Becoming Quaker
Alex Thomson writes about becoming Quaker, becoming Christ, becoming fully human
I could have said being Quaker, being Christ, being fully human, but being, is fairly static. Life is flowing, forever changing. In each moment we are becoming: becoming angry, becoming happy, becoming worried, or becoming something else. So, what does becoming Quaker mean?
For me, becoming Quaker means becoming Christ. Becoming Christ is simply realising the ‘Divine Source’ within and living from that source. This is what I think the early Quakers realised and how they lived their lives. It is something we are in danger of losing in this modern, materialistic world.
I am continually in flux, sometimes moving towards the source, but most often not, yet it is my intention to move towards that Divine Source, learning from my mistakes and letting the Divine Source live through me that I keep coming back to. This is what it means to become fully human, to live connected to our Divine Source. Just look at the world outside: there is a lot to do in becoming fully human.
While we hang on to that ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude the world will never change. We get the world we deserve. Happiness doesn’t come from getting more, it comes from realising you are more, and the more you are the more you have to give, and the greatest thing you have to offer the world is your fully human self.
Not everyone may know this. What is important is that you know it… and live it. That is happiness – being yourself and accepting everyone’s faults, including your own. We are all still learning what it means to be here. The power of God is within us all. Quakers call that power the Light. The Light nourishes and heals the soul, preparing us for the fight of our lives, the fight of love and of hate. Love’s resources are endurance, compassion, empathy, selflessness, generosity, acceptance and forgiveness, of faith in the vastness of ‘that which is beyond our limited selves’ – of manifesting our awareness of that ‘Divine Presence’ within us.
This is not a fight of violence of any kind, but a process of transformation – of greed, anger and fear – by becoming fully human within the Light. By transforming ourselves we transform the world; for the Light will shine through us for the world to see the Kingdom of Love and the Kingdom of God in the way we live our lives and interact with the world, Our purpose in becoming Quaker is to transform the world by letting that of God within us live through us.
It seems to me that God does not want to be worshipped, nor is it for us to try and please. It is enough for us to know the Divine Presence, which is always here and available, and we are never alone. We are supported and loved. Nothing is expected from us in return and we are accepted for who we are.
It is our choice, our loss not to know God, to live as a random, insignificant accident. It is our joy to awaken to the Kingdom of God and to see, in the ‘light of being oneself’, beyond the illusion of separation. There are many forms, yet one Eternal Source to be discovered within each moment: God.
All that I am, can be, will be, is up to me.
I embrace God’s Presence as God’s Presence embraces me.
Complete love without expectations or conditions.
You are always with me, as I am with you. My cup overflows no matter what the outward appearance: no wants, no needs, nothing that can be taken away. I am always home as You are always here.
No external proof required, God is.
It is your choice to know, or not to know,
It is up to you.
Just be still, God is.
Comments
Excellent article. Thank you Alex. It mirrors my thoughts exactly particularly about Gd not wanting to be worshipped. From my understanding of Jesus’ life and teaching he did not wish to be worshipped and yet we have created a church that does exactly that.
This us an article to be read and re-read.
By Ardie on 8th February 2017 - 6:51
Please login to add a comment
