Shoghi Effendi encouraged the learning of the talks of the Master

Shoghi Effendi encouraged the learning of the talks of the Master

Our objective is to memorize the talk and learn it well enough we could easily use it in conversation in 2 weeks and to use communication technology to support one another. The hope is that if we learn the talk well we will be able to use it in conversations and gain some experience.

We will start with the first uplifting conversation from book 2 unit 2:

When we consider existence, we observe that the mineral, the vegetable, the animal and the human realms, each and all, are in need of an educator. A garden is in need of a gardener. To yield a plentiful harvest, the land is in need of a farmer. If a man is left alone in the wilderness, he will take on the ways of the animal. If he is educated, he can reach the greatest heights of accomplishment. Were it not for educators, there would be no civilization.

Education is of three kinds: material, human, and spiritual. Material education is concerned with the development of the body. Human education is about civilization and progress. It deals with governance, social order, human welfare, commerce and industry, arts and sciences, momentous discoveries, and great undertakings. Spiritual education consists in acquiring divine perfections. This is true education, for by its aid the spiritual nature, the higher nature, of the human being is developed.

In order to progress, humanity needs an educator who has clear authority as a material, human, and spiritual educator. Should anyone say, “I am endowed with great intelligence, and I have no need for such an educator,” he would be denying the obvious. It would be like a child saying, “I have no need of education; I will act according to my own thinking and intelligence and will achieve excellence by myself.”

Humanity has always been in need of such a perfect educator, one who can help it organize matters related to the nourishment and health of the body, can inspire it to advance in knowledge, invention and discovery, and, most importantly, can breathe into it the life of the spirit. No ordinary human being is able to achieve these formidable tasks. Only the Manifestations of God have the power to accomplish them. These are chosen Souls Who are sent by God from time to time to be the universal Educators of humanity.

Sunday March 19th - Saturday April 1st

Activities:

  • Read the whole talk and send a recording to the group
  • Read the talk to yourself
  • Join a Jam session and take turns trying to give the talk
  • Make a list of the flow of ideas and send it to the group
  • Share stories of trying to share the talk in person
  • Pay attention during the day for conversations that would lend themselves to a discussion around the ideas in this statement, message the group which one if you notice any.
  • Introduce yourself, where you live, and something you love about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Each day we will try to read the talk to ourselves, or recite it if we can after a few days. We will also pay attention to the conversations we are around each day make a note of those that lend themself to a discussion around the ideas in this statement, and message the group telling them about any you find. Any time you try to share the ideas with someone you can share your reflections with the group.

The only live moments that have a scheduled time to show up are the audio conferences each Wednesday 7:00pm-7:20pm.

Schedule:

Sunday the 19th

  • 📱 Introduce yourself
  • Read the talk

Monday the 20th

  • Read the talk
  • 📱 Make a list of the flow of ideas and send it to the group

Tuesday the 21st

  • Read the talk
  • Pay attention during the day for conversations that would lend themselves to a discussion around the ideas in this statement, message the group which one if you notice any.
  • 📱 Send a recording to the group of you practicing the first paragraph

Wednesday the 22nd

  • Read the talk
  • 🍯 Join a jam session to practice the talk together 7:00-7:20pm Eastern time

Thursday the 23rd

  • Read the talk

Friday the 24th

  • Read the talk
  • 📱 Send a recording to the group of you practicing the first and second paragraph

Saturday the 25th

  • Read the talk

Sunday the 26th

  • Read the talk or recite it if memorized

Monday the 27th

  • Read the talk
  • 📱 Make another list of ideas and send it to the group has your understanding changed?

Tuesday the 28th

  • 📱 Send a recording of you practicing the first 3 paragraphs
  • Read the talk

Wednesday the 29th

  • Read the talk
  • 🍯 Join a jam session, 7:00-7:20pm Eastern time

Thursday the 30th

  • Read the talk

Friday the 31st

  • Read the talk
  • 📱 Send a recording to the group of you practicing the whole thing

Saturday the 1st of April

  • Recite the talk
  • Did we advance?

Activities with a 📱 are using Signal, and are asynchronous. They can be done any time during the day or night.

Activities with 🍯 are on Jam a live at a specific time.

To get started:

  1. Download signal
  2. Send a conversation request to Quddús at 843-933-1496.
  3. I'll add you to our group.
  4. then join and introduce yourself
    1. Share your name.
    2. Where you live.
    3. Share one thing you love about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

For the get togethers we will use Jam, which is like an audio conference. I'll send a link on the day of.