Since my early teenage years I have always tried to have meaningful conversations on the nature of life, the existence of God, or other philosophical concepts. At times, when I met a truly kindred spirit, or came across someone with an equal thirst for depth, I would have a chance to do a deep dive into a topic. Unfortunately, those opportunities were few and far between.
Upon becoming a Baháʼí, I was introduced to a series of courses for spiritual conversations and group study published by the Ruhi Institute in Colombia. These books, and the process of study and reflection prescribed within, serve as a scaffolding for the construction of meaningful conversations. I recently completed one of the courses in the process, and I walked away from it in a state of awe at the beauty of what our group had discussed and uncovered about the nature and purpose of existence. Within just a few short sessions, the people I was studying with went from near strangers to my companions on a search after truth and meaning.
Some comments from other participants in the Ruhi Institute program are below:
” Something that has happened to me from participating in the study circle process, is that I continuously think how I can focus my actions on spiritual principles. I have become much more patient with my coworkers and find that I am not jumping to judgment about them as I used to. Yesterday two of my coworkers asked me what was making me so happy and calm, so I told them about the Baha’i study circles.”
Since I have been in the 1st study circle, I have really discovered the power of prayer. Every day on the bus I read one of the prayers and think about them and focus my heart. This has been transformative for my life and I start my day with hope.”
So what is it about this program that is causing such positive changes in the participants? It is not just one thing, that is for sure, but one major aspect is the insight that is drawn out throughout the process.
In fact, every Ruhi course I have completed builds up to a profound conclusion. Ranging from topics like consultation and assisting others, education, gaining a historical perspective, and the development of communities, the content is rich and creates a spiritual and moral framework that is practical and has demonstrable results around the globe.
Although the content for the books is drawn from the Baha’i Faith, it’s important to emphasize these courses are for everyone. They do not require one to have any specific belief or to commit to any specific idea. In fact, it is encouraged that every participant think critically about the content, bring forward their own interpretations, and have an open discussion. This spirit of being open-minded and to think independently is foundational for ensuring you are making a just decision as Baha’u’llah explains in this quotation:
O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor.
It is easy to feel defensive and even confrontational with people whom we might disagree. This is why it is a cultural practice to avoid conflict by steering clear of religion and politics discussions during social gatherings.. What the Ruhi courses provide is a way to understand and reconcile ideas under spiritual principles, practices and habits, such as prayer and learning to encourage others. Through discussions on topics like prayer, life after death, the spiritual education of children, and how to serve one’s community, a foundation of agreement and a common syntax for discussion are created, growing ability to discuss increasingly complex topics with desire for truth, curiosity and detachment.
What’s perhaps even more remarkable than the process itself, is how multicultural the curriculum is, while still maintaining universal appeal. Ruhi stories and examples come from around the world in places ranging from your own backyard to the mountain tops of Papua New Guinea – and everywhere in between. People are pondering the same questions, discussing their intuition and ideas, finding common understandings, and transferring learning to the development of their communities. The stories and examples of how to apply concepts locally in different contexts are coming from communities around the world, resulting in a truly global vision; an international education to which are all actively contributing!
Baha’u’llah shows how we are born with infinite latent potential, yet require education to realize that potential:
“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
In a world that often appears to be coming apart at the seams as a result of our own collective actions, the Ruhi spiritual education program is providing a way toward unity and common understanding of what it will take to transform the world into a better place.
If you would like to get involved either virtually or in person, please CLICK HERE to share your interest and availability with the coordinating team in Edmonton.
The following quotation is from the Universal House of Justice, stating their impressions of this process.
“Without exception, having witnessed the transformative effects of the institute process first hand, the friends in such clusters are striving to gain a fuller appreciation of the dynamics that underlie it—the spirit of fellowship it creates, the participatory approach it adopts, the depth of understanding it fosters, the acts of service it recommends, and, above all, its reliance on the Word of God. Every effort is being exerted to ensure that the process reflects the complementarity of “being” and “doing” the institute courses make explicit; the centrality they accord to knowledge and its application; the emphasis they place on avoiding false dichotomies; the stress they lay on memorization of the Creative Word; and the care they exercise in raising consciousness, without awakening the insistent self.”
-The Universal House of Justice, 28 December , 2010