Barbara Birch
@barbarabirch.bsky.social
Quaker author of Lectio Divina: Revelation and Prophecy (Quaker Quicks)
Pinned
Reposted by Barbara Birch
I made a video about my Dad's theological life (linked here) to open the round table discussion about the legacy of his work at the American Academy of Religion's annual meeting this year. What an absolute joy to get to do this while also celebrating his 90th birthday! #aarsbl25
The events at @aarweb.bsky.social's annual meeting have been outstanding. I was honored —beyond words— to attend a round table discussion on my life's work. This 4.5 minute video was shared there, created by my daughter, @serenebabe.bsky.social: youtu.be/9NeWpB28aCM #AARSBL25 #AARSBL
Paul Santmire's Theological Legacy
YouTube video by H. Paul Santmire
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I made a video about my Dad's theological life (linked here) to open the round table discussion about the legacy of his work at the American Academy of Religion's annual meeting this year. What an absolute joy to get to do this while also celebrating his 90th birthday! #aarsbl25
Reposted by Barbara Birch
If you feel moved to support the work I do in the world,
discussions,
workshops
consultations
focused on liberation psychologies, community building, dream and death work
all offered by donation so no one is excluded from support
this is an excellent way to offer patronage
2 essays a month
discussions,
workshops
consultations
focused on liberation psychologies, community building, dream and death work
all offered by donation so no one is excluded from support
this is an excellent way to offer patronage
2 essays a month
Lectio Essays | Explore Insightful Reflections — What A Shrink Thinks
Delve into meditative essays and discussions on archetypal, mystical texts. Subscribe for thought-provoking content twice monthly.
www.whatashrinkthinks.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:11 PM
If you feel moved to support the work I do in the world,
discussions,
workshops
consultations
focused on liberation psychologies, community building, dream and death work
all offered by donation so no one is excluded from support
this is an excellent way to offer patronage
2 essays a month
discussions,
workshops
consultations
focused on liberation psychologies, community building, dream and death work
all offered by donation so no one is excluded from support
this is an excellent way to offer patronage
2 essays a month
Reposted by Barbara Birch
Reposted by Barbara Birch
Creative Tension 3 – Quietist and Charismatic
There was a creative tension in the early Quaker movement between a quietist and contemplative spiritual practice, and a charismatic and emotionally expressive response.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, pp.28-29
There was a creative tension in the early Quaker movement between a quietist and contemplative spiritual practice, and a charismatic and emotionally expressive response.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, pp.28-29
November 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Creative Tension 3 – Quietist and Charismatic
There was a creative tension in the early Quaker movement between a quietist and contemplative spiritual practice, and a charismatic and emotionally expressive response.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, pp.28-29
There was a creative tension in the early Quaker movement between a quietist and contemplative spiritual practice, and a charismatic and emotionally expressive response.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, pp.28-29
Reposted by Barbara Birch
Reminds me of this advertisement for Quaker worship 🕊️
November 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Reminds me of this advertisement for Quaker worship 🕊️
Read more about Howard Thurman, the mystic and activist whom Rufus Jones mentored. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdjL...
November 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Read more about Howard Thurman, the mystic and activist whom Rufus Jones mentored. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdjL...
Reposted by Barbara Birch
"On Tyranny" author Timothy Snyder on the hopeful lessons history can teach us in this moment.
November 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
"On Tyranny" author Timothy Snyder on the hopeful lessons history can teach us in this moment.
Howard Thurman: "...all my life I have been seeking to validate, beyond all ambivalences & frustrations, the integrity of the inner life. I have sensed the urgency to find a way to act & react responsibly out of my own center." Mysticism and the Experience of Love, #PendleHillPamphlet #115
#Sunday
#Sunday
November 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Howard Thurman: "...all my life I have been seeking to validate, beyond all ambivalences & frustrations, the integrity of the inner life. I have sensed the urgency to find a way to act & react responsibly out of my own center." Mysticism and the Experience of Love, #PendleHillPamphlet #115
#Sunday
#Sunday
The cactus on my window sill usually blooms around Election Day but this year I thought it decided to skip its bloom. Not true. The blooms were facing out. I turned the plant around—lo and behold—there are the buds…
Question: Is this past election week a turn around too?
Question: Is this past election week a turn around too?
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
The cactus on my window sill usually blooms around Election Day but this year I thought it decided to skip its bloom. Not true. The blooms were facing out. I turned the plant around—lo and behold—there are the buds…
Question: Is this past election week a turn around too?
Question: Is this past election week a turn around too?
Thank you, Nancy, for your unflagging devotion to a democratic agenda for the USA. Thank you for retiring now, when we have clearly seen that Americans want younger leadership. Keep your wise counsel available for the CA democrat taking your place in Washington.
Thank you for your service, madam.
Thank you for your service, madam.
Last night, America sent a clear message: they’re sick of Republicans who shut down government and drove up costs—from health care to groceries.
Democrats have been ready to reopen government all along.
It's past time for Republicans to listen to their constituents and join us.
Democrats have been ready to reopen government all along.
