In the prison cell of Bahá’u'lláh

Delegates from many nations to the International Bahá’í Convention went in groups to visit the prison cell that Bahá’u'lláh occupied in the barracks in Akka for two years, two months and five days from 31 August 1868. We crowded into the cell and sat in silence on the floor, on chairs and on the ledge just inside the windows to pray, to think, to contemplate.

This was the prison that Bahá’u'lláh named “The Most Great Prison”.

The Ancient Beauty bound with chains

After a short time, one of the delegates read the following passage from the Writings of Bahá’u'lláh, at the request of our guide:

The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness.

Impressions

When the reading had finished, I sat quietly and opened my senses to the cell and its particular atmosphere. I wrote these impressions in my notebook at the time:

Visitors from many nations sit, rapt, in this Prison cell which is filled with the scent of cedarwood.

A cool breeze blows in through the open window and we can hear the sussuration of sea, the sound of waves breaking on rocks and against the sea wall.

A dog barks and barks. A cock crows. Someone throws planks of wood.

Pacing, pacing

I think back to the first pilgrimage that Erica and I made, in 1970. In the cell, Erica felt restless and could not stop herself walking up and down. And now I thought of Bahá’u'lláh pacing and pacing up and down in that confined space.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Baha’u'llah, Bahaullah, Akka, Israel, prison

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Tagged as: Akka, Baha'i, Baha'u'llah, Israel, prison