Excerpts from 'Reflections on the Life of the Spirit'

Around the world, one of the most common formats for Bahá'í study circles feature a workbook entitled "Reflection on the Life of the Spirit."

Developed by the Ruhi Institute in Colombia, the workbook is part of a series of materials that are widely used around the world by Bahá'í communities in an effort to foster constructive personal and community transformation.

These workbooks use an interactive, question-and-answer format that fosters a participatory learning process in which the entire group develops a new capacity for individual and social action.

Typically, a study circle is lead by a "tutor" or "facilitator." His or her role, however, is not that of a traditional "teacher," who imparts knowledge to the group. Rather, the tutor serves merely as a guide to assist participants to come to their own understandings and to generate new knowledge about themselves and their communities.

The workbooks also draw extensively on quotations from the Bahá'í sacred writings -- a feature that infuses a high degree of spirituality into the process.

Below are links to some excerpts from "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit," and also from another workbook, "Walking together on the Path of Service," which are intended to give the web reader a idea of the kinds of topics and activities covered in typical Bahá'í study circles.

Links

• 'Life and Death' from 'Reflection on the Life of the Spirit'

  The following is an outline, including selected excerpts and quotations, from the "Life and Death" chapter in the "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit" workbook, published by the Ruhi Institute. More >

• Introduction to 'Reflections on the Life of the Spirit'

  The following are excerpts from the introductory chapter to the "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit" workbook, published by the Ruhi Institute. More >