of the embel-
> lishment, decoration and elegance of the world of humanity.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 531
> 
> Verily ye shall reap what ye sow and obtain the fruits of
> what ye plant. This is a pre-ordained fact.
> I Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahd, p. 12
> 
> ONSIDER not the present condition but rather foresee
> 
> the future and the end. A seed in the beginning is very
> small, but in the end a great tree. One should not consider
> the seed, but the tree and its abundance of blossoms, leaves,
> and fruits. Consider the days of Jesus, when there was only
> a small body of people and then observe the great tree
> which grew from that seed and what an abundant fruit it
> produced. This is greater than that, forasmuch as it is call-
> ing of the Lord of Hosts and the Voice of the Trumpet of
> the Living God; it is the summons unto the harmony and
> unison of the world; it is the banner of faithfulness, trust-
> worthiness and friendship among different nations and
> sects of the Universe; it is the light of the Sun of Truth and
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 67
> 
> the spirituality of the Majestic One. Verily this great cycle
> (dispensation) will encompass all the horizons and ulti-
> mately all the nations will gather together under this
> standard se se
> Therefore, know the importance of this seed which was
> planted in the divine field by the heavenly Gardener, wa-
> tered with the rain of grace and nurtured by the heat and
> light of the Sun of Truth. Thus, O ye friends of God, give
> thanks unto His Majesty, the One, that ye became (or
> were made) the manifestation of such a gift and the recip-
> ient of such favor.
> Blessed are ye!
> Good tidings unto you for this great blessing!
> 
> I Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Baha, p. 10
> 
> UPPLICATE unto God that the seed of Knowledge in
> the soil of thy heart may soon develop and grow into
> hyacinths and roses* and that thereby the flower-garden
> 
> of the love of God may be perfumed.
> II Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahé, p. 477
> 
> HE Kingdom of God is like unto a farmer who cometh
> 
> into possession of a piece of pure and virgin soil.
> Heavenly seeds are scattered therein, the clouds of divine
> providence pour down and the rays of the Sun of Reality
> shine forth.
> 
> * Hyacinths typify knowledge; roses typify wisdom.
> 
> Seeds
> 
> Seeds
> 
> Flowers
> 
> 68 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> The divine Gardener passed by that holy ground and scat-
> tered pure seeds from the lordly teachings in that field;
> the rain of the bounties of God poured down and the heat
> of the Sun of Reality, that is: The merciful confirmation
> —shone with the utmost splendor.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 509
> 
> Humanity may be likened unto the vari-colored flowers
> of one garden. There is unity in diversity. Each sets off and
> 
> enhances the other’s beauty. Divine Prices pee
> 
> HIS flower starts with a sprout which day by day be-
> cometh more verdant, finally bursting into leaves and
> blossoms So Se
> But flowers fade and fruitage yields its seed which is kept
> and planted again, for the dead trees bear no more fruit.
> New seeds must be sown and again trees and flowers will
> 
> bloom) taco Divine Philosophy, b. 79
> ONSIDER the flowers of the rose-garden. Although
> they are of different kinds, various colors, and diverse
> 
> forms and appearances, yet as they drink from one water,
> 
> are swayed by one breeze and grow by the warmth and
> light of one sun, this variation, and this difference causeth
> each to enhance the beauty and splendor of the others. If,
> in a garden, the flowers and fragrant herbs, the blossoms
> and fruits, the leaves, branches, and trees are of one kind,
> of one form, of one color, and one arrangement, there is
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 69
> 
> no beauty or charm, but when there is variety in the world
> of oneness, they will be displayed in the most perfect glory,
> beauty, exaltation and perfection. Today nothing but the
> power of the Word of God which encompasses the realities
> of things can bring the thoughts, minds, hearts and spirits
> 
> under the Shade of One Tree. Baha't Scriptures; p. 421
> 
> HE days of human existence are like vanishing shad-
> 
> ows. Compared unto the world of Reality, they are
> brought to a close with extreme speed. From the world of
> humanity those who lead a heedless life are afflicted with
> manifest loss; for when the days of their life come to a sud-
> den end, there is no trace, no leaves, no blossom, no fruit.
> They shall remain in the lowest degree, and no mention
> is left behind for them. From king to servant, all walk this
> fleeting path and live in this circle, but none shall endure
> save those who are freed from every tie. They are not
> greedy after comfort, nor do they seek flitting pleasures.
