Page 6 - SPRING 2024 News and Views

‘I wasn’t very religious until later in life, when I came across Taoist and Buddhist ideas. I became involved
in Quakerism because so many of these ways of being I brought with me were compatible.”

Leesa Lambert:

‘My thoughts so far on spirituality are that it is a way of being. Doing all we can to cultivate a good spirit
within and between each other, generating good energy in, and good energy out. Like when Khaled
repeatedly struck a tuning fork in one session, held it to each person’s ear, walking around the circle. We
tune ourselves in like that, tuning into the flow…’

What interesting things have you heard or learned that were new to you?
Arthur Charlton:

‘I’m not clear about that yet… probably in a week or so, there will be things that stick with me.
I have sensed a good spirit and atmosphere here, including a sense of fun.’

Khaled Jajaan:

‘I come from the Middle East. I thought only Islam had so many branches. I was surprised it is similar
with churches here too. I choose to be a Quaker because I see you can be a Quaker with or without ties
to other branches, other faiths, and yet those branches can be shared with love and loyalty within and
between them.

‘For Quakers your previous experience counts. You need not forget, and you can add new experiences,
accumulating a lot more love as you go.’

Leesa Lambert:
‘I sense deeper connections forming within me. For example, Mary inspires me, serving others well into
her nineties, offering a listening ear, giving of her time, drawing upon the richness of her life
experiences.”

Do you have any comments about how the guided retreat was conducted?

Leesa Lambert:
[1.]
‘When Rosemary Brown talked about an aspen forest in Yutah, it created an echo within me: the trees
appear separate, but she said it’s been discovered that they share the same root system. I liked that.
There’s an unseen part of the system, which we only now know is there. The trees share the same life-
giving water and offer some of their own nutrients with others too. Here, we’ve been sharing the same
spirit. We’ve so much in common, which is seen in our acceptance of each other. We’re all inter-
connected, through this unseen world of Quakerism, the roots of which are mystic traditions, which we
tune into. I call the source, God, although I know that word can jar for some, contains baggage for others
- but not for me.’

Arthur Charlton:
“I liked how David and Rosemary Brown led the sessions, prompting us gently. It was a good approach.”

6