RISE Newsletter 01 (May 2023)

RISE

Now the new age is here and creation is reborn.

Humanity hath taken on new life - 'Abdu'l-Bahá

T R A I NI NG

I NS T I T UT E

S OUT H- E A S T E R N

B OA R D

F OR

A US T R A L I A

NE WS L E T T E R

I S S UE

0 1

in this issue 03

TO THE REGION

07

THE RUHI INSTUTITE

09

RUHI INSTUTITUTE MATERIALS

11

ORDER PROCESS

13

ZONAL INSTITUTE GATHERING

16

REGION NARRATIVES

20

SCHEME OF COORDINATION

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Training Insitute Board for South-Eastern Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community.

We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Artist: Neda Loh

TO THE REGION From the Training Institute Board for South Eastern Australia

The Training Institute Board for South-Eastern Australia extends its warmest regards to each of you as we, with excitment, release the first edition of our cyclical newsletter to share developments of the institute from across our region, disseminate insights and inspire hearts.

The Ruhi Institute has formulated its strategies within a special framework and a philosophy of social change, development and education that has emerged from a consistent effort to apply Bahá’í principles to the analysis of social conditions. Guided by universal participation, both as a principle and goal, the Ruhi Institute carry out educational activities that combine learning and personal study with acts of service in the community, fostering environments where participants develop qualities, attitudes and skills directed towards promoting the well-being of the community. The Institute has therefore adopted a pedagogical approach that concerns itself with ways in which individuals increase their capacity to serve. This capacity, while intimately connected with spirituality, appreciates the field of service represents the environment where spirituality can be cultivated. The content and order of the main sequence are based on a series of acts of service, the practice of which creates capacity in the individual to meet the exigencies of dynamic, developing communities by walking a path of service. These acts of service establish a dynamic pattern of action that lead to the sound development of local communities.

This pattern of action involves the establishment of devotional meetings, systematic home visits, children’s classes, junior youth groups and study circles, reinforced by individual and collective efforts to share the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in numerous settings.

In its 3 November 2022 message to all Local Spiritual Assemblies, the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia encourages returning to the predominant mode of inperson gatherings as it “has been observed that meeting in person greatly enriches the Assembly’s consultations and strengthens the bonds of friendship and unity between its members. While there is no objection to institutions and agencies holding their meetings online when necessary or on a supplementary basis, this practice should not replace in-person meetings as the predominant mode of meeting.”

Nabil Sami Photography

For individuals to become protagonists for spiritual and social advancement, it is essential that study and service are carried out concurrently. In the field of action, new questions will naturally emerge, allowing for greater degrees of understanding to unfold. The Universal House of Justice in its 30 December 2021 message shared that, “The Revelation of Baha'u'llah is concerned with the transformation of both humanity's inner life and social environment.” Strengthening in person gatherings aligns best with “the society building power of the Cause” in which we are all participants in within each of our localities and unique settings.

In light of "enhancing the educational experience", we want to take this opportunity to share newly released materials of the Training Institute with new editions of: Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth The three units that make up Book 5, Life’s Springtime, An Age of Promise and Unit 3, Serving as an Animator focuses on some of the concepts, skills, qualities, and attitudes that experience has shown are required by those wishing to implement a program for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth.

Book 6: Teaching the Cause Propagation of Bahá’u’lláh’s message is one of the most essential services to be rendered as teaching is a natural expression of a state of being - a state in which one is moved to share with others the knowledge and joy one finds in His Revelation, explored in Unit 1 “The Spiritual Nature of Teaching”. The second and third units, “Qualities and Attitudes Essential for Teaching” and “The Act of Teaching”, take this premise further.

Branch courses for Book 5 assist animators to appreciate concepts studied throughout the junior youth texts and to reflect on their initial experiences as an animator, Initial Impulse and Widening Circle.

