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My 9 Practices for a Spiritually Restorative Nineteen Day Feast

November 20, 2017, in Articles > Holy Days & Baha'i Calendar, by

Once every nineteen days, on the first day of each Baha’i month, Baha’is gather together in their local community to meet in what is known as the Nineteen Day Feast, and these gatherings serve as the bedrock of Baha’i community life.

Inspired by Abdu’l-Baha’s intriguing promise that should the Nineteen-Day Feast “be held in the proper fashion the friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored and endued with a power not of this world,” and encouraged by the Universal House of Justice’s words that the Feast must be “adequately understood by all” to “ensure this glorious outcome,” I set out to deepen and discover what this might mean for me.1 What is this proper fashion? 

Having been raised a Baha’i I’ve attended many Feasts throughout the United States and though it is always a blessing to be with Baha’is, I cannot necessarily attest to feeling “spiritually restored” and “endued with a power not of this world.” So, I did a little experiment. I gathered quotations on Feast and set out to practice them as faithfully as possible and see what happened. (Spoiler Alert: I experienced the most moving, connected Feast of my life! All that was different was me.)

Before I share the nine practices from the Writings that I strived to implement, I want to make clear none of this is what I expected. When the idea first occurred to me for an “investigative” article about Feast I thought it’d be a list of hosting suggestions supported by the Writings, but basically (truthfully) a presentation of my own opinions about what constitutes a “good” Feast. Fortunately, the Writings stopped me in my tracks. What is a good Feast? Is it jubilation, reverence, attendance or conclusive consultation? Personally, I think it may have any of these characteristics but the Master’s words about it being spiritually restorative and enduing the believers with spiritual power is the ultimate measure and perhaps my preparation for and attitude during Feast is the most important and effective way I can contribute to this outcome; certainly for my own experience, but hopefully for others as well.

The following nine practices I wrote on an index card that I brought with me to Feast as a “cheat sheet” to help keep spiritual focus!

Those who present themselves at these gatherings must first array themselves in spotless clothing, turn their faces toward the Kingdom of Abha, and then with lowliness and submissiveness enter in.2

1. Arraying in Spotless Clothing

Whenever possible I’ve tried to dress well, a cut above normal daywear, out of respect for the occasion. (Growing up, my mom urged me to dress as if I were meeting Abdu’l-Baha.) There is something about the idea of arraying oneself that starts to make everything feel sacred. It is not the same as simply getting dressed! And spotless clothing is such a gracious and universal standard, as well as an invitation for mindfulness.

2. Turning my Face Toward the Abha Kingdom

See if you can set aside a few moments before Feast for meditation. As part of my commitment to follow the guidance as specifically as I could I faced the Qiblih (my personal interpretation of turning toward the Abha Kingdom) and took about 20 minutes to breathe, pray and try to free my heart and mind–more about that later!

3. Entering with Lowliness and Submissiveness

There’s an amazing invitation to mark a transition between ordinary life and the sacredness of Feast in Abdu’l-Baha’s words to set our feet “in the gathering place” with “devotion and humility”. Whether that gathering place is a public park, Baha’i Center or private home, as mine was, it can be inspiring (and indeed humbling) to think about our feet crossing in to a holy space.

… when you present yourselves in the meetings, before entering them, free yourselves from all that you have in your heart, free your thoughts and your minds from all else save God, and speak to your heart.3

4. Freeing my Heart and Mind

In my devotions before Feast or during the devotions at Feast, I tried to speak to my heart. Have you ever done that? To free ourselves of all else save God? I considered the routine flow of thoughts and attachments in life and let them pass away. If this is as challenging for you as it is for me, perhaps you can pray for assistance. Do your best and trust there is no “right” way– only your prayerful best effort in the moment.

