The Master Who Came To Glenwood
The following are excerpts from Mahmud’s Diary, chronicling the time The Master, Abdu’l-Baha’ spent in Glenwood Springs, Colorado in September of 1912.
The published versions currently in circulation have been altered, changing the order of events on the Masters trip from the time of his departure from Denver, during his time in Glenwood Springs, until his departure from Glenwood Springs.
The original of Mahmud’s Diary was given to Kay and Victor Woods in Glenwood Springs in 1987 by Kay Zinky and is archived in the Baha’i Archives Under the Provisions of the Covenant.
It is here being reconstructed on this anniversary of The Masters time in Glenwood Springs which also coincides with the rare, Super Blood Moon Eclipse of September 2015, to match Kay Zinky’s original manuscript.
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From Mahmud’s Diary
Thursday, September 26, 1912
The Master’s train left Denver at 9:00 a.m. Some of the articles that had been published in the Denver newspapers were translated for Him. They made His heart very happy as they described the spread of the teachings of God in that city and contained translations of `Abdu’l-Bahá’s words. Among them was the translation of these words:
“The contingent world is like the human body that has grown from the embryonic state and reached maturity and perfection. It may be said that the development of the human being from the beginning of life to the age of maturity is but a preparation for the appearance of the power of reason. This is the age of maturity and the time of the manifestation of the Most Great Intellect and the Most Ancient Bounty so that divine and material civilizations may be joined and the perfection of the human world may dawn.”
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The train passed through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Some of these rose precipitously like walls from the railway bed, formidable and immense. Gazing at their summits one felt as if the mountains would fall down.
In Mahmud’s original description he relates that when passing through Glenwood Canyon and seeing the mountains stretching high above the train he and the other companions became terrified. He saw the massive mountain rock forms towering overhead and felt like they were giant demons and they feared they would fall down on them at any moment.
There were some special roofless observation cars on the train so that passengers might have a full view of the majestic mountains. In these observation cars the passengers could see the mountains on the right and the serene river on the left. As the train passed through these beautiful scenes, the Master said:
“Dear friends, the waves of the bounties of the Blessed Beauty are surging. As I look I see the ocean of His favor swelling and saying, `I am with you.’ Truly, were it not for these glad tidings and His assistance, what could I have done? Just one person alone in the east and west of America, in the mountains and wilderness –it is no light matter. It is easy to say these things but it was unimaginable that they would let us into these churches. See how His aid and favor descend upon us. This trip fills us with wonder! Offer thanks to the Blessed Beauty that He has bestowed such confirmations upon us.”
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“Let me explain clearly. The command to the people of Islam to prostrate before the black stone was simply a command to [see who would disobey] the Prophet of God and to prove the influence of the Cause of God [by showing the difference between the believers and the unbelievers]. Now, were it not for the Word of the Blessed Beauty [of the command of the Covenant continuing the throne line of King David], we would be like everyone else and not different in the least.”
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In order to comfort them Abdu’l-Baha told them the story of Muhammad and the Cave.
Later, the Master told stories about the time of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, and mentioned the cave and His words, `God is indeed with us’
The story of Muhammad and the companions of the Cave as related by Baha’u’llah in the Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys:
THE SECOND VALLEY
If the wayfarer’s goal be the dwelling of the Praiseworthy One (Maḥmúd), this is the station of primal reason which is known as the Prophet and the Most Great Pillar. Here reason signifieth the divine, universal mind, whose sovereignty enlighteneth all created things—nor doth it refer to every feeble brain; for it is as the wise Saná’í hath written:
How can feeble reason encompass the Qur’án,
Or the spider snare a phoenix in her web?
Wouldst thou that the mind should not entrap thee?
Teach it the science of the love of God!
On this plane, the traveler meeteth with many a trial and reverse. Now is he lifted up to heaven, now is he cast into the depths. As it hath been said: “Now Thou drawest me to the summit of glory, again Thou castest me into the lowest abyss.” The mystery treasured in this plane is divulged in the following holy verse from the Súrih of THE CAVE:
“And thou mightest have seen the sun when it arose, pass on the right of their cave, and when it set, leave them on the left, while they were in its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of God. Guided indeed is he whom God guideth; but for him whom He misleadeth, thou shalt by no means find a patron.”
If a man could know what lieth hid in this one verse, it would suffice him. Wherefore, in praise of such as these, He hath said: “Men whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of God.…”
This station conferreth the true standard of knowledge, and freeth man from tests. In this realm, to search after knowledge is irrelevant, for He hath said concerning the guidance of travelers on this plane, “Fear God, and God will instruct thee.” And again: “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.”
Wherefore, a man should make ready his heart that it be worthy of the descent of heavenly grace, and that the bounteous Cup-Bearer may give him to drink of the wine of bestowal from the merciful vessel. “For the like of this let the travailers travail!”
And now do I say, “Verily we are from God, and to Him shall we return.”
THE THIRD VALLEY
If the loving seekers wish to live within the precincts of the Attracting One (Majdhúb), no soul may dwell on this Kingly Throne save the beauty of love. This realm is not to be pictured in words.
