A study circle is a small group that meets to study the course materials from the Ruhi Institute. This collection contains resources related to study circles, as well as resources to assist anyone with deepening their understanding of the Baha’i Writings.
Afire with the Vision: A New Book of Messages from Shoghi Effendi to Latin America
The US Baha’i book distribution describes the work with these words:
Its contents have been carefully gathered over the course of several decades from official Baha’i archives and the papers of individual believers throughout the hemisphere. Not only does this volume stand as a tribute to the tireless efforts of the many pioneers and first Latin American believers, it constitutes a further record of the inestimable role of Shoghi Effendi in advancing the vital interests of the Cause of God throughout the world.
I believe that so much can be learned by studying the correspondence of Shoghi Effendi. Ali Nakhjavani gave a course in Acuto, Italy in 2006, which has been transcribed into a book called Shoghi Effendi: The Range and Power of His Pen (you can download it as a free e-book here). In this course, Mr. Nakhjavani was asked how we can systematically and realistically increase our love for Shoghi Effendi. He replied:
Two things are important: we should learn more about Shoghi Effendi’s life […]. We should also read Shoghi Effendi’s own writings. You should not consider his writings as you would consider an article in the newspaper. You can read the paper and then you throw it away, but his writings are something that should remain with you for your entire life. There are many meanings and implications in the writings of Shoghi Effendi. As we read them prayerfully, we try to understand the intent of what he has written. We will thus get closer to the spirit of Shoghi Effendi, and will love him ever more.
With the recent inaugurations of Houses of Worship, or Temples, in Norte del Cauca, Colombia and Santiago, Chile — the last of the continental Temples to be built — Latin America has very much been in the mind and hearts of the Baha’is of the world and I am very excited about this new publication, which can be purchased from the US Baha’i Distribution Service.
In honour of the anniversary of the Guardian’s passing on November 4, 1957 and in following up on Mr. Nakhjavani’s suggestion, here is a list of other writings of Shoghi Effendi (many of which can be found online in full on the Baha’i Reference Library) and some works about him:
You can also find a small collection of essays about Shoghi Effendi here on Bahai.org: www.bahai.org/shoghi-effendi/articles-resources Among them you’ll find a tribute by Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins and an incredibly moving account of the passing of the Guardian by Ruhiyyih Khanum and John Ferraby.
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
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