Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
In a message dated 12/10/2004 6:55:37 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The question I would ask is how does "thinking about the implications of the Writings" differ from "personal interpretation"? Seems to be the same question I asked myself, and the conclusion I drew was that the Ruhi editors opinion (personal interpretation) is supposed to supersede what the Writings say about reading the revelations and meditating upon them. Reading the text and meditating on the text is what the writings TELL us to do. Yet the Ruhi editors seem to think otherwise. Regards, Scott __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
In a message dated 12/10/2004 11:22:04 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The problem is that they appear to make an exception with their own comments. Which is precisely what has always perturbed me with reading Ruhi method material. Regards, Scott __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
In a message dated 12/10/2004 11:45:05 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think that many are willing to take what the editors say at face value. Well, that certainly happens, and at times tutors encourage it. When one participant noted that no source was given to support the assertion that the Writings said something or other, the tutor insisted it must be right because the House of Justice had approved of these materials. Similarly, when I suggested to a Board Member that Ruhi be revised by removing pilgrim's notes and not asking close-ended questions that expected the reader to parrot back editorial opinions (as opposed to scriptural texts) I was told that the World Centre found the material fine as it was and that therefore we shouldn't mess with it. warmest, Susan __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
Scott, Ruhi wrote: We believe that the simple habit of thinking about the implications of the Writings with the minimum of personal interpretation would eliminate a great share of the disagreements that afflict consultation in many communities, You replied to Ruhi: In other words the opinions of the Ruhi editors supersede the Scripture itself? The question I would ask is how does thinking about the implications of the Writings differ from personal interpretation? Mark A. Foster * http://markfoster.net Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger -- Abbie Hoffman __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
That is not true! One cannot fail to meditate on the writings after going through the sequence. - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Baha'i Studies [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 5:41 PM Subject: Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions In a message dated 12/10/2004 6:55:37 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The question I would ask is how does thinking about the implications of the Writings differ from personal interpretation? Seems to be the same question I asked myself, and the conclusion I drew was that the Ruhi editors opinion (personal interpretation) is supposed to supersede what the Writings say about reading the revelations and meditating upon them. Reading the text and meditating on the text is what the writings TELL us to do. Yet the Ruhi editors seem to think otherwise. Regards, Scott __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.809 / Virus Database: 551 - Release Date: 09/12/2004 __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
In a message dated 12/10/2004 11:38:05 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dear Scott, It may be tempting to believe this, but I'm sure it is not what the editors think they are doing. I am sure it isn't what they think they are saying, but I think that is also symptomatic of elevating one's own interpretation to a level higher than it should have. I read their words, and I see this meaning to it. I think that many are willing to take what the editors say at face value. I do not think it is sinister, but I think it is a significant flaw. Regards, Scott __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
Many years of experience with the courses of the Ruhi Institute have shown that examining ideas at these three levels of understanding helps collaborators create the conscious basis of a life of service to the Cause. But what may surprise someone who is unfamiliar with this experience is that efforts to prolong consultation on each idea beyond these levels, by introducing too many related concepts, actually diminish to a great extent the effectiveness of the course. This is due in part to the fact that each course should establish a rhythm of progress, so that students will have a distinct sense that they are advancing rapidly according to their own capacities. This does not mean that lessons should be passed over quickly and superficially without careful analysis of the exercises. Groups that have taken this superficial approach, simply filling in answers, have never lasted beyond a few sessions. The point to remember is that once an idea is understood and some insights into its applications have been gained, the group should advance to the next point in the lesson. The second reason for the caution against prolonged discussions has to do with the habit of speculation that unfortunately sometimes develops in some of our communities. It is natural that a verse from the Writings should bring to mind myriads of noble and beautiful ideas. To share these ideas with the friends on appropriate occasions conduces to joy and happiness. But care must be exercised that this practice does not become an exercise in the expression of ego and an insistence on the sovereignty of personal opinion. The experience of the Ruhi Institute has shown that we do not suppress the imagination or the personality of the participants when we refrain from posing questions such as, What does this mean to you? On the contrary, we are helping to nurture the development of communities which look first to the Writings as the principal basis of consultation whenever they are faced with a question. We believe that the simple habit of thinking about the implications of the Writings with the minimum of personal interpretation would eliminate a great share of the disagreements that afflict consultation in many communities, and would make the activities of our communities more effective. (Ruhi Books, Learning About Growth) __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
In a message dated 12/9/2004 10:40:18 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: We believe that the simple habit of thinking about the implications of the Writings with the minimum of personal interpretation would eliminate a great share of the disagreements that afflict consultation in many communities, In other words the opinions of the Ruhi editors supersede the Scripture itself? __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions
In a message dated 12/9/2004 10:40:21 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The experience of the Ruhi Institute has shown that we do not suppress the imagination or the personality of the participants How have they determined they aren't doing this? __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