> They are not longing for honor, neither pursue the phan-
> tasmal imaginations of glory and wealth. They are the
> devotees, the tried soldiers of Baha’u’llah—wanderers
> over mountains and desert. In the state of complete re-
> nunciation they call the people unto the Kingdom of God,
> and they are the cause of guidance of souls.
> Like unto the candle they are aflame with all the virtues
> of the world of humanity. This is everlasting glory. This
> is eternal life. This is true attainment. This is the divine
> 
> sublimity of the creation of God. Bahé’t Scriptures, p. 449
> 
> Flowers
> 
> Flowers
> 
> Plant
> 
> Fountains
> 
> 70 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> RAISE be unto God! That ye are gathered in one assem-
> 
> bly like unto the stars of the Pleiades, are illumined
> 
> with the light of the knowledge of God and through the
> 
> outpouring of the cloud of the love of God. Ye are the fresh
> 
> flowers of the meadow and plain; ye are intimate and famil-
> iar with infinite unity and love.
> 
> III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Baha, p. 690
> 
> ITH power and might will the proclamation of the
> Kingdom of El Abha found a new civilization,
> transforming humanity; dead bodies will become alive; dark
> skies will become luminous; blind eyes will see; deaf ears
> will hear; the dumb will speak and the indifferent will be
> 
> decorated with the flowers of a divine civilization.
> Divine Philosophy, p. 58
> 
> O God! We are as plants and thy bounty is as the rain.
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 88
> 
> The fountains are many but the fountain-head is one.
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 122
> 
> RISE to serve the Cause of God in the vineyard of God,
> water the developed and flourishing trees with the wa-
> 
> ters of the mysteries which are deposited in the innermost
> parts of the words of the Books; and be assured that the
> fountain of assurance will gush out in the hearts of the firm
> and steadfast believers and divine graces will strengthen
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 71
> 
> them from all sides and the Lord will enable them to diffuse
> the fragrances. And He will make them manifest signs,
> beaming stars, shining lights, fruitful trees, flowing foun-
> tains, perfect words and mature proofs.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 463
> 
> REED is a perfect man who is likened to a reed, and
> the manner of its likeness is this: when the interior of
> a reed is empty and free from all matter, it will produce
> beautiful melodies; and as sound and melodies do not come
> from the reed, but from the flute-player who bloweth upon
> it, so the sanctified heart of that blessed being is free and
> emptied from all save God, pure and exempt from attach-
> ments unto all human conditions, and is the Companion of
> the Divine Spirit. Whatever he uttereth is not from him-
> self, but from the real flute-player, and it is a divine in-
> spiration. That is why he is likened unto a reed; and that
> reed is like a rod, that is to say, it is the helper of every
> impotent one, and the support of human beings. It is the
> rod of the Divine Shepherd by which He guards His flock,
> and leadeth them about the pastures of the Kingdom.
> Answered Questions, pp. 53-54
> 
> These lights have appeared from one lamp and these fruits
> 
> have appeared from one tree.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 44
> 
> Fountains
> 
> Reed
> 
> Tree
> 
> Tree
> 
> 72 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> HE Tree of Humanity will blossom and bring forth the
> 
> fruit of Righteousness for the healing of the nations.
> Because Man hath stopped his ears unto the Voice of Truth
> and shut his eyes unto the Sacred Light, neglecting the Law
> of God, for this reason hath the darkness of war and tumult,
> unrest and misery, desolated the earth. I pray that ye will
> all strive to bring each child of God into the radiance of the
> Sun of Truth, that the darkness may be dissipated by the
> penetrating rays of Its glory, and the winter’s hardness
> and cold may be melted away by the merciful warmth of
> 
> Tennis Talks by ‘Abdu’l Bahé, p. 28
> 
> HEN a drop draweth help from the ocean, it is an
> ocean in itself, and alittle seed, through the outpouring
> of rain, the favor of the sun and the soul-refreshing breeze,
> will become a tree with the utmost freshness, full of leaves,
> blossoms and fruits. Therefore do not consider thy capacity
> and merit, but rely upon the infinite bounty and trust unto
> His Highness, the Almighty.
> III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Baha, p. 565
> 
> HE second principle of Baha’u’llah proclaims the one-
> 
> ness of the human race. He stateth that humanity con-
> stituteth the sheep of God. God is the real Shepherd. When
> this Shepherd is compassionate and kind, why should the
> sheep quarrel amongst themselves?
