Be Still and Cool

A Meeting Meditation

At a turning point in my life nearly 35 years ago, while searching for a spiritual path and community that fit my beliefs and values, I more or less stumbled upon a Quaker meeting. On my first visit, I entered the worship room and took a seat. Then I waited and waited and waited. After many minutes, I wondered when the service would start. And so it continued until, at last, a woman began to speak directly from her heart. A few minutes later, all those present greeted one another.

I was greatly moved and impressed with the simplicity and truthfulness of what I had heard and experienced. I wondered what people were doing there in the silence; it is a question I still ask. At that meeting, there were posters placed around the worship room showing quotes by early Quakers, including this one by George Fox:

Be still and cool in thy mind and spirit from thy own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord God from whom help comes, whereby thou wilt receive His strength and power to allay all blusterings from storms and tempests.

Over many years of practice, these words have become a useful guide to help me center and enter into the silence of worship. Here is the general process that works for me; perhaps you’ll find it helpful, too.

To prepare myself for meeting for worship, I read short passages from the Bible and other spiritual writings throughout the week, and reflect on what I’ve read and how it applies to my life. When First Day comes, I like to leave plenty of time to get to meeting, and I avoid all media so that I can fully experience the present moment. When I feel rushed, distracted, or agitated, it takes me much longer to turn inward. If other responsibilities or concerns intervene, I try to accept them. Fighting against them merely adds stress.

On arrival, I become comfortable, close my eyes, turn my attention inward, and repeat the first few words of Fox’s quote: “Be still and cool in thy mind and spirit.” If other thoughts trouble or occupy me, focusing on this phrase helps prepare myself to go deeper into worship.

As long as we have our capacity to hear, we notice that there is no absolute silence in the world. However, we can become still. Think of a pond where nothing is moving and there is no wind. The surface of the water reflects the sky perfectly. Yet even the smallest insect or leaf dropping on the surface sends out ripples. I like this visual as it inspires me to become physically still and to breathe slowly and steadily; I try to be as calm as an undisturbed pond. “Be still and cool.” The idea of being cool brings a feeling of serenity, and once the body is quiet, it is easier to let go. So then, “Be still and cool in thy mind and spirit from thy own thoughts.” Turning this over and over allows freedom for both my mind and spirit to turn inward and release everyday concerns. Sometimes such cares touch us more deeply than our minds only; they trouble our spirit. Thus, being both still and cool can move us to release these cares, leaving our “own thoughts” behind, and it is possible to continue further: “and then thou wilt feel the principle of God.”

Once there, I allow time and space to feel this wellspring, this “principle” of the Divine: the presence of God. I begin to feel a greater awareness of the present moment, of each person in the room, where time feels suspended. It is a moment beyond words that reaches and touches that of God in each of us. Here it is not necessary to do or be anything. We can simply be who we are: “to turn thy mind to the Lord God.” (If words like “Lord” or “God” are off-putting or not aligned with your beliefs, try words that are more meaningful to you: the Eternal, Spirit, Divine, etc.) For early Friends, this was “Christ Within,” “the divine Seed,” “that of God,” which gives us knowledge of love, goodness, truth, justice, and what is right. In feeling this source, this principle of the Divine, the mind can encounter and listen for the Inward Teacher and feel the love, compassion, and infinite peace that is eternally available.

Now listening with my mind and spirit to the Divine, I then ask if there is a message for me or for help with personal limitations—where have I fallen short, what might I have left undone, or if I need forgiveness. What might God be asking of me? What comes into my mind from this feeling and meeting with the Spirit? There is no need to ask many questions but to ask only what occurs in the moment. Sometimes words or ideas come spontaneously, unpredictably, or astonishingly. Sometimes thoughts or concerns reappear from over the past few days, weeks, or longer. I try not to immediately distrust these thoughts as coming only from myself; rather, I sit with them for a while. Are they consonant with the feeling of the wellspring of the Eternal? It is in this place “from whom help comes, whereby thou wilt receive His strength and power.” Sitting with this idea, concern, or thought, I ask myself: does it continue to feel right? Does it have that “strength and power,” that gentleness, kindness, tenderness, and love that comes from the Eternal source of all Truth? Is it a message that is meant for me alone? If so, I hold it and am grateful for the loving gift. Does the message carry meaning and importance that applies to more than myself? Sometimes it is meant to be shared. I hold it up; follow the feeling of the Spirit; and wait for the moment that feels right to speak. At times, the stillness is very deep, and I feel a need to ask for guidance: “strength and power” to be faithful to speak what is given.

Having spoken, I return my mind and spirit to stillness, coolness, and openness to the presence of the others gathered and the Spirit. I silently express gratitude for what has been given to the meeting through my vocal ministry. Whether or not a message is received or shared during meeting for worship, I believe that keeping our minds and spirits turned to God, the Eternal Spirit, creates the condition whereby all in the meeting can be open and receptive to the promptings of the Divine and ministry from the community.

This is merely one approach to Quaker worship. There are undoubtedly many others, but perhaps it can help answer the question for newcomers as to what people are doing in the stillness. How do messages arise? What exactly is vocal ministry? When we go inward to that deep abyss of our spirit and look toward the Eternal, we can find the Inward Light of Truth, Hope, and Love in all persons and all creation.