EXPERIMENT WITH LIGHT GUIDED MEDITATION
On the first Thursday of each month, at 2pm at Wooldale Meeting House, we hold Guided Meditation sessions. We begin with a short Mindfulness meditation to enable us to settle and ground ourselves in the present moment, before we move on to the main part of the session, the Experiment with Light Guided Meditation.
Experiment with Light Meditation was devised in 1996 by Rex Ambler, a British Quaker and theologian, the result of an historical investigation by him into the writings of George Fox and other early Quakers in the 17th century. Rediscovering the original, long-lost technique of silent worship that they employed, based on this technique, he devised a revised version to suit the needs and understanding of modern Quakers, ‘Experiment with Light’ Guided Meditation. ‘The Light’ is an old Quaker term that is usually thought of as being a poetic metaphor. However, George Fox and early Friends used ‘the Light’ to refer to something specific that happens within prayerful silence.
For our monthly sessions, we alternate between three different versions of Meditation on the Individual, one using the language of George Fox, the other two using modern language and one called Meditation on the World.
The procedure is outlined below.
1 Following a short silence, we work through the short mindfulness meditation.
2 Then we move on to the EwL meditation. We follow the recommended process of listening to 6 prompts, interspersed with periods of silence for reflection of 5,6,7,7,6,5 minutes.
3 Following the final prompt and period of silence, there is then a further period of silence for each person to continue reflecting on the experience, also writing thoughts or drawing images if they wish.
4 After this, individuals may, if they wish, feed back to the group their experience/insights from the meditation. If anyone does not wish to share, that’s fine-choosing silence is making a valued contribution of stillness and listening.
5 At the Hosts’ discretion, time can then be created for those who wish to join in a brief exchange of reflections on the shared experience.
We conclude the process with a short silence. (Usually finishing between 3.00 & 3.30)
Monthly Discussion Group
Usually on the third Thursday of the month we hold a discussion session. Starting with a light lunch at 12.30 and then leading into the discussion. Usually finishing around 2.30. (check with website calendar to confirm date and time)
The subject matter for discussion is selected by members of the Meeting House and will vary each month. We usually post a notice of the chosen subject at the start of the relevant month in the entrance hallway.
The discussion subjects can vary widely and we are always open to suggestions from members and attenders. If you wish to attend any of the discussions please enter your name on the list in the meeting hall to help us deal with the catering numbers. Thank You.