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 73
> 
> Addressing all humanity Baha’u’llah sayeth, ‘‘ Ye are the
> fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch. All the na-
> tions, peoples and tongues are the branches, leaves, blos-
> soms and fruits of this great tree of humanity.”
> 
> God created all; protects all; provideth for all and is kind
> to all; why should ye be unkind? If God had not loved hu-
> manity he would not have created it. Creation presupposes
> love. God is the real Father; all are his children. All the
> creatures are equal in this one family of God save whoso-
> ever is more kind, more compassionate—he is nearer unto
> 
> Godiseise Bah@i Scriptures, p. 276
> 
> ODAY any soul who is planted, like a tree, along the
> 
> stream of this divine rose-garden will grow and develop
> through the infinite outpouring. For the rays of the Sun
> of Truth will shine forth, the Divine Husbandman will
> irrigate and the soul refreshing breeze will waft from the
> direction of grace. Consequently that tree will find the ut-
> most freshness and delicacy, producing delicious fruits.
> 
> III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Baha, pp. 500-501
> 
> TREE is of no service unto any one on the summit of
> a mountain, but should stand in a place where it will
> 
> give shade and where its fruits can be gathered.
> Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 440
> 
> Tree
> 
> Fruit
> 
> Birds
> 
> 74 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> RAISE be unto God, the world of existence doth not
> 
> culminate here. If this were so, existence itself would be
> sterile. There are many worlds of light. For even as the
> plant imagines life endeth with itself and hath no knowl-
> edge of our existence, so the materially minded man hath
> no knowledge of other worlds of consciousness.
> But some there are who have found divine intelligence and
> have obtained spiritual understanding. They have the real
> sight. They know of the other worlds. That is why the
> prophets of God forfeited this world, renounced everything
> material and gave their hearts unto the heavenly world.
> Were there nothing after death, Christ would not have
> accepted the cross; the prophets of all time would not have
> sacrificed their lives. They were in touch with the celestial
> world and they overlooked this transitory life. This is the
> fruit of the tree of creation—to be freed from the darkness
> of the planet in order to enter the worlds of light. This is
> the object of existence; this is the fruit of the tree of
> 
> humanity se se Divine Philosophy, p. 123
> 
> We may think of Science as one wing and Religion as the
> other; a bird needs two wings for flight, one alone would
> 
> Bessclvee: Paris Talks, p. 120
> 
> RAISE be unto God that the Sun of the Reality of
> religion hath dawned. From all parts of the world,
> Host after Host are coming under its radiance and ere long
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 75
> 
> it will become world-spread. I desire for you a universal
> patriotism. A high-soaring bird attacheth not its heart
> unto its earth nest and abode. At every dawn it singeth a
> new melody, and at every eve it warbleth the strains of
> divine mysteries in a new meadow. At one time it riseth
> above the summit of the green mountains and spreadeth
> its imperial wings over deserts and plains and anon it
> breaketh into ideal harmonies and chants sweetly the
> secrets of God. It is not attached unto home and comfort
> nor is it limited to nest and abode. Nay, rather it is intox-
> icated with the wine of the love of God, singing at all times
> the anthems and praises of the Almighty. This is the habit
> and custom of heavenly birds; this is the manner and con-
> duct of the nightingale of the rose-garden of the merciful!
> 
> Divine Philosophy, p. 35
> 
> OD hath given man a heart and the heart must have
> some attachment. We have proved that nothing is com-
> pletely worthy of our heart’s devotion save reality, for all
> else is destined to perish. Therefore the heart is never at
> rest and never findeth real joy and happiness until it
> attacheth itself unto the eternal. How foolish the bird that
> builds its nest in a tree that may perish when it could build
> 
> its nest in an ever-verdant garden of Paradise.
> Divine Philosophy, p. 136
> 
> HE sea of materialism is at flood tide and all the nations
> of the world are immersed therein. It is my hope that
> the fish will rise to the surface, so that they may behold
> 
> Birds
> 
> Birds
> 
> 76 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> ee ee eae a
> 
> other wondrous aspects of creation; for the people are like
> unto the fish swimming in the deep—ignorant of the rest
> of the universe. May they break all bonds of limitation,
> so that they can observe from the height the lordly pro-
> cessions of infinite creatures; they will see the blue heavens
> studded with luminous stars, rivers flowing with salubrious
> water, gardens bedecked with blossoms and fruits, birds
> singing songs of light, humanity ever striving forward,
> every atom of existence breathing life and force—the uni-
> verse of God a wonderful theatre upon the stage of which
> every created thing playeth a part.
