How conversations can propel community-building

Families in the southwest region of Western Australia are learning how to engage in more elevated and spiritual themes with friends and neighbours as they look to further advance the community-building work in the area. 

The region was recently recognised as a third milestone cluster. Third milestone clusters are characterised by the rising spirit of universal participation in the work of community building. In its 29 December 2015 message, the Universal House of Justice states: 

Having marked this next step along the growth process, the region has set its sights on how to further advance as a collective. Through perseverance, unity, and respect, the Area Teaching Committee, a body which focuses on the development of society-building efforts in the area, is exploring the concept of how to engage in more elevated conversations with friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

Area Teaching Committee members Nasim Ghoddosi, Arman Yazdani and Pardeep Kumar say the Ruhi institute will play a key role in raising capacity within individuals to confidently converse with friends on topics of spiritual import.  

The Ruhi curriculum is designed to effect both a spiritual transformation within individuals, and to empower everyone to contribute to the advancement of their surroundings. The first book in the curriculum, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, explores themes related to the Baha’i Writings, Prayer and Life and Death. The second book is specifically about serving humanity and exploring uplifting conversations such as science and religion, God, the oneness of humanity and justice.

Nasim says holy day programs and celebrations, Baha’i feasts, devotional programs, markets and home visits will all present opportunities for individuals to speak to these topics and engage in spiritual conversations with friends, both old and new, as the capacity-building efforts propel forward. 

She says as more conversations about the community-building efforts arise, so too will more core activities and festivals be established – including children’s classes, junior youth groups and study circles.