This year we are happy to offer thirteen courses which take place from Tuesday to Friday inclusively, two sessions of one and a half hour duration each per day - a total of twelve hours in all.
Participants may chose their course preference from the courses listed below.
(Click a course name for a detailed description)
- 01: Studying the Dawnbreakers (Youth and Adults)
This course is a Nine Point Plan for studying the Dawnbreakers. It helps to familiarise the participants with the text and remove all fear of names, place names and historical detail.
Each participant needs to bring a copy of the Dawnbreakers.
David Foley
01: Studying the Dawnbreakers (Youth and Adults)
- 02: God Passes By
The course will be an introduction to the study of the Guardian's history of the first century of the Bahá'í Dispensation. A full study of the work is a major undertaking and we can only hope, in the time we have, to aid in establishing an approach to embarking on such a project.
We will be utilizing a study guide prepared by Hand of the Cause of God, Horace Holly, which provides a subjects index of recurring themes under which headings we can examine Shoghi Effendi's text. The subject headings are;
1 THE BAHA'I DISPENSATION
2 TABLETS AND WORKS OF BAHA'U'LLAH;
3 EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE MANIFESTATIONS;
4 THE MINISTRY OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA;
5 THE UNFOLDMENT OF WORLD ORDER;
6 RECAPITULATION AND MEANINGS;
7 SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCES
Brendan McNamara
02: God Passes By
- 03: Marriage and Family Life
The Marriage and Family Life course will focus on the compilation on Family Life, studying selected passages and consulting about their application in practical ways. There will also be consultation on questions arising from the participants about family relationships and dynamics. Participants are recommended to have a copy of the compilation for reference.
Caroline Smith alias Smiffy
03: Marriage and Family Life
- 04: Prescription for Living
Prescription for Living is a spiritual course which explores what it means to be a human being and enables each participant to design an individual spiritual response to that exploration. During the course participants will identify some significant life tasks - such as building identity, establishing and maintaining friendships, contributing to society. Having explored human nature and human existence, the course will identify challenges to individual human development and some appropriate responses; and the course will also suggest avenues for further study in helping to deal with those challenges.
The course will draw on a number of books, including Prescription for Living by Ruhiyyih Rabbani; Fire and Gold (compiled by Brian Kurzius and published by George Ronald); Some Answered Questions and other works by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. However there is no requirement for participants to read these books in advance, nor do they need to bring copies of the books to the Summer School in order to participate in the course: materials will be supplied by the facilitator.
Auxiliary Board Member Ann O'Sullivan
04: Prescription for Living
- 05: Science, Religion and Evolution
“Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly.” – The Baha’i Faith
In this course we explore the wonder of the universe, and how we can increase our understanding of our place in it – from two sources, knowledge revealed and knowledge observed.
In addition to shedding light on the Baha’i writings on the harmony of science and religion there are some exciting practical science experiments aimed at those who have never done science before and for the experienced scientist. This work has several themes, one is to expand the senses by means of instruments; we will look for creatures in a digital microscope, planets in a telescope, sunspots in a solar telescope, we count all the stars in the universe, explore space, and this year for the first time will extract plant DNA - the basis of life and the foundation of discussions on Evolution.
All the materials and texts for the course are provided but it would help the more serious students who might use some of the material for more formal continuous personal development to bring laptop computers or ipads to assist with research and a USB memory stick to down load the course material that includes a lot of references.
It is expected that everyone participating will produce a piece of work derived from the material. This might be a painting, poem, prose, a learned paper according to the interests of the participants, or simply a record of observations. In the past we have even heard a musical interpretation of an astronomical phenomenon.
The facilitator for the four-day course is Dr. Les Gornall, a Fellow of the Society of Biology who has a background in Environmental Science, engineering and amateur astronomy. Les met the Baha’i faith in 1968 in the Kalahari Desert, lives with his wife Mahin in a solar powered house in Northern Ireland and has three sons. He earns a living converting organic wastes and farm manures into electricity, hot water and organic fertiliser.
Dr Les Gornall
05: Science, Religion and Evolution
- 06: The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh and its relationship to Christianity and Islam
course which will explore the writings of Bahá'u'lláh's major works, of the books and tablets; with particular relevance to the current state of the world, and the relationship of the Bahá'í Faith to the Judaeo-Christian-Islamic traditions.
This course will explore the uniqueness and exclusiveness of Christianity, as well as the incarnation, trinity and the mass. In the case of the Islamic texts, the seal of the prophets, the coming of Mahdi (Promised one of Islam), and all pertinent questions. Issues of polemics and apologetics will also be addressed.
Khazeh Fananapazir
06: The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh and its relationship to Christianity and Islam
- 07: Visiting 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Visiting 'Abdu'l-Bahá will be about the life of the Master, focusing on how He affected those who visited Him and the historical circumstances of the time. It will be history as seen through the eyes of pilgrims and other visitors.
Earl's book, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Their Midst, published by George Ronald in 2011, tells the story of the Master's travels to the West from the time of His departure from the Holy Land in September 1910 to His return in December 1913. His travels are told mostly in the words of those who met Him and illustrate how He affected and transformed lives their lives.
Earl Redman is former Alaskan who is now a resident of the sleepy village of Ballinagh and is therefore a Ballinyawner. His wife makes great cakes.
Earl Redman alias HombreRojo
07: Visiting 'Abdu'l-Bahá
- 08: Kitáb-i-Íqán
More information to follow
Sohaila Samimi Loftus
08: Kitáb-i-Íqán
- 09: A Bahá'í perspective on Agriculture & Environment
Themes for each day:
Food & Energy;
Biodiversity;
Environment;
Farming & Science
Catherine Rudenko & Co.
09: A Bahá'í perspective on Agriculture & Environment
- 10: An exploration of Huqúqu'lláh - The Right of God
More Information to follow
Breda Nagle
10: An exploration of Huqúqu'lláh - The Right of God
- 11: True Self - the mastery of selfless esteem
"...man should know his own self and recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or abasement, wealth or poverty....
The straight path is the one which guideth man to the dayspring of perception and to the dawning-place of true understanding and leadeth him to that which will redound to glory, honour and greatness."
The first Taráz - Bahá'u'lláh
In a revised version of last years course, this series of presentations and workshops help us develop true confidence and discover our unique gifts to serve and teach.
From Bahá'í writings to neurology, from Attar to Lao Tzu, this course offers a cornucopia of useful content from fun and practical empowerment to close study of our spiritual nature.
We look at the human experience and explore empowerment tools to clear our minds of negativity and align ourselves with our purpose, thus developing a deeper, yet active connection with ourselves, our Creator and others.
Paddy Honan
11: True Self - the mastery of selfless esteem
- 12: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) - A Thematic Study Outline
This course aims to facilitate the individual in his/her own study of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Most Holy Book of Bahá’u’lláh. It is based on a study outline of the Book, organised by theme or topic rather than paragraph number. It includes the following the main areas: The significance, background and translation of the Aqdas; the Covenant and succession, and the institutions established for interpretation, legislation and administration; the nature and purpose of Bahá’u’lláh’s laws; details of the main laws and ordinances, prohibitions and punishments; social institutions established; addresses to leaders and peoples.
Eamonn Moane
12: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) - A Thematic Study Outline
- Information on other courses will be published as and when it becomes available.
Information on other courses will be published as and when it becomes available.
