Everything, Nothing, and I'm a Middle Child

In the Baha'i Faith, we only have one photograph of Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder. It is housed in the Archives. This makes the opportunity to see a His picture very, very, very special. For example, I am the first person in my nuclear family to see the picture of Baha'u'llah.

Mark describes the experience thusly: Last Friday, I saw the photograph of Baha'u'llah for the first time... I finally understand E.G. Browne's description. I saw every single noble emotion at once in that Face. I was completely unprepared. What struck me most is that He seemed to be gazing at past present and future at once. Everything seemed so obvious for Him, and looking at His eyes, you could see His completely selfless plea for us to just follow God's Will... our destiny is so glorious, if only we would follow the clear path He has laid out for us. For that one moment, I truly knew what Certitude is...

Of course, the experience is different for everybody. I agree with Mark's above statements, but I also came to the realization that I am not a Baha'i, nor do I believe in Baha'u'llah because of who He was physically. As Mark said, the past, present and future is embodied in Him. Baha'u'llah is so much more than his physical being, for He is also all of the teachings that He bestowed upon humanity. I am very grateful that we do not have photos of Baha'u'llah everywhere, as that would have definitely trivialized our experience in the Archives building.