There is NO Ruhi Method
* Participant 4: 1 went to a very stimulating course for training tutors of Rook I. For the first few hours we played games to get to know each other and trust each other. Then someone suggested that we empty' ourselves so we spent an after noon talking about whatever was on our minds. I thought that was part of the Ruhi method and tried to do the same when I started a study circle and, I must admit, several participants did not like it. * Tutor: I don't think any of the ideas you have described is wrong or undesirable in principle. The problem is .that referring to them as elements of a Ruhi method introduces rigidity into a process that is otherwise simple, joyful, and sensitive to a diversity of needs. For example, you all remember that at the beginning of Book I, a technique is used whereby the participants ask simple questions of one another. The use of this technique has a clear purpose, which is to help the participants focus on Bahá'í text, But once such a habit is created, why would one continue to employ a technique that can easily become mechanical. Of course, there might be occasions now and then in other units when the technique is useful, but it should certainly not be called the Ruhi method. What is more, it is not necessary to ask everyone to repeat the same question one after another, which would naturally only annoy them. Usually after one or two repetitions, the purpose of the exercise is achieved. (Ruhi, Book 7) __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Not be referred to as the Ruhi method
This tips focuses on the question and answer study process introduced in Book 1, Unit 1. Tutors should not be rigid about this process, but bear in mind that it is helpful to have a technique for study - in other words, a systematic procedure by which a task is accomplished. It should not be referred to as the Ruhi method. (Book 1, Ruhi) __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Not be referred to as the Ruhi method
Personally, I don't understand the focus on the term Ruhi method. However, the fact that one of the Ruhi books may contain a statement denying it status as a method is obviously not evidentiary. IMO, it comes down to how one defines method, but the use of U.S. military-style mnemonics would certainly qualify as what *I* would call a method. Mark A. Foster * http://markfoster.net Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger -- Abbie Hoffman __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
RE: There is NO Ruhi Method
For example, you all remember that at the beginning of Book I, a technique is used whereby the participants ask simple questions of one another. The use of this technique has a clear purpose, which is to help the participants focus on Bahá'í text, But once such a habit is created, why would one continue to employ a technique that can easily become mechanical. Of course, there might be occasions now and then in other units when the technique is useful, but it should certainly not be called the Ruhi method. Dear Max, If there is anything I would have described as the Ruhi method it would have been that. Have others seen this technique is dropped after Book One? My experience is that the technique has been carried over into non-Ruhi Institute courses. warmest, Susan __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
RE: Not be referred to as the Ruhi method
bear in mind that it is helpful to have a technique for study - in other words, a systematic procedure by which a task is accomplished. It should not be referred to as the Ruhi method. (Book 1, Ruhi) So should we call it the 'systematic proceedure utilized by Ruhi' instead? 'Method' is much easier and I think it means the same thing. warmest, Susan __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
RE: Not be referred to as the Ruhi method
Personally, I don't understand the focus on the term Ruhi method. However, the fact that one of the Ruhi books may contain a statement denying it status as a method is obviously not evidentiary. Dear Mark, Notwithstanding my crack about Baha'i-speak, it sounds from the passage which Max put up on Book 7, that what they are trying to say is that these techniques ought not to be followed dogmatically and treated as essential in Ruhi Study Circles. However, emphazing systematic procedure by which a task is accomplished moves us precisely in that direction, and I've yet to see a tutor that got away from utilizing the method given in Book One. But granted my experience with Ruhi is pretty limited. Perhaps others can tell us if later books and tutors manage to get away from what we are calling the 'Ruhi method'? Max? warmest, Susan __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
