Jim's Baha'i studies project: framework

Contents:
1. What it's about
2. Some of my current ideas about Baha'i training

1. What it's about

I was thinking that some friends of mine might do more good with the writings of Baha'u'llah if they had a better vision of possibilities, and if they were less distracted by Baha'i feuding. That led to the idea of helping to transmit encouragement, support and learning through walls of prejudice and over gulfs of estrangement. That led to the idea of reading and commenting thoughtfully and sympathetically on people's writings.

I think it might help me to be looking for ideas to improve Baha'i training. I haven't considered how any of this might actually be incorporated into Baha'i training. Some possibilities do come to mind, but the value of this for me doesn't depend on that.

I might also look for ideas about how to improve the framework of this project.

2. Some of my current ideas about Baha'i training

It might help me to set this in a context of learning and teaching resources in general, for Baha'u'llah's purposes. Examples of resources might include models, study materials, workshops, classes, mentoring, divine institutions, prayer and other spiritual practices, consultation, encouragement skills, fellowship, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, spiritual qualities and Neo-Pagan concepts and practices.

I might generalize what I'm looking for in my reading to any ideas that might help improve any kind of learning and teaching resource for Baha'u'llah's purposes.

Considering the content and methods of training, my thoughts have mostly revolved around mentoring, Baha'i training institutes, and the Ruhi courses as a starting point for widespread training for general purposes. I'm imagining an evolution in mentoring, in the Ruhi courses, and in other training programs which will respond to all of the current possibilities for serving Baha'u'llah's purposes; and to the whole range of interests, concerns and capacities of all the people who are trying to serve them.

Examples of evolution might include improvement in concepts, in ways of developing skills, and in ways of developing our relationships with Baha'u'llah.

Jim's Baha'i studies project

Background: See previous post

I was reading a friend's blog (Vigdisdotter), and I thought of this project and decided to include her in it.

I need to do some more thinking about how to do what I'm trying to do in this project. Meanwhile, I'll just post some disorganized thoughts about training that come to me while I'm reading the blog.

1. A monotheistic view can impoverish our relationship with the world around us.

2. It's good to start with basics.

3. I might like Baha'i training to include making better use of our intuition, the color wheel of life, seeing the magic all around us, finding our own path, gods and guiding spirits, and not depreciating any of our ideas or parts of our personality, no matter how much other people do, including our companions.

Exploring Baha'u'llah's writings together

One purpose of my blog and Web pages for exploring Baha'u'llah's writings together will be to help transmit encouragement, support and learning through walls of prejudice and across gulfs of estrangement.

Here are some ideas for visions, goals, strategies and references.

Visions

http://www.geocities.com/geotalk/fellowship/fellowship.html

http://www.geocities.com/ozpeople/home.html

Goals

1. Learn more from a wider variety of people about using Baha'u'llah's writings, and about encouraging and supporting people.

2. Offer encouragement, support and learning opportunities to a wider variety of people.

3. Encourage and support other people doing the same.

Strategies

1. Spend time with people, doing things that interest them.

2. Study and practice ways of using Baha'u'llah's writings.

References

1. Tablet of the true seeker

2. Writings of the House of Justice about the study of the Baha'i Faith

Other ideas

Some people I might try to spend more time with:

1. Some people I've associated with the Dialogue/Talisman chronicles.

2. People whose articles are published in Baha'i Studies journals.

3. Authors of Baha'i blogs.