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.
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The Garden of the Heart

Abdu'l-Bahá
Bahá'u'lláh

Frances Esty, compiler

New York: Roycrofters, 1930

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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

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-- The Garden of the Heart (Used by permission of the curator)