QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

What Does The "Inner Light" or "That Of God Within" Mean To You?

Here's a question for everyone from a new Friend. What exactly is "The Inner Light" or "That Of God Within?"

Yes, I've read the "Faith And Practice" book and know the printed definition. However, I'm curious what folks here at QuakerQuaker would have to say about this from their own experiences. I suppose what I'm looking for is the faith IN practice and what that has meant in terms of day to day life (if you can excuse the bad pun).

Please understand that I'm not looking for argument or debate about what this means. There are enough people out there in the world to do that elsewhere. While I may be new, one of the things which drew me to The Society Of Friends was the inclusiveness, compassion and toleration which seems to originated from that Light. What I'm looking for here is a friendly, respectful description of what this means to you and how that manifests itself in your daily life while living in this very odd world of ours.

If you don't want to add to the discussion, please feel free to contact me directly (via message).

I joined this site for the fellowship as well as a better understanding of what exactly it means to live the life of a Friend. I'm very interested to learn from everyone. So...

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Permalink Reply by Robben Wainer on 2nd mo. 22, 2015 at 7:46pm

"The inner light", and "that of God Within." to me means everything we touch, feel or sense is given by God. While there are holy values, I don't feel that the Quaker faith is useful for one who has their own mission or one who is driven by their passions to correct an error. We serve God in our community which is a society by giving back and giving voice to those issues in which Christian pretext gives rise and gives us a calling to reach out and love our fellow man. To me God is one, the Trinity is one, and God is not of a gender but the universal voice of spirit and harmony that presides over the Planet Earth with undeniable sovereignty to teach all of his creation their own personal divine ministry. So to me the inner light is a purpose, it is a voice and it is a creative power to serve and to make holy what is within our vows of peace ad non-violence.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Stuckwisch on 2nd mo. 22, 2015 at 10:27pm

The Inward Light and that of God within are one and the same for me. I don't find them to be an inherent aspect of human beings , rather it is in me but not of me. It is the Still Small Voice of God that invites me to relationship, offers to teach me and guide me towards be more fully whole and human.

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Permalink Reply by Olivia on 2nd mo. 28, 2015 at 5:53pm

Hi William,

Welcome and thanks for the good question. I hesitate to try to define it, even to offer my own personal definition but I spoke kind of extensively about something that I think is my best answer to your question here at this link. Kind of like the hardest, best, most loving, most-painful-to-communicate-with part of ourselves??? Something that we must uncover within us, for the only life worth living??

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