Daily Frameworks for 16 January 2025

Istijlál, 18 Sharaf (Honor), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

O my God, aid Thou Thy servant to raise up the Word, and to refute what is vain and false, to establish the truth, to spread the sacred verses abroad, reveal the splendors, and make the morning’s light to dawn in the hearts of the righteous. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

To seek coherence between the spiritual and the material does not imply that the material goals of development are to be trivialized. It does require, however, the rejection of approaches to development which define it as the transfer to all societies of the ideological convictions, the social structures, the economic practices, the models of governance—in the final analysis, the very patterns of life—prevalent in certain highly industrialized regions of the world. When the material and spiritual dimensions of the life of a community are kept in mind and due attention is given to both scientific and spiritual knowledge, the tendency to reduce development to the mere consumption of goods and services and the naive use of technological packages is avoided. Scientific knowledge, to take but one simple example, helps the members of a community to analyse the physical and social implications of a given technological proposal—say, its environmental impact—and spiritual insight gives rise to moral imperatives that uphold social harmony and that ensure technology serves the common good. Together, these two sources of knowledge tap roots of motivation in individuals and communities, so essential in breaking free from the shelter of passivity, and enable them to uncover the traps of consumerism. — Universal House of Justice ²

…[T]here are no formulas for a tutor to follow in studying the books of the Ruhi Institute with a group. Indeed, every tutor must resist the temptation of reducing the study of the courses to a series of simple steps to be followed. This is not so easy when we are constantly presented with technical recipes that promise a solution to almost every kind of challenge we face, including those related to education. We must especially be cautious, lest, in our enthusiasm to enrich the teaching-learning experience, we inadvertently introduce into the study techniques and procedures that hamper the efforts of participants to engage meaningfully with the material.
A basic simplicity characterizes the educational process fostered by the courses of the Ruhi Institute. Any setting in which its materials are studied should be governed by a spirit of fellowship and joy. In the final analysis, it is not rituals, procedures, and techniques that will foster learning but the motivation to seek knowledge and to serve.
The above does not mean that there are not some techniques that can facilitate the learning process. But “technique” cannot come to dominate the process. Nor can it be allowed to trivialize the serious pursuit of understanding or undermine the dignity of the Sacred Word, so central to the educational process. — Ruhi Institute Staff ³

Question for Consideration

Summarize those techniques Study Circle tutors can employ that facilitate the learning process, but not dominate it, trivialize the serious pursuit of understanding, or undermine the dignity of the Sacred Word.

Perplexity Pro Response ⁴

The Ruhi Institute’s approach to study circles emphasizes a balance between structure and flexibility, encouraging tutors to create an environment of joyful learning while avoiding rigid formulas or techniques that might overshadow the spiritual content of the material.

Creating Joyful Fellowship

Study circles thrive in an atmosphere of joy and fellowship, where participants feel comfortable sharing insights and exploring spiritual concepts together. Tutors can foster this environment by cultivating a warm, welcoming tone and encouraging open, respectful dialogue among group members [1] [2]. This approach helps create a sense of unity and shared purpose, enhancing the learning experience without resorting to overly structured techniques that might stifle genuine engagement with the material.

Encouraging Active Engagement

Active participation is key to the success of study circles. Tutors can encourage engagement by asking participants to commit key passages to memory and, in so doing, recognize the power of the Sacred Word to penetrate hearts. Also, tutors invite thoughtful reflection on the materials and prompt participants to share personal insights through questions that stimulate deep thinking and help connect concepts to real-life experiences. During ensuing discussion, they demonstrate a posture of humble learning, showing that the tutor is also a participant in the process of discovery and growth [1]. Additionally, incorporating both individual and group activities caters to diverse learning styles, allowing participants to explore ideas independently before engaging in collective exploration [4]. This approach helps maintain a balance between personal reflection and collaborative learning, ensuring that each member contributes to the group’s understanding while developing their own insights.

Balancing Techniques and Reflection

While facilitating study circles, tutors should strike a delicate balance between employing helpful techniques and allowing for deep reflection on spiritual concepts. Effective tutors maintain a brisk yet thoughtful pace, moving through the material steadily while ensuring participants grasp key ideas [1]. They resist the temptation to prolong discussions with peripheral concepts, which can diminish the material’s effectiveness [2]. Instead, tutors focus on nurturing understanding and helping participants engage actively in the learning process, offering comments when needed to deepen comprehension [1]. This approach allows groups to establish a reasonable rhythm of progress, where participants feel they are advancing steadily according to their own capacities [2].

Applying Spiritual Concepts

Tutors can guide participants in applying spiritual concepts to their daily lives and service activities, fostering a deeper understanding of the material. By encouraging participants to identify opportunities for practical application, such as choosing a statement from the study material and engaging in conversations with friends or family about its ideas, tutors help bridge the gap between theory and practice [3]. This approach not only reinforces learning but also empowers participants to become active agents of change in their communities, translating spiritual insights into tangible actions that contribute to the process of community building [4].

These techniques should be employed judiciously, always keeping in mind that the primary focus is on engaging meaningfully with the material and fostering true understanding, rather than adhering to rigid procedures or formulas[1].

Citations:

[1] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[2] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[3] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[4] Book 6: Teaching the Cause (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[5] Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can a tutor balance between guiding the discussion and allowing participants to explore freely?
• What are some effective ways to keep the study circle engaged and motivated?
• How can a tutor ensure that the study circle stays focused on the main theme without getting sidetracked?
• What strategies can a tutor use to help participants understand complex concepts?
• How can a tutor create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants in the study circle?
• How can tutors foster a sense of progress and achievement within the group?
• What are some examples of successful group discussions that led to lasting results?
• How can tutors help participants connect spiritual concepts to their everyday lives?
• What techniques can tutors use to ensure that all group members are actively engaged?
• How can tutors address situations where some participants are not contributing to the discussion?

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 250. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/9#877165629. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “26 November 2012 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20121126_001/1#034206579. ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 57. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
4. Perplexity Pro. “Effective Study Circle Techniques.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 14, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/o-my-god-aid-thou-thy-servant-2T3FzuBhT6euLURefrUrIQ. ↩