Reflections on the ‘Red Book’: …with discernment
Heather Trickey considers Advices & queries 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?’
From Quaker faith & practice, Advices & queries 7
When we re-hear a familiar Advices & queries we do so in the context of our own condition and the condition of others who are present, and as context shifts sometimes something new emerges.
Advices & queries 7 never gave me any pause and, perhaps, delivered a little bit of self-satisfaction. Here’s affirmation of an approach to the world I find intuitive and easy; oh sure, the interconnectedness-of-everything – each day, another new shiny thing – be open, explore. It’s self-evident (to me) that at any moment one might be tumbled into confluence with an idea, a person, a thing, or a part of the natural world, that will spring the Spirit. Isn’t it clear to everyone that this is how it is, that this is how we should live?
There is one pitfall here – in the context of my own condition – a tendency to disaster from reacting without thinking, a difficulty keeping attention to the end.
At last week’s midweek meeting a warm and careful Friend read Number 7.
For the first time, I heard the last line: ‘with discernment’. Oh, yes.
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