Image: World map of countries shaded according to their ecological footprint in 2006 (published on 25 November 2009 by the Global Footprint Network).
Course: Carrying Forward an Ever-Advancing Civilization (2021)
Faculty Mentor: Neil Whatley
Editor’s Note: This was Douglas Gilbert’s first course with the Wilmette Institute, and he is enrolled in two others: Science, Religion, and the Bahá’í Faith, and Sustainable Development and Human Prosperity. We wish him success in all his endeavors.
My course goals were quite comprehensive, and after a review, every point was addressed in more depth than I expected. The international nature of the course participants was the most illuminating and captivating aspect, opening my horizons on important Bahá’í activities. From Paul Hanley’s book (Eleven), I expanded my understanding of human consciousness as well as insight into the unsustainability of the old world order.
I have sharpened my skills in writing and speaking contributions to important discourse regarding spiritual solutions to spiritual problems facing humanity.
I entered the course believing that an “ever-advancing civilization” was a lovely concept, but I now appreciate the urgency for Bahá’ís to do the heavy lifting to achieve the goal.
My views and beliefs about agriculture were not only expanded, but reversed in many aspects.
I have begun giving public talks, engaging in public discourse that boldly presents the precepts of the Bahá’í Faith as the new revelation for today. I spoke on Peace at the Historic Dublin Inn where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed, and on another occasion I gave a sermon on Unity at the Dublin Community Church where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke in 1912. I have also prepared a talk for the course that I plan to present this week.
