Devotional gathering
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The devotional gathering is one of the four "core activities" currently being undertaken by the Bahá'í world. However, the format, length, venue, content, etc., of each devotional meeting has to vary according to circumstance. In other words, this is a flexible concept, and individual meetings could be spontaneous or highly planned. Any one particular event could be themed or open. The essence of the idea is that individuals, both Bahá'ís and pre-Bahá'ís, should come together in worship. Many Bahá'ís say that through the act of joint worship they become closer to the others present.
The four core activities are devotional gatherings, study circles, children's classes and junior youth groups, and once all four are actively in existence in an area, the idea is that people who are attracted to one may then be attracted to participate in (or help with) another, as appropriate. People involved in the Ruhi process often take the view that anyone who has participated in Ruhi Book 1 should be able to then hold their own devotional meetings, thereby making the number of such meetings multiply, and offering them to yet further people.
A devotional meeting could simply be one in which the participants bring their favourite prayers and readings from their own religious experience, to share with others. It could involve music or recordings from previous occasions. It often takes place in a private home, but for a variety of reasons it may be held elsewhere. Wendi Momen has written a short book, entitled The Devotional Meeting, to help people consider what should or could be undertaken in such a meeting. Some communities find that a Tranquillity Zone is a useful step towards a more prayer-orientated devotional gathering.
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