Set Up and Introduction

The physical environment, whether in a home or hall, should be as warm and inviting as we can make it. It is wise for the facilitators to come early and set up the environment using flowers, candles, beautiful pictures and anything else they feel will enrich the ambience. Then, they can take a few quiet moments to say prayers for the success of the course. When the participants arrive, the facilitators should welcome them warmly so they feel comfortable. It is good to have name tags for the first two sessions until people get to know each other.

Each class is designed to be two hours long. Try to start the class on time and open with a healing prayer. Then give out the folders that you have prepared to the participants using the material of the "Healing Through Unity" Course. It is recommended to only give one session's materials at a time. In this first session each participant's folder will contain the following photocopied sheets:

1. The Personal Vision of Health (see Supplemental Materials)

2. The Spiritual Health Habits (see Supplemental Materials)

3. Sample Quote for Group Study

4. Quotes to study - Group One

5. Quotes to study - Group Two

6. A copy of the May, 1998 issue of "Healing Through Unity" newsletter (see back issue on website)

For the first fifteen to twenty minutes one of the facilitators can give an introduction stressing the following points:

1. We hope to focus on a shift in attitude within ourselves of backing away from sickness to going towards health.

2. We are taught in the Bahá'í writings that science and religion must agree. Therefore the teachings in the Bahá'í Faith encourage going to a skilled and wise physician as well as the fact that all true healing comes from God. So we should avail ourselves of scientific assistance as well as reliance on prayer.

4. We are striving to follow this new path of healing by focusing on the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice. It is very important to gain understanding and insights into the word of God and to avoid formulating personal opinions.

5. We are striving to become free from the dust of acquired knowledge as explained in the Bahá'í Writings.

".. .0 my brother, when a true seeker determines to take the step of search in the path leading to the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse and purify his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy." (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Iqán - The Book of Certitude, p 192)

6. We will try to apply the solutions to health found in the Bahá'í writings in a practical and experimental way and to develop spiritual health habits.

Following the introduction, each participant can introduce themselves to the rest of the members of the group and why they are interested in the course. Also, they can mention at this time, any health concerns they may feel like sharing.

If it is possible, it is good to have access to a competent Bahá'í physician that answers questions that are posed by the participants. This could be done by email fairly simply. The questions can be emailed or by other means to the physician at the end of each class and the answers shared with the participants during the following session.

Studying the Quotes

It is good to explain, at this time, how the participants will be studying the quotes. We will focus on utilizing a question and answer method of study used in the course to help us focus on the Writings rather than on our own opinions.

These three steps are the basis for the study of all the quotes in the Course.

1. Someone reads the quote out loud.

2. Participants take turns asking questions to the person beside them and the answer is given using the words in the quote rather than personal opinion. This is continued until the quote has been completed.

3. Consult how we can develop skills for our health based on the quote.

An example sheet entitled "Sample Quote for Group Study" is enclosed. Take a few minutes to review this quote and go through the process following the three steps mentioned above with the participants.

When finished with this example of how we are to study the writings, it is time to break the class into two groups. Each group will have their own writings to study. (See "Quotes to Study" - Group One and Group Two in this session). Be sure that each group has a facilitator and a secretary. The facilitator will keep the group on track. The secretary will take notes of all insights and will report back to the general group at the end of this session. This part should take approximately 45 minutes to study the quotes using the three steps outlined above.

Each group should only contain ten people at the maximum. If the class has more than twenty participating, then it would be wise to prepare quotes for a Group 3. This can be done by taking quotes from the compilation "Health and Healing".

Completing Session One

After 45 minutes of study, consultation and insights, the groups reconvene into one major group. Both facilitators and secretaries share the insights gained during the study of the quotes with all the participants. Allow approximately ten to fifteen minutes.

Hand out the sheet entitled "Personal Vision of Health" to everyone. Allow them to quietly meditate about their personal vision of health for the future and then to write this vision on the "Personal Vision of Health" sheet. This personal vision of health is private and is not to be shared with the group. Perhaps some soft music can be playing in the background during this quiet time.

Give the "Health and Healing" booklet compiled by the Universal House of Justice, to each participant as a gift. (This can be ordered from your local Bahá'í bookstore for approximately $3.00 each.) The participants will use this booklet for homework and will need to bring it to all future sessions.

