Threshing, Technology and Time

In Quaker communities, a threshing meeting or threshing session can be  defined as “a meeting at which a variety of different, and sometimes controversial, opinions can be openly, and sometimes forcefully, expressed, often in order to smooth the passage of business at a later meeting for worship for business.

 

Originally the term was used to describe large and noisy meetings for convincement of `the world's people' in order to `thresh' them away from the world” ( Britain Yearly Meeting’s Quaker Faith &Practice, 12.26).
A threshing meeting can be called to share factual information, individual views and opinions on controversial subjects, express  preferences, and/or ask questions.

 The Clerk of the session is responsible for making sure that everyone present has a chance to speak.

The recording clerk of the session is responsible for recording, as important factual and climatological minutes will serve the Meeting in continuing discernment of the issue.

Often, threshing meetings  are called when discernment at Meeting for worship to conduct business has failed to come to unity.

Generally it is stated that no decision are to be made, the focus is to bring clarity and greater understanding of an issue, and to separate the "grain of truth from the chaff".

Returning to the agricultural reference of threshing, threshing is one step in a process.

First, there has to be sun, and rain, and wind, and fertile ground and seed planted and nurtured to grow the crop.

Secondly, there is knowing when the time is right to harvest the grain.

Third comes the time of threshing, beating the stalks to separate the part of the harvest that will nourish the body, from that which will be returned to the earth for the next cycle of growth. Winnowing, throwing the threshed grain into the wind can further refine and define the seed.

Fourth is continuing to process the grain-cooking, drying-depending on its intending use.

This is a process- a technology.

Bill Tabor used to talk about Quaker methods and processes  as technology. 

A stick is technology, depending on how you view it and use it.

Use and existence of technology exists, and its what it is in service to and how we use it in service that is the query.

If your Meeting is unable to come to Unity on the use of "technology" in the meeting, please take time to ask each other:

• What is this technology in service to.
• How can we use this technology to serve the mission and vision of our Meeting.
• What are the fears and concerns behind those who state worship cannot happen in the presence of Technology? 
• What is their definition/understanding of technology in that statement.

When we normalize turning to  worship for the answers of these queries and others that will arise, we will realize we have everything we need, including time to respond to them.

Its a practice, a process and a technology and with Divine assistance we can use all we are given to end suffering for all beings everywhere.

Holy weeks

Today, whatever day of whatever Holy week you are in, let us hold in the Light everyone experiencing oppressive forces gathering around them.

Rather than fighting or fleeing, let us support each other in staying focused on our ministries and what we are called to do.

We are all called right now to live in unsettled situations, over which we outwardly have little to no control.

Giving my attention to what is mine to do, is a place of refuge and safety for me and witness to others of the way of peace.

What is going on around me, what others say and do and think, I notice it, and let it be what it is.

Even my own fear can be spiritually surrendered to god(dess) and the holy spirit.

It is in letting go, release and surrender that our safety resides.

We are never alone in this letting go- call a friend, read or listen to inspiring words of others, call on the heart of the way showers who have come before us, and trust that our peaceful hearts make way for our descendants to come after us.

You are not alone. Reach out if you need support.

Protection

 Spiritual protection grows from living with the awareness of inner light and Spirit.

I know this for myself, and I wish to be living witness of this for others.

I see myself and all beings, surrounded and held with unconditional compassionate love of spirit, and each other.

We can know this and hold this, regardless of outward appearances and  circumstances.

Spiritual Strength comes to us through grace, as a gift, and when we can't find it for ourselves,

the hearts of all the way showers and teachers, are available to us to borrow until we can.

I see divine spirit weaving us all together in a comforting and healing garment of Light.

I see all the merit of all the goodness of our lives reviving the world we pray for, for ourselves and our children.

That all beings may be happy.

That all beings may be peaceful and know ease of being.

That all beings may be safe, and protected from all harm.

That all beings may be well in body, mind and spirit.

And that all beings may come to know a perfect end of suffering and be free.

My heart is open, and I pray yours is too.

Please ask if you need me, and that will make it easier for me to do the same.

Comments and Questions always welcomed.

Forgiveness/Conflict Resolution- RKJ version

Matthew 18:15-17 King James Version (KJV)

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Matthew 18:15-17 Revised Standard Version (RSV)

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

RKJ version

If we have a problem between us- let us listen to each other and open our hearts to each other that we may be friends.
If we cannot hear each other- lets us ask friends who can help us to do so, that we may know we are among friends and  are not alone in our concerns for one another.
If we as a community cannot hear each other- let us seek help of the elders to guide us into unity.
May no one, in any circumstance feel alone, or be cast out without a friend.

As I was taught forgiveness, it is not just a moral guideline, it is a practically of life. 

I weigh myself down when I insist on holding on to anger, judgement and blame.

When I choose to forgive, I can walk lighter and more cheerfully and kindly in the world.

There may be little I can do about other's choices and I still have the opportunity every minute to feel lighter and more loving as I forgive.
There are times, when inspite of my doing my best to listen, and forgive,  I do have to cast a person out of my life, in the present moment. I can still pray that that will change. I can still forgive. 
When I hold no enmity in my heart, I can have no enemies.

May all beings be happy
May all beings be peaceful
May all beings be safe
May all beings be well in body mind an spirt.
May all beings be free.