> 
> Divine Philosophy, p. 138
> 
> HE people of God have no dependence upon the condi-
> tions of this world; they neither become bittered with
> the bitterness of the cup, nor do they become intoxicated
> of the cup of the sweet. The people of God are like the
> birds, who satisfy themselves with a few crumbs, and sit
> the whole time on the branches of the tree singing the
> 
> Bisucsiohoe: Bah@i Scriptures, p. 501
> 
> O thou Spiritual friend!
> HIS world is a prison for heavenly souls, and this earth-
> ly world is but a cage, and not a nest, unto the divine
> birds. A prisoner who is awake and conscious will certainly
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART die
> seek for freedom and a mindful bird will certainly wish for
> deliverance from the cage. When the heart becometh free
> from attachment unto this world, it will crave the world
> of the Kingdom and seek eternal life.
> 
> Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahé, I, p. 109
> 
> NOW thou, that verily, the earthly world is as a prison
> 
> unto the holy souls and these long for the Kingdom
> of Sanctity, as birds long for their nests in the gardens of
> beautiful and wonderful trees, flowers and fruits. And
> know thou, verily, that those who were following the steps
> of Christ, detached their souls from the desires of the
> world, and made their hearts to depend upon the bounties
> 
> of Heaven, II Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahé, p. 477
> 
> OR man a spiritual existence and livelihood is prepared
> and ordained in the divine creative plan. His life is in-
> tended to be a life of spiritual enjoyment to which the ani-
> mal can never attain. This enjoyment depends upon the
> acquisition of heavenly virtues. The sublimity of man is
> his attainment of the knowledge of God. The bliss of man
> is the acquiring of heavenly bestowals which descend upon
> him in the outflow of the bounty of God. The happiness of
> man is in the fragrance of the love of God. This is the
> highest pinnacle of attainment in the human world.
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 180
> 
> Birds
> 
> Fragrance
> 
> Vista
> 
> Showers
> 
> 78 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> HE power of spiritual reality is conferred upon man
> through the breath of the Holy Spirit. It is an eternal
> reality, an indestructible reality, a reality belonging unto
> the divine, supernatural Kingdom; a reality whereby the
> world is illumined, a reality which granteth unto man
> eternal life. This third spiritual reality it is which discov-
> ereth past events and looketh along the vistas of the future.
> It is the ray of the Sun of Reality. The spiritual world is
> enlightened through it, the whole of the Kingdom is being
> illumined by it. It enjoyeth the world of beatitude, a world
> 
> which had no beginning and which shall have no end.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 400
> 
> Your faith comes like rain; the first drops are far between,
> but soon it will pour in torrents.
> Divine Art of Living, p. 2
> 
> LORD, Make to descend upon them quietness and
> tranquillity. Shower upon them the clouds of Thy
> Mercy in full abundance, and make them to characterize
> 
> themselves with the characteristics of the spiritual!
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 263
> 
> HEN three things are realized on earth by the divine
> 
> favor, the earth will be endowed with new life, the
> measureless refinement and beauty. The first is the blow-
> ing of the Spring Winds. Secondly, the overflowing mercy
> of the Showers of Nissan (April).
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 79
> 
> Thirdly, the heat of the bright Sun. When these three gifts
> are granted by the Infinite Divine Bounty, then, by God’s
> permission, the faded trees and branches, gradually be-
> coming green and flourishing, will be ornamented with
> every sort of bud, blossom and fruit.
> 
> Mysterious Forces of Civilization, p. 122
> 
> HERE is no difference in the bounties of God; a pro-
> fusion of bounties is outpoured continually upon all
> sorts of land, but when the precious shower falls on a
> barren land, it causes weeds and thorns to grow. The same
> bounty and the same shower causes a good, fertile land to
> 
> bear roses and grass and useful fruits.
