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Portals to Freedom
A unique account of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to America by one of American disciples.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 11, 2021
Touches your very heart!
Reading about the spiritual journey of Howard Colby Ives and how he came to recognise the Mystery of God, Abdul-Baha. Abdul-Baha was the Son of the Prophet of the Baha’i faith.
The account of their first meeting is soul stirring and depicted in such a way that you feel like like Abdul-Baha’s loving eyes are reading into your very own soul.
Reading about the spiritual journey of Howard Colby Ives and how he came to recognise the Mystery of God, Abdul-Baha. Abdul-Baha was the Son of the Prophet of the Baha’i faith.
The account of their first meeting is soul stirring and depicted in such a way that you feel like like Abdul-Baha’s loving eyes are reading into your very own soul.
November 9, 2021
This is one of my most beloved books in the entire world. I first read it when I was in my early twenties and have worn out one print copy and am working on my second. I also have it as an eBook, because I always want it within reach.
This is the autobiographical story of Howard Ives, a Unitarian minister living in New York in the early 1900s and his extraordinary encounters with a man who called himself Abdu'l-Bahá (Servant of Glory). Through Howard's eyes we see a unique individual who taught the elimination of prejudice, gender equality, the harmony of science and religion, and the essential oneness of God and of the human race, and did so in word and in deed.
Perhaps the most extraordinary things among all the extraordinary things about Abdu'l-Bahá was the time frame in which he taught these things (he presided over the wedding of a black man and a white woman at a time when miscegenation laws were appearing across the country) and the fact that he taught them eloquently and in great depth though he had been a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire for almost his entire life. Howard Colby Ives's introduction to Abdu'l-Bahá came during Abdu'l-Bahá's travels across the United States, travels that took him from New York all the way to California with speaking engagements in churches and synagogues, at philosophical societies and universities (he spoke at Stanford). Every talk was delivered with the same humility and loving kindness that marked his interactions with people of all races and social strata.
Above all, Portals to Freedom is a labor of love—a love letter, fact. Which I think is one of the reasons I read it repeatedly and find something new in its pages every time.
This is the autobiographical story of Howard Ives, a Unitarian minister living in New York in the early 1900s and his extraordinary encounters with a man who called himself Abdu'l-Bahá (Servant of Glory). Through Howard's eyes we see a unique individual who taught the elimination of prejudice, gender equality, the harmony of science and religion, and the essential oneness of God and of the human race, and did so in word and in deed.
Perhaps the most extraordinary things among all the extraordinary things about Abdu'l-Bahá was the time frame in which he taught these things (he presided over the wedding of a black man and a white woman at a time when miscegenation laws were appearing across the country) and the fact that he taught them eloquently and in great depth though he had been a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire for almost his entire life. Howard Colby Ives's introduction to Abdu'l-Bahá came during Abdu'l-Bahá's travels across the United States, travels that took him from New York all the way to California with speaking engagements in churches and synagogues, at philosophical societies and universities (he spoke at Stanford). Every talk was delivered with the same humility and loving kindness that marked his interactions with people of all races and social strata.
Above all, Portals to Freedom is a labor of love—a love letter, fact. Which I think is one of the reasons I read it repeatedly and find something new in its pages every time.
July 24, 2021
A true soul-piercer.
This biography-esque book is an emphatic account of the visit of Abdu’l-Baha — the son of the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, and the Perfect Exemplar for millions of Baha’is around the world — to the United States, through the lens of an American Christian clergyman. It beautifully traces the spiritual journey of the author (Howard Colby Ives) as he learns the Baha’i teachings of oneness, equality and unity alongside a number of stories reflecting the love, kindness and humour of Abdu’l-Baha.
‘Portals to Freedom’ had been recommended to me SO many times but I never expected such a full, inspiring and spiritually uplifting piece of lit. I don’t know what else to write other than READ IT.
Here is a thought-provoking snippet from the last chapter:
“We (Humans) have been revolving around such limited centers, such petty interests, that our horizons have been circumscribed to such an extent that it is all but impossible for us to conceive a "Most Great Center" attaining to which we view the "Universe of God" spread before our wondering eyes, and scan a "Supreme Horizon" including all the sons of men; in the Light of which, the Glory of which, all problems are solved, all flames of strife extinguished in that unity and love which is the basis of the Laws of the universe.”
This biography-esque book is an emphatic account of the visit of Abdu’l-Baha — the son of the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, and the Perfect Exemplar for millions of Baha’is around the world — to the United States, through the lens of an American Christian clergyman. It beautifully traces the spiritual journey of the author (Howard Colby Ives) as he learns the Baha’i teachings of oneness, equality and unity alongside a number of stories reflecting the love, kindness and humour of Abdu’l-Baha.
‘Portals to Freedom’ had been recommended to me SO many times but I never expected such a full, inspiring and spiritually uplifting piece of lit. I don’t know what else to write other than READ IT.
Here is a thought-provoking snippet from the last chapter:
“We (Humans) have been revolving around such limited centers, such petty interests, that our horizons have been circumscribed to such an extent that it is all but impossible for us to conceive a "Most Great Center" attaining to which we view the "Universe of God" spread before our wondering eyes, and scan a "Supreme Horizon" including all the sons of men; in the Light of which, the Glory of which, all problems are solved, all flames of strife extinguished in that unity and love which is the basis of the Laws of the universe.”
March 21, 2021
My favorite book of my life this is really the number 1
July 2, 2021
Wonderful story of 'Abdu'l-Baha's time in America. Made me feel like I was there.
December 17, 2025
In some non-quantifiable sense, this irrefutably altered my being beyond measure and beyond words—no doubt this being attributed to Howard Colby Ives’ ability to provide the reader the experience of being in the presence of the Mystery of God.
This book ranks among one the most wonderful I have had the privilege to read in my youth.
This book ranks among one the most wonderful I have had the privilege to read in my youth.
September 24, 2014
Page 169 of Portals to Freedom will remain in my heart and on the wall of my room forever. This is a good book if you seeking to understand the Baha'i faith and also if you are trying to imagine why Abdul Baha is repeatedly called the perfect man. This book could also serve those hearts that are investigating spirituality.
January 5, 2008
wonderful snippits of Abdu'l-Baha
June 13, 2009
Erica Toussaints Grandfather
August 9, 2011
Certain pasages in this book - about the author's meeting `Abdu'l-Baha - have influenced me more than anything else I ever read
December 20, 2012
Amazing first-hand encounter with a man who seems to embody Perfection. Inspiring read. Wonderful stories.
February 12, 2017
It is a book worth reading because he actually met the man. His candid descriptions of the impact Abdul B aha had on him are fascinating and most affecting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews