Furly's Lantern
@furlyslantern.bsky.social
Microblogging the ineffable. One Friend's exploration of the Quaker tradition of experiential mysticism.
The account is named after early Quaker Benjamin Furly's circle of contacts in Rotterdam. My name's Evan, he/him, member of Australia Yearly Meeting.
The account is named after early Quaker Benjamin Furly's circle of contacts in Rotterdam. My name's Evan, he/him, member of Australia Yearly Meeting.
Pinned
"In stillness there is fullness, in fullness there is nothingness, in nothingness there are all things."
These few simple words were reportedly spoken by an unnamed 17th century Friend during Robert Barclay's first meeting in Edinburgh. #Quakers
These few simple words were reportedly spoken by an unnamed 17th century Friend during Robert Barclay's first meeting in Edinburgh. #Quakers
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
An introduction to Quakerism for our first post! Actual content is in the replies, since there are 5 images.
June 15, 2025 at 5:37 AM
An introduction to Quakerism for our first post! Actual content is in the replies, since there are 5 images.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Happy Pride Month from this random snapshot (NYC, 1980s) that just fell out of a backlog folder
June 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Happy Pride Month from this random snapshot (NYC, 1980s) that just fell out of a backlog folder
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
#OnThisDay in 1942, Gordon Hirabayashi - UW senior, Quaker, and conscientious objector - challenged Japanese American exclusion orders. historylink.org/File/3358 #AANHPIHeritageMonth
May 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
#OnThisDay in 1942, Gordon Hirabayashi - UW senior, Quaker, and conscientious objector - challenged Japanese American exclusion orders. historylink.org/File/3358 #AANHPIHeritageMonth
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Can we all, as Australians, work towards living together as equals, with mutual understanding and respect?
Advices & Queries 18 – Australia Yearly Meeting
Advices & Queries 18 – Australia Yearly Meeting
May 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Can we all, as Australians, work towards living together as equals, with mutual understanding and respect?
Advices & Queries 18 – Australia Yearly Meeting
Advices & Queries 18 – Australia Yearly Meeting
'Love simplicity, love the nakedness of life, stand single in the honesty of the heart...'
I can't help but love the words of Isaac Penington.
I can't help but love the words of Isaac Penington.
May 17, 2025 at 10:10 AM
'Love simplicity, love the nakedness of life, stand single in the honesty of the heart...'
I can't help but love the words of Isaac Penington.
I can't help but love the words of Isaac Penington.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
I'm offering an online session to the Quaker organisation Woodbrooke - looking forward to it!
Great news! In August @satyarobyn.bsky.social is leading a session at @woodbrooke.bsky.social. Friends will have the opportunity to learn about the rich links between the Japanese Buddhist teacher Shinran & the American Queker mystic Thomas R. Kelly. www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/a-me...
A Meeting of Quaker and Buddhist Mystics - Woodbrooke
In the session Friends will have an opportunity to reflect on their own limits, and the abiding human need for an experience of loving transcendence.
www.woodbrooke.org.uk
April 29, 2025 at 9:59 AM
I'm offering an online session to the Quaker organisation Woodbrooke - looking forward to it!
John Woolman's reflections on the gift of spoken ministry are some of my favourite.
'The Gift is pure; and, while the Eye is single in attending thereto, the Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out.'
'The Gift is pure; and, while the Eye is single in attending thereto, the Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out.'
April 29, 2025 at 9:22 AM
John Woolman's reflections on the gift of spoken ministry are some of my favourite.
'The Gift is pure; and, while the Eye is single in attending thereto, the Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out.'
'The Gift is pure; and, while the Eye is single in attending thereto, the Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out.'
'He that will be truly wise, must first become a fool, that he may be wise: that is, he must not strive to learn in the comprehensive way of man's wisdom and prudency the things of Gods Kingdom, but the begettings of life in his heart...'
So wrote Quaker mystic, Isaac Penington, in 1672.
So wrote Quaker mystic, Isaac Penington, in 1672.
April 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
'He that will be truly wise, must first become a fool, that he may be wise: that is, he must not strive to learn in the comprehensive way of man's wisdom and prudency the things of Gods Kingdom, but the begettings of life in his heart...'
