Customer Reviews

Holy Silence: The Gift Of Quaker Spirituality

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

INTRODUCTION:
If you were every wondering what makes Quakers stand out from the rest of the Christian traditions, it is their simplicity, their emphasis on a worship comprised of 'holy silence' and their pacifist stand. They are also known as the "the Society of Friends." Reading this book I could only be tempted to visit the closest Quaker meeting place in my Santa Cruz.

AUTHOR:
In the tradition of Richard Foster (another great Quaker author - "Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth") - J. Brent Bill expands our horizon about Christian spirituality. Bill focuses on one primary aspect of Quaker life - silence.

CONTENT:
In this book I was introduced to the "holy hush" theology and practice of Quaker spirituality. The Friends have their origin in 17th century England, have no liturgy, no creed, no observance of a Christian calendar, no professional clergy, and above all no sacrament (maybe silence is the exception). The simplicity of the Quakers is centered in "silence" - both in their corporate worship and in their personal spiritual life. "Holy Silence" six chapters discusses how to find silence amid the noise of daily life, ways to practice silence both individually and communally, and how to listen to God with one's whole heart and mind.

CONCLUSION:
I have never read anything like this before. For someone who values moments of solitude, of escape from noise (external and internal), and deep personal peace, I had a lot to learn from fellow Christian J. Brent Bill. In our post-modern fast-paced society and our chatty & noisy personal lives, "holy silence" can be something very elusive to attain ... but a valuable treasure, nevertheless..

Some books on spiritual disciplines are fuzzy. Some lift the discipline up as a way to solve all problems, that if one can just get the technique right, life will be sunny and warm. This book is not one of those. This sturdy volume looks wisely at the living tradition of silence among the Friends. It neither promises too much or too little. The author knows his tradition, the deep value of listening to God, for God, and also the pitfalls of humans participating in such a discipline. Clearly, the author believes in the value of silence, believes that it has its own intrinsic worth. He is also wise enough to know that our attempts at listening are full of grace yet tinged with challenges. The author supplements observations about the tradition of the discipline with anecdotes from his own experience. The anecdotes are always interesting, helpful, and add just the right measure of whimsy and grace. Well-written, this book is conversational in style and almost perfect in form. In what setting would this book make most sense? It would work well for personal enrichment and even better for small group study, particularly the kind that could take place within the context of a faith community. This book tells about silence. More importantly, it invites us to participate in this rich discipline.

"I have often repented of speech," wrote the fourth-century desert father Arsenios, "but never of silence." In this simple and popularly written book, J. Brent Bill introduces readers to the "holy hush" theology and practice of Quaker spirituality. Quakers number only about 200,000 people in the United States, but their influence extends far beyond that tiny remnant. With no creed, no liturgy, no sacred place defined by architecture, no observance of holy days, no sacraments, and no professional clergy, Quaker simplicity revolves around silence, both in personal spirituality and in corporate worship. Silence is what Bill calls the Quaker "sacrament," that place where a believer meets the real presence of Christ. Given the ambient noise in so much of our culture, silence is a gift most believers would do well to cultivate, and Quakers can help show us the way. Throughout his six chapters Bill shares his own personal successes and failures (banging nails on Good Friday, his divorce, visiting a Catholic church, etc.), and intersperses the texts with "Quietude Queries" that serve as guided self-examinations to help readers hear the voice of God. At the end of the book a glossary provides simple definitions for common Quaker terms, while a section called "Words on Silence" gives fifteen annotated suggestions for further reading (but where was Richard Foster?!). Readers will need to consult other books for more technical treatments of Quaker history, theology, and ethics (cf. pacifism), but I will say this--reading Bill's book tempted me to visit the Quaker meeting place not far from my house.

This is a terrific book! Even if you're not interested in Quaker spiritual disciplines it's hard not to get a lot out of this easy read. I think like most people I thought Quaker silence was merely taking time to be quiet. Bill does an excellent job of explaining the subtleties and nuances that are particular to his tradition. And he offers Quaker practice as universal, a gift that anyone can share. I most appreciated Bill's use of personal experience and anecdote. He does a terrific job of weaving his life into the practice of Quaker spirituality. Unlike many books of this genre, this one is simple, direct, applicable, and universal.

I found this book to be both inspirational and a delight to read. Anyone who is interested in what Quaker silent worship & contemplation is all about will find this book to be a Godsend.
As a recent convert to Quakerism this book gave me all the insights I needed to truly understand how Quakers get in touch with "that of God in all of us."
Granted, the idea of silent worship seems odd at first. Most people are used to church services where there is hymn singing & a sermon. But in silent worship the Quakers wait upon the spirit of God to move someone to speak. I have found that I get more out of the heartfelt testimonies of the Quakers than I have ever had just listening to a sermon.
So for anyone interested in a different way of approaching spirituality I highly recommend this book. It will open your eyes to a whole new way to worship!

I pre-read Holy Silence to see if it would be suitable for my Quaker meeting's study group. I've been a Quaker for 42 years, and Holy Silence is helpful for both the experienced practicer of silent worship and the newcomer. When I recommended the book to our study group, it was with the proviso that while Brent Bill is not at all doctrinaire, he does make heavy use of Christian metaphors, which the Universalists in the group should be prepared to learn from. If the Universalists in your group are similarly non-doctrinaire about their Universalism, they can profit from the book. If some metaphor sticks in someone's craw, my advice would be to challenge the group to brainstorm together how else to express the idea. Throughout the book Bill has inserted opportunities to experience silence while responding to a query. I will recommend to the study group that we respond to the Quietude Queries together, and afterward share what bubbled up to us during the silences. I look forward to reading the book again in the company of good Friends.

If any book is true to its title, it is this one. J. Brent Bill beckons us to enter into silence so that we might find the holiness awaiting us there. More than that, he invites us into understanding the Quaker perspective on silence. (By the way, "Quaker" isn't a self-chosen name; it was a term chosen by the Puritans for a group who lived--and lives--as a Society of Friends.) And he examines the interior and exterior barriers to silence that confront us daily, sometimes drawing (with a droll sense of humor) on situations from his own life.

Each chapter poses a "Quietude Query" that asks us to consider such questions as the place of silence in our lives, what songs or words might help us center in silence, or who among those we worship with could use a prayer out of our silence. Bill also explains the phases of worship during a gathering of Friends. With a glossary of "Quaker Words and Phrases" and an annotated list of selections for further reading, this book is a gently simple (but not simplistic) source of education and reflection.

Brent Bill's book is a heartfelt testimony to the importance and joy of holy silence. He avoids the distant, off-putting tone of many theological texts, and quickly ushers the reader into a finely crafted introduction to Quaker spiritual life and the deep blessing of silence. It's a great read!

Holy Silence: The Gift Of Quaker Spirituality by J. Brent Bill ( Executive Vice President of the Indianapolis Center For Congregations Inc.) is an invitation for readers of all faiths to discover spirituality through the Quaker way of listening for the voice of God in silence. Chapters discuss how to find silence amid the noise of daily life, ways to practice silence both individually and communally, and how to listen to God with one's whole heart and mind. "Quietude Queries" such as "Have I ever been a part of a 'non-church' experience where I felt God's presence? What made me feel that God was there?" are suggested for contemplation while experiencing the spiritual transcendence of silence. A compassionate and devout guide recommended to Christian readers of all denominational affiliations.

Here's a book for Friends and their friends, about Quaker spirituality and practices. A well written, enjoyable read, Bill's book should go on every meeting's recommendations for newcomers or other seekers. A lovely and thoughtful gift item for those looking for fresh insights on Quaker spirituality.