The Economics of Community Building

May 5 - June 29, 2022

The Economics of Community Building is designed to prepare learners to take action in community-building and economic development. We will analyze the world's economic conditions through an in-depth study of the Baha'i Writings and recent letters from Baha'i institutions, as well as secular sources, and plan strategies for implementing their guidance to develop economic activities with moral and spiritual foundations. Topics include the economic significance of justice, economic well-being and prosperity, the impact of oneness on economic life, village and community economics, and applying the learning from the course.

Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas

May 19 - July 13, 2022

After revealing the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in 1873-74, Baha'u'llah penned a series of tablets that include the Lawh-i-Aqdas, the Book of the Covenant, and the Tablet of Carmel. The tablets revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas elaborate on Baha'u'llah’s laws, further explore the nature of the mystical life, describe basic theological teachings, and expound the principles necessary for transforming human society. The bulk of these weighty epistles were published in 1978 in Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas. In this course we will read and study these tablets and discuss their relationship to other works by Baha'u'llah and `Abdu'l-Baha. All readings will be provided via the web; no books need to be purchased.

Building Resilience: Meeting Tests and Difficulties

May 19 - July 6, 2022

This course will help us to build our resilience to the everyday challenges of life, the tasks that appear to be monumental, the situations that really try our patience, the problems and difficulties that arise for many people. We will look at meeting such tests in light of the Baha'i teachings, exploring the Baha'i perspective on the nature and purpose of tests, the sources of tests, how to become resilient through preparing ourselves for difficulties, the spiritual qualities we develop through tests and how we can use them to meet the next challenges in our life, some of the specific challenges that arise at different stages of life, and how the lessons we are learning through the training institute process not only assist us to become resilient but also enable us to contribute to the society-building efforts of our localities.

Shoghi Effendi: His Life and Ministry

May 26 - July 18, 2022

This course marks the centenary of the beginning of Shoghi Effendi's remarkable ministry. We will look briefly at Shoghi Effendi’s childhood and youth (1897–1921) and more extensively at his ministry as Guardian of the Baha'i Faith (1921-57). We will consider the many roles Shoghi Effendi filled (builder, interpreter, author, and translator) as he carried out his duties as Guardian in fostering the growth and development of the Baha'i Faith. He devoted much of his ministry to building the administrative order outlined by Baha’u’llah and elaborated by Abdu'l-Baha in His Will and Testament and to using it as an instrument for fostering the international spread of the Baha'i Faith called for by Abdu'l-Baha in the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

Anti-Black Racism in the U.S. and Building a Unified Society

June 9 - Aug. 10, 2022

This course will examine anti-Black racism and racial prejudice in North American society in some of its most serious manifestations, explore the content and significance of relevant Baha'i authoritative texts, and consider how Baha'is can initiate meaningful conversations and public discourse in a variety of contexts. It will begin with an exploration of definitions of race, racism, and prejudice. It will then turn to such subjects as understanding colonialism and slavery; the prison/industrial complex; Black Lives Matter and policing issues; white privilege and bias/stereotyping; housing and education segregation; violence against black women; Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement; and "one human family"—the experience of the Baha'i community.

Practices and Principles of Baha'i-Inspired Education

June 9 - Aug. 3, 2022

This course reviews the guidance contained in the writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and Shoghi Effendi on education and suggests ways to implement it in formal and informal educational settings. Through a structured study of both Baha'i and secular sources, learners will increase their understanding of the unique wisdom found in the Baha'i texts as it applies to both the education of children and to lifelong learning by everyone. Topics include defining the meaning of education from the Baha'i perspective, 'Abdu'l-Baha's "Four Criteria of Comprehension," combining material, human, and spiritual education, and promoting education that unifies in secular or morally challenging environments. This course will appeal to anyone developing materials for, encouraging, or teaching youth, junior youth, and children.

The Baha'i Faith and the Arts

June 16 - July 27, 2022

In The Baha'i Faith and the Arts we will explore the purpose of the arts from a Baha'i perspective. Among other topics, we will discuss how art and religion have harmonized and conflicted in the past; how the Baha'i dispensation will be similar to and different from the past; the artist as a person with an important gift to share with the world; and how the Baha'i writings encourage artists. We will also consider how to reframe imagination, creativity, and risk-taking within a Baha'i context; how to prioritize the positive aspects of creativity to enhance our lives, our communities, the Baha'i Faith, and the future; and how to develop a serviceable language about the arts that enables us to integrate the arts more fully into Feasts, Holy Days, core activities, commemorations, and so on and to include more people in art making and appreciation of the arts.

365 (on Demand) Courses

Register anytime and study at your own pace!

• Thinking of Relationships and Marriage?
• Engaging in Parental Consent for Marriage
• Enhancing Love, Friendship & Service in Your Marriage
• Nurturing your Baby Spiritually During Pregnancy

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The Wilmette Institute eNewsletter 

The Wilmette Institute eNewsletter is published monthly by the Wilmette Institute, which offers quality online courses on the Baha'i Faith. The Wilmette Institute is committed to engaging a broad and diverse international community of learners in deep study of the Faith and to fostering love for study of the Faith. The Wilmette Institute was established in January 1995 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.

Information from the eNewsletter may be copied or reproduced, provided that the following credit is given: "Reprinted from the eNewsletter of the Wilmette Institute," followed by the issue's date. Recipients are encouraged to forward the eNewsletter to friends. If you have questions, please email us at learn@wilmetteinstitute.org.

Editor

Robert H. Stockman

Production

Robert H. Stockman

Niki Daniels

Betty Fisher

Mim Gottschalk

Debra Lilly

Contributors

Christine Muller

Pauline Vaas

Rex Walker