day twelve
“Arise, then, and make steadfast your feet, and make ye amends for that which hath escaped you, and set then yourselves towards His holy Court, on the shore of His mighty Ocean, so that the pearls of knowledge and wisdom, which God hath stored up within the shell of His radiant heart, may be revealed unto you.”
omid (santa monica, u.s.a.) left: Abstaining from food during the fast tends not to challenge me as much as I would expect, given my gastronomic tendencies. Instead my mind develops a quietude wherein all my thoughts, especially the negative ones, are amplified. The fast provides me with a reminder of how important it is to be aware and careful of what is going through my heart and mind, just as I am of what goes in my stomach.
manijeh (cambridge, u.k.) right: Those extra moments spent contemplating during this year’s fast recently reminded me of this quote. “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.” Why? Because in the same way that blindness causes the other physical senses to be heightened, fasting causes us to shut off the material world thereby sharpening our spiritual focus.
nineteen days 
Loving these quotes-read this very passage yesterday, what a reminder.
These photos are superb. Magnificent!
p.s. Manijeh and Omid, are you on Flickr? I can’t seem to find you. Would like to fave these 😀
gorgeous set!
omid: i love how ‘california’ your shots are.
mani: that leaf is gorgeous. wonderful!
This is an awesome set! Great shots Omid and Manijeh. Love the evenings especially.
wonderful shots, you two!
omid: i REALLY REALLY resonate with your personal contribution. i was feeling that SAME EXACT way today, feeling like i can really feel my negativity, my thoughts and most-often subconscious behavior/inner dialogue being negative & challenging, and wonderful @ the same time. The Fast indeed provides me with an opportunity and reminder to be ever mindful of my actions, and thoughts and helps give me a much needed attitude adjustment.
great work, both of you, thanks for the thought and beauty.
Allah’u’Abha!
The line that follows the quotation shared, from Summons of the Lord of Hosts, is really beautiful, in light of what Omid shared (Toloui, was it you that picked it?):
“Beware lest ye hinder the breeze of God from blowing over your hearts, the breeze through which the hearts of such as have turned unto Him can be quickened.”
lovely! gorgeous colours, specially in both of your evening shots. thank you!
beautiful photos Omid and Manijeh! love the carousel as well as the as well as the light and color contrast of Manijeh’s dusk!
Manijeh,
Thank you for sharing your perspective of that Hidden Word. It’s my favorite one and you have just shared something different for me to ponder. Thank you!
@All: Thank you for your comments and your contributions to this project. It’s been an amazing resource.
@Sarah: I’m on Flickr but haven’t posted the majority of my photos. My user name is fiveplusfour.
@Leila S: Yes, it was me who picked the quote and I’m glad you included that last line. Where to start and end an excerpt from the writings of Baha’u’llah might have been the toughest part of this assignment! I’m glad you included that beautiful line that follows the quote.
Already feeling like I am going to miss this site once the Fast ends. Looking forward to all the contributions to come.
Omid – your dusk is gorgeous, and, perhaps strangely, reminds me of Shirin Sahba’s dawn (i.e., Na’im’s bedhead). Even in colors.
Manijeh my love! Your morning reflection in water is MARVELOUS. As are those delicate leaves. And your insight about the spiritual senses being heightened in the absence of food resonates.