The purpose of this blog is to help one another find the Way of Love and Truth. It’s a place to learn from the experience and witness of Quakers, especially the first Friends, who collectively awakened to what they knew as the inward Light of Christ, a Light they testified is alive and providing guidance within all of us. The first Quakers modeled a radical way of faithfulness that has much to teach us today. This blog is also a place to explore how the Spirit is arising in faithful people in our time, whatever spiritual tradition they inhabit.
I’m a member of Swarthmore Friends Meeting in Pennsylvania, which recognizes and supports my ministry of spiritual nurture. I am a Quaker and a Christian. In 1984, a year when I was seeking Truth with my whole heart, out under a starry sky, I experienced a divine Light, a cosmic wholeness that infuses all things, what an early Quaker called “the hidden unity in the Eternal Being.” I knew in that moment that this divine Oneness can heal all problems, no matter how immense they seem. This experience caused me to dedicate my life to helping us all to open fully to that divine Light that flows within all things and within each of us.
Raised Catholic, I’ve studied and shared the spiritual practices of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Sufis, Native Americans, and those of other traditions and no tradition. I seek to love God’s Mystery in all its forms and to help individuals and communities become more vibrantly aware of the leadings and manifestations of the Spirit that spring up from within us.
We live in a time of profound change, and God is calling us to something new. Learning from those who discovered the Way before us can help us heed God’s call today. We also need to heed the fresh inspirations of the Spirit in our time. It is my whole-hearted desire to help individuals and communities seek Truth and find the Way of love, wisdom, and peace. May we see a restored earth, enjoy the Peaceable Kingdom, and together grow into our inheritance as children of God.
A Whole Heart 
Nice blog, Marcelle
Thank thee, Marcelle.
Thank you for your ministry. It gives me nurture on this election day.
David Garman
Marcelle could you contact me about how Minneapolis Friends Meeting could have you visit and host a workshop on Learning from Early Friends. Minneapolis is a central place for Iowa Friends, Wisconsin Friends and the Dakota Friends and we could advertise the event as part of our Quest series. Thanks. Judith James
Marcelle, thank you for reading my writing, and for your supportive comments on my blog (http://lovewantstoreachout.blogspot.com/) It means so much! Lovely writing here, too… Love, Carly
Marcelle,
We met once at a School of the Spirit board meeting (Jan 2009). I wanted to tell you that several of your blog posts are required reading in the West Coast program Way of the Spirit (link below). January’s retreat features your pieces on Leadings. Thank you for your faithfulness in articulating the inside out spiritual transformation of our Quaker heritage.
Peace and all good,
Christine Hall
Director, Way of the Spirit: Contemplative Study in Community
http://goodnewsassoc.org/spirit/
Thank you Marcelle. Sometimes the journey is long but still fruitful. You are an inspiration.
Thank you, Donna. It’s heart-warming to know that my blog touches you.
I am an Irish Friend whose youngest daughter is teaching English in Vietnam and so I am particularly interested in your reflection on the terrible war. Thank you for your testimony.
Thanks for responding, Padraic! I hope your daughter is enjoying her time in Vietnam.
Blessings!
Connected via Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks Marcelle, raised U Methodist by former Quakers, still a beginner in listening, meditation, contemplation and action via Rohr, Bourgeault, Finley. Thanks for these evoking questions. In recent past visited silent meeting near Decatur, GA.
Jim, I’m glad to hear from you and to know that the evoking questions are helpful! Blessings!
Pingback: A Healing Meditation | A Whole Heart
Hope this signs me up for your blog 🙂
Hi Karen, I’m happy you want to sign up for the blog! To do that you need to click on the box that says “Follow,” which you can find near the top of the page, on the right hand side. https://awholeheart.com/ Blessings, Marcelle
Perhaps it’s time for us to dream again! I grew up in Quaker Haverford & studied metaphysics in W. Pennsylvania. At that time I was told that we had the spiritual guantlet (’80s&90s) but lost it probably laterdue to chaos. Now we are in a new milenium but we are qcting in previous ways; ie power over not self empowerment. Can we listen to the universal heart beat & dream again?
Eve, yes, let’s listen to the universal heart beat and dream again!
As a child of the Jewish experience, I am saddened by the silence of the Jewish community in voicing prayers for peace & healing in Gaza. I want to open a nonjudgmetal space for all to join in healing prayer.
Nice bblog thanks for posting
OOps; that comment was evidently a (common practice, alas) way of getting the sender’s commercial site spammed around… You may well want to delete!
Thank you!
Inspiring blog Marcelle. As you say, we do live in a time of profound change and we must listen carefully to what God is saying to us.
I would like to share some thoughts about something which God has impressed on my mind over a considerable time, viz. how Christians are being called to influence society. Back in 1975, two prominent Christians (Loran Cunningham and Bill Bright) independently received a message from God about Christians being a voice in the “7 mountains” or “spheres of social influence” in society. These “mountains” were revealed as religion, family, business, government, media, entertainment and education. Little happened in this respect until after the turn of the century but has now become quite widely known. Unfortunately, some of the more extreme proponents of the doctrine have gone beyond the original revelation and talk about Christians “taking over” the 7 mountains and essentially imposing “Biblical principles” on society. This trend has become especially apparent amongst far Right political factions in the USA. It has become mixed up with dominionist views and many see parallels with a “Christian” version of the Taliban!
How can we obey God’s call that Christians influence society through the 7 mountains and yet avoid the temptation to dominate and gain political power?
I believe it is through Christians within the different “mountains” forming small groups who will meet together in silent listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rather in the manner of Quaker worship meetings for business. It is surely no co-incidence that the past couple of decades has seen, as well as the rise of the “7 mountains movement” a rising interest (and application) of consensus meetings in both church and some non-church situations. I believe that the Holy Spirit is calling Christians to bring these two trends together. From a practical point of view, we should pray that those churches and other groups who are already making decisions through the consensus method will always make silent listening to the Holy Spirit an essential part of this method. Secondly, we should take every opportunity to form groups within each of the “mountains” and pray that those who have influence within each of these “mountains” will take seriously the advice which these groups give. May they be convinced that Christ is truly speaking through these groups.
I have a small and free ebook at;
https:/www.christianityoasis.com/puritypublications/5145/HolySpiritGuidedConsensus.htm
which I would humbly invite you to prayerfully read.
Blessings,
David
Thank you for sharing this, David. Blessings, Marcelle