Where to start with Shoghi Effendi?

ahanu · 08-31-2012, 09:49 PM

Hello, let me begin with some of the Baha'i books and tablets I have read. Here's a list:

The Kitáb-i-Íqán
Release the Sun
Some Answered Questions
'ABDU'L-BAHÁ'S TABLET TO DR. FOREL
The Hidden Words
The Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Bab
Baha'i Prayers
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
The Brilliant Proof

As you look over my short list, you will notice I haven't read anything from Shoghi Effendi. Where should I start with Shoghi Effendi?

Rani · 09-01-2012, 12:04 AM

I haven't read many books of his either, but I think many people would recommend
'God Passes By.'
I enjoyed reading 'The Advent of Divine Justice'. -haven't finished the very end though.

ahanu · 09-01-2012, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rani

I enjoyed reading 'The Advent of Divine Justice'. -haven't finished the very end though.

Brief description from Wikipedia:

Quote:

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938 to the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi,[1] describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace.

The book is about the destiny of America and the means by which that destiny can be ensured. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Bahá'ís as "the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers" and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He says first they must internalize three spiritual prerequisites - "moral rectitude," "absolute chastity," and "complete freedom from prejudice".

Yeah, that might be a good first read.

Quote:

I haven't read many books of his either, but I think many people would recommend
'God Passes By.'

Hmm . . . This seems like Release the Sun.

I guess I'm more interested in the Baha'i Faith as institution rather than history.

Sen McGlinn · 09-01-2012, 01:25 AM

I recommend "the dispensation of Baha'u'llah", which is printed in "The World Order of Baha'u'llah." I think it is "the essential Shoghi Effendi." And full of surprises, for the careful reader. Ruhiyyeh Khanum wrote:

Quote:

The weighty treatise known as The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh , written in 1934, burst upon the Bahá'ís like a blinding white light. I remember when I first read it I had the most extraordinary feeling as if the whole universe had suddenly expanded around me and I was looking out into its dazzling star-filled immensity; all the frontiers of our understanding flew outwards; the glory of this Cause and the true station of its Central Figures were revealed to us and we were never the same again. One would have through that the stunning impact of this one communication from the Guardian would kill puniness of soul forever! However Shoghi Effendi felt in his inmost heart about his other writings, I know from his remarks that he considered he had said all he had to say, in many ways, in the Dispensation.

(Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Priceless Pearl, p. 213)

arthra · 09-02-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahanu

Hello, let me begin with some of the Baha'i books and tablets I have read. Here's a list:

The Kitáb-i-Íqán
Release the Sun
Some Answered Questions
'ABDU'L-BAHÁ'S TABLET TO DR. FOREL
The Hidden Words
The Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Bab
Baha'i Prayers
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
The Brilliant Proof

As you look over my short list, you will notice I haven't read anything from Shoghi Effendi. Where should I start with Shoghi Effendi?

As far as reading Baha'i prayers, Gleanings, the Kitab-i-Iqan you have already started reading Shoghi Effendi as they are translated by him into English and serve as a model for future translations...

As above God Passes By..is an wonderful text by the Guardian but there are also others which I would suggest such as Promised Day is Come and Advent of Divine Justice, Citadel of Faith and my favorite World Order of Baha'u'llah!

World Order of Bahá'u'lláh

ahanu · 09-03-2012, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthra

As far as reading Baha'i prayers, Gleanings, the Kitab-i-Iqan you have already started reading Shoghi Effendi as they are translated by him into English and serve as a model for future translations...
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You're right!

I have been reading a few pages of Shoghi Effendi, and I have to say he is an eloquent writer.

abahai · 09-06-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahanu

You're right!

I have been reading a few pages of Shoghi Effendi, and I have to say he is an eloquent writer.

Yes I think the eloquence of his writing was a key factor in drawing me to the Faith. I am so grateful for what he did to enable westerners such as I to stand closer to the light of Bahá'u'lláh. The writings made such sense and were delivered with such poetic force they crushed through every day meanings to me and really motivated me to continue my independent search for truth by engaging with the local Bahá'i community.

I'm very grateful for his writings.

abahai · 09-10-2012, 09:00 PM

Just following on from this I thought I'd mention I've written a brief article on Shoghi Effendi over on my blog, would be interested to hear your thoughts!

The genius and legacy of Shoghi Effendi

08-31-2012, 09:49 PM	#1
ahanu Senior Member Joined: Apr 2011 From: Beijing, China Posts: 564	Where to start with Shoghi Effendi? Hello, let me begin with some of the Baha'i books and tablets I have read. Here's a list: The Kitáb-i-Íqán Release the Sun Some Answered Questions 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ'S TABLET TO DR. FOREL The Hidden Words The Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Bab Baha'i Prayers Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh The Brilliant Proof As you look over my short list, you will notice I haven't read anything from Shoghi Effendi. Where should I start with Shoghi Effendi? Last edited by ahanu; 08-31-2012 at 10:12 PM.

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09-01-2012, 12:04 AM	#2
Rani Senior Member Joined: May 2011 From: Australia Posts: 444	I haven't read many books of his either, but I think many people would recommend 'God Passes By.' I enjoyed reading 'The Advent of Divine Justice'. -haven't finished the very end though.

09-10-2012, 09:00 PM	#8
abahai from London, UK. Joined: Aug 2012 From: London, United Kingdom Posts: 14	Just following on from this I thought I'd mention I've written a brief article on Shoghi Effendi over on my blog, would be interested to hear your thoughts! The genius and legacy of Shoghi Effendi