Quaker Spirituality

Quaker groups vary from location to location. In some regions they would seem like regular church ("programmed" meetings). The traditional Quakers of New England follow the old format of  "unprogrammed" meetings, meaning no sermon but a group sitting in a circle, sitting in silent meditation. Occasionally the silence is interrupted by a person or two feeling prompted by the Spirit to give short messages. Not in "tongues" but something inspired or inspirational. The Quakers have mystical roots, and I say that like that's a good thing, lol. They are a remnant of the Christian mystics, the earlier Friends of God (German: Gottesfreunde), and the Brethren of the Free Spirit.

The Quaker group I visited sometimes also had a Wednesday evening study group working with a book by Marcus Borg (Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: the historical Jesus & the heart of contemporary faith). The Gospel of Thomas and Nag Hammadi were included in the readings. 

"This amazing simplification comes when we “center down,” when life is lived with singleness of eye, from a holy Center where the breath and stillness of Eternity are heavy upon us and we are wholly yielded to him. Some of you know this holy, recreating Center of eternal peace and joy and live in it day and night. Some of you may see it over the margin and wistfully long to slip into that amazing Center where the soul is at home with God. Be very faithful to that wistful longing." (Thomas Kelly, Quaker mystic)