Shoghi Effendi stated that the first duty, and the focus of sustained efforts, of every faithful follower of the Baha'i Faith is to strive to acquire a more adequate understanding of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. Although a full comprehension of such a Revelation is beyond the limits of our understanding, a clearer understanding of its basic truths will empower us to derive fresh inspiration and to gain further spiritual nourishment, which in turn will support and maintain our services to the Cause (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 100). Shoghi Effendi wrote "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah" in 1934 in the form of a letter addressed to the Baha'is of the West to assist them to fulfil the obligation of deepening their understanding. The letter was published together with a selection of his other letters in 1938 in the book entitled The World Order of Baha'u'llah. "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah" provides an accurate and clear description of the fundamental verities of the Baha'i Faith concerning the station of its Central Figures as well as the twin crowning institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Grasping and upholding these verities will enrich the spiritual life of the individual. This tutorial is designed to assist you in studying and assimilating the content of "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah." It is called a tutorial to emphasize the concept underlying its development. In a tutorial, a tutor facilitates learning for an individual or a small group. This book has been designed and developed to simulate, as much as possible, the tutor-tutored relationship in a self-paced personal study. The tutorial identifies the main themes covered in Shoghi Effendi's letter and splits related paragraphs into chapters. Hence, the 130 paragraphs of "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah" are apportioned for study across 27 chapters. The size and complexity of each chapter reflects the content and intricacy of the issues addressed in the paragraphs included therein. The title chosen for each chapter reflects the main theme covered in the paragraphs. In addition, two extra chapters address those questions that arose following the sudden passing of Shoghi Effendi and the lack of any lineal descendant to succeed him as the next Guardian. The first chapter explores the possible reasons that Shoghi Effendi did not leave a will nor appoint a successor. The second chapter examines the defection of Charles Mason Remey after the passing of Shoghi Effendi, and his unsubstantiated claim to the Guardianship.

In Quotations for Making a Better World with the Baha'i Faith, author Nathan Thomas has compiled a collection of passages from the Baha'i Holy Writings and other sources to help introduce this new religion to the world as a message of hope for humanity. The book is a companion to Making a Better World with the Baha'i Faith, How Baha'is are transforming our world into a more unified, prosperous, and spiritual home for all mankind, written by the same author. Through the use of quotations from the Central Figures of the Baha'i Faith, which include the Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, along with quotations from the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice and its agencies, Quotations for Making a Better World with the Baha'i Faith explores the goals of the worldwide Baha'i community in the world, the organization that Baha'is are building to achieve those goals, and the spirit that Baha'is are infused with to ensure that the change extends to all people regardless of religion. In the process, this book helps people get a more comprehensive solution to the needs of the age that we live in, and offers a new hope for a better future for all mankind.

This practical, easy-to-use teacher's guide contains nine hands-on workshops on Baha'i Public Speaking. It is designed to prepare Baha'is of all ages with the skills and qualities needed to become more effective teachers of the Faith. Participants will learn to speak clearly and with confidence-from the kitchen table to the conference hall. Communicate effectively, whether giving a fireside, sharing a Feast report, telling stories at a Holy Day celebration, offering a prayer at a devotional gathering, teaching a children's class, presenting materials to public officials, speaking at a large event, or talking with family members during a home visit. Using a step-by-step approach, participants will learn to stand up with courage in front of a group, speak with a strong clear voice, research the Baha'i Writings, memorize selected passages, answer questions about the Faith, give short fireside talks, and develop their own speaking style. Complete with copy-ready student handouts, each lesson includes: * Warm-up activities * Speaking tips * Practice exercises * Homework assignment Baha'i Public Speaking is a great resource for junior youth groups and campus clubs. Local Assemblies will also find it to be a useful tool for seeker response representatives and public information officers. Opportunities to share Baha'i passages and speak directly about the Faith are multiplying. Be prepared

The Baha'i Writings state that "the education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind." Filled with fun, hands-on, kid-tested learning activities, this theme book is the third in a series of easy-to-use teacher's guides designed for Baha'i children's classes. Inside you will find a treasure trove of ideas for Baha'i summer and winter schools, Holy Day programs, academic classrooms, home schoolers and weekend retreats. The book has four sections: * The Bab: His Birth, Early Life and Station * Declaration of the Bab * Martyrdom of the Bab * The Primal Point The index at the back of the book makes it easy to find exactly what you need. Choose from stories, songs, crafts, games, puzzles, memory quotes, felt lessons, demonstrations, map exercises, student worksheets, discussion starters, group research projects, a treasure hunt, a reader's theater and much more.

The Temiar are a Mon-Khmer-speaking group living in the uplands of northern Peninsular Malaysia. People in the region once practised Mahayana Buddhism and later Islam, but when Geoffrey Benjamin began his fieldwork in 1964, the Temiar practised a localised and unexportable animistic religion. Over a period of nearly 50 years he has followed the Temiar community, witnessing a series of changes that have seen them become ever more embedded in broader Malaysian society. Benjamin's work traces a process of religious enchantment, disenchantment and re-enchantment, as the Temiars reacted in various ways to Baha'i, Islam and Christianity, including developing their own new religion. In a text enriched by detailed ethnographic reportage, Benjamin draws on the Temiar experience to set out a novel theory of religion, and to explore the changing intellectual framework of anthropology over the past half-century.

