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Permalink Reply by Tina M Pinzone on 12th mo. 13, 2012 at 7:12pm

Ray,

Thank you for posting this. It really touched my heart. Before I moved, I had a little 'alter' of sorts. It was a collection of different little things that meant something to me, or gave me a sense of peace, or worth. I have been in my new home almost two years, and have been missing it.  'Let us Labor...' is just the type of thing I would write out and possibly frame to put on it. I think after the new year i will have to find a home for my little 'alter'. In the mean time, I'll copy this and tuck it in my bible.:)

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Permalink Reply by Ray Lovegrove on 12th mo. 14, 2012 at 5:58am

I'm glad you liked it Tina :^)

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Permalink Reply by Chris Beauchamp on 1st mo. 9, 2013 at 2:12pm

Well said. .

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Permalink Reply by Ray Lovegrove on 1st mo. 14, 2013 at 4:56am

Thank thee Chris :^)

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Permalink Reply by Martin on 6th mo. 29, 2013 at 4:30am

So how do Quakers "labor for an inward stillness"?

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Permalink Reply by Clem Gerdelmann on 6th mo. 29, 2013 at 7:14am

With deference to Longfellow, the labor is the female version for giving birth as opposed to the male version of furrowing a field. One sits/stands with a growing other-presence that makes its burdens and needs(healthy and happy living) known more and more each day/month. The other subjects itself to all the frustrating contingencies of life to produce sweat on the brow.
 
Spiny Norman said:

So how do Quakers "labor for an inward stillness"?

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Permalink Reply by Martin on 6th mo. 30, 2013 at 6:06am

So in your view it's a passive rather than an active process?  I'd be interested to hear how you apply this in practice.

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Permalink Reply by Clem Gerdelmann on 6th mo. 30, 2013 at 7:24am

Perhaps, Friend, we should let "H.W." speak from his progeny; let alone women who may have something to say about "passive" laboring to give birth? Raising the seed within, not unlike raising a child, is precarious, not prescribed; so I'll stick with poetry, rather than Do-It-Yourself manuals, for Quaker praxis.
 
Spiny Norman said:

So in your view it's a passive rather than an active process?  I'd be interested to hear how you apply this in practice.

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Permalink Reply by Martin on 7th mo. 1, 2013 at 7:37am

I'm finding the flowery language and mixed metaphors a little difficult to follow, Clem!

I think you're saying there is no prescribed method in Quakers to develop inward stillness?  But are you saying people should just make up their own method(s)? 

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Permalink Reply by Clem Gerdelmann on 7th mo. 1, 2013 at 2:21pm

"We wait - In singleness of heart (for) God alone speaks (that) we may know and do God's will (free from) our own imperfect thoughts and vain opinions". This sounds like Devotion&Trust(Quaker Worship) which is needed more in a relationship than with a method. But sure, if you don't know it(Quaker Worship), then make it up(Beware the DT's, however).
 
Spiny Norman said:

I'm finding the flowery language and mixed metaphors a little difficult to follow, Clem!

I think you're saying there is no prescribed method in Quakers to develop inward stillness?  But are you saying people should just make up their own method(s)? 

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Permalink Reply by Timothy on 7th mo. 4, 2013 at 11:06am

Friend Ray!

Thank thee for sharing this. It is so very true and beautiful! Well articulated! Glad to have found and read this.

Blessings to thee,

~Timothy~

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Permalink Reply by Martin on 9th mo. 22, 2013 at 5:40am

So what does a non-theist Quaker do?

Clem Gerdelmann said:

"We wait - In singleness of heart (for) God alone speaks (that) we may know and do God's will (free from) our own imperfect thoughts and vain opinions". This sounds like Devotion&Trust(Quaker Worship) which is needed more in a relationship than with a method. But sure, if you don't know it(Quaker Worship), then make it up(Beware the DT's, however).
 
Spiny Norman said:

I'm finding the flowery language and mixed metaphors a little difficult to follow, Clem!

I think you're saying there is no prescribed method in Quakers to develop inward stillness?  But are you saying people should just make up their own method(s)? 

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