私的自治の時代

日曜日にはまたクエーカー・ミーティングに参加した。
今回はユースプログラムということで子どもたちが参加した。

普段通りの進行と思われる時間もあり、前よりは様子が分かってきた。

新渡戸稲造も言っていたらしいが、日本人好みの活動だと思う。
簡潔性、寛容性、合理性がある。

プログラムなし（unprogrammed worship）と呼ぶ進行方式だが、プログラムしないというプログラムがあって面白い。
このやり方ならお寺でやっても違和感がない。

Welcome To Quaker Worship

As a Religious Society of Friends, we settle into worshipful silence with no planned program. Each worshipper seeks to communicate directly with God and to feel the Divine Presence in our midst. The communion of quiet transformed into a living silence-draws un together and nearer to the source of Light and Love.

The responsibility for the spiritual depth of the Meeting rests with each attender. Those who keep silence, as well as those who give a vocal message, do their part when they yield their minds and hearts to the guidance of the Spirit. Lectures, responses to messages and discussions are held at another time.

Friends hope that in the Meeting for Worship a consciousness of the Divine Presence will come to every attender, to be a source of direction and of strength after leaving the meeting.

The meeting is closed by designated members shaking hands. This will be followed with introductions of newcomers and brief announcements. We then invite you to join us for conversation and refreshments in the Greeting Room.