Learning how to serve our communities
Bahá'ís and their friends, neighbors and co-workers are involved in a process that seeks to raise capacity within a population to take charge of its own spiritual, social and intellectual development. The activities that drive this process include DEVOTIONAL GATHERINGS, STUDY CIRCLES, JUNIOR YOUTH GROUPS, and CHILDREN'S CLASSES.
These activities are open to ALL.
- Devotional gatherings aim to create a new spiritual atmosphere in neighborhoods, through prayer and reflection.
- Study circles gather people of varied backgrounds to consider teachings from the Bahá'í Writings on the purpose of life, the nature of reality, and the significance of service. Participants seeks to put the learning acquired into practice in an effort to explore the application of spiritual teachings to their individual and collective lives. Study circles meet in homes and other informal settings.
- Junior youth groups channel the surging energies of junior youth toward a twofold moral purpose -- to take charge of their own personal growth and to contribute to the transformation of society.
- Children's classes nurture the tender hearts and minds of children through stories, games, arts and music.
These activities are open to ALL.
"The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds,
through commendable and seemly conduct."
Bahá'u'lláh
A vision of a better world:
Unity
The core principle of the Bahá'í Faith is unity. The Bahá'í teachings say that united communities, which improve the lives of its members and its neighboring societies, are built by having a common purpose: to find our individual happiness in serving the common good.
Translating Bahá'í teachings into reality
Bahá'ís and their friends are now translating Bahá'u'lláh's teachings for the betterment of the world into reality. Central to His vision are the oneness of humankind, the equality of the sexes, the elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty, and many other principles.
In learning how to achieve Bahá'u'lláh's vision for humanity, Bahá'ís across the city and around the world are engaged in educational activities that try to empower individuals, of all ages, to recognize and develop their spiritual nature and help bring positive change to their neighborhoods.
In learning how to achieve Bahá'u'lláh's vision for humanity, Bahá'ís across the city and around the world are engaged in educational activities that try to empower individuals, of all ages, to recognize and develop their spiritual nature and help bring positive change to their neighborhoods.
Genuine friendships
The idea behind these is to forge ties of genuine friendship -- based on a common understanding of our lives and how to contribute to our society -- among participants of diverse backgrounds. By sharing meaningful conversations on spiritual issues, the social barriers that often divide people are broken down. It is a vivid expression of Bahá'u'lláh's vision for the oneness of humankind.
A mine rich in gems
These activities also show us, as we participate, an exciting vision of who we can be. Bahá'ís believe that people are "a mine rich in gems of inestimable value" and that only a complete education -- spiritual, as well as academic, vocational, and physical -- can cause us to reveal our treasures. By discovering our true worth, we become able to help our communities.
What can we do?
The world civilization envisaged by Bahá'u'lláh will take centuries to build. And building it will take the commitment of the whole of humankind, starting in neighborhoods and villages.
The Bahá'ís are committed to creating this spiritual community, in which principles such as the oneness of humankind, the oneness of religion, the equality of the sexes, and the elimination of the extremes of poverty and wealth become reality.
To do this, Bahá'ís are striving to apply the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh to their own lives and their communities. These teachings promote a new way of thinking, studying, and acting. The goal is for participants to feel spiritually empowered to live a life of service to others.
The Bahá'ís are committed to creating this spiritual community, in which principles such as the oneness of humankind, the oneness of religion, the equality of the sexes, and the elimination of the extremes of poverty and wealth become reality.
To do this, Bahá'ís are striving to apply the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh to their own lives and their communities. These teachings promote a new way of thinking, studying, and acting. The goal is for participants to feel spiritually empowered to live a life of service to others.
