Yes, this is one of the difficulties I find and that is that one of the
principal publishers of the Ruhi materials is Palabra Publications which is
associated with Paul Lample who is one of the staunchest supporters and
promoters of the Study Circle "engine" on the ITC. I wonder too if there are
royalty arrangements with the Ruhi Institute in Cali Colombia. And there are
also tie ups with Development Learning Press etc etc with other materials.
And there is definitely a Farzam Arbab connection there, who is another
strong evangelist. I wish they, whoever they is, would put the Ruhi
curriculum materials in the public domain in a digital format and put any
potential real or imagined conflict of interest beyond reproach.
From personal knowledge and experience, Palabra Publications is not owned byPaul Lample, nor does he receive any profit from it. He promotes Ruhi because he feels that it is significant material that is having a positive effect world wide. Dr. Arbab was involved with the development of Ruhi and has first hand experience with its success. Both gentlemen support the process and understand its potential....and both are quite open to other materials....they have just seen the success that this "process" can have and, therefore, encourage what is available and useful.
It betrays confidence in the Universal House of Justice to assume that it is not aware of what is happening in the world and to suggest, by inference, that individual members, the ITC itself or members of the House of Justice are promoting something simply because of connections or royalties.
This one has never seen on this list a condemnation of the Comprehensive Deepening Materials (US in the 70s), which were produced by NSA member Dan Jordan. Just because someone is associated with an institution, doesn't mean that they cannot produce or distribute materials. In fact, it could be argued that the Universal House of Justice appointed Paul Lample to the ITC BECAUSE he was an advocate of Ruhi prior to his appointment to the ITC or his association with Palabras.
Paul, in particular, is one of the most inciteful people that this soul has had the blessing to encouter. We worked together at the Baha'i National Center from 1980-1987. Even during that time, Paul demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the underlying processes effecting humanity and developed several though-provoking programs. He has a tremendous intellect and, when everyone was talking about short-term campaigns such as "I am a tiny cell," Paul was comtemplated the deeper processes of growth and development.
Friends, while we are on the subject, Ruhi is about a PROCESS, not about specific MATERIALS. It is about developing human resources in a systematic manner. People witnessed the initial stages of Entry by troops during the 60s and 70s, but there was no systemtic method for consolidating the victories of the time. Therefore, names such as paper assemblies, "mass taught" Baha'is, etc. became part of our vocabulary. Today, we have the beginnings of a wonderful process that is aimed at increasing the capacity of the community and helping it prepare for that day when Entry by Troops becomes a reality.
Little by little, day by day. The PROCESSes in the world are gradual. There was a time, for example, when Baha'is consumed wine.....the Master SLOWLY weaned the friends from the practice. Everything unfolds as He wills. Ruhi is a start. Undoubtedly, better materials will come to exist in the future. Everything changes. We must be confident that ALL is in His hand.
He is the All-seeing, the All-knowing, the All-wise. Be confident!
James
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