I Beheld a Maiden: The Baha’i Faith and the Life of the Spirit

Bahá’u’lláh tells us that the first words of the Revelation were spoken to him by a woman: “Turning My face, I beheld a Maiden–the embodiment of the remembrance of the name of My Lord . . .” This Maiden rejoiced his soul and informed him of his Mission.

And so, Terry Culhane goes in search of the Divine Feminine in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. He finds that the whole body of Writings can be read as a conversation between a Lover (Bahá’u’lláh) and his Beloved (the Maiden). This love and mystery must stand at the heart of Bahá’í identity and Bahá’í community life. Sharing his own spiritual journey, Culhane offers an insightful and fascinating consideration of the most basic Bahá’í teachings seen in the light of the mystical core at the center of all religions.