Daily Frameworks for 20 February 2025

Istijlál, 15 Mulk (Dominion), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection:

Wert thou to consider this world, and realize how fleeting are the things that pertain unto it, thou wouldst choose to tread no path except the path of service to the Cause of thy Lord. None would have the power to deter thee from celebrating His praise, though all men should arise to oppose thee.
Go thou straight on and persevere in His service. Say: O people! The Day, promised unto you in all the Scriptures, is now come. Fear ye God, and withhold not yourselves from recognizing the One Who is the Object of your creation. Hasten ye unto Him. Better is this for you than the world and all that is therein. Would that ye could perceive it! — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

At present the main sequence consists of eight courses, though it is understood there may eventually be as many as eighteen that will address acts of service related to such requirements as coordination and administration, social action and involvement in the discourses of society. There are currently two points along the sequence at which an individual may choose to follow a specialized path of service. The first appears at Book 3. From among the friends who complete it and begin to offer a relatively simple class for children in the first grade of a programme for their spiritual education, a percentage will want to dedicate themselves to this field of service, pursuing in time a series of progressively more complex branch courses for teaching Grades 2 to 6. This does not mean that they will abandon study of the main sequence. Indeed, courses that make up a specialized path of service anticipate that participants are continuing to progress, each at a pace suitable to his or her situation, along the path traced out by the main sequence. Book 5, which seeks to raise up animators of junior youth groups, constitutes the second point at which a series of courses branch out. — Universal House of Justice ²

Communities, of course, are the collective expression of the individuals who compose them and who strive to promote their development. Ultimately, then, the purpose of the training institute is to build the capacity of individuals to meet the many needs of growing, vibrant communities. The content and order of the courses of the Ruhi Institute are based on a series of acts of service, the practice of which seeks to enhance such capacity. It views this process of capacity building in terms of “walking a path of service.” On such a path the friends are assisted first in accomplishing relatively simple tasks and then in performing more complex and demanding acts of service. This is the nature of capacity building. Each is accompanied by another as he learns to walk the path on his own. “One of the most noteworthy outcomes of the institute courses,” the Universal House of Justice has recently noted, “is the emergence of an ever-increasing number of tutors who, having themselves studied the courses and struggled to walk a path of service, engage others in the study of the sequence, instilling in them the same desire to arise and serve.” (Letter dated 19 October 2005 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.) “Arise, then,” it has urged, “to engage more and more trusted members of your families, friends, neighbors and coworkers in the sequence of courses and assist them to walk the path of service so that a sizeable expansion of the Bahá’í community is hastened and sustained.” (Letter dated 11 September 2005 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly.) — Universal House of Justice ³

Developments since then have served only to demonstrate further the efficacy of a sequence of courses that seeks to build capacity for service by concentrating on the application of the spiritual insights gained through profound study of the Writings. Participants are exposed to a body of knowledge that fosters a set of related habits, attitudes and qualities and are assisted in sharpening certain skills and abilities needed to carry out acts of service. Discussions that revolve around the Creative Word, in the serious and uplifting atmosphere of a study circle, raise the level of consciousness about one’s duties to the Cause and create an awareness of the joy one derives from teaching the Faith and serving its interests. The spiritual context in which specific deeds are addressed endows them with significance. Confidence is patiently built as the friends engage in progressively more complex and demanding acts of service. Yet, above all, it is reliance on God that sustains them in their endeavors. How abundant the accounts of believers who enter the teaching field with trepidation only to find themselves bolstered by confirmations on all sides. Seeing the possibilities and opportunities before them with new eyes, they witness first hand the power of Divine assistance, as they strive to put into practice what they are learning and achieve results far exceeding their expectations. That the spirit of faith born out of intimate contact with the Word of God has such an effect on souls is by no means a new phenomenon. What is heartening is that the institute process is helping such large numbers experience the transforming potency of the Faith. To extend this edifying influence to hundreds of thousands more should be the object of intense effort over the next five years. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

Question for Consideration

Based on the quotes above and source files in the “Walking Together on a Path of Service” space, how do the books in the Ruhi Institute sequence of courses build on one another, enabling participants to carry out increasingly complex acts of service? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The Ruhi Institute’s sequence of courses is designed as a progressive path of service, systematically building participants’ capacity to contribute to community development through increasingly complex acts of service. Each book in the sequence builds upon the previous ones, fostering spiritual growth, practical skills, and the ability to engage in meaningful service activities that align with Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for societal transformation.