Junior Youth texts are divided into two categories, Baha'i inspired and Baha'i explicit, all concerned with developing language skills and the power of expression. These 13 texts (and growing), also address mathematical concepts, social issues and prepare young people to approach the investigation of physical, social and spiritual reality in a scientific manner. Two of the most recent releases shared below present 10 lessons each, consisting of a reading followed by activities to further understand scientific concepts treated in the story and their application to one’s life

On Health and Well-Being

Habits of an Orderly Mind

The readings follow Teresa and the seventh grade class she teaches studying the subject of human health. She and her students talk about a few common diseases and the pathogens that cause them, learn about the specialization of cells and tissues and what certain organs do, and discuss how the immune system functions and how to protect the body through healthy habits and vaccinations. When a crisis erupts that affects their village, the students draw on what they have learned to understand its dynamics and to reflect on the importance of protecting and contributing to the well-being of their community. For this, they come to appreciate, they need to arm themselves with the power of knowledge, scientific and spiritual.

The readings follow the discussions of a group of five friends who, found together in a park in the opening scene, begin to wonder what it means to have an orderly mind when one of them arrives late.

In trying to answer this question, they are helped by the parents of two of the youth to think first about simple types of order and then gradually more complex ones. The discussions enable the friends to identify some of the habits that they want to develop - for example, to formulate ideas in an orderly sequence and to express them with clarity, to plan and to prioritize habits crucial if they are to learn to draw upon their intellectual and spiritual powers. The final reading offers those who study the text an opportunity to reflect on some of the powers of the mind and how they can be employed for the good of humanity: the power of imagination and the power of thought, the power of memory and the power of understanding.

THE RUHI INSTITUTE ELEMENTS OF THE PEDAGOGY OF THE INSTITUTE PROCESS

With respect to raising the capacity of institutes to deliver each of the three stages of the educational process, we are glad to see that attention is increasingly being given to enhancing the quality of the educational experience itself, in addition to expanding the system for its delivery. A critical requirement is to enable all those contributing to the work of the institute to progressively advance their understanding of the educational content: its objectives, its structure, its pedagogical principles, its methodology, its central concepts, its interconnections.

- Universal House of Justice, 30th December 2021

s n o i t i d New E

Book 5 Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth Download PDF

Book 6 Teaching the Cause Download PDF

Nabil Sami Photography

THE PURPOSE OF THE INSTITUTE-A POTENT MEANS FOR RELEASING THE SOCIETY BUILDING POWER OF THE FAITH Its vision is that of empowering masses of humanity to contribute to establishment of new world civilization Progress on path of service entails developing a number of capabilities which allow us to contribute to the progress of humanity: The institute simultaneously and progressively endows participants with spiritual insights, knowledge, skills and abilities that build capacity for service and to carry forth an everadvancing civilization.

Another source of knowledge is the accumulating experience of the worldwide Baha'i community in furthering material and spiritual civilization Universal participation is a principle and a goal. Seeks to promote intensive participation by increasing the number of individuals learning to apply knowledge

When we first introduced the concept of the training institute, it was in the context of the need to raise up human resources to take on the tasks of expansion and consolidation. At this juncture, when a new series of Plans has just begun, we invite you to take a more expansive view.

Increasingly, participation in institute courses is preparing the friends of God for an ever-deeper engagement in the life of the wider community; it is endowing them with the knowledge, insights, and skills that enable them to contribute not only to the process of developing their own community, but to the progress of society. In short, the institute is a potent means for the society-building power of the Faith to find release.

- The Universal House of Justive, 30th December 2021

RUHI INSTITUTE MATERIALS A seamless educational experience.

The Ruhi Institute conducts courses and educational programs for diverse age groups, from the tender age of 5 to adulthood. Provided below is a description of three of its current endeavors, together with a list of the materials used in each one. It should be noted that the lists will continue to undergo change as experience in the field advances, and new titles will be added as an increasing number of curricular elements under development reach the stage where they can be made widely available.