So wrote Quaker mystic, Isaac Penington, in 1672.
So wrote Quaker mystic, Isaac Penington, in 1672.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
British Quakers have been warning about the loss of the right to protest for the last few years, as more and more legislation has been passed, restricting that right.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers call for rights to be restored after police raid on Westminster Meeting House
The police raid on Westminster Quaker meeting house last Thursday was a massively disproportionate response to the legitimate concerns of UK citizens.
www.quaker.org.uk
April 4, 2025 at 1:38 AM
British Quakers have been warning about the loss of the right to protest for the last few years, as more and more legislation has been passed, restricting that right.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Last week, police raided a London Friends Meeting House, to arrest activists meeting in a hired room.
People have the right to assemble and to speak out, even when their views challenge those in power.
Latest statement from Quakers in Britain: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
People have the right to assemble and to speak out, even when their views challenge those in power.
Latest statement from Quakers in Britain: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
April 1, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Last week, police raided a London Friends Meeting House, to arrest activists meeting in a hired room.
People have the right to assemble and to speak out, even when their views challenge those in power.
Latest statement from Quakers in Britain: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
People have the right to assemble and to speak out, even when their views challenge those in power.
Latest statement from Quakers in Britain: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
‘We must have faith that if we purify our hearts, making our motives more compassionate, what we do will strengthen unimaginably the great forces that can save humanity.’
—Adam Curle quoted in Australian Quakers’ book of life, faith and thought ‘This we can say’.
This spoke to my condition today.
—Adam Curle quoted in Australian Quakers’ book of life, faith and thought ‘This we can say’.
This spoke to my condition today.
April 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
‘We must have faith that if we purify our hearts, making our motives more compassionate, what we do will strengthen unimaginably the great forces that can save humanity.’
—Adam Curle quoted in Australian Quakers’ book of life, faith and thought ‘This we can say’.
This spoke to my condition today.
—Adam Curle quoted in Australian Quakers’ book of life, faith and thought ‘This we can say’.
This spoke to my condition today.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Arrests at Westminster Meeting House
YouTube video by Quake It Up
www.youtube.com
March 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.
www.quaker.org.uk
March 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
It's sad that I needed to write this blog post, but Quakers in Britain need to stop tolerating debate on the legitimacy of trans identities. It undermines the authority of our collective discernment, one of our core theological principles. jollyquaker.com/2025/03/27/n... #Quaker #theology
Not all words are good words: Quakers in Britain and anti-trans ‘debate’
Welcome, support, acknowledgment and affirmation of trans people cannot coexist with continuing ‘debate and dialogue’ on the legitimacy of trans identities. Many cis Quakers have much to discover a…
jollyquaker.com
March 27, 2025 at 3:48 PM
It's sad that I needed to write this blog post, but Quakers in Britain need to stop tolerating debate on the legitimacy of trans identities. It undermines the authority of our collective discernment, one of our core theological principles. jollyquaker.com/2025/03/27/n... #Quaker #theology
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
This juxtaposition of signs at a recent Friends World Committee for Consultation meeting (held in a Franciscan conference centre) made me chuckle every time I saw it.
(For friends who aren't Quakers, the joke is that Quakers tend to bypass liturgy, although these were just directional signs)
(For friends who aren't Quakers, the joke is that Quakers tend to bypass liturgy, although these were just directional signs)
March 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This juxtaposition of signs at a recent Friends World Committee for Consultation meeting (held in a Franciscan conference centre) made me chuckle every time I saw it.
(For friends who aren't Quakers, the joke is that Quakers tend to bypass liturgy, although these were just directional signs)
(For friends who aren't Quakers, the joke is that Quakers tend to bypass liturgy, although these were just directional signs)
I sometimes feel guilty, in difficult times, for seeking and sometimes finding inward stillness and peace. But perhaps it's in difficult times that this is most important. I feel the need for the 'clear shining of the light' to raise up the good in myself and others. And clarity needs stillness.
