Ruhi Institute

Below we offer practical, accessible resources to help individuals and communities introduce the Ruhi Institute and its core activities to others. Grounded in the principles of spiritual education, service, and community building, these materials are designed to support thoughtful conversations about the purpose and impact of the Ruhi Institute—whether with friends, families, educators, or partner organizations. Here you will find clear explanations, adaptable tools, and inspiring examples that convey how study circles, children’s classes, junior youth groups, and devotional gatherings nurture individual capacity, foster unity, and contribute to the spiritual and social well-being of society.

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Study Circles
JYSEP (Coming Soon)
Children’s Classes (Coming Soon)

Study Circles

Video

Explore the mission and impact of the Ruhi Institute, an educational organization dedicated to community building and individual growth. This video provides an overview of how the institute’s courses foster a spirit of service and collective transformation.

Key Topics Covered:

The Mission of Ruhi: Learn about the institute’s origins in Colombia and its global influence on Bahá’í-inspired educational programs.

Educational Process: Discover the unique approach to learning that emphasizes both personal spiritual development and community action.

Community Impact: See how participants in Ruhi courses are taking leadership roles to improve their neighborhoods and foster social harmony.

Banner image titled “The Ruhi Institute” with an illustrated scene showing people of different ages learning, reading, teaching, building, gardening, and collaborating, alongside symbols of education, service, unity, and global growth such as books, a compass, hands joined in a circle, and a tree growing from the Earth.
Play

Deep Dive Podcast

This deep dive explores Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, the first course in a sequence designed by the Ruhi Institute to help youth and adults enhance their capacity to serve their communities. Primarily concerned with the question of individual identity, this material invites us to discover the reality of our existence as spiritual beings who are “walking a path of service”.

Through this exploration, we will look into the book’s three core units: Understanding the Bahá’í Writings, which fosters the habit of daily meditation on sacred texts; Prayer, which focuses on the spiritual nourishment of the soul; and Life and Death, which examines the eternal nature of the soul and the true purpose of our earthly existence. The goal of this dive is to illuminate a twofold moral purpose: attending to our own spiritual and intellectual growth while simultaneously contributing to the transformation of society.

By engaging with these themes, we participate in a global learning process aimed at revealing the “gems of inestimable value” hidden within every human being and building the foundations of a new world civilization.

Analogy for Understanding: Think of this deep dive as polishing a mirror; as we clear away the “dust” of worldly distractions through study and reflection, we allow the light of spiritual truths to reflect more clearly in our lives, empowering us to light the way for others.

Discussion Questions about the Podcast

Infographic

This infographic serves as a visual roadmap for Ruhi Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, clearly outlining the “path of service” that participants embark upon during their first study circle. It breaks the material down into its three core units—Understanding the Bahá’í Writings, Prayer, and Life and Death—while emphasizing that the process is a shared journey of learning rather than proselytization. By illustrating the transition from individual study and reflection to a practical “act of service,” such as hosting a devotional meeting, the graphic highlights the Ruhi Institute’s unique cycle of growth: Study, Action, and Reflection.

How this helps introduce Study Circles:

  • Demystifies the Process: It explains the “Study Circle” format, showing that it is a small group setting with a tutor where everyone engages in a shared learning process.
  • Emphasizes Inclusivity: It explicitly states that the courses are open to people of all backgrounds, whether they are Bahá’ís or individuals simply looking to develop their capacity to serve society.
  • Visualizes the Purpose: By using a winding path metaphor, it helps new participants see the end goal: moving beyond theory to create a “devotional life in community”.
  • Clarifies Content: It provides a non-intimidating preview of the spiritual topics discussed, such as the metaphor of the soul being like light reflected in a mirror.
An infographic titled "Your First Step on a Path of Service: An Introduction to Ruhi Book 1." The design features a winding, glowing blue and purple path connecting various sections. At the top, it describes Book 1, "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit," as a journey to develop the capacity to serve humanity. It notes that study circles are designed for small groups and are open to everyone from all backgrounds. The middle section highlights three core units: Unit 1 on Understanding Bahá’í Writings, Unit 2 on Prayer, and Unit 3 on Life and Death. An illustration for Unit 3 uses a mirror metaphor to explain the soul's connection to the body. The bottom of the graphic emphasizes "Putting Knowledge into Action" by hosting a devotional meeting and explains the "Cycle of Growth" involving Study, Action, and Reflection. A quote from the Universal House of Justice at the bottom describes a devotional life as responding to the heart's longing to commune with its Maker.