MAIN SEQUENCE OF COURSES, FOR THOSE 15 AND OLDER. Below are the current titles in the series designed by the Ruhi Institute for youth and adults that are intended to be used as the main sequence of courses in a systematic

Materials in Development

effort to enhance the capacity of youth and adults to serve their communities.

Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Book 2 Arising to Serve

Book 3 Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1-5

Book 4 The Twin Manifestations

Book 5 Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth

Book 6 Teaching the Cause

Book 7 Walking together on a Path of Service

Book 8 The Convenant of Bahá'u'lláh (pre-pub)

Book 9 Gaining a Historical Perspective (pre-pub)

Book 10 Building Vibrant Communities (pre-pub)

Book 11 Material Means Unit 1: Giving: The Spiritual Basis of Prosperity Unit 2: The Institution of the Fund

Book 12 Family and the Community Unit 1: The Instituition of Marriage

Book 13 Engaging in Social Action Unit 1: Stirrings at the Grassroots Unit 2: Elements of a Conceptual Framework

Book 14 Participating in Public Discourse Unit 1: The Nature of our Contributions

Hampton Park, Gippsland Cluster

JUNIOR YOUTH SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Since its inception, the Ruhi Institute has attached special importance to its work with youth aged 12 to 15; specifically, it has sought to understand the dynamics of maintaining small groups in local communities that offer a setting in which young people can discuss ideas and form a strong moral identity. The Institute has found the titles noted below useful for this purpose. They are divided into two categories and are listed in order of difficulty. Several other titles will eventually be added to the Institute’s program for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth.

Baha'i Inspired Breezes of Confirmation Wellspring of Joy Habits of an Orderly Mind Glimmerings of Hope Walking the Straight Path On Health and Well-Being Learning About Excellence Thinking About Numbers Observation and Insight The Human Temple Drawing on the Power of the Word In its own work with young people, the Ruhi Institute includes the items in the second category, which address Bahá’í-related subjects. Among these subjects are those with which adolescents most often struggle, such as free will and predestination and the complex relationship between will and knowledge.

Baha'i Explicit Spirit of Faith Power of the Holy Spirit

ORDER PROCESS Currently there is a national framework from the BDS (Baha’i Distribution Service) that assists each region in Australia to distribute and deliver institute materials (and companion materials), branch courses and junior youth texts. Ordering is available via the SEA Request Form on www.bahaibooks.com.au aimed for materials to be delivered swiftly within 1-3 working days with Print on Demand (POD) materials dispatched between 5-9 working days. POD materials include some prepublications, new edition of Book 6, other languages and texts that are out of stock indicated in the request form.

Using the SEA Request Form on the website, the individual making the order is asked to either make an individual payment or nominate the Training Institute Board to pay.

Friends are asked to reflect on the guiding principle regarding empowerment of ones learning from guidance, Training Institutes: Attaining a Higher Level of Functioning, "that when participants can afford to purchase the texts they are encouraged to do so."

Wherever individuals can organize collection of institute materials at a physical touchpoint instead of the request form due to time constraints, friends are welcome to do so and make arrangements that best suit their reality. Additional training institute materials not listed in the request form such as other languages, can be requested by emailing ruhibooks@sea.bahai.org.au

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO SEA REQUEST FORM

On the homepage of Baha'i Books, click on "Menu"

Select Request Form and then SEA Training Institute

Select materials required and fill in personal details. Finalise payment option (customer or Institute) and confirm request.

