Study Circle Group "Arises to Serve" in NYC, Part Three

A second instance of this Ruhi group's "arising to serve" was on a more intimate scale, but was equally significant.  In Book 2, the group had learned that one important path of service is to visit the homes of brand-new Baha'is and lovingly engage them in conversations about various Baha'i topics.  The group had been discussing several of these in their Book 2 course – for example, the principle of unity, the life of Baha'u'llah, the Covenant established by Baha'u'llah with His followers, and the Nineteen Day Feast. 

Thus, in September 2009, at the suggestion of Scott Walters, who was one of their group's facilitators, Book 2 members Dave J. and Arvid N. agreed to accompany Scott to the home of a new Baha'i living in Queens for a few hours of conversation.  The Baha'i in question was Liling H., who graciously welcomed her three guests on a Tuesday evening.  Rather to the guests' surprise, however, Liling had prepared a dinner, which the four of them enjoyed over light conversation. 

Then, over dessert, the friends shared their thoughts on the Faith.  Dave went first, giving a short presentation on the life of Baha'u'llah.  He focused on the sufferings and hardships that Baha'u'llah had undergone throughout His life, and on the spiritual impact His suffered could have on others.  Dave noted how ordinary mortals might have succumbed to such persecutions, and contrasted this with how Baha'u'llah had, for the sake of God and for spiritual principle, endured them.  It was clear that Dave was not simply recounting historical fact, but was speaking from the heart, and Liling listened attentively in silence. 

After some discussion on ideas brought up by Dave's short presentation, Arvid then spoke briefly about two different ways of dealing with conflict in the world.   That is, the old, adversarial and "Western" idea of conflict resolution -- in which one side wins and the other side loses -- versus the Bahá'í idea of resolving differences through
unity, consensus building, and mutual respect.  This presentation also engendered some good discussion among the four friends. 

As the conversation wound to a close, Liling was asked her impressions of the evening.  She thought a moment, and said that she had appreciated the discussions very much, as they had taught her things about the Baha'i Faith that she had not known, and gave her much food for thought. 

The evening ended with the three guests offering to clean up the dining area and Liling's kitchen.  This was somewhat over the protests of the hostess – although the unusual sight of three men cleaning up a kitchen (possibly inspired by the Baha'i principle of equality) was perhaps an idea whose time had come, and thus, Liling acquiesced.  The guests then thanked their host and took their leave. 

The above episodes illustrate two possible ways that people – Baha'is or non-Baha'is – might creatively apply insights gleaned from joint study of the Creative Word in study-circle gatherings.  Innumerable other ways of "arising to serve" are, of course, possible. 

 Scott

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