Mysticism, a Challenge to the Church
Friends House, 30 May
In the fifth London Quaker Dialogue— Mysticism, a Challenge to the Church— a full house heard from Harvey Gillman and Beth Allen on the interrelations between individual and communal spirituality.
The speakers have kindly provided their notes from Saturday’s Dialogue:
Listen to the Dialogue in three parts as streaming audio…
…and/or download as MP3s (14 MB and 21 MB): right-click to download
Mysticism and the Church, pt 1 – Harvey
Mysticism and the Church, pt 2 – Beth
Mysticism and the Church, pt 3, Q&A session
‘Religion in the third millennium will be either mystical or dead.’ Dorothee Sölle
- Does the mystical path offer today’s seekers an escape or a more profound commitment to the world around?
‘Why dost thou prate of God? What thou sayest of him is untrue.’ Eckhart
- Do our religious institutions help us grow as human beings or keep us in subjection to teachings that on longer speak to our condition?
‘Do justice: is not this to know me, says God?’ Jeremiah
Isn’t mysticism just the pursuit of those interested in the world but
too lazy to do the science? (Atheist website)
Harvey Gillman was outreach secretary for British Quakers for 18 years.
He has led workshops on spirituality and the Quaker way world-wide, has been involved in spiritual direction, and written several works in this field.
Beth Allen, a lifelong Quaker, is married to an Anglican priest and is the Clerk of London Quakers.