… when the friends have the intention of entering in these meetings and assemblies, they must first make the purpose pure, disengage the heart from all other reflections, ask the inexhaustible divine confirmation and with the utmost devotion and humility set their feet in the gathering-place.4

5. Asking for Divine Confirmations

Sometimes I take for granted that “inexhaustible divine confirmation” is not only something we can ask for but are encouraged to! Imagine walking in to Feast (or moving through life) knowing that in accordance with Abdu’l-Baha’s counsel you have prayed for inexhaustible divine confirmations! After all, “He is the prayer hearing, prayer answering God.”

Each one of you must think how to make happy and pleased the other members of your Assembly, and each one must consider all those who are present as better and greater than himself, and each one must consider himself less than the rest. Know their station as high, and think of your own station as low. Should you act and live according to these behests, know verily, of a certainty, that that Feast is the Heavenly Food. That Supper is the “Lord’s Supper”! I am the Servant of that gathering.3

6. Considering All as Better and Greater than Yourself

Having familiarized myself with the Writings about Feast and attempting to live them out I could have fallen in to a trap of judging others for not acting in perfect accordance with my interpretations. Instead I knew my spiritual responsibility was simply to see the greatness in everyone – it wasn’t hard to do!

7. Thinking of How to Make Happy and Pleased Everyone Present

Can you imagine what Feast would be like if everyone did this to their fullest extent? For me, this was joyful to practice. It provided clear focus and helped take attention off myself. Coupled with the following principal it led to simple expressions of love, helpfulness and genuine gladness to see people. As the Master said, “the key to self mastery is self-forgetting”!5

At these meetings, there should be no extraneous conversation whatever. Rather, the assemblage should confine itself to reading and reciting the Holy Words, and to the discussion of matters relating to the Cause of God, expounding, for example, conclusive proofs and arguments, and the Writings of the Best Beloved of mankind.2

8. No Extraneous Conversation

This is an intriguing exhortation. It’s also a challenge because when we see beloved community members it’s natural to want to talk and ask people about their lives. For this experiment I kindly tried to save extraneous conversations for the social portion maintaining focus on the spiritual nature of Feast. Consequently, I said a lot less and listened more deeply.

They must conduct themselves (in these Feasts) with the greatest dignity and consideration, chant divine verses, peruse instructive articles, read the Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha, encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race, invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-subsistent Lord and deliver eloquent speeches.6

9. Encouraging Benevolent Pursuits and Inspire Love for the Human Race

Of course, speaking and contributing to consultation is an important responsibility at Feast. This part of Feast creates a loving space for frank discussion as we all look for opportunities to encourage individual initiative and affirm the capacities of others.

It’s astounding how sometimes an internal change transforms the world around us. Turns out, my hosts planned a special devotional program and my heart was primed to be open and receptive. I felt so much love for everyone! Sometimes it takes action to feel the extent of our own love (for each other, the Faith or God) and sometimes we need a little guidance to know what action to take. I’m still learning what this “proper fashion” of Feast is, but from my own experience I can attest these nine practices allowed me to feel spiritually restored!


  1. Universal House of Justice, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 419 []
  2. Compilation on the Nineteen-Day Feast, from a recently translated Tablet of Abdu’l-Baha to an individual believer [] []
  3. Abdu’l-Baha, in “Star of the West”, vol. IV, no. 7 (13 July 1913), p. 120 [] []
  4. Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith, p. 407 []
  5. Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West, vol. 17, no. 2, p. 348; Compilation ‘Psychology and Knowledge of Self by Baha’u’llah, Abdu’l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice’, Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice []
  6. Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha, pp. 468-469 []
Posted by

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire is all about making the world a kinder, more beautiful place and discovering every day what it means to be a Baha'i. She is an artist and blogger currently illustrating a Baha'i children's project. To see and read more visit JacquelineClaireArt.com.
Jacqueline Claire

Discussion 17 Comments

Your article on Feast is most appreciated. I made several copies to share with friends. The picture that accompanied the article did not reflect a step-up in clothing to wear to feast.

linda

linda (November 11, 2017 at 4:57 PM)

Good point Linda! The author may not have been responsible for the photo choice. The editor could have chosen a much better photo to support the content.

