Quakers Do What! Why? by Rhiannon Grant Reviewed by Mary Ann Petersen I am convinced again, Friends! Credit goes to Quakers Do What! Why?, a 72-page booklet from Quaker Quicks, written by Rhiannon Grant. In it, she takes the reader through a wide range of beliefs and practices of unprogrammed Quakers, using a friendly, conversational… Continue reading Quaker book review
Tag: spirituality
What’s your suchness?
I woke to two cats fighting inside my house. One of them was mine. This is part of the tension that holds the world together. It was the suchness of the moment. Suchness is zen talk for the natural state of reality. I am practicing using it in a sentence. How’s your suchness today? What… Continue reading What’s your suchness?
Perception
“Steps to becoming conscious are one perception at a time.” Caroline Myss also said consciousness is about the task of refining our capacity to discern truth. We can discern what is true and what is not true. Awareness is the needed ingredient. It helps us recognize from the tiniest perceptions when we are being led… Continue reading Perception
Quaker horoscope
I was talking to a man about the pain in his leg and through our conversation we realized we were both Virgos and born the same day. The next time we talked, I started to mention my rising sign, but instead blurted out “Quaker” and we both looked surprised. I said, oops, Quaker isn’t… Continue reading Quaker horoscope
Dog bodhisattvas
I’ve seen them wearing coats, wearing sweaters,riding in bike baskets, and shopping carts. Tied up outside stores, on concrete, waiting for their beloved. Dog bodhisattvas are not bogged down in dogma.They are not downward dogs. Dog bodhisattvas are often harnessed for duty and wearing a badge or service vest, absorbing or deflecting suffering for those… Continue reading Dog bodhisattvas
A book report on zen
I read The Way of Zen. The most fitting book report would be an empty page. That would do it. But, I have to write something, so I’ll clutter it up with my take-away from this classic by Alan Watts. A vintage book from 1957. To talk about zen is like having two people sitting… Continue reading A book report on zen
Needs of the people
Yesterday I served Quaker Oats to Quakers! I’ve always dreamed of this. It started as a joke, as most good ideas do. Me and Penny, of the hospitality team, made an oatmeal bar, a place to put oatmeal into a bowl, then add toppings. Choices were: peaches, raisins, chia seeds, bananas, walnuts, apples, brown sugar,… Continue reading Needs of the people
Help with less answers and more listening
We often seek solutions or fixes to complex questions. There is a way to pause. A way to absorb what is going on before problem solving. Some would describe spiritual direction as a movement toward soul wholeness. A spiritual director is there to help us tune into ourselves. They are not there to tell us… Continue reading Help with less answers and more listening
Act in favor with all sentient beings
Is there life to it? Does it lead to love? How is that for a couple of good questions? A project? A move? A relationship? What does it feel like when you consider these questions? I learned about these queries through a Quaker study group. I don’t know if Quakers invented it, but they brought… Continue reading Act in favor with all sentient beings