Community and Growth/Power and Outcome

I admin a FB community group, Black Mountain Exchange.
We are practicing digital community in a counter cultural way.
All members agree to kindness and respect in all words typed in the group.
No random links to outside sources to prove your point. No GIFs. No sarcasm. No bullying. No name calling. No demonizing others because you are right and  they are wrong.
I am learning that some assumptions I have held most of my life are inaccurate.
I am learning there are people who have never experienced kindness- giving and/or recieving.
There are people who honestly believe you get power by taking power away from others.
There are people who given choices will chose to harm themselves and others.

So this is a practice and I cannot do it alone. I need you- you who hate me, who fear me, who wish to do me harm, to practice with me.

In our group, I am inviting us to listen and learn from each other, not type at each other.

It is a practice.

I recently wrote the following:

Thinking about events of the past view days...
I think our power comes in being together, not in changing the outcome.
The Board may appoint another member that won't represent me.
A company willing to lie and disregard local ordinances may continue to work in my Town and endanger my safety.
There may continue, in fact there will continue to be men in this Town, who in my weak moments I fear, and in my strong moments I fear and am not afraid.
And, when folks are engaging with me on these issues, agree or not; When folks are calling me and messaging me and thinking about things I am thinking about ;
And when folks show up at Meetings,just showing up so i have someone to shake my head with.
This gives me a feeling of power. A feeling of shift. A feeling of integrity, that Truth and justice will out.
If everyone who comments here came to Meetings- not just when they had a gripe, came to Meetings to witness what is happening and to stand together as a community; If our meetings were Town meetings, not just Board Meetings- the possibilities could be endless.
We can listen and learn from each other. I see it everyday.
I have a vision of a world where we don't need guards and walls.
I have a vision of a world where all children run free and strong and well fed and healthy.
I don't live in this world alone.
It takes a village and a vision. I need you. You need me.
We're all a part of one body of humanity.
I invite  you to think about spending less time attempting to create the outcome and more time creating community.
Thank you all for being a part of Black Mountain, and this group.

I extend that thanks to all of my digital community, joining me here in Still Waters, where the merit of our time here is for the highest good of all beings.
That all beings may be happy.
That all beings may be peaceful
That all beings may be well, in body mind and Spirit.
That all beings may be safe.
That all beings may be free.

The extinction of experience.

Why do we have to speak out about inappropriate behavior; sexual, violent, bullying abusive behavior?
If we don't, I fear our collective memory is at risk.
We cannot remember what we have never known.
Just as forest organisms have specific needs to grow, that are lost when we manage and clear cut our forests, human organisms have specific needs, and when they are not met, we may vanish as well.

We are facing, the extinction of experience(Robert Michael Pyle).
If you have never known Peace, Equanimity, Safety, Wellness, Happiness, will you miss them?
Will they become extinct?

I learn from the collective unconscious that holds these Truths.
You can too.

Please take time to pray, meditate, be silent and still.
Please make visible, Peace, Equanimity, Safety, Wellness and happiness in your daily life.
Practice them and share them with others.
Please reach out and create relationship and community.
Please release what isolates you and nourish what connects you.
Please talk a walk in the forest and thank the trees. Protect the trees.

Please join me in practice.

Thank you.


Comments and Questions warmly welcomed.

Community, protection,vision, change.

Since the election, storms of uncertainty and fear have arisen. It is time to collectively stand up, calm and clear. With peacefulness and mutual respect, our communities can become centers of protection and vision.

Protection can take many forms. Protection can be providing sanctuary for those in danger. Protection can be skillfully confronting those whose actions would harm the vulnerable among us. Protection can be standing up for the environment. Protection can be becoming an active ally for those targeted by hate and prejudice.

Vision means carrying the light. It means standing up for the truth—no matter what:

“Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed.”
“Greed, Hate and Ignorance create suffering. Generosity, Love and Wisdom bring happiness.”
“Mind is the forerunner. Speak and act with a pure mind and happiness will follow.”
“Plant seeds of goodness, and well-being will grow.”

Now a time of change has come.

We must listen deeply, bear witness, honor everyone, and choose our actions wisely and courageously.

Do not worry if the Right Action is not yet clear to you.

Wait in the unknowing with mindfulness and a clear heart.

Soon the right time will come and you will know to stand up.

I will meet you there.

Paraphrased with Jack Kornfield

Gifts

It's that time of year in my life when folks ask me what I would like them, to give me as a gift.

I love gifts- giving and receiving. I love thinking about the person I want to gift, generally I want to make them something, something I like, something I enjoyed making, love in every thought and stitch.

I love sending color and beauty outing the world through a gift.

I love receiving a gift, feeling the love poured into it. Overtime as I see the gift, I feel that love again, and can feel the gifter in my heart.

This year, if you really want to know, what I want...
I want you to do something kind, and then tell me about it.

Call me, send me a note, create an image reflecting the kindness, a FB message- instead of writing happy birthday on my page- tell me what you did that was kind.

If you are unable to "do" something kind, think about it.
Think, about kindness

That will be enough.

Prayer for loving kindness

May I be happy

May I be peaceful

May I be safe and protected from all harm

May I be well in body mind and spirit

May I be free

This is what can be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: Let them be able and upright, Straightforward and gentle in speech, Humble and not conceited, Contented and easily satisfied, Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, Not proud or demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born — May all beings be at ease! Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings; Radiating kindness over the entire world: Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world.

Comments and questions and prayer requests warmly welcomed.