tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post6616770742477306719..comments2024-03-16T10:05:23.129-07:00Comments on LA Quaker: "An axe to cut open a window" to the soul: reflections on a Quaker poetry studyLA Quakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-68760941833149881132016-04-26T08:53:31.777-07:002016-04-26T08:53:31.777-07:00Thanks for your kind and wise words. I know that m...Thanks for your kind and wise words. I know that many of those present felt compassion and later were willing to express it, but the structure blocked them from expressing it in a healthy way at at time when it was needed and approrpriate. That's what saddens me. We have created a ritual that cuts people off from each other and I think from the living God, who is Love. Perhaps that's why we have so many Friends who are non-theist and afraid to even use the word "God." They are out of touch with the source of life and of love and so they remain silent and still and emotionally unapproachable. When I went to my Men's group last night, I shared the same poem and their response was totally different. Spontaneous, loving, and Spirit-filled. It was like being among the living rather than among the dead. Yes, I am grateful for poetry and for the feelings it expresses. God created us to feel as well as to think. Our feelings are sacred. How can we help Friends to recognize this spiritual and psychological truth? How can we create safe, liberating spaces where Friends can be real with each other? This is the question I am struggling with.LA Quakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11084465501021443492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571146151683416940.post-48805214893535076152016-04-25T23:30:27.861-07:002016-04-25T23:30:27.861-07:00Amice care,
sorry that the people there did not ha...Amice care,<br />sorry that the people there did not have axes to free themselves to be with you. Maybe they were with you and did not have any reserves of compassion to offer you. Maybe their witnessing was enough? To be present with the Truth and not flee is also a gift. Sorry you did not have a way in that formalized atmosphere to ask for what you needed. Many Friends have been taught to let each person in worship/sharing experience their feelings fully. I myself don't want someone intervening when i'm in deep emotion; i don't want "comforting", which is different for other people than for me. I'm just glad your poetry is still a gift and expresses you so well.<br />paz, ~ dpablopablo pazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00298824969293362195noreply@blogger.com