ZONAL INSTITUTE GATHERING Network of Institutes Zonal Institute Gathering for Australia, New Zealand, and Timor Leste

In its 30 December 2021 message, the Universal House of Justice describes the

The gathering fostered conditions that

need “for institutes to be organized into

promoted learning. We reflected on

groupings of varying sizes to enable the

attitudes and qualities for explorative

lessons that are being learned by the most experienced institutes to be shared

consultation that builds vision and raises consciousness in light of a more

more widely, increasingly through the

expansive view of the Training Institute

means of formal seminars”. South-

which has been called upon us to adopt

Eastern Australia region hosted this

within the Nine-Year Plan.

recent and historical gathering of a network of 6 institutes brought together by the Institution of Counsellors for collaboration and strengthening a systematic learning process. Across 4 days from Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 March 2023 in Silverwater Baha’i Centre of Learning Sydney, 60 vibrant and joyful participants across Training Institute Boards and its representatives from South-Eastern Australia, North-Eastern Australia, Western-Central Australia, North Island New Zealand, South Island New Zealand and Timor Leste alongside the loving support and encouragement from all four of our Counsellors, Taraz

Appreciating the merits of the Junior Youth

Nadarjah, Tessa Scrine, Daniel Peirce

Spiritual Empowerment Programme as we

and Vahid Saberi, we had the

prepare to embark the next frontier as a

opportunity to reflect on the strengths of

network of institutes to learn from ongoing

the institute process in our respective

efforts engaging with 300+ junior youth

regions and consult on areas of

through 10+ study of junior youth texts

advancements through collective

within a cluster and its implications.

learning.

Formulating this vision together across three countries assisted the group to have a greater appreciation for the merits of the junior youth program and learning how to

Insights

raise an entire educational system that will

1. A more expansive view of the training

attribute to the development of all

institute

educational imperatives and the

a. merit of the junior youth programme

interconnections to nurture the development of each individual as they

2. Expanding the system for delivery of

embark from childhood to adulthood, with

the training institute

the centrality of education and the institute promoting a pedagogy of capacity

a. an expanding system of support in many clusters

building that is coherent, seamless and

b. evolution of organisational schemes

interconnected to enhance the educational

c. supporting individuals to dedicate

experience as a potent means for the release of society building powers of the

more time d. sustaining youth on a path of service

Faith.

3. Enhancing the quality of the educational experience a. attitudes & qualities of our service b. learning from the most advanced clusters c. formalisation of the program in villages and neighbourhoods, 4. Implications for network of institutes a. development of the network of institutes and the dynamic interaction with the learning site b. implications for annual plans of institutes As we strengthen systematic action across our zone to meet annually to reflect and continue tracing the path to learn, ongoing Zonal Institutes Gathering will assist with elevating our vision, align us with the exigencies of the 9-Year Plan, and place the merit of the junior youth program firmly within the broader context of society-building.

region narratives

SHELLHARBOUR INSTITUTE SCHOOL Fresia Sabeti - Children's Class Coordinator for Illawara Cluster Laren Rasekhi and Wafa Naddafi - Collaborators for Illawara Cluster Vida Bayani - Auxiliary Board Member for Illawara Cluster

In mid-2021, children’s festivals evolved into family festivals. Family festivals cultivated an environment where concepts from the Institute material are socialized and has resulted in widening the circle of participation. Strengthening the bonds of friendship and trust was a key factor in connecting with the families and extending the invitation to weekly children’s classes to them. From the outset of weekly classes, parents were invited to stay during the entire class to assist and see themselves as active protagonists. Family festivals have proven effective where the entire family unit is present and learning together about a specific theme. It gives an opportunity to the fathers to also join and benefit from the discussions. n an effort to accommodate the growing number of children in the Flinders Children’s class, it was decided to approach the principal of Shell Cove Public School to consult on the option of renting several classrooms on Friday afternoons from 3-5. Given the rapport the Baha’i Community has had with this school since 2005 through Children’s Classes in State Schools and parental involvement in the Parents and Citizens’ Association, the principal was open to a conversation that included the concepts of children’s class materials, the JY empowerment program and its enshrined concepts, building vibrant communities, and service projects.

There are now 5 children’s class teachers including four youths who are teaching a preschool class, Grade 1 and Grade 2. Two tutors are socialising concepts from Book 1, 2 and 3 concurrently during the session with the mothers.