After presentation of their gift, assign homework by giving each participant a different quote from the "Health and Healing" compilation to study at home during the week or, if you are doing this on a weekend, to study during their free time.

Announce that the second session will focus on the 4 types of spiritual healing.

If you are having the course on a weekly basis, serve simple and nourishing refreshments such as fruits, nuts and water or juice to drink in order to follow the spirit of the quotations.

Session One

"...You should not neglect your health, but consider it the means which enables you to serve. It - the body - is like a horse which carries the personality and spirit, and as such should be well cared for so it can do its work! You should certainly safeguard your nerves, and force yourself to take time, and not only for prayer and meditation, but for real rest and relaxation."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 23 November 1947, Health and Healing, p.40)

1) Ask the following questions to the group as a means of studying the quote:

What should we not neglect? Answer: "your health" (from the quote)

What should we consider the body as?

What is the body like?

What does the body carry?

Why should the body be well cared for?

What should we force ourselves to do?

2) Consult how we can develop skills for our health based on this quote.

Note:  It is important to spend adequate consultative time on this portion.

Group One

"The outer, physical causal factor in disease, however, is a disturbance in the balance, the proportionate equilibrium of all those elements of which the human body is composed. To illustrate: the body of man is a compound of many constituent substances, each component being present in a prescribed amount, contributing to the essential equilibrium of the whole. So long as these constituents remain in their due proportion, according to the natural balance of the whole - that is, no component suffereth a change in its natural proportionate degree and balance, no component being either augmented or decreased - there will be no physical cause for the incursion of disease. For example, the starch component must be present to a given amount, and the sugar to a given amount. So long as each remaineth in its natural proportion to the whole, there will be no cause for the onset of disease. When, however, these constituents vary as to their natural and due amounts - that is, when they are augmented or diminished - it is certain that this will provide for the inroads of disease. This question requireth the most careful investigation." ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p.153)

"All true healing comes from God! There are two causes for sickness, one is material, the other spiritual. If the sickness is of the body, a material remedy is needed, if of the soul, a spiritual remedy.

If the heavenly benediction be upon us while we are being healed then only can we be made whole, for medicine is but the outward and visible means through which we obtain the heavenly healing. Unless the spirit be healed, the cure of the body is worth nothing. All is in the hands of God, and without Him there can be no health in us!"

(`Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p.19)

Exercise:

1. Study the above quotes using the sample method provided.

2. Consult how we can develop skills for our health based on these quotes.

Group Two

"There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means The first is by the treatment of physician; the second consisteth in prayers offered by the spiritual ones to God and in turning to Him. Both means should be used and practised.

Illnesses which occur by reason of physical causes should be treated by doctors with medical remedies; those which are due to spiritual causes disappear through spiritual means. Thus an illness caused by affliction, fear, nervous impressions, will be healed more effectively by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of treatment should be followed; they are not contradictory. Therefore thou shouldst also accept physical remedies inasmuch as these too have come from the mercy and favour of God, Who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that His servants may profit from this kind of treatment also. Thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments, for they produce marvellous effects.

Now, if thou wishest to know the true remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom, know that it is the precepts and teachings of God. Focus thine attention upon them."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá pp.151-52)

"...the human body is composed of numerous elements, but in the measure of an especial equilibrium. As long as this equilibrium is maintained, man is preserved from disease; but if this essential balance, which is the pivot of the constitution, is disturbed, the constitution is disordered, and disease will supervene.

For instance, there is a decrease in one of the constituent ingredients of the body of man, and in another there is an increase; so the proportion of the equilibrium is disturbed, and disease occurs. For example, one ingredient must be one thousand grams in weight, and another five grams, in order that the equilibrium be maintained. The part which is one thousand grams diminishes to seven hundred grams, and that which is five grams augments until the measure of the equilibrium is disturbed; then disease occurs. When by remedies and treatments the equilibrium is reestablished, the disease is banished..."

(`Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, pp.257-58)

Exercise:

1. Study the above quotes using the sample method provided.

2. Consult how we can develop skills for our health based on these quotes.

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