BruceDLimber said:
Greetings, Postmaster (and thanks for the steer)!
Your dream is most fascinating, but contains one probable error:
The Baha'i scriptures number fully 200 volumes, so it would have to be an awfully big book to hold them all!
But I'm extremely glad you're investigating now, and I wish you all the best, and good hunting!
BTW, I'll take the liberty of sending you my overview as it includes a list of web sites that you might find helpful. You can keep it or not as you like. (Please note, too, that you can get free literature from the Baha'is by calling 1-800-22-UNITE; the folks there can also put you in touch with a nearby Baha'i community, if you like.)
As to the Gypsies, you're certainly right! I sing in the Voices of Baha international touring choir, and a few years ago we did a tour across central Europe (London to Moscow). When we preformed in Hungary, there were several hundred Gypsy Baha'is who drove about 200 miles to attend our concert (over roads that were doubtless nowhere near the best). A wonderful time was had by all, and after the concert we and they were outside dancing together in the street!
And I'll join in wishing you a happy holy day!
Best,
Bruce
Dear Postmaster,
Dreams have only one language, the language of symbolism. And to see all the writings of Baha`u'llah as a single book is certainly within the grammar of that language.
I was led to the faith by a dream. However, dreams speak to individuals not to everyone.
Are you familiar with Thomas Breakwell, the first British believer?
Mr. Breakwell was in poor health and he passed away quite young. Abd'ul Baha eulogized him thusly:
Grieve thou not over the ascension of my beloved Breakwell, for he hath risen unto a rose garden of splendours within the Abha Paradise, sheltered by the mercy of his mighty Lord, and he is crying at the top of his voice: 'O that my people could know how graciously my Lord hath forgiven me, and made me to be of those who have attained His Presence!'[1]
[1 cf. Qur'án 36:25 ]
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Where now is thy fair face?
Where is thy fluent tongue?
Where thy clear brow?
Where thy bright comeliness?
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Where is thy fire, blazing with God's love?
Where is thy rapture at His holy breaths?
Where are thy praises, lifted unto Him?
Where is thy rising up to serve His Cause?
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Where are thy beauteous eyes?
Thy smiling lips?
The princely cheek?
The graceful form?
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thou hast quit this earthly world and risen upward 188
to the Kingdom, thou hast reached unto the grace of the invisible realm,
and offered thyself at
the threshold of its Lord.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thou hast left the lamp
that was thy body here,
the glass that was thy human form,
thy earthy elements,
thy way of life below.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thou hast lit a flame within the lamp of the Company on high,
thou hast set foot in the Abha Paradise,
thou hast found a shelter in the shadow of the Blessed Tree,
thou hast attained His meeting in the haven of Heaven.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thou art now a bird of Heaven,
thou hast quit thine earthly nest,
and soared away to a garden of holiness in the kingdom of thy Lord.
Thou hast risen to a station filled with light.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thy song is even as birdsong now,
thou pourest forth verses as to the mercy of thy Lord;
of Him Who forgiveth ever,
thou wert a thankful servant,
wherefore hast thou entered into exceeding bliss.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thy Lord hath verily singled thee out for His love,
and hath led thee into His precincts of holiness,
and made thee to enter the garden of those who are His close companions,
and hath blessed thee with beholding His beauty. 189
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thou hast won eternal life,
and the bounty that faileth never,
and a life to please thee well,
and plenteous grace.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
Thou art become a star in the supernal sky,
and a lamp amid the angels of high Heaven;
a living spirit in the most exalted Kingdom,
throned in eternity.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
I ask of God to draw thee ever closer,
hold thee everfaster;
to rejoice thy heart with nearness to His presence,
to fill thee with light and still more light,
to grant thee still more beauty,
and to bestow upon thee power and reat glory.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
At all times do I call thee to mind.
I shall never forget thee.
I pray for thee by day, by night;
I see thee plain before me,
as if in open day.
O Breakwell, O my dear one!
(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 187)
You can read some basic material on him at:
http://bahai-library.com/essays/breakwell.html
Regards,
Scott
