The Four Valleys: The Seeker’s Path to Spiritual Maturation

Fri Oct 31st 4:00pm - Sun Nov 2nd 4:00pm

This course will dive deeply into the spiritual theme of the Seeker’s Path – the powerful journey of search, discovery, growth, and human maturation in Baha'u'llah's mystical writings which every soul is called upon to undertake. The Four Valleys uses a stage-specific ladder to describe the process of spiritual growth, awareness, and maturation – the journey of the soul:

Briefly; the journey of the soul is necessary. The pathway of life is the road which leads to divine knowledge and attainment. Without training and guidance the soul could never progress beyond the conditions of its lower nature ... - Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 295-296.

Every religion has these ladders of development. Contemporary psychology contains them, too, especially in the works of Carl Jung. In his book Modern Man in Search of the Soul, Jung described four specific steps of psychological growth, and called that journey “the mystical heart of all religions.” During this weekend, participants will learn about and practice the four steps that Baha'u'llah, the prophet founder of the Bahá’í Faith, describes.

David Langness is a writer, editor, and sailor on the sea of joy. For the past 14 years, he served as the editor of BahaiTeachings.org, and is now an editor at George Ronald Publishers in England. He has been a Bahá’í for 57 years, and his book The Seeker’s Path: Myth, Maturity, and the Bahá’í Teachings, will soon be published. His course at DRBI will be based on that upcoming book.

Event Schedule:

Friday

- 4:00-6:00 PM - Registration

- 6:00-7:00 PM - Dinner

- 7:00-8:00 PM - Orientation and Introduction

Saturday

- 8:00 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast

- 9:00 - 12:30 PM - Sessions

- 12:30 - 2:00 PM - Lunch

- 2:00 - 6:00 PM - Sessions

- 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Dinner

- 7:00 - 8:00 PM - Music/Arts

Sunday

- 8:00 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast

- 9:00 - 12:30 AM - Sessions

- 12:30 - 2:00 PM - Lunch

- 2:00 - 4:00 PM - Final session & farewell

Introduction to Desert Rose Winter and Spring Programs:

Our winter and spring retreats at Desert Rose focus on the in-depth study of core spiritual literature and historical texts. Set in the serene desert environment of Arizona, we enjoy a perfect winter retreat environment. These programs provide ain ideal opportunity for reflection, learning, and community engagement.

Fees, Prerequisites, and Materials:

Attendees are required to register in advance, with fees covering all sessions, meals, and materials. Specific prerequisites for participation and a list of materials to be studied will be provided upon registration.

Registration:

Registration includes 6 meals, materials and accommodations in our dormitory. If you would prefer to rent a private apartment, these can be booked separately using the link bit.ly/drbi-rentals. Apartments fill up quickly and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so book quickly.

If apartments are full and you prefer not to stay in the dormitory, here is a list of nearby hotels.

Alternatively, we have boondocking-style RV parking for guests and volunteers at no additional cost. These have no power or hookups, just a water and dump station.

Transportation:

DRBI does not yet own a shuttle van but numerous shuttle and Uber options exist from the Phoenix airport only 45 minutes away.

Donations:

Support for our programs is greatly appreciated, and additional donations can be made to help us continue offering these enriching experiences. https://givebutter.com/drbiffa