Baha'i Faith is a global religion of spiritual and social transformation. Baha'i Faith seeks to assist in the process of unification of all persons by breaking down barriers of race, nation, class and creed. This book gives an overview of the Bahai Faith system that can be understood on a conversational level. This book includes a section for notes and keeping a journal and is presented by The Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts (ULCMM).

This collection (in Farsi and English) aims to introduce children to the concepts of a selection of prayers revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha for children, using colorful illustrations. My hope and prayer is that with the assistance of the parents and educators, this humble attempt may help the children of the Kingdom to grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom. Dr. Shirin Rowhani

"The harmony of religious belief with reason is a new vista which Baha'u'llah has opened for the soul of man." 'Abdu'l-Baha Six thought-provoking essays cutting through the 'jargon jungle' that permeates and distorts the current stand-off between those who believe in a God or Creator and those who reject such beliefs, in particular the increasingly popular 'New Atheists'. The book addresses the mental struggle of many sincere seekers who are trying to rationalize their convictions in this scientific age, and highlights the urgent need for dialogue between religion and science. The author draws on the writings of the Baha'i Faith, and particularly of 'Abdu'l-Baha, who in many of his writings and public speeches elaborated on the Baha'i principle of harmony between religion and science and the necessity of investigating reality with an open mind.

Este libro es un di logo franco, abierto y sincero entre un cristiano y un baha'i. El cristiano expone, propone, argumenta y hace preguntas impertinentes al baha'i comenzando con una actitud de mera curiosidad que se va transformando en una b squeda sincera por entender, comprender, profundizar y asimilar las ense anzas, principios y pilares de la Fe Bah 'i como fueron presentados por su fundador, Bah 'u'll h. En dicho di logo multitud de aspectos son tocados, explicados, ampliados, comparados como le ocurri a tanto jud o cuando escuch por primera vez el revolucionario Mensaje de Jes s. En forma paralela y similar el cristiano se ve avocado, frente a Bah 'u'll h que declara ser el Retorno del Esp ritu de Jes s, a pasar por un proceso similar de cuestionamiento, de desaf o, de reflexi n, de investigaci n que tuvo que pasar un jud o cuando escuch los principios de la Revelaci n de Jes s, pero que, para el cristiano de hoy d a, es la Revelaci n dada por Bah 'u'll h. Frente a Bah 'u'll h no hay 'medias tintas'; o se le acepta como l afirma Quien es, la Manifestaci n de Dios m s reciente para la Humanidad, o se le rechaza como un impostor, un loco, o un profeta falso. El libro es una franca investigaci n para esclarecer cu l es la verdad ineludible de Qui n es Bah 'u'll h. Tendr s una amplia oportunidad de forjarte una idea clara al respecto cuando aceptes la invitaci n de leer el libro hasta el ltimo cap tulo. Esta es pues, una c lida invitaci n a vivenciar la m s revolucionaria aventura espiritual que hasta este momento hayas tenido oportunidad de realizar.

Every Foreign Land takes you along on an exciting journey of spiritual exploration and adventure as the author bicycles across North America followed by 17 years in Ecuador as a pioneer-teacher of the Baha'i Faith. Stories, often humorous and thought-provoking, written in a flowing, easy style, will transport you as he travels to the Baha'i World Centre and throughout Ecuador. READERS' COMMENTS: ..". couldn't put it down " ..". read it in one night " ..". very inspiring story " ..". easy to read style... good stories to share ... it's really taking me down my own memory lane..." ..". found your story highly enjoyable as well as informative and inspiring..."

The Baha'i community is composed of people from all backgrounds and life circumstances - educated and uneducated, professional and non-professional, healthy and unwell, mentally sound and mentally ill; moral, obedient and edified. Some have lost every material thing they have ever owned; some have every material thing they need. All are called to a higher purpose than their own individual development: to achieve oneness and unity within this diverse community. Phyllis K. Peterson uses true stories to explain how the Baha'i community is learning to develop true intimacy and unity through devotional meetings, reflection meetings and home visits and how it is learning to integrate not only the races but those who are outcast because of mental illness or physical disability."

The Baha'i Writings state that "the education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind." Filled with fun, hands-on, kid-tested learning activities, this theme book is the first in a series of easy-to-use teacher's guides designed for Baha'i children's classes. Inside you will find a treasure trove of ideas for Baha'i summer and winter schools, Holy Day programs, academic classrooms, home schoolers and weekend retreats. The book has four sections: * The Kingdoms of Creation * God, the Creator * Prayer, Our Connection with God * What is a Human Being? The index at the back of the book makes it easy to find exactly what you need. Choose from readings and stories, demonstrations, crafts, songs, games, felt lessons, discussion starters, memory quotes, word puzzles, outdoor and movement activities, thinking and meditation exercises, a quiz show and more.

