This past Friday, Mark and I had an opportunity to visit the International (Baha'i) Archives. This is normally something one does on pilgrimage. We are only permitted to do this once a year while serving here. It was, needless to say, an amazing experience. [the photo was taken of us on our way to the visit, directly behind us is the Seat of the Universal House of Justice - I work in the dome]
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.
What a beautiful picture of Israel!
You and Mark both paint very moving pictures of your visit to the archives - it struck me that not only are you the first in your immediate family to see the picture of Baha'u'llah, but that few others will go and see them.
I suspect that neither Rachael nor I will go and see them. When I read your passage, I had a kind of sad realization that I can no longer experience epiphanies, that I will never experience an epiphany ever again. Congratulations on yours, though!
Your thought is your reality.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha