From: Brent Poirier Attorney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Baha'i Studies <bahai-st@list.jccc.edu>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:55:07 -0600
To: Baha'i Studies <bahai-st@list.jccc.edu>
Subject: RE: Haifa gardens: Cost and utility?
2. Because of the spiritual impact it has on pilgrims
Pilgrims are described by the Guardian as the "lifeblood of the Cause." The
sanctity of the experience they have is very important not only to their own
spiritual lives, but to the advancement of the Faith, and to the aims of the
Faith. The beauty, elegance and refinement of the terraces and gardens
attracts the pilgrims to holiness, and a holy life is one of the keys to the
advancement of the Cause (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 29).
God is extravagant in the beauty with which He endows the least of His
creatures. So the divine way is to make the Baha'i World Centre as
beautiful as humanly possible.
Thanks Brent,
I really appreciated your response, especially the quotations on what is due
to the Manifestations.
Having recently returned from pilgrimage, I am happy to report that it
turned out to be an experience choc full of surprises. The extent to which
I was moved by my time in the gardens both emotionally and spiritually far
eclipsed anything that I had imagined before reaching the Holy Land. We
were privileged to share the pilgrimage experience with a couple of family
member who are not Baha¹i and were very surprised at how deeply they were
and continue to be by the experience. Since returning to Canada, they have
been recounting their experiences to their friends, in essence, teaching the
Faith.
But I think what has surprised my husband and myself the most has been the
interest shown by our friends and neighbours in our trip and in the Faith.
Some of them are people who have shown little or no interest in the Faith.
On a couple of occasions, I found myself describing Pilgrimage and the
Faith to individuals that I do business with. Although, I was concerned
that I might be imposing on their work time, they kept the questions coming
so fast and furious and the interest and enthusiasm was so unmistakable that
in one instance, I was kept talking for over an hour<then she asked if we
could speak again. We are finding that since returning from pilgrimage, it
is only our time and energy that are limiting our opportunities to teach the
Faith.
When I first declared, I was quite critical of the expense and effort that
was being put into building the arc. However, from my experience on
pilgrimage, I am learning to respect that there are many bounties to be
found on that Holy Mountain to individual pilgrims, their communities, the
Baha¹i Family and the world as a whole.
warm regards,
Jeanne
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