There has been a rediscovery of the original, long lost technique of silent worship that was employed by George Fox and other early Friends (Quakers). Prof. Rex Ambler says that the technique was buried in plain sight in the voluminous writings of Fox and other early Quakers. Ambler is a British Quaker and a retired theology professor who served many years on the faculty of Birmingham University.

"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. Rex Ambler has apparently resurrected the true meaning of this technique in his book "Light to Live By: an exploration in Quaker Spirituality", which tells of the historical investigation that led to the rediscovery, and describes a revised version of the technique suitable for modern times.

Ambler notes the following quotes from George Fox's early written works:

... ye may receive the secrets of God and His wisdom, may know the shadow of the Almighty, and sit under it in all tempests ...

what the Light doth make manifest and discover, as temptations, distractions, confusions, do not look at these temptations, confusions, corruptions, but at the Light which discovers them and makes them manifest; and with the same Light you may feel over them, to receive power to stand against them ...

After thou seest thy thoughts and the temptation, do not think but submit, and then power comes. Stand still in the Light and submit to it ... and when temptations and troubles appear, sink down in that which is pure, and all will be hushed and fly away.

stand still in the Light ... That will give victory, and ye will find grace and strength; there is the first step to peace.

If you love this Light it will teach you ...

... all things are discovered with the light. Thou that lovest it, here's thy teacher when thou art walking abroad, 'tis present with thee in thy bosom, thou need'st not to say, lo here, or lo there. And as thou liest in thy bed 'tis present to teach thee ... *

NOTE: Klaus Huber, a Quaker of Bristol, UK cautions that "... any Light meditation may trigger insights that can be very disturbing. The Light meditation is best practiced within a group of friends who can provide each other emotional support when needed. If you do decide to practice it on your own, speaking from my own experience, it helps a great deal if you don't take yourself too serious."

Ambler and others give occasional presentations about this material. See the full listing of resources below.

 
* George Fox's quotes above were drawn from both his Epistle 10, and his letter to Lady Claypole and another epistle (of 1652) which appeared in his Journal.

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BOOKS

The following book is the main resource in print for studying Fox's meditation technique as rediscovered by Rex Ambler:

Light To Live By: An Exploration In Quaker Spirituality
by Rex Ambler
Quaker Books, London, February 2002
Main text 44pp, Appendix 9pp, Notes 7pp
ISBN: 0852453361

This next book is an abridgment of George Fox's writings, as compiled by Rex Ambler. "Truth Of The Heart" contains Fox's most powerful words drawn from his Journal, epistles and other works. The original text as written by Fox in 17th century English is on the left-hand pages and Ambler's modern translation is on the opposite pages.

The book includes a glossary of 17th century and Quaker terms, and an essay on Fox by Rex Ambler. This book can be used as an inpirational companion to "Light to Live By" for those who want to study practice the early Quaker worship technique:

Truth Of The Heart: An Anthology Of The Writings Of George Fox
by Rex Ambler
Quaker Books, London, September 2001
Introduction 10pp, Main text 202pp
ISBN: 0852453256

 
Either "Light" alone, or both of these books, can be obtained at:

U.K. Quaker Bookshop.

USA - FGC Quaker Bookstore.

USA - Pendle Hill Bookstore.

New Zealand - Quaker Bookstore.

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AUDIO CDs AND TAPES

Diana Lampen, a yoga and relaxation instructor from the U.K., has compiled audio resources for the Experiment With Light on audiotape and audio CD. They include lectures by Rex Ambler and guided meditations.

Lampen recommends that most people need only obtain the first two CDs/tapes, and perhaps consider buying the others later if they are interested. She herself sells all of them separately. In the USA, the bookstores for FGC and Pendle Hill thus far only sell all five together in one large batch.

TO PURCHASE FROM DIANA LAMPEN IN THE U.K.: CDs are £3 each, audio tapes are £2.50 each, worldwide shipping is already included. Send money in British pounds to:

Diana Lampen
21 Heathfield Gardens
Stourbridge DY8 3YD
UNITED KINGDOM

If you need to discuss shipping or pricing issues, email her at lampen@hopeproject.co.uk .

