"O SON OF EARTH!"

Photo by Trina Ridvan

O Son OF EARTH! 

Know, verily, the heart wherein the least remnant of envy yet lingereth, shall never attain My everlasting dominion, nor inhale the sweet savors of holiness breathing from My kingdom of sanctity.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #6 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/909712031

"Take thou one pace and with the next advance into the immortal realm and enter the pavilion of eternity."

 

photo by Margarete P.

O SON OF LOVE!

Thou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love. Take thou one pace and with the next advance into the immortal realm and enter the pavilion of eternity. Give ear then to that which hath been revealed by the Pen of Glory.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #7 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/866203931

"Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit ..."

 

© Chuck egerton 2025

O SON OF GLORY!

Be swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit, and hasten to the court of the Most High.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #8 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/105970176

"Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators!"

 

Carravagio

O FLEETING SHADOW!

Pass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty and exclaim: Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators!

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #9 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/484615704

"Never shall mortal eye recognize the everlasting Beauty, nor the lifeless heart delight in aught but in the withered bloom."

 

Photo by Margarete P.

O SON OF DESIRE!

Give ear unto this: Never shall mortal eye recognize the everlasting Beauty, nor the lifeless heart delight in aught but in the withered bloom. For like seeketh like, and taketh pleasure in the company of its kind.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #10 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/915407365

" ... empty thyself of all learning, that thou mayest partake of My knowledge ..."

 

© Chuck egerton 2025

O SON OF DUST!

Blind thine eyes, that thou mayest behold My beauty; stop thine ears, that thou mayest hearken unto the sweet melody of My voice; empty thyself of all learning, that thou mayest partake of My knowledge; and sanctify thyself from riches, that thou mayest obtain a lasting share from the ocean of My eternal wealth. Blind thine eyes, that is, to all save My beauty; stop thine ears to all save My word; empty thyself of all learning save the knowledge of Me; that with a clear vision, a pure heart and an attentive ear thou mayest enter the court of My holiness.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #11 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/756281961

"Close one eye and open the other."

 

photo by Cayetana Saiz

O MAN OF TWO VISIONS!

Close one eye and open the other. Close one to the world and all that is therein, and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Beloved.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #12 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/775762706

"I fear lest, bereft of the melody of the dove of heaven, ye will sink back ..."

 

photo by Margarete P.

O MY CHILDREN!

I fear lest, bereft of the melody of the dove of heaven, ye will sink back to the shades of utter loss, and, never having gazed upon the beauty of the rose, return to water and clay.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #13 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/944463388

"Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die ..."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2025

O FRIENDS!

Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die, and set not your affections on this mortal world of dust.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #14 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/909085672

"By God! The Beloved of the worlds is come! Blessed be the one who attaineth His presence, and beholdeth His face, and giveth ear to His most holy, His most glorious and beloved utterance ..."

“By God! I am the Maid of Heaven, abiding in the midmost heart of Paradise, hidden behind the veil of the All-Merciful and concealed from the eyes of men. From time immemorial I remained shrouded in the veil of sanctity beneath the Tabernacle of Grandeur. I heard a most sweet call from the right hand of the throne of my Lord, the Most Exalted, and I saw Paradise itself set in motion and all its inhabitants stirred up in their longing to attain the presence of God, the All-Glorious. Whereupon another call was raised: ‘By God! The Beloved of the worlds is come! Blessed be the one who attaineth His presence, and beholdeth His face, and giveth ear to His most holy, His most glorious and beloved utterance. The Voice of God hath enraptured the souls of the Concourse on high and the hearts of the dwellers of the everlasting realm, and the all-consuming ecstasies of love have caused them to tremble with yearning and to fix their gaze upon the court of sanctity, the station of unapproachable glory.’

 
(Bahá'u'lláh, Days of Remembrance)
www.bahai.org/r/633117476

Happy Riḍván!

"The time cometh, when the nightingale of holiness will no longer unfold the inner mysteries ..."

 

photo by Margarete P.

O SON OF SPIRIT!

The time cometh, when the nightingale of holiness will no longer unfold the inner mysteries and ye will all be bereft of the celestial melody and of the voice from on high.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #15 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/411149860

" ... myriads of hidden mysteries are revealed in a single melody ..."

 

O ESSENCE OF NEGLIGENCE!

Myriads of mystic tongues find utterance in one speech, and myriads of hidden mysteries are revealed in a single melody; yet, alas, there is no ear to hear, nor heart to understand.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #16 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/748143718

"The gates that open on the Placeless stand wide ..."

 

photo by margarete p. 

