I have recently been rekindling my love for the prefaces of Baha’i texts. When I studied English Literature (longer ago than I care to confess) I quickly learned how invaluable prefaces are: they provide a context and an orientation to the words about to be studied. They set the table, with the appropriate silverware and dishes, for the forthcoming feast.
As celebrations for the upcoming Twin Holy Days approach, I’ve been reflecting on Days of Remembrance, a volume of Baha’i Writings (many of which were newly translated into English) dedicated to holy days that was released seven years ago in honour of the bicentenary anniversaries of the Births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah. The preface states:
The coming of each Manifestation of God brings renewal and revitalization: “old things are passed away” and “all thing are become new”. By His authority, former laws are abrogated and the manners and customs of the previous Dispensation are reformed. Through the creative power of Divine Revelation, fresh life is instilled into hearts and souls:
“Reflect thou, how, in one hand, He hath, by His mighty grasp, turned the earth of knowledge and understanding previously unfolded, into a mere handful, and, on the other, spread out a new and highly exalted earth in the hearts of men, thus causing the freshest and loveliest blossoms, and the mightiest and loftiest trees to spring forth from the illumined bosom of man.”
This re-creation and revitalization of all things is reflected in the introduction of a new calendar and the designation of new holy days which recast the rhythms of communal life.
The implications of living at a time of recast rhythms of communal life is more than my puny mind can comprehend. (As an aside, the Baha’is of New Zealand created an excellent two-part video series that explain the Baha’i [or Badi] calendar and the Baha’is of the United Kingdom produced a brilliant explainer video as well!) While I’m still attempting to work my mind around organizing my personal and family life around the Baha’i calendar, I have been reflecting on the very nature of time and how it speeds up or seems to evaporate when we are in routines with little variation, or when we are not fully present, and how it slows down during times of novel experiences, when we are fully aware and alive to what we are doing, or when we participate in deep, meaningful connections with others. My understanding of time truly aligns with what Abdu’l-Baha is recorded, in pilgrim notes, to have said to Helen Goodall and Ella Goodall Cooper:
“Whatever is done in love is never any trouble, and—there is always time.”
Returning to Days of Remembrance, its preface also states:
It is hoped that this volume will uplift the hearts and souls of the followers of the Blessed Beauty throughout the world and will enrich the gatherings they hold in commemoration of those days that stand apart from all other days through their association with Him and His Herald.
“Those days that stand apart from all other days”: I love that wording! As you know, we have special collections dedicated to the Personages of the Bab and Baha’u’llah, as well as our mini-libraries of resources all associated with the Birth of the Bab and the Birth of Baha’u’llah. But in this newsletter, I’d love to feature a few videos that were created to celebrate the bicentenaries of the Twin Holy Days because, even though they are a few years old, they are so beautifully done they are worth revisiting this time of year:
- Dawn of the Light is a film released by the World Centre in honour of the Birth of the Bab. This film follows eight people from around the world as they describe their spiritual journeys to discovering the Bab and Baha’u’llah.
- The Irish Baha’i Community created a series of 19 short animated videos in honour of the bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of the Bab. These charming and succinct videos share warmly-told stories about the early days of the Baha’i Faith and about some qualities of the Bab.
- The Roots of the Baha’i Faith: the Bab and Baha’u’llah is a short video produced by the Baha’is of the United States that explores the early history of the Faith.
- Light to the World, also made by the World Centre, shares several personal reflections from around the globe about aspects of the Life and Teachings of Baha’u’llah and it illustrates how His Teachings are transforming the lives of individuals and communities.
- Baha’u’llah: The Divine Physician is a 17 minute video produced by the Baha’is of the United Kingdom. It features youth and junior youth from various backgrounds who discuss the problems facing the world and how Baha’u’llah’s message offers a healing remedy to address these issues.
May revisiting these films, or other resources found on Baha’i Blog, help you prepare for the upcoming festival of the Twin Holy Days, these days that stand apart from all other days.
Before signing off, I’d like to leave you with our most recent Studio Session filmed in Brisbane and featuring Tom Francis. Listening to this prayer has helped recast how I go about my mornings and slowed down the rush of time, and I hope you find it uplifting too!
Happy month of Mashiyyat!
Sonjel Vreeland
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she’s driving at night.
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