The INISFÁIL STUDY CIRCLE
The nine members of Inisfáil Study Circle are presently studying Book 2 – “Arising to Serve”-- from the Ruhi Institute Series. They meet monthly, on a Saturday in Cookstown. The Circle bonded quickly. A definite feeling of organic, and hopefully spiritual, growth was realised. Book 2 is different from Book 1, but the principles are very similar, so memorisation, or rather “learning from the heart” has became necessary. Luckily, one of the friends gave everyone a lovely gift of a tape of the Writings to be learned, interspersed with peaceful music. A good tape for listening while driving, as long as the music is not too relaxing!
Lots of laughter must have echoed through Cookstown at one session when we all had to act out various scenes, and tremendous hospitality was given by both Zhenia Mahdi –Nau, and her mother,Mrs Mahdi. We carried on during the Fast, and no one nodded off! And broke the fast together, with lots of delicious Persian Rice. Our service project was a Devotional and Music Evening in a Cookstown Hotel.
And now to “Inisfáil”, it is an ancient name for Ireland, which Hand of the Cause George Townshend loved and used, so we felt it was appropriate. The group continues to grow, and laugh together. There is a definite spiritual bond, and also many different learning situations, not just with the book! “Persian Rice”, “Making Boxes”, and [in a former Study Circle] - Tai Chi, massage and historical dancing! It is also lovely in the plenary Sessions to listen to what others have to say and experience different ways of looking at things. So, on a final note, the word “experience” is an excellent one with regard to Study Circles. They are growing both organically and spiritually, and “Inisfáil” is looking forward to see many more grow and develop all around the Province; studying; shedding light and being of service.
A Social Outing for the Badasht Study Circle.
The Badasht Study Circle ended their study of Book One with an afternoon outing to Castle Espie, Co. Down. For those friends not familiar with this end of the country Castle Espie is part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and indeed on this particular day was very aptly named !! So before starting out a good hot lunch sustained us somewhat for the rest of the afternoon. Malcolm, our guide, knew the Baha'is from working with them on W.W.F. Our first introduction was to two snowy and two eagle owls. It’s quite inspiring to see such birds at close quarters. Next came the ‘wormery’ [Malcolm's special "baby"]. The worms are kept in a large wooden box and fed swill from the restaurant plus pulped down cardboard. Organic compost builds up at the bottom of the box and plans are afoot to sell this. The liquid waste from the house and restaurant is put through reed beds and we were assured that the resulting water was drinkable. Willows have been used to form banks and arches. And so, on to the duck ponds. The variety and colour just have to be seen. Castle Espie used to be an old quarry and brick making factory. The quarries have become lakes, the home of geese and swans. A swampy area with a walkway is being developed and this actually has a crocodile but thankfully he's a bit wooden. There are some wonderful views of Scrabo and Strangford from Castle Espie. Thanks to the study Circle for including a couple of guests.
[Study circles seem so enjoyable that very soon more people, not yet Bahá’ís, may form most of the membership! : ed]