In the early summer of 1923 Shoghi Effendi again left Haifa and sought some…
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When in Bahá'í history
Haifa (today: Haifa, Israel)
In the early summer of 1923 Shoghi Effendi again left Haifa and sought some restoration of health and solace in the solitude of the high mountains of Switzerland. But, unlike later years, when he continued to keep in constant touch with the work of the Cause by cable and letter, this was once more a complete break, a fleeing into the wilderness, a soul-searching, a communion with himself and his destiny in order to find the strength to go back and assume the duties of his high office . . . [until] he was returning "after a long and unbroken silence" to take up once again "my work of service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh".
Source: Rúhíyyih Khánum, The Priceless Pearl, p. 72-73
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: rest).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see service appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of rest?
- Where do service and patience meet in this story?
For teens
- If you were in Rúḥíyyih Khánum's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about service?
Reflection
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
Comprehension quiz
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Where does this story take place?
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Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/rest
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