“...this realm is pixelated on purpose. Its blur and decay are built-in so that we learn to see beyond it and act accordingly. If we truly considered this world to be a mirage, a play, a performance, how much value should we place on our fleeting possessions?"

About this book

In The Nine-Sided Temple, Ben Caselin presents an intimate, heartfelt collection of reflections on the nature of God and the soul’s journey, rooted in Bahá’í Scripture, personal hardship, and profound encounters with life’s beauty and pain. This is not a scholarly treatise or doctrinal exposition, but a humble testimony: a candid articulation of insights gained through a decade of spiritual darkness and subsequent awakening.

Structured around nine divine attributes—from the Ordainer who sustains every atom and possibility, to the All-Merciful who transforms suffering into spiritual virtues, the Powerful who converts weakness into ascent, the Unknowable Essence beyond mortal logic, the Bestower who gifts this imperfect world as an arena for detachment and virtue, the Point of Adoration uniting all souls in one wheel of being, the Gracious who makes service a joyous privilege, the All-Loving who inspires rapturous self-forgetfulness, and finally the Most Glorious who evokes ecstatic praise—this book weaves personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and poetic devotion.

Caselin portrays earthly existence as a purposefully “low-resolution” realm of growth and decay, designed to foster humility, service to humanity, and longing for the perfect worlds beyond. Infused with wonder, gratitude, and trust in God’s boundless mercy, these meditations invite readers to contemplate the divine mysteries, embrace their own frailties, and draw nearer to the Beloved through love, striving, and praise.

Please note, this book is not intended for sale. There are, however, a limited number of hardcopies available. In case of interest, feel free to reach out.

“I believe it’s important that we bear such early iterations of value in mind, especially as we move to contemplate money as a marker of worth, to remind ourselves that at the core, underneath all the layers, and all the financial jargon and the noise of economy, it’s about human connection, dignity and honoring each other’s worth."

About this book

In ‘Landscapes of Value’, Ben Caselin explores the concept of value amidst an era of accelerated change and increasing division. This concise, yet powerful book offers a fresh perspective on value, unburdened by reservations, as it traces the origins and evolution of this complex idea.

From early gift economies to the digital era, Caselin traces the threads of worth through history, embracing themes such as religion, modernity, art, and knowledge. Once the scene is set, this volume then takes to unchartered territories, exploring the realms of privacy, space exploration, advanced technologies, the future of community, and our own mortality. Through a seamless integration of philosophy, anthropology, and religious literature, as well as economics, ethics, and technology studies, and furthermore enriched through an array of personal anecdotes, Caselin tells a story that illuminates the substance of value, locates common grounds, and is bound to stimulate further contemplation in your own intellectual journey.

Please note, this book is not intended for sale. There are no more copies available.

Download here.