In his book "Encounter with Silence: Reflections From the Quaker Tradition," John Punshon writes the following: "It was the Testimonies that first attracted me to Quakerism. These say that, in all circumstances, no matter how trying, we are under a religious obligation to speak and live truthfully, peaceably, and simply. I have also become convinced that within the Society of Friends, the silent meeting for worship is the best guarantee that the strength to live up to the Testimonies will continue to be available."

Among Friends, there are many different interpretations of how the meeting for worship gives us strength--strength to live according to our higher plans, strength to be active in our communities. A meeting can be a place for active prayer; among the members of our reading and discussion group, prayer of thanksgiving was a common theme. For some, this comes automatically as soon as they calm their "chattering minds"; for others, it is a more conscious act, a part of a centering process. Many friends practice one form or another of visualization in meeting--either for the purpose of calming and centering, or of putting one's mind in a specific state of opening to the light.

In the end, a common thread appears in that Friends often relate to the presence in a Meeting that is more than the individual presence of the attenders. One can find many analogies for this "light" within our worship: the presence of angels or spirits, of Christ, or simply the congregation of souls who are open and peaceful and willing to be lead, to be available to the leadings of the spirit. Surely that leading is all around us all the time, it is only rarely, though, that we can hear it clearly.