Participating in Quaker worship for many years led me to Taoist meditation which is about connecting with the Ultimate Reality of the Tao. When I do this I find that I am filled with a love for all people, animals, nature, the universe.
I recently bumped into this channel, probably through my main interest for these last 6 years in meditation. I was amazed by the similarity of a "friend's meeting" with our little local meditative (Buddhist/Mindfulness) group. We don't face walls ;-) and I love the inspired attention of the talks we have at the end of our meetings. I come back from a meditation retreat where we were introduce to the beautiful "insight dialogue" between two strangers speaking by turns interspersed by silent pauses. I loved it. And I love what I guess is the somewhat liberal branch of Quakerism ?
This is my first QuakerSpeak video, recommended by someone in my Monthly Meeting. Before this I didn't even know you existed. This particular video gave words to how, for the most part, I experience Quaker worship. In my Meeting there is nothing offered about what the experience and meaning of worship is about, other than answers that people new to Quakerism might run into. And even Quaker members and attenders who have been around a long time may ask me (or others) about what they are supposed to be doing during individual or group worship. I believe that this video could be a wonderful resource for introducing people to the worship experience or as a stimulus for an adult religious education or similar type of workshop.
In one zen scripture is says “ supreme mind, in words , can never be expressed but to all the trainees needs it does respond “. In zen we sometimes call the still small voice the lord of the house.
There are many forms of meditation, and Quaker Meeting for Worship is certainly one of them, depending on one's understanding of what meditation is. Author and Quaker Rex Ambler has researched and detailed early Friends' meditative practices in his books and on his website, for anyone interested.
the meditation they described is nothing like the form of meditation I'm familiar with! In Heartfulness meditation we sit in group in a circle and rest our attention on divinity within, after a while you can feel the collective energy of this effortless focus. There is no 'Discipline' or fighting away though. there's no need when you attention is on something as interesting as God. We also talk for at least an hour after every 40 minute sitting.
As a practicing Buddhist with a strong urge to reconnect with my western spiritual roots, Quakerism feels like an excellent tradition to bridge the gap.
This is totally meditation. The way silent prayer is described is totally like meditation. Footage of silent prayer looks like a bunch of people meditating. The thing about meditation is that there are different varieties. This is acknowledged at the end of this video. I thought it was odd that Buddists were mentioned. I don't mean to bash them. They are really cool guys. I especially like the value of balance. However Buddhists don't have a monopoly on meditation. It would be wrong to think that way. Meditation can occur in Paganism too. I wondnt be surprised if it occurred 8n other Dharmic religions,, besides Buddhism.. It seems that so called "silent prayer" is the Cristian version. There is a point in that the practice is more social with people speaking. I would think of this as its own unique variation of meditation and not a seperate practice altogether. I am reaserching Christian groups. I did learned about Quakers and liked them. They are my favorite so far. When researching more groups, I get more appreciation for Quakers. The main thing about Quakers that make them stand out is thier radical freedom. They really reduce the authority of the clergy. I like the freedom because I am so sick of other Cristian groups oppress others in the name of God. Yet there is another side besides radical freedom. There is a toning down of monotheism and getting pantheistic tendencies. There is God in everyone. There is also good works, as Quakers have done so much good to help other. I am impressed by the good at too. I can really have my cake and eat it too. This makes Quakers so much better than a lot of other Christian groups. I have gained new appreciation of silent prayer in Quakers. They look so serious. They look like they have dignity. This may be a personal thing. I am an introverted and stoic person. So I have a very calm personality. Sitting quietly for worship seems so appealing to me. I dabbled with meditation, and loved it. By contrast, the Pentecostals have a more upbeat approach to religious practice. This would probably fit more extroverted Christians. Maybe it has it merits, since the people seem to be having fun. However this is not my style. I have seen wacky antics during Pentecostal worship services. I seen it on TH-cam video. I see the notice and laugh. It is really funny. Then I realize that this is not a good reaction. The Pentecostals are trying to be serious like any other religious people. They just come off as funny by accident. I like the Quaker way better. They can calm down and take themselves seriously. That brings a good image to others. There is a risk of being perceived as boring. However that is fine. I would rather be boring instead of siilly.
I had a very negative experience with another person during unprogrammed meeting. No one said anything to this person about bad behavior. I stopped going to meeting because of this. I’m saddened it happened and saddened because this person is so lost to true meaning of the unprogramed meeting.
HOLY EXPECTANCY Worship, according to the ancient practice of the Religious Society of Friends, is entirely without any human direction or supervision. A group of devout persons come together and sit down quietly with no pre-arrangements, each seeking to have an immediate sense of divine leading and to know at first hand the presence of the living Christ. It is not wholly accurate to say that such a Meeting is held on the basis of silence; it is more accurate to say that it is held on the basis of holy expectancy. Those who enter such a Meeting can harm it in two specific ways: first, by an advance determination to speak; and second, by an advance determination to keep silence. The only way in which a worshipper can help such a Meeting is by an advance determination to try to be responsive in listening to the still small voice and doing whatever may be commanded. Such a Meeting is always a high venture of faith and it is to this venture that we invite you. --- Prepared for a Friends Meeting of delegates to the World Council of Churches, Amsterdam, Holland, 1948
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Participating in Quaker worship for many years led me to Taoist meditation which is about connecting with the Ultimate Reality of the Tao. When I do this I find that I am filled with a love for all people, animals, nature, the universe.
