If the heart of a gardener is not an artistic garden in itself he will not be able to produce a single flower. His outward garden must be a representative of his inner garden.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1915-Apr-22 -- ABU2791)
Creativity in art
creativity in art
Editorial introduction
Every flower a gardener raises, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suggests, first blooms in an inner garden. Creative work begins there, in a heart made beautiful, and then the one light of the Sun of Truth shines out as harmony through the musician, as fine verse through the poet, and as marvelous pictures through the painter. Inspiration is a gift, yet He asks that it grow day by day through striving, until the forms of the Concourse on High are mirrored in the world below. He urges His friends to create, reminding them that creation belongs first to God, who has nonetheless entrusted a share of it to humankind, and He hopes they will paint the world anew with the fine brush of the spirit. John Dewey’s thought on the continuity of art and ordinary experience [1] finds here a spiritual horizon. To make something beautiful and useful becomes a form of service, opening onto the high station of the arts and sciences, the riches of literature and drama, and the whole family of the arts.
Selected passages
When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in a private home in Chelsea, Sep. 1911 -- ABU3051)
Through the grace and bounty of the Blessed Beauty, there is firm hope that the talent of that attracted one of the Heavenly Beloved will receive clear inspiration, so that she may scatter hidden jewels of meanings in praise of the All-Merciful Lord upon spiritual ears.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Apr-11, to Mardiyyih wife of Mir Muhammad Bayk et al -- AB11727)
The poetry which thou hadst composed in English was eloquent and articulate. My hope is that day by day thy natural talent may advance and that the most wondrous meanings may flow from thy creative faculty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Apr-28, to Fozdar, Shirin daughter of Mihraban Bihjat -- AB08650)
Now if that one intoxicated with the divine cup seeks complete proficiency in the art of drawing and illustration, he must strive until the image of the Concourse on High is reflected in the mirror of the world below, and those celestial forms draw back the veil in every realm of the material world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or < -- AB07288)
Therefore I desire thee to be God's artisan and seek to be the Creator's innovator, that whatsoever is required by this luminous reality may become manifest in the arena of existence....
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Oct-03, to Aqa Mirza Ataullah Sanius-Sultan Atai -- AB09263)
Create, create, my friends. Although the attribute of creation, primarily belongs to God; he has bestowed this marvelous gift on man. Hence 'Creation' in its secondary consideration belongs to man. not that man is enabled to 'create' the primal elements that cannot be decomposed into simple substances but through the aggregation of these elements he will build a new compound and skillfully adapts it to his own use and that of the public.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken en route in carriage in Haifa, 1915-Feb-07 -- ABU0389)
The portraits drawn on the canvas of the world have become antiquated. May you become inspired to paint new, life-like portraits on the frame of the universe with the delicate brush of the spirit!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to departing Indian pilgrims, spoken on 1914-May-29 -- ABU1468)
The Master said: "You must let the children study that which they like best. If your daughter loves art, she can devote her time to it and surely she will succeed. Painting is a lovely art and most refined.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the wife of Counsel Schwartz, spoken at Hotel Marquardt on 1913-Apr-04 -- ABU2928)
Continue exploring
- high station of the arts and sciences
Explore how education in the arts contributes to spiritual and social life.
- literature; drama; humanities; the arts
Follow the cultivation of expression through poetry, literature, and performance.
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What does the gardener’s inner garden suggest about the experiences and qualities that nourish creative work?
- How might inspiration, disciplined practice, and encouragement from others help one another in the development of an artistic gift?
- What could it mean to paint a new portrait of the world through art, and how might we recognize the contribution such work makes to other people’s lives?