March 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
I sometimes feel guilty, in difficult times, for seeking and sometimes finding inward stillness and peace. But perhaps it's in difficult times that this is most important. I feel the need for the 'clear shining of the light' to raise up the good in myself and others. And clarity needs stillness.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Welcome to our brand new Bluesky account! We are officially moving from Twitter/X. Stay tuned for posts about events, Quaker Tuesdays, and Throwback Thursdays!
March 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Welcome to our brand new Bluesky account! We are officially moving from Twitter/X. Stay tuned for posts about events, Quaker Tuesdays, and Throwback Thursdays!
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Any person can enrich the entire world with their spiritual treasures, if you have the strength to reveal them. You don't have to be a wise or learned person. For there is no way to assess the excessive wealth of your soul, because your soul is the light of God in the world.
Rav. Abraham Issac Kook
Rav. Abraham Issac Kook
March 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Any person can enrich the entire world with their spiritual treasures, if you have the strength to reveal them. You don't have to be a wise or learned person. For there is no way to assess the excessive wealth of your soul, because your soul is the light of God in the world.
Rav. Abraham Issac Kook
Rav. Abraham Issac Kook
I’m curious about why people choose 17th century anti-Quaker propaganda paintings to illustrate stories about Quaker meetings. Something about it feels wrong. It’s not so much that it’s disrespectful, but just untruthful. They’re not illustrations of meetings. They’re usually misogynistic parodies.
March 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I’m curious about why people choose 17th century anti-Quaker propaganda paintings to illustrate stories about Quaker meetings. Something about it feels wrong. It’s not so much that it’s disrespectful, but just untruthful. They’re not illustrations of meetings. They’re usually misogynistic parodies.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
"Now, Friends, deal plainly with yourselves, and let the eternal Light search you, and try you, for the good of your souls. For this will deal plainly with you. It will rip you up, and lay you open, and make all manifest which lodges in you..."
February 20, 2025 at 7:49 PM
"Now, Friends, deal plainly with yourselves, and let the eternal Light search you, and try you, for the good of your souls. For this will deal plainly with you. It will rip you up, and lay you open, and make all manifest which lodges in you..."
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
Dear Christian leaders of Aotearoa NZ. Where is your condemnation of the hateful bullying & intimidation from Destiny. Your voices speaking out would send a powerful message. Currently your silence is speaking loudly of your hypocrisy. Come on! Stand up for loving our vulnerable communities.
February 17, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Dear Christian leaders of Aotearoa NZ. Where is your condemnation of the hateful bullying & intimidation from Destiny. Your voices speaking out would send a powerful message. Currently your silence is speaking loudly of your hypocrisy. Come on! Stand up for loving our vulnerable communities.
It cannot be forced. It cannot be conjured up by thinking or learning. It can only be found by waiting.
In infinite patience we find our motivation to act.
In infinite patience we find our motivation to act.
February 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
It cannot be forced. It cannot be conjured up by thinking or learning. It can only be found by waiting.
In infinite patience we find our motivation to act.
In infinite patience we find our motivation to act.
“Truth doth flourish as the rose, and the lilies do grow among the thorns…”—early Quaker, George Fox, offered this comfort during a time he described as a “thick night of Darkness that may be felt”.
No one seeks out the thick night of darkness, but when it comes the light shines out brighter.
No one seeks out the thick night of darkness, but when it comes the light shines out brighter.
February 11, 2025 at 6:11 AM
“Truth doth flourish as the rose, and the lilies do grow among the thorns…”—early Quaker, George Fox, offered this comfort during a time he described as a “thick night of Darkness that may be felt”.
No one seeks out the thick night of darkness, but when it comes the light shines out brighter.
No one seeks out the thick night of darkness, but when it comes the light shines out brighter.
Reposted by Furly's Lantern
'Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand'
Isaac Penington 1667
Quaker Faith & Practice 10.1 #Quaker
Isaac Penington 1667
Quaker Faith & Practice 10.1 #Quaker
November 22, 2024 at 6:39 PM
'Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand'
Isaac Penington 1667
Quaker Faith & Practice 10.1 #Quaker
Isaac Penington 1667
Quaker Faith & Practice 10.1 #Quaker