After investigating the possibility with the governing organisation of Shell Cove Public School as well as a question being posed to the teachers at the school indicating their willingness for their classrooms to be utilised on Friday afternoons, the principal confirmed that this request had been approved and that 8 teachers had willingly offered their classrooms for Baha’i classes. The relationship established with these teachers over many years and their admiration of the content of Children’s Classes contributed to their willingness to gladly offering their classrooms. The principal advertised the flyer in the school newsletter and it has been posted on the Shell Cove noticeboard Facebook page. This happened in May 2021 when the classes were formalised, and the structure was set to receive more families. One of the mothers has completed books 1-3 and is teaching the Grade 1 class. She also attends the weekly team meetings with her 9-yearold son and brings the perspective of the parents and her contributions are very valuable.

Insights on

developing an Institute School As community building activities gain momentum and more families are engaged in the process, public schools are naturally an ideal venue for this process to unfold further, especially when the principal has observed the transformation in children who have been engaged in this process and are now teachers and animators at the onset of youth.

Engaging the entire family in this process has been instrumental in seeing the impact of the Institute process on the population. When different grades of children’s classes are taking place concurrently with the junior youth groups and the parent’s sessions, the children become enthused to become junior youth and contribute to service projects. As a result, children and families become engaged in social action and develop a desire to contribute to the betterment of their community.

Parents witness the impact and the level of transformation and extend invitations to their acquaintances to be part of these classes. As we know, the Institute process is an instrument of limitless potentialities, and sharing key concepts from books one and two have raised the consciousness of the parents who are engaged to see themselves as active protagonists in this process.

Strengthening the bonds of friendship and trust is of paramount importance.

Family festivals where the entire family is engaged have given impetus to community- building activities and have increased participation in the weekly classes. These two processes are symbiotic and synergic. Institute schools offer a seamless coherent educational experience.

The team is focused on expanding the number of families in the weekly classes and learning to work with larger and larger numbers. Their object of learning is to gain insight into the nature of conversations that are required to enable more of the population to be active protagonists of community building activities.

HUME INSTITUTE CAMP Basim Vasli - Main Sequence Coordinator for Hume Cluster

REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT RETREAT

Hume cluster started its journey in the third milestone with two cluster wide camps - one for the youth and the Junior Youth, and the other, Ruhi Book 1 Institute Camp called “Reflections on the

The Retreat reunited many of the community members with the Institute. Some participants had previously completed Book 1 when it was first released.

Life of the Spirit Retreat” for the families.

The Retreat had 19 friends attending, including the tutors. The study was offered in two languages, English and Persian. Having recently traversed into the third milestone, and being at the opening stages of the Nine Year Plan, the participants were filled with joy and the environment was uplifting. Some of the key elements were the periodic meetings of tutors prior to the Retreat, as well as their daily reflections during the Retreat, with the ability to seeing the Institute through the lens of the Nine Year Plan much inspired by paragraphs 21 and 22 of 30 December 2021 Message of the Universal House of Justice, as well as the incorporation of art, music and home visits.

Although completing Book 1 in Farsi seemed like an unattainable task over two and a half days, the team’s mode of learning towards the process, made it possible. As a result, the Persian group not only completed the Book, but shared that they found this experience as the most productive study circle they have participated in. They managed to stay focused on the topics, follow the flow of concepts and the pedagogy of the Institute.

The organizers encouraged everyone, especially whole families to participate.

After reading the reality of Hume cluster which has a large newly migrated Persian population, it was decided to deliver the Book in two languages.

.

Preparing for a

spiritual retreat

Tutors were identified from each community of the cluster, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Hume with the intention to accompany the participants in their community, post Retreat. To identify the tutors, the characteristics that were considered were - a good understanding of the provisions of the Plan and one who has a spirit of love to serve, learn and accompany. The tutors and the coordinator gathered four times leading up to the Retreat.