> Bah@i Scriptures, p. 501
> 
> E must thank God that He hath rendered you all alive
> 
> and existent. Endeavor day and night to acquire more
> virtues of the human type, and consider yourselves as the
> lights which never have any sunset, any setting; an
> existence which is never non-existence, a light which is
> never to be followed, by darkness. When man is not
> endowed with insight he is not informed of these im-
> portant mysteries. This outer retina, so delicate, may
> sometimes be a hindrance to the insight, which alone can
> perceive. The bestowals of God which are visible in all phe-
> nomenal life are sometimes rendered invisible because of
> the delicate retina, which forms a hindrance, which makes
> him uninformed, but when those scales are off, when the
> 
> Showers
> 
> Sunset
> 
> Sunset
> 
> Star
> 
> 80 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> veil is torn asunder, then the great signs of God will become
> visible, he will witness the light filling the world. The be-
> stowals of God are all manifest. The promises of heaven
> are present. The favors of God are surrounding all, but if the
> cover should remain he is made to deny all these great signs,
> and is deprived of all these manifestations of God’s be-
> stowals; therefore we must endeavor in order that the veil
> concealing the insight may be removed, that we may witness
> the manifestation of God’s signs and discern the mysterious
> graces of God, and see that the material blessings, as com-
> pared with spiritual blessings, are as nothing.
> The Spiritual blessings of God are the greatest.
> 
> Bah@i Scriptures, pp. 386-387
> 
> Hast thou love? Then thy power is irresistible. Hast thou
> sympathy? Then all the stars will sing thy praise.
> Bah@’i Scriptures, p. 454
> 
> HE world needs more happiness and illumination. The
> star of happiness is in every heart. We must remove
> the clouds so that it may twinkle radiantly. Happiness is
> an eternal condition.
> When it is once established, man will ascend to the
> supreme heights of bliss.
> A truly happy man will not be subject to the shifting even-
> tualities of time. Like unto an eternal king he will sit upon
> the throne of fixed realities.
> 
> THE GARDEN OF THE HEART 81
> 
> He will be impervious to outward, changing circumstances,
> and through his deeds and actions impart happiness to
> others. A Baha’i must be happy, for the blessings of God
> are bestowed upon him.
> Every soul must strive to impart to mankind that joy and
> happiness the nature of which is permanent.
> 
> The Bah@i Magazine, Vol. 13, p. 102
> 
> HE season of seclusion in quiet nooks is the season of
> winter when cold and the winds increase. But during
> the spring, the wafting of gentle breezes, the passing of
> fragrances from the rose, the state of equilibrium in the
> atmosphere and the green hue of valleys and prairies, it is
> best for man to leave solitude and enjoy out-of-door bless-
> ings. Thus be thou happy in the commemoration of thy
> Lord. Go out from the solitary place like unto a shining
> star blazing on its horizon.
> This is better for thee in the Kingdom of the Lord of the
> worlds. Thus, hearken unto the melodies of the birds of
> holiness, in the garden of fellowship, upon the branches of
> purity; to the murmuring of its waters, the rustling of the
> trees, the blowing of its breezes and the cooing of its doves.
> III Tablets of ‘Abdu’l Bahé, pp. 520-521
> 
> We can not conceive of a star without light, a tree without
> seed. If we claim to be followers of light, we must diffuse
> the light through our actions. To label ourselves will not
> 
> oe EGS Divine Philosophy, p. 42
> 
> Siar
> 
> 82 THE GARDEN OF THE HEART
> 
> Turn your faces unto the Sun of Reality. That Sun has
> always risen in the East. Find the answer to your questions
> in your heart. Be as little children. Until the soil is pre-
> pared it can not receive the benefit of planting.
> Be happy and joyous because the bestowals of God are in-
> tended for you and the life of the Holy Spirit is breathing
> upon you.
> 
> The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 208-209
> 
> Allah’o’abha
> (God is the most Glorious)
> 
> SO HERE THEN ENDETH THE BOOK ENTITLED
> 
> “THE GARDEN OF THE HEART” AS COMPILED
> BY FRANCES ESTY FROM THE WRITINGS OF
> BAHA’U’LLAH AND ‘ABDU’L BAHA, AND MADE
> INTO A BOOK BY THE ROYCROFTERS AT THEIR
> SHOPS WHICH ARE IN EAST AURORA, NEW YORK
> 
> is ight is good in whatsoever lamp
> it is burning,
> A rose is beautiful in whatsoever
> garden it may bloom,
> A star is as radiant whether it shines
> from the East or the West.
> —ABDU’L BAHA
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views3187 views since posted 2025-01-13; last edit 2025-01-14 07:12 UTC;
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> — *The Garden of the Heart (Used by permission of the curator)*