Tuesday - First Visit to Bahji

This morning I found the series of public stairs that led down to the PRC from my hotel. 483 stairs to be exact! Ouch! But much quicker than yesterday's route. After a 40 minute bus ride, we arrive for the first time this trip at Bahji, the resting place of Baha'ullah. It is difficult to describe the spirit present to those who haven't been here before. The spirit of God permeates the gardens even as the sweet smelling flowers of the garden permeate our senses. I wish there were a way to take a snapshot of the smells in the garden! I take off my shoes at the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and enter with an overwhelming sense of emotion. What happens when you step inside is a deeply personal and spiritual experience. An hour of prayers flies by without notice of the time and soon we must head back to the buses.

After a small lunch and a nice rest in the annex (darn buses make me so car sick!), we are escorted up the hill to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. It's a massive yet regal building fit inside and out for receiving high officials. We are seated in the main hall and efficiently served tea and cookies by the staff. Once all has been cleared away, the Universal House of Justice joins us as a body. They pray with and speak to us collectively then disperse into the crowd where all 9 members personally greet each and every Pilgrim. It is a special moment to shake the hands of all 9 members and put faces and personalities to their names.

Another swift meal leads without delay into Dr. Varqa's second talk to the Pilgrims. He spoke tonight on the formation of the Universal House of Justice from the point of view of a Hand of the Cause. Again, a short break after this talk, and Violet Hatch of the International Teaching Centre addressed us, speaking on that Institution and sharing stories they hear from around the world.

I think I have never been so happy to go to bed at 9:30 in the evening! A wonderful but exhausting day is just the beginning...