Fidál, 17 Mashíyyat, 178 B.E.

Seen

Dipsacus or Teasel (labeled an invasive species in the USA) and Canadian Goldenrod (labeled an invasive species in Europe, Japan and China)

Done

Assembled an IKEA Pello arm chair—SO COMFORTABLE!

Noted

Astral Prospecting on Instagram: Dried grapevine tendril

Marc Bosserman on Instagram: Rave Reviews!

Quoted

Just as it is in Christianity, the major tenet in the Bahá’í Faith is following and loving the truth. Independent investigation of truth is what leads us to the truth. The goal is the truth; investigation is the means. What you are implying is that you need not investigate the truth; you already know it. The question is this: If you did not investigate, then how did you know? If we eliminate investigation, then every person on our planet is as right as every other person.

Was it not for a failure to investigate the truth that the Pharisees denied Jesus? Note ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s explanation of this point: 1

Had they [The Pharisees] investigated sincerely for themselves, they would surely have believed in Him, respected Him and bowed before Him in reverence. They would have considered His manifestation the greatest bestowal upon mankind. They would have accepted Him as the very Savior of man; but, alas, they were veiled, they held to imitations of ancestral beliefs and hearsay and did not investigate the truth of Christ. 2

[The Pharisees] paid no heed to His [Jesus’] splendors and regarded not His proofs. Else would they have acknowledged His words, and borne witness to the verses He revealed, confessed the truth of His utterances, sought shelter under the protective shadow of His banner, learned of His signs and tokens, and rejoiced in His blissful tidings. 3

My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.

  1. Motlagh, Hushidar Hugh. Come Now, Let Us Reason Together: Response to Objections Raised by a Pastor against the Baháʼi Faith. 1st ed., Global Perspective, 2003, 53-54. [return]
  2. ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 62. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/3#502326955 [return]
  3. ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Center, 1978, 40-41. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/3#696869045. [return]