Society of Friends

Yes, we all dress in those hats with wigs in order to be better Quakers.

I am, of course, being sarcastic. Eating oatmeal is the only requirement.

Being an "unprogrammed" meeting means there's no singing, no dancing, no service, no Bibles, no nothing. We sit silently in a room until the spirit moves somebody to speak. During the hour, two people spoke, each for less than a minute. Many birds were chirping so happily outside the windows.

The last time I attended church it was with Dayton in August - which would have been an interesting cultural observation except for the highly personal nature of it (that being my person, being persecuted).

So, quiet - that I like. No brimstone, no eternal damnation - ah, that is nice.

It is a bit Buddhist, since it is really meditation. I really miss the Sri Lankan Buddhist priest I met two summers ago in DC and the Vegas light show Buddha in his backroom. I only visited him there once, but I realize I have grown as a person who can meditate. I acknowledge the thoughts then they flit away.

The best part was a peaceful feeling - that everything will be all right. It sure doesn't feel like that now - I am so miserable about Dayton break-up. But it will be ok, there is no doubt. Not today, but someday.

It was a very small meeting - only 6 in attendance. There was discussion after about lobbying efforts, and I fit right in. Everybody was very nice and we were of one mind on most things - which is a lovely state of affairs considering where I teach and how of different minds we are there.

The thing that is hardest for me is how darn white the Quakers are as a group. I guess it may be time to just acknowledge that I, too, am white.