O COMRADES!

The gates that open on the Placeless stand wide and the habitation of the loved one is adorned with the lovers’ blood, yet all but a few remain bereft of this celestial city, and even of these few, none but the smallest handful hath been found with a pure heart and sanctified spirit.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #17 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/304654598

" ... that ye may unravel the mysteries of love from its windflowers and learn the secret of divine and consummate wisdom from its eternal fruits."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2025

O YE DWELLERS IN THE HIGHEST PARADISE!

Proclaim unto the children of assurance that within the realms of holiness, nigh unto the celestial paradise, a new garden hath appeared, round which circle the denizens of the realm on high and the immortal dwellers of the exalted paradise. Strive, then, that ye may attain that station, that ye may unravel the mysteries of love from its windflowers and learn the secret of divine and consummate wisdom from its eternal fruits. Solaced are the eyes of them that enter and abide therein!

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #18 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/915681675

"Have ye forgotten that true and radiant morn, when in those hallowed and blessed surroundings ye were all gathered in My presence beneath the shade of the tree of life, which is planted in the all-glorious paradise?"

 

divine Lote Tree

O MY FRIENDS!

Have ye forgotten that true and radiant morn, when in those hallowed and blessed surroundings ye were all gathered in My presence beneath the shade of the tree of life, which is planted in the all-glorious paradise? Awestruck ye listened as I gave utterance to these three most holy words: O friends! Prefer not your will to Mine, never desire that which I have not desired for you, and approach Me not with lifeless hearts, defiled with worldly desires and cravings. Would ye but sanctify your souls, ye would at this present hour recall that place and those surroundings, and the truth of My utterance should be made evident unto all of you.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #19 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/069414826

"Were ye but to open your eyes, ye would, in truth, prefer a myriad griefs unto this joy, and would count death itself better than this life."

© Chuck Egerton 2025

In the eighth of the most holy lines, in the fifth Tablet of Paradise, He saith: 

O YE THAT ARE LYING AS DEAD ON THE COUCH OF HEEDLESSNESS!

Ages have passed and your precious lives are well-nigh ended, yet not a single breath of purity hath reached Our court of holiness from you. Though immersed in the ocean of misbelief, yet with your lips ye profess the one true faith of God. Him whom I abhor ye have loved, and of My foe ye have made a friend. Notwithstanding, ye walk on My earth complacent and self-satisfied, heedless that My earth is weary of you and everything within it shunneth you. Were ye but to open your eyes, ye would, in truth, prefer a myriad griefs unto this joy, and would count death itself better than this life.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #20 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/824146051

"Though immersed in the ocean of misbelief, yet with your lips ye profess the one true faith of God."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2025

O YE THAT ARE LYING AS DEAD ON THE COUCH OF HEEDLESSNESS!

Ages have passed and your precious lives are well-nigh ended, yet not a single breath of purity hath reached Our court of holiness from you. Though immersed in the ocean of misbelief, yet with your lips ye profess the one true faith of God. Him whom I abhor ye have loved, and of My foe ye have made a friend. Notwithstanding, ye walk on My earth complacent and self-satisfied, heedless that My earth is weary of you and everything within it shunneth you. Were ye but to open your eyes, ye would, in truth, prefer a myriad griefs unto this joy, and would count death itself better than this life.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words. #20 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/824146051

"While there is yet time, return, and lose not thy chance."

photo by trina ridvan

O MOVING FORM OF DUST!

I desire communion with thee, but thou wouldst put no trust in Me. The sword of thy rebellion hath felled the tree of thy hope. At all times I am near unto thee, but thou art ever far from Me. Imperishable glory I have chosen for thee, yet boundless shame thou hast chosen for thyself. While there is yet time, return, and lose not thy chance.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #21 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/492712156

"Ye that have eyes, behold and wonder."

 

photo by margarete p. 

O SON OF DESIRE!

The learned and the wise have for long years striven and failed to attain the presence of the All-Glorious; they have spent their lives in search of Him, yet did not behold the beauty of His countenance. Thou without the least effort didst attain thy goal, and without search hast obtained the object of thy quest. Yet, notwithstanding, thou didst remain so wrapt in the veil of self, that thine eyes beheld not the beauty of the Beloved, nor did thy hand touch the hem of His robe. Ye that have eyes, behold and wonder.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #22 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/475255532

"Mortal blasts have beset the everlasting candle, and the beauty of the celestial Youth is veiled in the darkness of dust."

O DWELLERS IN THE CITY OF LOVE!

