The members of the Bahá'í community around the world are working together with their family, friends, neighbours and co-workers to translate the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh into reality. Engagement in this process takes two forms: developing one's inherent potentialities, and contributing towards the transformation and betterment of society. At the neighbourhood level, Bahá’ís contribute to community building by offering moral and spiritual education for children and young people, as well as devotional gatherings where groups of people can meet in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. At local, regional and national levels, Bahá’ís are engaged in dialogue with other interested parties on the pressing issues facing society, such as gender equality, religious tolerance and caring for the environment.
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This applies not just to material civilisation but to spiritual progress too. Every single human being has the potential and the responsibility to contribute to the advancement of civilisation in some way. The members of the Bahá’í community around the world are working with their families, friends, neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances to make this vision a reality.
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These meetings and activities are open to all and are offered as part of efforts to create stronger ties of love and friendship between the members of a geographical community.
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Study circles follow a sequence of courses based on the Bahá’í Writings, which aim to enable the participants to bring about a transformation in themselves and in society. The first in the sequence of courses is called Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. It examines such spiritual matters as prayer, meditation, life and death, and the development of the soul. Study circles are open to all people from the age of 15.
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The role of the study circle facilitator is not to impart knowledge, but to accompany the participants to develop their capacity to be of service to humanity. The goal is for the participants to advance together, respectful of the knowledge that each of them contributes to the process.
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This age group is known as ‘junior youth’ and it is extremely important to support and encourage them at this age as this is when their character and world views are being formulated, and they have altruistic tendencies which should be encouraged.
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The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programme is a global initiative aimed at helping young people to recognise their own talents and abilities and use them to be of service to their community. It encourages young people to strive for excellence both spiritually and intellectually and to recognise the social forces that exert an influence on their lives. It started in 1994 with a number of pilot literacy projects.
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Bahá’ís host devotional meetings in their homes and community centres, where everyone is welcome to join in.
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The spiritual nature of the meeting may be enhanced by music, flowers, lighted candles and periods of silent reflection. Listening to the chosen passages may well lead to a discussion on their meaning.
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The Bahá’í children's classes are open to children from all backgrounds and religious affiliations.
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Bahá’ís see life as a learning process. The more humble a person is, the easier it is to learn.
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