A journey through the Book of Certitude The Kitab-i-Iqan is one of the most important Writings of Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Baha'u'llah revealed this book within the space of two days and two nights, in the last years of His stay in Baghdad (AH 1278-AD 1862). According to Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, The Kitab-i-Iqan sets "forth in outline the Grand Redemptive Scheme of God" and it "occupies a position unparalleled by any work in the entire range of the Baha'i literature, except The Kitab-i-Aqdas Baha'u'llah's Most Holy Book." This current book is a record of the journey that the author has taken through The Kitab-i-Iqan over a period of 12 years. It is not an interpretation or a critical analysis of the content of the book. Neither does it provide any personal opinion. It primarily guides reader through a systematic study of the Iqan while providing some background information on topics raised by Baha'u'llah in each paragraph. It is called a tutorial as it attempts to simulate, as much as possible, the tutor-tutored relationship in a self-paced personal study. All the references in the tutorial are sourced either from authoritative Baha'i materials or obtained from other reliable sources. The 290 paragraphs of The Kitab-i-Iqan are apportioned for study to 58 chapters. The size and complexity of each chapter reflects the content and intricacy of the issues addressed in the paragraphs included therein. Each chapter starts with an introduction that highlights the key ideas. Then in a coherent manner, background information on the terminologies, references and mystical concepts inherent in each paragraph is provided. The tutorial covers the 266 topics embedded in The Kitab-i-Iqan.

Of all the historical, religious and cultural events in the history of the United States, the arrival of 'Abdu'l-Bah in 1912 was the most important one of all. Many people-from all facets of society-had the honor to meet Him, attend His talks, benefit from His wisdom and witness His benevolence and humility. Their encounter with 'Abdu'l-Bah was life- altering: He touched the depths of their souls and awakened them spiritually. This re-telling of 'Abdu'l-Bah 's days in New York City is both inspiring and illuminating. It is intended to bring you closer to this unique figure in spiritual history, whose life will serve as a model of the true spiritual and ethical life for centuries to come.

In Quotations for Many Paths to the Baha'i Faith, author Nathan Thomas has compiled a collection of passages from the Baha'i Holy Writings and other sources to help introduce this new religion. The Baha'i Faith offers the world a message of fulfillment for all faith experiences, and these quotations explore the details of that process. This book is a companion to Many Paths to the Baha'i Faith, How People of Different Faith Experiences Discover Fulfillment in the Baha'i Faith, written by the same author. Through the use of quotations from the Central Figures of the Baha'i Faith, which include the Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, along with quotations from the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice and its agencies, Quotations for Many Paths to the Baha'i Faith explores what people find in common, what they are attracted by, and what challenges they have to overcome when they explore the Baha'i Faith. In the process, the book presents an introduction to how Baha'is are using the tools provided in their faith to unify with all mankind in making this world a better place for all people.

This book is a collection of talks by the great Baha'i teacher and philosopher Dr. 'A. M. Davudi on selected philosophical topics. A member of the Iranian National Spiritual Assembly during the Iranian revolution, Dr. Davudi was abducted by unknown assailants while strolling in a park in Tehran in 1979 and was never heard from again. The original Persian edition of this work consists of 19 talks. The current English version contains 13 of the topics of specific interest to the Western readers. This volume also includes the translation of another of his talks that is not part of this work but is critically important in the current political climate -- a speech on the subject of the non-political nature of the Baha'i Faith and the non-involvement of the believers in partisan politics seemed to me to be of special significance. These are verbal presentations which have been transcribed and now translated into English.

In Manifest Your Potential in the Baha'i Faith, How the Beliefs, Practices, and Vision of the Baha'i Faith Can Change Your Life, author Nathan Thomas explores how people use the spiritual toolkit provided by this new world religion to create a better life for themselves and their communities. The book looks at the core beliefs of the Baha'i Faith which offers a rational, empowering, and unifying perspective to the modern day spiritual seeker. From a logical conception of God, to a rational approach to religion, to a universally accessible path to happiness and contentment for all people; this book offers a compelling picture of the beliefs of this new world religion that has inspired people from so many backgrounds to investigate it. In addition, it offers insight into how the practices of Baha'i life can actually help people become more effective human beings. Through daily prayer, meditation, and a commitment to family and community in everything they do; the Baha'i Faith offers tools for Baha'is to transform themselves into more spiritually empowered people. Lastly, the book looks at the vision that drives the Baha'i community forward in its work of transforming the world. Provided by the founder of the Baha'i Faith, a man called Baha'u'llah, this vision galvanizes His worldwide community of millions of followers into collective effort by inspiring a new concept of world citizenship that transcends all national and ethnic boundaries, a community approach to solving problems that uplifts and empowers everyone in the process, and a lifelong commitment to service to humanity in all aspects of our lives. With the help of illustrative stories, quotations from the Baha'i Holy Writings, analogies, and a brisk and conversational style, Manifest Your Potential in the Baha'i Faith can help people from any background discover the life-changing power of this faith in their lives.