Istiqlál, 19 Sharaf (Honor), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
Ye are the hands of His Cause in His lands, and the stars of His bountiful care amidst His servants. Through you the daystars of knowledge dawned forth, the heavens of all religions were illumined, the lights of the sciences shone brightly amongst the nations, and the sphere of the arts was expanded throughout the world. Ye are the dawning-places of God’s Revelation upon the earth and the daysprings of His signs in the world of creation. By your arising did the people arise to serve the Cause and the river of mercy flow out amidst humankind. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
O Almighty One Who endowest a blade of straw with the might of a mountain and enablest a speck of dust to mirror forth the glory of the resplendent sun! Grant us Thy tender grace and favour, so that we may arise to serve Thy Cause and not be shamefaced before the peoples of the earth. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
In addition to the specific problems of child education, you instance the difficulties of local communities which are faced with the task of reorienting and integrating into the Cause new believers who enter with all sorts of immoral and even criminal tendencies from their former life. This is indeed difficult, but this is the very stuff of the work of the Cause. The Bahá’í Faith not only provides teachings in accordance with which the behavior of human beings can be reformed, but also makes available a spiritual power which reinforces the devoted efforts of every believer, whether veteran or neophyte. Arising to serve the Cause has, itself, a transforming effect upon believers, as the beloved Guardian wrote with respect to service upon Spiritual Assemblies: “If we but turn our gaze to the high qualifications of the members of Bahá’í Assemblies, as enumerated in ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s Tablets, we are filled with feelings of unworthiness and dismay, and would feel truly disheartened but for the comforting thought that if we arise to play nobly our part every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of His grace and power.” Thus, what is most imperative for the promotion of the spiritual life of local Bahá’í communities is the stimulation of the believers to increase their devotion to Bahá’u’lláh, their absolute reliance upon Him and upon His love, and their determination to apply His teachings in every aspect of their lives. This stimulation can be conveyed from heart to heart and mind to mind by devoted Bahá’ís without the need of formal training.… — Universal House of Justice 3
From the outset, it should be clear to every participant that the courses of the Ruhi Institute trace a path of service to humanity, upon which we each walk at our own pace, assisting and being assisted by others. Treading this path implies the pursuit of a twofold moral purpose: to attend to one’s own spiritual and intellectual growth and to contribute to the transformation of society. Progress on the path entails the development of a number of capabilities that require understanding and knowledge, spiritual qualities and praiseworthy attitudes, as well as a host of abilities and skills, The sources of knowledge upon which the books of the institute draw are, on the one hand, the teachings of the Bahá’i Faith and, on the other, the accumulating experience of the worldwide Bahá’í community in furthering material and spiritual civilization. It is Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of the individual we can become and of the civilization we can build that inspires the Institute. — Ruhi Institute Staff 4
Questions for Consideration
Considering courses in the “Walking a Path of Service” series offered by the Ruhi Institute, what importance do they give to the following: Knowledge of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and its application to individual and collective life? The role of action, combined with study, in fostering understanding? The development of capabilities along a path of service? The process of individual and collective transformation fosters by the path of service laid out by the courses? 5
Perplexity Pro Response 6
The Ruhi Institute’s “Walking a Path of Service” series offers a comprehensive approach to spiritual education, emphasizing the application of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to individual and collective life while fostering personal and societal transformation through a combination of study, action, and the development of capabilities for service.
Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings in Practice
Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation serves as the cornerstone of the Ruhi Institute’s educational approach, providing a vision for both individual growth and societal advancement. The courses draw extensively from His teachings, aiming to help participants gain a profound understanding of His message and apply it in their daily lives and community-building efforts [5]. This focus on practical application ensures that the knowledge gained is not merely theoretical but becomes a transformative force in the lives of individuals and communities, fostering the development of spiritual qualities and praiseworthy attitudes [5].
Study and Action Synergy
The Ruhi Institute’s courses emphasize a dynamic interplay between study and action, recognizing that understanding deepens through practical application. This approach encourages participants to immediately apply the concepts they learn, fostering a cycle of action, reflection, and consultation that enhances comprehension and spiritual growth [5]. By engaging in service activities alongside their studies, learners develop a more profound grasp of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and their relevance to contemporary challenges. This synergy between knowledge and practice not only reinforces learning but also ignites a passion for continued exploration of the Bahá’í writings, creating a self-sustaining momentum of spiritual and intellectual development [3].
Building Service Capabilities
The Ruhi Institute’s courses systematically develop a range of capabilities essential for effective service. These include spiritual qualities, practical skills, and the ability to apply Bahá’í teachings to real-world situations. Participants progressively build their capacity to:
- Engage in meaningful conversations about spiritual matters
- Facilitate devotional gatherings and study circles
- Nurture the spiritual education of children and junior youth
- Contribute to social discourse on issues affecting their communities
This capability-building approach empowers individuals to become active agents of change, fostering a culture of learning and service within their communities [5]. The courses draw upon both the Bahá’í writings and the collective experience of the worldwide Bahá’í community in promoting material and spiritual progress, ensuring that the skills developed are relevant and applicable in diverse contexts [5].
Individual and Social Transformation
The path of service outlined in the Ruhi Institute courses fosters a twofold process of transformation, addressing both individual growth and societal progress. Participants engage in a journey of personal spiritual and intellectual development while simultaneously contributing to the advancement of their communities [5]. This dual focus reflects Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of human potential and societal evolution, inspiring individuals to become agents of positive change [5].
The transformative power of service is evident in the way it enables believers to overcome personal limitations and contribute meaningfully to their communities. As individuals arise to serve, they tap into a spiritual power that reinforces their efforts and compensates for any perceived deficiencies [3]. This process of transformation extends beyond the individual, gradually reshaping entire communities and fostering a civilization aligned with Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings [5] [1].
In essence, the Ruhi Institute courses provide a systematic educational process aimed at empowering individuals to walk a path of service. This path is characterized by ongoing study of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, their application in daily life and community-building efforts, and the development of spiritual qualities and practical skills – all contributing to the gradual transformation of individuals and society in accordance with Bahá’u’lláh’s vision.
Citations:
[1] Book 4: The Twin Manifestations (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[2] Book 6: Teaching the Cause (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[3] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
[4] Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth – Ruhi Institute
[5] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How do the Ruhi Institute courses integrate spiritual growth with service to humanity?
- What role does collective transformation play in the Ruhi Institute’s approach?
- How are capabilities developed along the path of service in the Ruhi Institute?
- What importance is given to the application of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings in daily life?
- How does the Ruhi Institute foster a balance between study and action?
- How does Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation influence individual transformation?
- What are the key elements of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings that drive social change?
- How does the concept of detachment contribute to personal growth?
- What role does the Bahá’í Faith play in shaping community service initiatives?
- How can one apply the principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation in daily life?
- Bahá’u’lláh Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/additional-tablets-extracts-from-tablets-revealed-bahaullah/090248430/1#290485867. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. “Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/prayers-abdul-baha/2#874596022. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “2 December 1976 – The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19761202_001/1#842808344. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, v. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS. ↩
- 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, 58-60. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “The Importance of Service in Ruhi Courses.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 15, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/ye-are-the-hands-of-his-cause-IfxhJNKvQLykP.5dfDlWBw. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 