Quaker mysticism and truth

Tony Philpott muses on some big questions

by Tony Philpott 11th January 2019

Are Quakers mystics? How do Quakers find the truth? These related questions are answered by two contemporary Quaker writers in recent Quaker Universalist Group pamphlets.

Are Quakers mystics?

This question is tackled by Rex Ambler in Mind the Oneness: The Mystic Way of the Quakers. Rex Ambler traces mysticism back to its Greek roots. It is to do with closing the mouth, or not being able to speak about things that are beyond words. There are the deep questions of life and death which are beyond our grasp. Occasionally we get insights into answers, but how do we communicate these to others?