How to go within to find stillness and peace, inspired by early Quaker writings. The book teaches a quick and easy meditation and applies this to life issues we face today.
How to go within to find stillness and peace, inspired by early Quaker writings. The book teaches a quick and easy meditation and applies this to life issues we face today.
Psychology of religion, Quaker, Theology
How can we find inner stillness in our lives today? What is it for and how can we use it? Inspired by the fiery writings of early Quakers, such as George Fox and Margaret Fell, this book calls on their advice to go within and wait, adapting it to create a modern, relatable method for finding stillness and peace. This meditation is for us to use however we most need it, whether to explore and heal the self and others or to help us be more effective in the wider world.
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Meditation, stillness, quotes, the book has all of these. A great and enlightening rendition of meditation techniques based on, and to bring out, the act of stillness. Found in Quaker meetings, this is the sense of calm as you enter the building and the aim is to find an 'inner stillness'. Meditation, a slowing down, a connection of mind and body: many aspects are covered, from healing to action. This book is a true insight into the nature of being 'alone', being true to oneself, holding another in the Light and going within to find God. ~ Tony Jackson, Librarian, Muswell Hill Meeting
Joanna gives us a very helpful and meaningful exploration of Quaker ‘stillness’ along with an assortment of exercises to take us along the meditative path. She also talks about the obstacles that can block the process. I found her quote – ‘Explore who you really are rather than who you think you are’ very helpful and she compares Quaker legendary writings on ‘stillness’. ~ Isa Louise Levy, MA, Artist/Arts Psychotherapist
In Search of Stillness is a creative and, above all, practical book of Liberal Quaker spirituality. In imaginatively adapting a simple meditation in a wide variety of ways, Joanna makes a central insight of the Liberal Quaker tradition accessible to modern day seekers. ~ Mark Russ, Quaker educator, theologian and blogger
This is a beautiful resource for exploring stillness from both the perspective of early Quakers and the present time. There are many ways of coming into stillness, whether to rest, to learn, to grow and to heal. Here Joanna Godfrey Wood offers a simple meditation one can use at any time, in Meeting for Worship or in time set aside on our own. Her words draw us gently and clearly into the stillness from where they seem to flow. We see how stillness is not simply an end in itself; it is the beginning of harmony in all we do. ~ Ruth Tod, member of the Central Committee of Quaker Peace and Social Witness
This book is filled with good ideas about how we can use stillness as part of a daily practice of contemplation, wellbeing, and action in the world. Drawing on a selection of inspiring early Quaker writings, Joanna Godfrey Wood translates the insights of those prophets into modern usage so we can all discover the potential of silence and stillness in our everyday lives. ~ Ben Pink Dandelion, Programmes Leader, Centre for Research in Quaker Studies, Woodbooke and Professor of Quaker Studies, University of Birmingham
In her book ‘In Search of Stillness’, Joanna encourages us to explore and deepen our relationship to stillness. Her meditation, which can be adapted to all aspects of our lives, guides us towards inner stillness, which can be found at the core of our being. ~ Judith Wilkings, Director of Animal Interfaith Alliance, member of Quaker Concern for Animals
Being new to Quakers and to meditation, Joanna’s distinction between silence and stillness was an eye-opener for me. I realise now it is stillness I seek, not necessarily silence. James Nayler’s words on waiting in stillness for Light to arise out of darkness to provide guidance were very helpful and I will use Joanna’s meditations to help me find the answers I seek from within. Julia Wise, retired lecturer of law ~ Julia Wise, Retired Lecturer of Law