TO PURCHASE IN THE USA: follow either of these links:

USA - FGC Quaker Bookstore.

USA - Pendle Hill Bookstore.

Description of CDs / tapes

EWL 1: Two talks by Rex Ambler given at Charney Manor in March 1998: `Early Friends and the Light', and `Introduction to the Process'. The discipline of light as practiced by early Friends is a practical discipline which opens up the truth about ourselves and the world and transforms our relationship with them.

EWL 2: The Meditations -- original versions. This CD contains two versions used in the "experiment with the Light". Each comprises six readings with silences in between. The first version contains fuller introductions to each section of the meditation for those who are new to it. The second one is more concise, for those who have already used the process several times. Each meditation takes about 40 minutes.

EWL 3: Meditations on Relationships with others and the World. You will find the original Experiment With Light meditation where we focus on ourselves on CD2. This CD contains two further versions of the meditation. The first is a meditation on our relationships with others (this was formerly called "meditation on the Group"); the second is a meditation on the World. Many people involved in the Experiment have found a natural progression from focusing on ourselves to looking outwards at the group we belong to and the wider world. Each meditation takes about 40 minutes.

EWL 4: The George Fox Tape. (NOTE: In the CD version this is two CDs packaged in a single jewel case. Diana Lampen sells this at the price of a single CD.)

Disc One: Meditation based on George Fox's Words; Meditation without words. This CD has been made at the request of people who have practiced Experiment With Light many times and no longer feel a need for verbal prompts. A bell is rung at intervals to mark the six steps of the meditation: (1) Be still; (2) Wait; (3) Be cool; (4) Open yourself and trust the Light; (5) Submit to what is being shown; (6) Be open to new possibilities.

Disc Two: Reading from Truth of the Heart, Rex Ambler's anthology of the vision and practice of George Fox, translated into modern English.

EWL 5: Long and short versions from Truth of the Heart.
Track 1. Meditation based on George Fox's Words in Truth of the Heart, Rex Ambler's anthology of the vision and practice of George Fox, translated into modern English.
Track 2. A more concise version of the same meditation.
Each meditation takes about 40 minutes.

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ONLINE RESOURCES

Klaus Huber of Bristol, has a good web site with excellent resources for the U.K., including events, meditations, resources and contacts. See his pages at:

http://www.charlieblackfield.com/light/

An Internet discussion group, open to all, has formed regarding the Experiment With Light. Go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Quaker_Light/

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WORKSHOPS

Diana Lampen urgess that it is not necessary to attend a workshop in order to receive the benefits of the Experiment With Light, rather the important thing is to "just DO IT!". If you have the books and possibly the tapes/CDs and you are able to gather together a group to join you in the Light meditation, you're all set.

But if presentations would be helpful, Diana says, there are several instructors who would be glad to offer them. Some of them are listed below with their contact information. If your group seeks a presentation from the, please be sure to compensate them appropriately for their time and expenses.

As mentioned above, a workshop on the Experiment With Light will be given at the July 2005 FGC Annual Gathering in Blacksburg, Va. USA by Prof. Mel Keiser. When program and registration information become available for this gathering, it will appear on the following web page:

http://www.fgcquaker.org/gathering/

U.K. events can be found here: http://www.charlieblackfield.com/light/events.htm
and U.K. Light groups and workshop presenters can be found here:
http://www.charlieblackfield.com/light/contacts.htm

Some meditation instructors who have worked with Rex Ambler offer workshops on the Experiment With Light material. To arrange a presentation for your group, consider contacting one of the following:

Mel Keiser of North Carolina, USA <info@commonlight.org>

Marcelle Martin of Pennsylvania, USA <FriendMarcelle@aol.com>

Diana Lampen of the United Kingdom <lampen@hopeproject.co.uk>

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This is page was created by Roger Burns <rogerburns@att.net>
who attends the Friends Meeting of Washington (D.C.)