Australian Baha'i Sites

How one Sydney boardroom transformed into a space of spiritual exploration 

Baha’is and their friends across the country are striving to advance the capacity-building work in a multitude of settings, building vibrant and prosperous spaces founded on unity and community. In its 30 December 2021 message, the Universal House of Justice states: 

Such groups of friends set about widening the circle of participation in their activities by engaging with the networks to which they belong—networks created through a place of work or study, a local school, or a community hub of another kind—and by accompanying others who arise to serve alongside them. These efforts have tremendous merit.

The Universal House of Justice

In one workplace in Sydney, a group of colleagues has spent the past year exploring spiritual concepts in a corporate setting. Coming together on a weekly basis in their staff boardroom, the group was first launched following the request of a senior executive who asked one of his Baha’i colleagues for some materials about spirituality. 

The Baha’i friend decided that instead of giving the colleague a book, the best course of action would be to try and invite him to be part of the institute process as soon as possible. In this way, he could embark on a spiritual path envisioned and guided by the institute and she was there to accompany him.

The group of colleagues has now started the first course of the Ruhi sequence, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, building the habit of studying the writings every day, using the course to help explore the intersect between work and spirituality, and learning how to interact and manage their teams more effectively. 

Throughout the process, participants have also enhanced their capacity to pray, using prayer as a tool to assist in the operation of their teams during crisis or difficulty. The group has also decided to launch regular devotional gatherings, sustained by those within the space, and has even travelled to the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship together. 

Over time, participants have developed the habit of turning to the guidance to solve problems at work and in the world, referring to quotations from the Writings online and sharing them with other participants. It is evident that the participants are striving for coherence as they invest in both their spiritual and physical lives and take ownership of their own spiritual transformation and that of their communities.

It has been heartening to observe how, as a group, we are constantly drawing on the power of prayer and the Writings of the faith during times of difficulty, finding solace and strength in the Word of God, supporting one another through periods of suffering and building a network of friendship founded on spiritual themes.

Thanks for reading.

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Sydney

Baha’i communities across Sydney are working in a multitude of settings – in neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and homes – to advance the spiritual educational process and build vibrant and prosperous spaces founded on unity and community.

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Published in April, 2024, in Community Stories > Community Building

Available online at: horizons.bahai.org.au/community-stories/how-one-sydney-boardroom-has-transformed-into-a-space-of-spiritual-exploration/

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