A Quaker meeting is based in silence, but it is a silence of waiting in
expectancy. For many minutes, perhaps for the whole of the meeting, there
may be silence. But that does not mean that nothing is happening. All of
us are trying to come to each other and to the Spirit, as we are caught up
in the still spirit of the meeting.
Go in as soon as you are ready. It is a good thing if a meeting can
settle down a few minutes before the appointed time. Sit anywhere you
like.
You may find it easy to relax in the silence and enter into the life of
the meeting. Or you may be disturbed by the strangeness of the silence, by
distractions outside or by your own roving thoughts. Do not worry about
this. Try if you can, if only for an instant, to be quiet in body, mind
and spirit.
The silence may be broken if someone present feels called on to say
something that will deepen and enrich the worship, in response to the
prompting of the Spirit. The silence is broken for the moment, but is not
interrupted.
The meeting will close after the Elders have shaken hands.
Afterwards feel free to speak to anyone. If you wish to know more about
Quakers, please introduce yourself to any member.