Postcard from Haifa: "A new earth"

Baha'i Holy places and gardens in Haifa, Israel

The blog title used here derives from a biblical verse, and seems appropriate to what I will describe of my experience in Haifa: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth..." (Rev. 21.1)

                                                                                                                                      .

If I said I'd experienced paradise, perhaps you'd like to know what it was like?

To start with, the idea of "paradise", like anything else, is based on a vision. And when it comes to this unique subject, the vision cannot be limited, it must be infinite and eternal; not exclusive, but universal (this is, in fact, the basis of all - true/pure - religion). Life doesn't end at death, it's just a birth into a richer world for which we have prepared ourselves in this life (as the unborn child developed its limbs and organs to be used only after it was born) through the exercise of our free will in following heavenly instructions (what, you say?). Furthermore, conceptions of paradise are relative. To every religionist (or atheist too, for that matter) their conception of it will be different; it may involve certain special beings, physical trappings, an organization, an order etc. But a true paradise clearly involves more subtle realities than this. At the heart of it is probably God's love to man - in the words of Baha'u'llah ("the Glory of God", d.1892), "I loved thy creation, hence I created thee". And from the human side we, in turn, are duly bound to reciprocate this divine love: "O Son of Man! If thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself; and if thou seekest My pleasure, regard not thine own; that thou mayest die in Me and I may eternally live in thee."

 Baha'i Administrative buildings and the Shrine of the Bab

What has been the result of a group of people individually and collectively following this commandment of "seeking His pleasure" over their own? In a word: the Baha'i world community: Its fundamental principle is unity - one human race, one universal Cause, one common Faith under one God. All religions are one, and its ordinances/laws are changed according to the needs of the age by a special Being, a Universal Educator - an Abraham, a Moses, a Christ, Muhammad, Buddha, Krishna and, most recently (1844-1892), the Bab and Baha'u'llah.  

Terrace below the Shrine of the Bab

The principles established by the latter - Baha'u'llah - show themselves in the voluntary/non-dictatorial Baha'i community (there are no paid positions or clergy). Its flower and fruit is seen in the Baha'i World Centre, which is continually developing and expanding around the twin holy Shrines of the Bab and Baha'u'llah (in Haifa/Akka, northern Israel). 700 Baha'is from all countries of the world are contributing there in various forms of service. All are happy because they share the vision of a glorious future for humankind which they are exemplifying among themselves, as well as giving a tangible proof of by creating and maintaining magnificent gardens and administrative buildings surrounding their Holy places. As to the unity of the human race, 'Abdu'l-Baha has said:

The world of existence is like unto an orchard and humanity is like unto the trees. All these trees are planted in the same orchard, reared through the heat of one sun, watered with one rain. We must be the cause of the adornment of this orchard. The world of humanity is like unto a rose garden and the various races, tongues and people are like unto contrasting flowers. The diversity of colors in a rose-garden adds to the charm and beauty of the scene as variety enhances unity. Why should we not look upon the human world with rose-colored vision?  

   

Entrance walkay to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah, Bahji, Israel

The goal of this paradisical vision is to bring the heavenly ideals of Justice, Beauty and Order to this 'lower' world (not that they should only exist in "heaven" above - where we go when we die). In the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha:

Because, in this most momentous of ages, the Sun of Truth hath risen at the highest point of the spring equinox, and cast its rays on every clime, it shall kindle such tremulous excitement, it shall release such vibrations in the world of being, it shall stimulate such growth and development, it shall stream out with such a glory of light, and clouds of grace shall pour down such plentiful waters, and fields and plains shall teem with such a galaxy of sweet-smelling plants and blooms, that this lowly earth will become the Abhá (Heavenly - A.B.) Kingdom, and this nether world the world above. Then will this fleck of dust be as the vast circle of the skies, this human place the palace-court of God, this spot of clay the Dayspring of the endless favours of the Lord of Lords. Wherefore... Make ye a mighty effort till you yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations, and become focal centres of God’s blessings, daysprings of the light of His unity, promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life. Be ye in that land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various branches of knowledge, be active and progressive in the field of inventions and the arts. Endeavour to rectify the conduct of men, and seek to excel the whole world in moral character.

Gardens surrounding the Shrine of Baha'u'llah 

(the Mansion which He inhabited for the last decade of His life, on the left)

And what about the Paradise I'd been to? It was this: People of every race, class, age and background serving side by side, united in their devotion to their Creator (speaking through Baha'u'llah in this day, just as It spoke through the Universal Manifestations in the past - Christ, Muhammad, the Bab and others), and striving to follow His commandments -  

to nurture

- one's personal spiritual life, through daily individual prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah and meditation over His Writings

- the community's collective functioning, through participation in study groups, prayer meetings, altruistic service projects etc.

Some Baha'i youth serving at the Baha'i World Centre

They are united in striving to realize Baha'u'llah's vision of inner (spiritual) and outer (manifest) beauty, as seen in Baha'i Shrines, Temples and gardens (and in the smiles on Baha'is' faces!). Regarding the effect of the appearance of every new Universal Educator (both in the past and in future), Baha'u'llah has stated:

Is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself, both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed, the futility of God’s universal Manifestations would be apparent.

 Terraces leading up to the Shrine of the Bab

The Baha'i principles and teachings have indeed proved their efficacy in organizing and transforming the lives of its followers both individually and collectively; who can fail to be touched by this new Spirit and Vision brought into the world?

Click here for a list of Baha'i national communities. 

Photos: With the exception of the photo of Bahai youth serving at the Baha'i World Centre, all photos are by Alex B., 4-6 October 2015. 

Postcard from Haifa: "A new earth"

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