The solstice is a natural event in the minds of humans. Its significance is of human formation only. It is a reminder of the residual recognition by humans of our interest and dependence on natural cycles and the importance of the sun in particular in these conditions. The…
Jacksonville, FL (12/17/2011) … I love the enthusiasm of this family who, despite the hint of lower economic status suggested by their location next to a convenience store on a busy avenue, cheer us every year with the “reckless exuberance” of their Xmas…
Friends have a historical testimony against the celebration of special days, because “one day is no more holy than another, as all days are the gift of the most High” (see Friends (Quakers) and Christmas, by Bill Samuel 12/1/1998). However, the “return of the…
On what turned out to be the last day of my mother’s life, when Alzheimer’s Syndrome was ending her body’s ability to breathe independently, nursing staff called me early in the morning to say she was not keeping food down. As I said hello to her, Mom looked up…
Both Buddhism and Quakerism embrace paradox. The ways that each of these spiritual paths takes to get to higher and nobler living involves going deeper into the human experience. Thus, the first of “The Four Noble Truths” of Buddhism is, oddly enough, “Pain…
Universe as Revelation: An Ecomystical Theology for Friends, by Jo Farrow & Alex Wildwood (London, U.K.: Pronoun Press, 2013) … Can one give an anthropic twist to the Big Bang? It has been tried, most notably in 1988 by physicist Brian Swimme and theologian Thomas…
To introduce our November conversation on Buddhism and Quakerism, T. Hamboyan Harrison (who goes by “T.” online) has given us permission to republish the following post from her blog, Light & Lotus. T. is a convinced Quaker and member of Third Haven Monthly…
In early September, we published a Call for Authors on three monthly conversation subjects. October — Judaism and Quakerism … Regular readers have seen a rich range of posts during October. • Clem Gerdelmann shared three pieces pondering the similarities between two…
Here is a third contribution to our “Judaism and Quakerism” conversation from Clem Gerdelmann of Chester (PA) Monthly Meeting. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest religion of all?” … You, my Friends, would think that Quakerism, as Judaism…
Friend Stanley, I am very grateful to you for this post, for my own 63-year path has been a long one of rediscovering and re-embracing the Yeshua of my 1950s Lutheran preacher’s kid childhood. In my late 30s, having quested through Pagan and Buddhist realms of…