Sabrina

Sabrina (November 11, 2017 at 5:59 PM)

Hi Linda! I’m glad you go something out of the article and I think that is a very good point you made! I’m sure it’s always an artistic challenge to find and pair articles with appropriate Baha’i stock photos. Always room for capturing more images reflecting the range of Baha’i life/experience!

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire (November 11, 2017 at 6:01 PM)

Informative and wonderfully presented. What we bring to the Feasts and other gatherings is crucial for our own enlightenment as well as others.

Walter Heath

Walter Heath (November 11, 2017 at 9:20 PM)

Hey Walter! Thank you and Barbara for hosting the Feast I refer to!

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire (November 11, 2017 at 6:02 PM)

I enjoyed this and found it thought provoking. Thank you.

Dennis

Dennis (November 11, 2017 at 11:31 PM)

Hi Dennis, I’m glad! It was a good learning experience to write it.

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire (November 11, 2017 at 6:02 PM)

Thanks for your feedback Linda, really appreciate that, and the author did not choose the photo in this case, but I wanted to mention that what may seem like a “step up” or “step down” is an extremely subjective thing. For instance I grew up in Papua New Guinea where most people don’t have shoes, so perhaps someone coming to Feast with flip-flops was a big sacrifice and a “step up” for them, although in your eyes it may not seem so. As explained on Bahai.org, “The Nineteen Day Feast may assume different outward forms in different parts of the world, reflecting the conditions and customs of the local community”. Furthermore, Abdu’l-Baha regarding the Nineteen Day Feast counseled the friends that they should gather even if “only water be served”.

Naysan Naraqi

Naysan Naraqi (November 11, 2017 at 9:36 PM)

I agree that dress may be different depending on area, culture and economics.

linda

linda (November 11, 2017 at 10:06 PM)

Hi Tahereh! I’m glad some of my reflection inspired you. I hope you had a wonderful Feast experience !

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire (November 11, 2017 at 2:24 AM)

thank you for sharing your reflection and action in applying the writing of Abdul-Bah’a to your personal life. very inspiring as i prapare to attend our feast today

tahereh ahdieh

tahereh ahdieh (November 11, 2017 at 1:11 PM)

Thank you so much. I equate practicing these steps to spiritual restoration as the same as becoming enkindled as encouraged in Ruhi book 6. Our weekly devotions have been lagging in spirit; I plan to use these steps in bringing new life to them.

loree gross

loree gross (November 11, 2017 at 12:35 PM)

Hi Loree! I agree these practices have many applications. Sounds like a beautiful and powerful move you’re making!

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire (November 11, 2017 at 5:16 AM)

This article is very inspiring. I too often think of Feast as one more obligation that keeps me from a relaxing evening doing something better. But it may be precisely that attitude that keeps me from getting the full benefit from the Feast. I will try to put some or all of these ideas into practise and see how it affects my attitude toward attending Feast and what I get out of it. Thank you so much for your excellent research and reflection on it.

Alan Manifold

Alan Manifold (November 11, 2017 at 7:10 PM)

Wow, Alan! What a tremendous (and honest) insight! I’m glad my own struggles and then research and reflection have helped you. I hope you feel those “inexhaustible divine confirmations” at your next Feast!

Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire (December 12, 2017 at 2:18 AM)

God bless us all. I appreciate your effort, research and sharing. My understanding of the Writings is that we are always to be working on ourselves. Let me ever be striving for improvement while unconditionally loving everyone, including myself.

Priscilla Banks

Priscilla Banks (July 7, 2018 at 12:47 AM)

I love your suggestions on how to prepare oneself for the Feast. Sharing in our our group chat. ❤️❤️❤️ 🙏

Kavitha Suppan

Kavitha Suppan (February 2, 2023 at 10:50 AM)

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