Jalál, 9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 178 B.E.

Seen

Sunset Study

Done

Mowed the yard for the last time in 2021—YAY!

Trimmed around the flower bed of Lily of the Valley (another poisonous plant!) which is done for the year, too!

Noted

Astral Prospecting on Instagram: Reddening Lepiota

It’s edible (exercise caution as I’m no expert!)

Quoted

The second Bahá’í World Congress, its magnitude and potency, completely overwhelmed me, both emotionally and intellectually. Bahá’ís, 28,000 in number, from approximately 180 countries around the world, converged on New York City, gathering at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, from Monday, November 23, 1992 through Thursday, November 26, 2991. Never before have Bahá’ís had a more opportune occasion to demonstrate to the world a hallmark of their religion, their “unity in diversity.” When people of diverse backgrounds and all walks of life come together for a common purpose, the energy released has the power to transform the world. The angelic voices of the choir in themselves were enough to convey this transforming energy, which had the potency to carry through all the worlds of God. Deep in my heart I felt this was a spiritual happening of immense significance, that the world is not yet conscious of its ramifications, and that even its attendees, including myself, do not know all the hidden blessings it had or is destined to confer.

Ever since I first sensed the spiritual potency of this Congress, I felt impelled to record it as it was experienced. Thus began my mission: to produce a book containing the stories, experiences, dreams, and impressions of the Bahá’ís of the world, capturing the Spirit of the World Congress. it would be a book written from the perspective of each individual Bahá’í contributor, and the title came to me when I woke up one morning: In the Eyes of HIs Beloved Servants: Accounts from the Second Bahá’í World Congress. This title changed, as the diversity of submissions increased, to In the Eyes of HIs Beloved Servants: The Second Bahá’í World Congress and Holy Year

The Bahá’í World Congress was one of two occasions which highlighted the Bahá’í Holy Year, which was celebrated between April 21, 1992 and April 20, 1993. The Universal House of Justice—the supreme administrative body of the Bahá’í Faith—declared this time to be a Holy Year: 1

… that special time when we shall pause to appreciate the tumultuous record of events which will have brought us to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and to reflect with due solemnity upon the redemptive purpose of the life of the most precious Being ever to have drawn breath on this planet. 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. Kafes, Michael J. In the Eyes of His Beloved Servants: The Second Bahá’í World Congress and Holy Year. 1st ed., J Michael Kafes Publications, 1994, vii-viii. [return]
  2. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 1990 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19900421_001/1#857469325. Accessed 23 Oct. 2021. [return]