Well, yesterday i attended my second ever Quaker meeting. The community in which i am now resident is Quaker and i feel that attending their meetings will help me to understand their beliefs and ethos. I have to admit to a certain amount of claustrophobia, especially within busy rooms. Its more to do with a huge amount of self awareness and my presence within a group of people. In the meetings, we must remain silent for half an hour, and i swear my heart is beating madly the whole time. I’m sure that as time goes on and i get more used to the environment and become comfortable with the other people present, i will start to relax and get more from what should be a meditative experience.
Considering most of my recent work has been addressing the subject of silence and a need for more quiet in our lives, i feel quite strange that i am now reacting in this way. The difference between quiet aloneness and a public silence is quite exteme and the feelings each induces are so contrasting, for me anyway.
I also attended my first ever street party – our little street was filled with tables adorned with a huge banquet contributed to by many residents, and it was lovely to find such a friendly and sociable street – during my 5 years in London, i talked to maybe 2 neighbours. Is it a northern thing or just coincidence? I got talking to one guy who workshops digital storytelling – its sounds perfect for an activity with the kids, and he’s definatley up for it. Great networking, and good cake.