Mortal blasts have beset the everlasting candle, and the beauty of the celestial Youth is veiled in the darkness of dust. The chief of the monarchs of love is wronged by the people of tyranny and the dove of holiness lieth prisoned in the talons of owls. The dwellers in the pavilion of glory and the celestial concourse bewail and lament, while ye repose in the realm of negligence, and esteem yourselves as of the true friends. How vain are your imaginings!

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #23 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/927133713

"Wherefore do ye wear the guise of shepherds, when inwardly ye have become wolves, intent upon My flock?"

 

O YE THAT ARE FOOLISH, YET HAVE A NAME TO BE WISE!

Wherefore do ye wear the guise of shepherds, when inwardly ye have become wolves, intent upon My flock? Ye are even as the star, which riseth ere the dawn, and which, though it seem radiant and luminous, leadeth the wayfarers of My city astray into the paths of perdition.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #24 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/904750204

"Ye are like clear but bitter water ..."

 

O YE SEEMING FAIR YET INWARDLY FOUL!

Ye are like clear but bitter water, which to outward seeming is crystal pure but of which, when tested by the divine Assayer, not a drop is accepted. Yea, the sunbeam falleth alike upon the dust and the mirror, yet differ they in reflection even as doth the star from the earth: nay, immeasurable is the difference!

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #25 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/947541230

"Hast thou ever heard that friend and foe should abide in one heart?"

 

Photo by Margarete P. 

O MY FRIEND IN WORD!

Ponder awhile. Hast thou ever heard that friend and foe should abide in one heart? Cast out then the stranger, that the Friend may enter His home.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #26 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/676488956

"All that is in heaven and earth I have ordained for thee, except the human heart ..."

 

O SON OF DUST!

All that is in heaven and earth I have ordained for thee, except the human heart, which I have made the habitation of My beauty and glory; yet thou didst give My home and dwelling to another than Me; and whenever the manifestation of My holiness sought His own abode, a stranger found He there, and, homeless, hastened unto the sanctuary of the Beloved. Notwithstanding I have concealed thy secret and desired not thy shame.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #27 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/326525665

"O ESSENCE OF DESIRE!"

 

© Chuck Egerton 2025

O ESSENCE OF DESIRE!

At many a dawn have I turned from the realms of the Placeless unto thine abode, and found thee on the bed of ease busied with others than Myself. Thereupon, even as the flash of the spirit, I returned to the realms of celestial glory and breathed it not in My retreats above unto the hosts of holiness.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #28 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/642676691

" ... with the clay of My command I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things. "

 

photo by margarete P.

O SON OF BOUNTY!

Out of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of My command I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things. Thus, ere thou didst issue from thy mother’s womb, I destined for thee two founts of gleaming milk, eyes to watch over thee, and hearts to love thee. Out of My loving-kindness, ’neath the shade of My mercy I nurtured thee, and guarded thee by the essence of My grace and favor. And My purpose in all this was that thou mightest attain My everlasting dominion and become worthy of My invisible bestowals. And yet heedless thou didst remain, and when fully grown, thou didst neglect all My bounties and occupied thyself with thine idle imaginings, in such wise that thou didst become wholly forgetful, and, turning away from the portals of the Friend didst abide within the courts of My enemy.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words #29 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/567841905

"Many a dawn hath the breeze of My loving-kindness wafted over thee ..."

 

Photo By trina Ridvan

O BONDSLAVE OF THE WORLD!

Many a dawn hath the breeze of My loving-kindness wafted over thee and found thee upon the bed of heedlessness fast asleep. Bewailing then thy plight it returned whence it came.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #30 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/931320080

" ...My will and the will of another than Me, even as fire and water, cannot dwell together in one heart."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2025

O SON OF EARTH!

Wouldst thou have Me, seek none other than Me; and wouldst thou gaze upon My beauty, close thine eyes to the world and all that is therein; for My will and the will of another than Me, even as fire and water, cannot dwell together in one heart.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #31 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/809848791

"The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not."

 

O BEFRIENDED STRANGER!

The candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion. The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not. Make My love thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #32 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/889172469

"Sow the seeds of My divine wisdom in the pure soil of thy heart, and water them with the water of certitude ..."

 

photo by Margarete p.

O MY BROTHER!

Hearken to the delightsome words of My honeyed tongue, and quaff the stream of mystic holiness from My sugar-shedding lips. Sow the seeds of My divine wisdom in the pure soil of thy heart, and water them with the water of certitude, that the hyacinths of My knowledge and wisdom may spring up fresh and green in the sacred city of thy heart.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #33 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/725404749