A Good Listener

‘Abdu’l-Bahá was not afraid of silence; indeed, He knew its virtue. Howard Colby Ives has recalled: “To the questioner He responded first with silence—an outward silence. His encouragement always was that the other should speak and He listen.

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There was never that eager tenseness, that restlessness so often met showing most plainly that the listener has the pat answer ready the moment he should have a chance to utter it.” And Ives recounts a charming story about another Unitarian minister who was interviewing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for an article on the Bahá’í Faith. His questions were long. The Master listened ‘with unwearied attention’, replying mostly in monosyllables, but relaxed and interested.

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A great ‘understanding love’ flowed from Him to the minister. Ives grew impatient, but not the Master; His guest must be heard fully. When at last His questioner paused, after a brief silence ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke to him with wisdom and love, calling him ‘my dear son’. Within five minutes the minister “had become humble, for the moment, at least, a disciple at His feet …. Then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rose … lovingly embraced the doctor and led him towards the door.

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At the threshold He paused. His eyes had lighted upon a large bunch of American Beauty roses … He laughed aloud … stooped, gathered the whole bunch in His arms … and placed them all in the arms of His visitor. Never shall I forget that round, bespectacled, grey head above that immense bunch of lovely flowers. So surprised, so radiant, so humble, so transformed.”

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