Love shunneth this world and that world too,
In him are lunacies seventy-and-two.
The minstrel of love harpeth this lay:
Servitude enslaveth, kingship doth betray.
This plane requireth pure affection and the bright stream of fellowship. In telling of these companions of the Cave He saith: “They speak not till He hath spoken; and they do His bidding.”
On this plane, neither the reign of reason is sufficient nor the authority of self. Hence, one of the Prophets of God hath asked: “O my Lord, how shall we reach unto Thee?” And the answer came, “Leave thyself behind, and then approach Me.”
These are a people who deem the lowest place to be one with the throne of glory, and to them beauty’s bower differeth not from the field of a battle fought in the cause of the Beloved.
The denizens of this plane speak no words—but they gallop their chargers. They see but the inner reality of the Beloved. To them all words of sense are meaningless, and senseless words are full of meaning. They cannot tell one limb from another, one part from another. To them the mirage is the real river; to them going away is returning. Wherefore hath it been said:
The story of Thy beauty reached the hermit’s dell;
Crazed, he sought the Tavern where the wine they buy and sell.
The love of Thee hath leveled down the fort of patience,
The pain of Thee hath firmly barred the gate of hope as well.
In this realm, instruction is assuredly of no avail.
The lover’s teacher is the Loved One’s beauty,
His face their lesson and their only book.
Learning of wonderment, of longing love their duty,
Not on learned chapters and dull themes they look.
The chain that binds them is His musky hair,
The Cyclic Scheme, to them, is but to Him a stair.
Here followeth a supplication to God, the Exalted, the Glorified:
O Lord! O Thou Whose bounty granteth wishes!
I stand before Thee, all save Thee forgetting.
Grant that the mote of knowledge in my spirit
Escape desire and the lowly clay;
Grant that Thine ancient gift, this drop of wisdom,
Merge with Thy mighty sea.
Thus do I say: There is no power or might save in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsistent.
Excerpted From:
Baha’u’llah, The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys
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Around midnight `Abdu’l-Bahá became fatigued owing to the speed and motion of the train. We proposed that because California was still some distance away, if He would consent, it might be a good idea to stop for two or three days. At 2:00 a.m. the train reached Glenwood Springs, beautifully situated near many hot springs. We stayed at the Hotel Colorado, which is a fine hotel overlooking the river, nestled among green parks and wooded mountains.
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Friday, September 27, 1912
After morning tea, the Master left the hotel for a walk. Three magnificent mountains stood in the distance on three sides, each crowned with trees and adorned with flowers of many hues. They were like peacock feathers and had a unique beauty from every viewpoint. `Abdu’l-Bahá strolled in the spacious garden and boulevard adjacent to the hotel until He reached the river where there were bathhouses and hot springs. On the other side of the river, spanned by a two-story bridge, the tall buildings of the city could be seen rising high on the horizon. At the insistence of His companions the Master went to the baths with the entire party, thus bestowing upon us everlasting honor. The rooms and bathing facilities were magnificent. In a special room hot water gushed from a natural cave. It was so hot that a person could not stay more than 15 minutes. Coming out of the bath, the Master said:
“Today I am relieved of fatigue. We have been to many lovely places during this journey but because of our work we had no time to look at the scenery. We did not even think of a moment’s rest. Today, however, we have had a little respite.”
As the Master viewed the clear, transparent waters of the river shining like pure pearls and the majestic mountains and parks, He said:
“May God have mercy on the tyrants who kept the Blessed Beauty imprisoned between four walls in `Akká. How such scenes were loved by Him! Once He said that He had not seen greenery for several years.”
When He returned to the hotel He stood outside in the garden and said, `It would be good to eat here.’ The garden was adjacent to a large pond with fish of various colors and was enclosed on three sides by the hotel structure. Having seen the Denver newspapers, the hotel manager recognized the Master and us from photographs. Without waiting for the Master’s request, the manager instructed the waiters to serve lunch in the garden. A large table was spread with beautiful chairs. The Master sat down and instructed His companions to do the same. Both before and after lunch the Master generously tipped the waiters. When the residents of the hotel saw the majesty and glory of the Master they told others. Groups of people approached Him. Others watched from their rooms and balconies. Many were heard to say, `How nice to dine this way. It is evident that this is a very prominent person.’ Gradually the purpose of `Abdu’l-Bahá’s mission dawned upon the hotel guests as they were informed of the Cause of God.
In the afternoon `Abdu’l-Bahá took a walk in the garden and to some shops. While we were crossing a bridge, a messenger approached with some telegrams for us. One of them informed the Master that Mr. [Thornton] Chase was seriously ill in a Los Angeles hospital. This made the Master and us very sad. He repeatedly mentioned the faithfulness of Mr. Chase. Later He said:
“To turn to the Covenant is to obey the Blessed Beauty, which is a cause of gathering together the people of Bahá.”
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The Master and His party left Glenwood Springs at about midnight.