I recently bumped into this channel, probably through my main interest for these last 6 years in meditation. I was amazed by the similarity of a "friend's meeting" with our little local meditative (Buddhist/Mindfulness) group. We don't face walls ;-) and I love the inspired attention of the talks we have at the end of our meetings. I come back from a meditation retreat where we were introduce to the beautiful "insight dialogue" between two strangers speaking by turns interspersed by silent pauses. I loved it.
And I love what I guess is the somewhat liberal branch of Quakerism ?
This is my first QuakerSpeak video, recommended by someone in my Monthly Meeting. Before this I didn't even know you existed. This particular video gave words to how, for the most part, I experience Quaker worship. In my Meeting there is nothing offered about what the experience and meaning of worship is about, other than answers that people new to Quakerism might run into. And even Quaker members and attenders who have been around a long time may ask me (or others) about what they are supposed to be doing during individual or group worship. I believe that this video could be a wonderful resource for introducing people to the worship experience or as a stimulus for an adult religious education or similar type of workshop.
In one zen scripture is says “ supreme mind, in words , can never be expressed but to all the trainees needs it does respond “. In zen we sometimes call the still small voice the lord of the house.
There are many forms of meditation, and Quaker Meeting for Worship is certainly one of them, depending on one's understanding of what meditation is. Author and Quaker Rex Ambler has researched and detailed early Friends' meditative practices in his books and on his website, for anyone interested.
the meditation they described is nothing like the form of meditation I'm familiar with!
In Heartfulness meditation we sit in group in a circle and rest our attention on divinity within, after a while you can feel the collective energy of this effortless focus.
There is no 'Discipline' or fighting away though.
there's no need when you attention is on something as interesting as God.
We also talk for at least an hour after every 40 minute sitting.
As a practicing Buddhist with a strong urge to reconnect with my western spiritual roots, Quakerism feels like an excellent tradition to bridge the gap.
As i understand Is the intention the mental direction to the divine.
Meeting for Wirship is True Communion
This is totally meditation. The way silent prayer is described is totally like meditation. Footage of silent prayer looks like a bunch of people meditating. The thing about meditation is that there are different varieties. This is acknowledged at the end of this video. I thought it was odd that Buddists were mentioned. I don't mean to bash them. They are really cool guys. I especially like the value of balance. However Buddhists don't have a monopoly on meditation. It would be wrong to think that way. Meditation can occur in Paganism too. I wondnt be surprised if it occurred 8n other Dharmic religions,, besides Buddhism.. It seems that so called "silent prayer" is the Cristian version. There is a point in that the practice is more social with people speaking. I would think of this as its own unique variation of meditation and not a seperate practice altogether.
I am reaserching Christian groups. I did learned about Quakers and liked them. They are my favorite so far. When researching more groups, I get more appreciation for Quakers. The main thing about Quakers that make them stand out is thier radical freedom. They really reduce the authority of the clergy. I like the freedom because I am so sick of other Cristian groups oppress others in the name of God. Yet there is another side besides radical freedom. There is a toning down of monotheism and getting pantheistic tendencies. There is God in everyone. There is also good works, as Quakers have done so much good to help other. I am impressed by the good at too. I can really have my cake and eat it too. This makes Quakers so much better than a lot of other Christian groups. I have gained new appreciation of silent prayer in Quakers. They look so serious. They look like they have dignity. This may be a personal thing. I am an introverted and stoic person. So I have a very calm personality. Sitting quietly for worship seems so appealing to me. I dabbled with meditation, and loved it. By contrast, the Pentecostals have a more upbeat approach to religious practice. This would probably fit more extroverted Christians. Maybe it has it merits, since the people seem to be having fun. However this is not my style. I have seen wacky antics during Pentecostal worship services. I seen it on TH-cam video. I see the notice and laugh. It is really funny. Then I realize that this is not a good reaction. The Pentecostals are trying to be serious like any other religious people. They just come off as funny by accident. I like the Quaker way better. They can calm down and take themselves seriously. That brings a good image to others. There is a risk of being perceived as boring. However that is fine. I would rather be boring instead of siilly.
It reminds me very much of martin buber.
I had a very negative experience with another person during unprogrammed meeting. No one said anything to this person about bad behavior. I stopped going to meeting because of this. I’m saddened it happened and saddened because this person is so lost to true meaning of the unprogramed meeting.
You chose not to discuss the issue with the person yourself, but instead to leave? That's unfortunate.
HOLY EXPECTANCY
Worship, according to the ancient practice of the
Religious Society of Friends, is entirely without any human
direction or supervision.
A group of devout persons come together and sit down
quietly with no pre-arrangements, each seeking to have an
immediate sense of divine leading and to know at first hand
the presence of the living Christ.
It is not wholly accurate to say that such a Meeting is held
on the basis of silence; it is more accurate to say that it is
held on the basis of holy expectancy. Those who enter such
a Meeting can harm it in two specific ways: first, by an
advance determination to speak; and second, by an advance
determination to keep silence.
The only way in which a worshipper can help such a
Meeting is by an advance determination to try to be
responsive in listening to the still small voice and doing
whatever may be commanded.
Such a Meeting is always a high venture of faith and it is to
this venture that we invite you.
--- Prepared for a Friends Meeting of delegates to the World Council of Churches, Amsterdam, Holland, 1948