The Garden of the Heart

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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