Reflections on the ‘Red Book’: Sources of the Light
Derrick Whitehouse considers Quaker faith & practice 1.02.7
Be aware of the spirit of God at work in the ordinary activities and experience of your daily life. Spiritual learning continues throughout life, and often in unexpected ways. There is inspiration to be found all around us, in the natural world, in the sciences and arts, in our work and friendships, in our sorrows as well as in our joys. Are you open to new light, from whatever source it may come? Do you approach new ideas with discernment?
Quaker faith & practice 1.02.7
Quakers talk about the Light. Do we take care to know and understand the source of this illumination? I identify three sources of the Light and believe each can discern the Quaker way. The instinctive Light shines in every living creature. This is the Light of existence, love and caring. It is hospitable and more powerful than other sources. It is concerned with personal survival and of the survival of the species. It is the Light at the heart and consciousness of altruism and social witness.
The Light of knowing and understanding provides logical luminosity. This satisfies the human need for knowledge of the world, the how and why of everything. This is the human characteristic of being and feeling in control. For many there is a powerful reliance on the supposed security that this notion of Light provides. It is characteristic of the perspective of secular humanism where people strive to be in charge of running their own way of life. Many of those who delve into human behaviour have concluded there is oscillation and fluctuation between these two aspects of our way of living, leading to frustration, irritation, dissatisfaction and feelings of defeat. How can this be contained, managed, regulated and enhanced?
The answer lies firmly in one’s spirituality and faith, which is the enigmatic essence of the third dimension and is secure Light. This has been essential in spiritual/religious understanding since the beginning of time. George Fox referred to it as ‘the Light of Christ’, which gave it meaning in relation to the idea of an ‘earth model’ that can reveal how each one of us can ‘become’ and reflect the true Light of that which has ‘enigmatic essence’. This ethereal dimension of Light never goes out, is beyond radiance and able to connect with the mysterious dimension at every point, when considering our faith.
The Religious Society of Friends in Britain needs to know, understand and communicate with one another in order to practise ways of making a connection with the enigmatic essence. This brings about a refreshing dimension overlaying the commonplace Light envisaged as the Light of existence and service, together with the Light of intellect and understanding. This for Christian and other faiths entails notions of God and ‘earth models’, or revelation for the religious humanist – who acknowledges there is something transpersonal there but wrestles with ‘God language’.
These varied perspectives are represented through our personal faith and practice. Then what is presented in ‘our book’, whatever we choose to call it, will proclaim in truth our Quaker faith and practice to the world.
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