The Auxiliary Board Member joined the first meeting and was closely accompanied the team prior to the retreat. The team reflected on paragraphs 21 and 22 of 30 December 2021 message and A Few Thoughts for the Tutors. The team recognized the connection and coherence of concepts in A Few Thoughts for the Tutors and the vision the House of Justice set for us in relation to the Institute. The team also studied section 6 and 7 of Unit 2 in Book 7 to explore concepts such as attraction to beauty and importance of the environment in a study circle.

The team then explored the importance of cleanliness, punctuality, art and music and the necessity of spiritually heightened conversations during the Retreat.

Following that, the group reviewed a number of revised sections of Book 1, especially the first five sections of Unit 3, which the changes became extremely clear such as the principle of science and religion has been weaved into Life and Death. The team also spent a significant amount of time exploring the concept of two-fold moral purpose, as this seems to be the underlying thread of the newly revised Ruhi Institute Books. The preparation meetings allowed the team to establish a strong sense of friendship and unity prior to the Retreat. .

SCHEME OF COORDINATION SYDNEY SUB-REGION

SYDNEY SUB REGIONAL COORDINATORS

Children Class Sub Regional Coordinator Malak Sabeti cc@sea.bahai.org.au Junior Youth Sub Regional Coordinator - Adeeb Enayati jy@sea.bahai.org.au

CHILDREN CLASS CLUSTER COORDINATORS

MAIN SEQUENCE CLUSTER COORDINATORS

Greater Hunter cc.greaterhunter@sea.bahai.org.au

ACTSE - Rafi Khorsandi ms.actse@sea.bahai.org.au

State Religious Coordinator - Niloofar Ashjari ashjari@optusnet.com.au

Greater Hunter - Victoria Tedjaratit ms.greaterhunter@sea.bahai.org.au Illawara - Jilll Wiese ms.illawarra@sea.bahai.org.au

JUNIOR YOUTH CLUSTER COORDINATORS ACTSE - Sarah Khorsandi jy.actse@sea.bahai.org.au Sydney - Artin Hekmat jy.sydney@sea.bahai.org.au

Where there is no scheme of coordination in a cluster for a particular educational imperative, friends are encouraged to reach out to the Area Teaching Committee or Auxiliary Board member

SCHEME OF COORDINATION MELBOURNE SUB-REGION

MELBOURNE SUB REGIONAL COORDINATORS Children Class Sub Regional Coordinator - Terri Turner cc@sea.bahai.org.au Junior Youth Sub Regional Coordinator - Kunal Pathania jy@sea.bahai.org.au

JUNIOR YOUTH CLUSTER COORDINATORS Melbourne - Yousef Sobhani jy.melbourne@sea.bahai.org.au Hume - Anis Russell & Niloofar Naderi jy.hume@sea.bahai.org.au

CHILDREN CLASS CLUSTER COORDINATORS

MAIN SEQUENCE CLUSTER COORDINATORS

Hume - Sanam Saatchi cc.hume@sea.bahai.org.au

Hume - Basim Vasli ms.hume@sea.bahai.org.au

Mellbourne - Josceline Tan cc.melbourne@sea.bahai.org.au Soutern Tasmania - Jennifer Pepperell ms.southerntasmania@sea.bahai.org. au

Southern Tasmania - Sandhya Keenoo & Margaret Mangan ms.southerntasmania@sea.bahai.org.au

Where there is no scheme of coordination in a cluster for a particular educational imperative, friends are encouraged to reach out to the Area Teaching Committee or Auxiliary Board member

acknowledgements editors Nelly Samandari Tanisha Raj

visual design Tanisha Raj

artistic contributions Neda Mei Art Nabil Sami Photography

If you wish to provide feedback or have any enquiries please contact the Training Institute Board for South Eastern Australia.

We would like to encourage friends to send in their developments of the institute process from their locality and artisitc pieces to be published in our future cyclical newsletter.

We'd love to hear from you! tib@sea.bahai.org.au

Now the new age is here and creation is reborn.

Humanity hath taken on new life - 'Abdu'l-Bahá