Participants at regional gathering consult about creating mutually supportive environments

In early May, more than 100 people of different ages from across Ontario came together at the Toronto Bahá’í Centre to study relevant guidance and consult on how to create a mutually supportive environment that would allow growing numbers of people to translate their desire for a better world into practical steps. The gathering was part of an effort across the country to create spaces for reflection for those who are participating or wish to participate in activities that will lead to constructive change in their communities.

“The gathering was a beautiful display of young and old working shoulder to shoulder,” one participant commented.

The event was organized by the Bahá’í Council of Ontario in collaboration with the Institute Board of Ontario.

One question that seemed to resonate with many of the participants was: What can we learn from attitudes towards participation in the funds of the Faith that can be translated into other spheres of activity?

When contributing to the fund, it is not the amount that is given, but the spirit of sacrifice with which it is offered that is important, because giving sacrificially releases spiritual forces that allow progress to occur. To allow for universal participation in community-building activities, it was suggested that one could adopt a similar attitude towards time as has been adopted towards participation in the funds of the Faith. Thus, it not only the amount of time that one gives to teaching activities that is important, as individuals will be able to offer different amounts of time depending on their stage of life and other factors; it is the degree of sacrifice with which one offers one’s time. This implies that any contribution to the goals of the Five Year Plan, if offered in a spirit of sacrifice, contributes to building the world envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh.

The gathering was enriched by the participation of Counsellor Daniel Scott, who provided the impetus for the discussion described above, and by the efforts of each group to translate what they were learning into the arts, including a moving digital image as well as diagrams drawn on flip charts.

Have you recently had a chance to reflect with a group of friends on your efforts to serve your family, school, neighbourhood, group of friends, community, region, or country? Do you have any thoughts or questions related to what constitute helpful attitudes towards participation, either your own or encouraging the participation of others? What do you think constitute helpful attitudes towards time? Please share your thoughts! Email bcanada@cdnbnc.org.