You Are a Cosmic Tree – An Art-Filled Introduction to the Life of the Soul

I absolutely love the work of Misha Blaise so I was exhilarated when I found out that she has put together an introduction to the life of the soul and the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. The book is called You Are a Cosmic Tree and it’s published by Bellwood Press, an imprint of the US Baha’i Publishing Trust. The book is one-of-a-kind, gorgeous, humourous and filled with wonder. Rainn Wilson has described Misha’s work as “children’s books for adults” and this really is an excellent book for youth and grown-ups. I am over-the-moon that Misha shared with us a bit about it!

Can you please tell us a little bit about You Are a Cosmic Tree?

My book is an illustrated introduction to the Baha’i teachings on the life of the soul. It explores the mystical connection with God that’s at the heart of our spiritual development. While it delves into somewhat difficult subjects like suffering, identity, and the chaos of the era we are living in, I tried to use art and comic relief to promote a sense of curiosity in the ideas I’m presenting and increase their relatability. While some people associate illustration with kid’s books, I wrote this book with an older audience in mind: teens to adults. It’s also a great book to share with someone who is just learning about the Baha’i Faith and wants a glimpse into the beautiful, mind and soul expanding teachings of Baha’u’llah. 

What inspired you to create this book?

I love the concept of the hero’s journey, which is a framework of adventure and transformation that reflects the deepest longings and fears of the human experience. Similar motifs are found in the Baha’i Writings, for example Baha’u’llah’s mystical stages of the soul’s development described in The Seven Valleys. Life is a call to adventure, and each one of us will inevitably confront the mysteries, difficulties, and paradoxes inherent in this realm of existence. I think there is a certain sense of vitality and assurance you feel when you think of life as a sacred spiritual journey and I wanted to explore that in my book. 

How is it different from your other books?

This is my first book that is focused entirely on Baha’i teachings, and it’s also the first book I’ve illustrated in black and white. I had the concept of the “zine” in mind when I designed it (pronounced “zeen”, from the word “magazine”). A zine is basically a little homemade pamphlet-like book, usually photocopied in black and white, that’s used to share your thoughts about the world with friends. It’s something to pick up, feel inspired by, and give to others. Even though it’s filled with deep ideas, it’s also not meant to be taken too seriously. I hope the black and white images and handwritten text bring a more casual vibe to my book, but also invite a sense of wonder and delight, which are good things to feel when you are contemplating the life of the soul. 

What’s something you’ve learned in the process of making this book?

The greatest challenge in writing this book was how to present a coherent flow of ideas about the Baha’i Faith without overwhelming the reader. I found that each topic blended into so many others that it was hard to figure out a good linear progression. For instance, as Baha’is, we can’t talk about spiritual growth without talking about one’s connection with God, but also, we have to talk about the development of spiritual virtues, and expressing our virtues through service to humanity, which connects with the Baha’i vision of the times we are living in amidst forces of disintegration and integration, etc. etc. The web of ideas is just so complex, and there is so much that I left out! I felt a deep awe and reverence for the immensity of the Baha’i Revelation while I was making this book.

Thank you so much, Misha, for telling us about You Are a Cosmic Tree!

You can purchase You Are a Cosmic Tree from a variety of book retailers such as the US Baha’i Distribution Service and Amazon.

Posted by

Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.