Purpose of Ruhi Courses

The Ruhi Institute courses aim to build capacity for service by fostering spiritual growth and practical skills through a systematic study of Bahá’í writings. This process of capacity building is viewed as “walking a path of service,” where participants progress from simple tasks to more complex and demanding acts [2]. The courses combine profound study of the Creative Word with practical application, raising consciousness about one’s duties to the Cause and creating awareness of the joy derived from teaching and serving [5].

• Courses focus on applying spiritual insights gained from studying the Writings
• Participants develop habits, attitudes, qualities, and skills needed for service
• Study circles provide a serious and uplifting atmosphere for discussions
• Confidence is built through engagement in progressively more complex acts of service
• Reliance on God sustains participants in their endeavors
  

Progression Through Books

The Ruhi Institute’s main sequence comprises eight courses, with potential expansion to eighteen, addressing various aspects of service including coordination, administration, social action, and societal discourse [2]. Each book builds upon the previous ones, enabling participants to undertake increasingly complex acts of service:

• Book 1 establishes spiritual foundations through prayer and study
• Book 2 develops skills for meaningful spiritual conversations
• Book 3 prepares individuals to teach children’s classes
• Book 4 deepens understanding of Bahá’í history and central figures
• Book 5 trains animators for junior youth groups
• Book 6 focuses on intensive teaching efforts
• Book 7 prepares tutors to facilitate institute courses
• Book 8 and beyond address more complex areas of service
  

Specialized paths branch out at Books 3 and 5, allowing participants to focus on children’s education or junior youth empowerment while continuing along the main sequence [2].

Building Capacity for Service

The sequence of Ruhi Institute courses is designed to gradually build capacity for service, enabling participants to undertake increasingly complex acts as they progress. This approach fosters a dialectic between theory and practice, where individuals apply spiritual insights gained from studying the Writings and reflect on their experiences [2]. As participants engage in progressively more demanding tasks, they develop confidence and witness the power of Divine assistance, often achieving results that exceed their expectations [2].

• Each book introduces new concepts and skills while reinforcing previous learning
• Practical application of teachings creates a dynamic learning environment
• Participants support each other, creating a collaborative spirit of service
• The process helps large numbers of individuals contribute effectively to community progress
• Emphasis on reflection and continuous learning encourages personal and collective growth
  

Spiritual and Practical Outcomes

Engagement with the Ruhi Institute courses yields both spiritual and practical outcomes, fostering a transformative experience for participants. The study circles create an uplifting atmosphere where friends delve into the Creative Word, raising their consciousness about their duties to the Cause and cultivating an awareness of the joy derived from teaching and service [2]. This process not only deepens spiritual understanding but also builds confidence as individuals engage in progressively more complex acts of service. Many participants report entering the teaching field with initial trepidation, only to find themselves bolstered by confirmations and witnessing firsthand the power of Divine assistance [2]. The practical application of learned concepts often leads to results far exceeding expectations, demonstrating the transforming potency of faith when put into action.

Citations

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

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

[3] Book 4: The Twin Manifestations (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

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

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

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How do the specialized paths of service differ from the main sequence?
• What are some examples of complex acts of service mentioned in the quotes?
• How does the Ruhi Institute measure the effectiveness of its courses?
• What role do Local Spiritual Assemblies play in supporting individual initiatives?
• How does the Ruhi Institute ensure that participants continue to progress along the main sequence?
• How do the spiritual and practical outcomes differ between the Ruhi Institute books?
• What are the long-term spiritual impacts of completing the Ruhi Institute curriculum?
• How do the practical service activities in the Ruhi Institute books contribute to personal growth?
• In what ways do the Ruhi Institute books integrate spiritual principles with practical service?
• How do the outcomes of Arising to Serve compare to those of Walking Together on a Path of Service?

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#620815101. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “12 December 2011 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20111212_001/1#306023944. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. Turning Point: Selected Messages of the Universal House of Justice and Supplementary Material, 1996–2006. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/turning-point/10#281809316. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “27 December 2005 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20051227_001/1#381406812. ↩
5. 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, 99-100. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “Building Capacity for Service.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 18, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/wert-thou-to-consider-this-wor-OB5ukI4PRBqvAsrK0WiL.Q. ↩