Page 13 - Quaker News & Views Nov 25 - Jan 26

Exploring the Spiritual Quaker Path

This absorbing online Woodbrooke session was effectively led by Stuart Masters, who had
organised his talk into three main sections: Internal Experience, Discernment and Outward Witness
and presented 10 ‘Waymarkers’ to help us follow the path. We listened, talked and ‘chatted’ at
length on these thought-provoking areas and the many implications they presented, to the point
of overstepping our allotted 90 minutes. Stuart was a knowledgeable, sensitive and clear
communicator.

To summarise:
The Inward was likened to being attentive, through deep listening, to inward guidance, even if
discomforting.

Discernment was described as testing the inward guidance to distinguish between real promptings
and other motivations, requiring much patience.

The Outward was presented as being adventurous and faithful in our lives. Being willing to
experiment and innovate and celebrate joy and creativity as well as finding courage to act on our
discerned inward guidance even when facing resistance. And to do this as individuals, as a
community and in the world.

Apart from thoughts that emanated directly from Stuart’s presentation, we also discussed personal
difficulties that may arise within the family or at work or within a meeting when we are unable to
agree with the prevailing opinions. A&Q 38 was quoted and we were urged not to let go of our
integrity for fear of being unpopular.

The testing issue of when to offer vocal ministry was also brought up and A&Q 13 was mentioned
and the need to find a balance, which prompted a heartfelt question about the difficulty of finding
the spirit. Writings by Thomas Raymond Kelly were recommended.

This led to taking about discord within Quaker communities, brought up by a Trustee who was
finding the path hard. We all thought that we don’t always need to agree and in fact a diversity of
voices can lead to better discernment and we should remember that the minority voice may be
‘right’. Meetings for Clearness were recommended as well as reading A&Q 17, as ways to re-
commence loving engagement.
The chatline was meanwhile attempting to explain discernment and it was variously described as

feelings emanating from mind, body and gut and identifying and rejecting our unconscious biases.
One stressed Friend worried that stress could obscure discernment.

A new Friend spoke about her concern that her London church, which she still attended, was much
more diverse than her Quaker meeting and she felt worried about losing that vitality if she moved
entirely to Quakers. She was advised to try other meetings that may suit her better or to continue
attending both as ‘we often take more than one mode of transport to reach our destination’.

This session was a taster for a 4-week online Woodbrooke course in October run by Stuart. It also
linked up to his new book and learning resources ‘The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth’.

Courtesy of Helen Rouse, Bournemouth

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