Kamál, 4 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 178 B.E.

Seen

At age 15, this century plant (Agave americana) is getting closer to its “bloom and die” stage. I’ll move it indoors for the winter one more time, then transplant it outdoors for good in the spring.

Done

Made a batch of “fake pozole / posole” using the giant white corn I cooked yesterday:

Includes ham, beef bouillon, fire-roasted tomatoes, and garlic salt. It tastes good enough to encourage me to experiment further with something that might approximate “real” posole!

Noted

Astral Prospecting on Instagram: Waxing gibbous — iPhone 6 through binoculars

Quoted

The Universal House of Justice, in reviewing the further applicability of the laws of Bahá’u’lláh in the course of the past four years, determined that it is imperative for all Bahá’ís “to deepen their awareness of the blessings conferred by the laws which directly foster the devotional life of the individual and, thus, of the community,” Among these laws are obligatory prayer and fasting which have been characterized by the Blessed Beauty as “two wings to man’s life.”

This present selection of newly authorized translations has been drawn from the vast ocean of the original Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdul-Bahá. It is intended to further enhance the believers’ insight into far-reaching significance of these two great laws — May 2000 1

Cling firmly to obligatory prayer and fasting. Verily, the religion of God is like unto heaven; fasting is its sun, and obligatory prayer is its moon. In truth, they are the pillars of religion whereby the righteous are distinguished from those who transgress His commandments. We entreat God, exalted and glorified be He, that He may graciously enable all to observe that which He hath revealed in His Ancient Book.—Bahá’u’lláh 2

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. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting: Selection of Extracts and Prayers from the Bahá’í Writings. 2000. Reprint, Bahá’í Publications Australia, 2001, preface. [return]
  2. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting: Selection of Extracts and Prayers from the Bahá’í Writings. 2000. Reprint, Bahá’í Publications Australia, 2001, 3. [return]