True silence is ... to the Spirit what sleep is to the body: nourishment and refreshment.
WILLIAM PENN, QUAKER FOUNDER OF PENNSYLVANIA
Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.
JALAL AD-DIN RUMI, MUSLIM POET
Friends gather in silence, in a practice centuries old, to clear the way for the “still small voice.” This silent gathering is based on the belief that if one opens one’s heart and listens, one can hear what is right, and can live out these inner teachings. When a group settles into silence, it feels like more than a simple quieting down; the sense of collective thought deepens.
At AFSC, silence is often used to settle into a meeting, to invite reflection, or to allow time for the synthesis of ideas. Silence refreshes the spirit and makes way for deep thinking about both ethical and intellectual quandaries. It is a habit of mind that the AFSC community cherishes and nurtures.
