The Bahá’í Community of Peterborough

Books offered by the Ruhi Institute are read and discussed by a group of friends that come together regularly. One friend acts as a 'tutor', with training and experience to help others through the material. In this space, all are consciously engaged in a process of learning. Each book in the sequence of courses raises capacity in participants to undertake acts of service, which they carry out together.

"Devotional meetings are occasions where any soul may enter, inhale the heavenly fragrances, experience the sweetness of prayer, meditate upon the Creative Word, be transported on the wings of the spirit, and commune with the one Beloved. Feelings of fellowship and common cause are generated, particularly in the spiritually heightened conversations that naturally occur at such times and through which the ‘city of the human heart’ may be opened.”

Junior youth, those aged 11-14, are at a point in their lives where their minds, capacities and talents are growing and developing. They are also faced with many social forces which influence the direction of their growth. The junior youth spiritual empowerment program provides them with a space and a group of friends to help them navigate these forces, while strengthening the noble qualities they each possess. Groups meet regularly with an 'animator', an older friend and mentor trained to facilitate the educational materials. They study, engage in artistic activities, play sports and games, and plan and carry out service projects together. 

The education of children is essential to the transformation of society. Bahá’í children's classes draw on stories, arts , music and games to teach children ages 6-10 about the development of spiritual qualities. Rather than seeing children as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge, we recognize that little ones have within themselves precious spiritual gems, which only education can help them to uncover and polish. These include the qualities and virtues of kindness, truthfulness, justice, love, and compassion.