About the California Regional Training Institute
Implementing the programs of the Ruhi Institute across California
Purpose and Methods
The Ruhi Institute is making significant progress in California, where its educational efforts focus on capacity-building and service, helping individuals grow spiritually while contributing to society. The Institute offers three key programs: the Main Sequence of Courses for teens and adults, Bahá’í Children’s Classes for ages 5-11, and the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program for ages 12-15, fostering personal transformation and social progress through service. Those working with young people in these programs have been cleared through background checks to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
Main Sequence of Courses
The Main Sequence of Courses is part of a global Bahá'í learning process focused on applying Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to societal transformation. Typically, the concepts in these courses are studied among a few friends with a united vision of serving their community, beginning with the first book in the sequence. The first seven of the fourteen books cover key concepts such as the nature of the soul, selfless service, building meaningful friendships, and enduring through crisis and victory. The courses guide individuals to walk together on a "path of service," helping them develop the skills and attitudes needed for meaningful action, such as organizing devotional meetings, home visits, children’s classes, and junior youth groups.
Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program
The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program was created for youth between the ages of 12 and 15, a critical period when they begin to form the thought patterns and values that will guide their future. Through a series of books, art activities, and service projects, the program helps enhance the junior youth’s ability to recognize confirmation, strengthen their power of expression, deepen their reliance on God, and more, while also developing skills such as reading comprehension, mathematics, and memorization. Typically organized in groups with the guidance of a trained animator, the program helps adolescents develop a strong sense of identity and equips them to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Bahá’í Children’s Classes
The spiritual education of children, emphasized by the Ruhi Institute, is key to transforming communities. Children's classes nurture qualities like honesty, generosity, and trustworthiness, empowering participants to become compassionate contributors to society. The Institute encourages teachers and community members to view children as "mine[s] rich in gems of inestimable value," guiding their spiritual and intellectual growth. As children develop, they strengthen their character and inspire positive change, fostering a culture of service, unity, and progress.
“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
–Bahá’u’lláh