It's past time for Republicans to listen to their constituents and join us.
November 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Thank you, Nancy, for your unflagging devotion to a democratic agenda for the USA. Thank you for retiring now, when we have clearly seen that Americans want younger leadership. Keep your wise counsel available for the CA democrat taking your place in Washington.
Thank you for your service, madam.
Thank you for your service, madam.
Reposted by Barbara Birch
This is completely irresponsible, unacceptable and downright embarrassing…
The US Army recommends German food banks for it's troops stationed in Germany.
But a gilded ballroom is possible...
home.army.mil/bavaria/abou...
But a gilded ballroom is possible...
home.army.mil/bavaria/abou...
home.army.mil
November 5, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is completely irresponsible, unacceptable and downright embarrassing…
Reposted by Barbara Birch
A major shift in where L.A. gets water: The city will double the size of a project to transform wastewater into purified drinking water, producing enough for 500,000 people. The recycled water will allow L.A. to stop taking water from creeks that feed Mono Lake. www.latimes.com/environment/...
Los Angeles will nearly double recycled water for 500,000 residents
Los Angeles is set to double the size of a planned facility that will transform wastewater into purified drinking water, recycling enough water to meet the needs of 500,000 people.
www.latimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
A major shift in where L.A. gets water: The city will double the size of a project to transform wastewater into purified drinking water, producing enough for 500,000 people. The recycled water will allow L.A. to stop taking water from creeks that feed Mono Lake. www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Barbara Birch
'We need #myths that will help us to identify with...our fellow-beings, not simply with those who belong to our...national or ideological tribe. We need myths that help us to realize the importance of #compassion, which is not always regarded as...productive...[in our] world' (Karen Armstrong) 💜
a black and white photo of a statue of a buddha praying with his hands folded in prayer .
ALT: a black and white photo of a statue of a buddha praying with his hands folded in prayer .
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
'We need #myths that will help us to identify with...our fellow-beings, not simply with those who belong to our...national or ideological tribe. We need myths that help us to realize the importance of #compassion, which is not always regarded as...productive...[in our] world' (Karen Armstrong) 💜
Reposted by Barbara Birch
We have the power to elect Gun Sense Candidates who will fight for stronger laws, safer communities, and a future free from the devastating impact of gun violence.
Every vote matters—especially when lives are on the line. Find your polling place now and vote on 11/4: gunsensevoter.org/polling-place
Every vote matters—especially when lives are on the line. Find your polling place now and vote on 11/4: gunsensevoter.org/polling-place
November 3, 2025 at 7:01 PM
We have the power to elect Gun Sense Candidates who will fight for stronger laws, safer communities, and a future free from the devastating impact of gun violence.
Every vote matters—especially when lives are on the line. Find your polling place now and vote on 11/4: gunsensevoter.org/polling-place
Every vote matters—especially when lives are on the line. Find your polling place now and vote on 11/4: gunsensevoter.org/polling-place
Reposted by Barbara Birch
The word [Quaker] can often invoke images of a quaint and peculiar people from the past, with men in distinctive hats and women wearing bonnets. Today, however, a Quaker is more likely to be a young African Evangelical Christian, or a middle-aged American humanist who practices Buddhist meditation.
![“The word [Quaker] can often invoke images of a quaint and peculiar people from the past, with men in distinctive hats and women wearing bonnets. Today, however, a Quaker is more likely to be a young African Evangelical Christian, or perhaps a middle-aged American humanist who practices Buddhist meditation.”
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.1](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kjhbn74264gl4hsar7n7imbs/bafkreid5azbgqnqr66iwpltg4s7w3dxf447nvsliieciz5rlpumhtc2aqm@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The word [Quaker] can often invoke images of a quaint and peculiar people from the past, with men in distinctive hats and women wearing bonnets. Today, however, a Quaker is more likely to be a young African Evangelical Christian, or a middle-aged American humanist who practices Buddhist meditation.
Reposted by Barbara Birch
This Día de los Muertos, survivors with Moms Demand Action San Antonio came together at MuertosFest to build a beautiful altar — an ofrenda filled with photos, candles, and memories of loved ones taken by gun violence in the city. 🧵
November 1, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This Día de los Muertos, survivors with Moms Demand Action San Antonio came together at MuertosFest to build a beautiful altar — an ofrenda filled with photos, candles, and memories of loved ones taken by gun violence in the city. 🧵
Reposted by Barbara Birch
At my meeting house doing some filming for my Lectio Divina project! @barbarabirch.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 12:49 PM
At my meeting house doing some filming for my Lectio Divina project! @barbarabirch.bsky.social
Quakers in the news
apnews.com/article/quak...
apnews.com/article/quak...
Quakers at a glance: A look at the faith's beliefs and the tradition of activism and silent worship
Do Quakers quake? Do Quakers eat Quaker Oats? Are Quakers still around today? These are some of the questions that visitors often ask at the Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia.
apnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Quakers in the news
apnews.com/article/quak...
apnews.com/article/quak...
Reposted by Barbara Birch
'Who is better able to know God than I myself, since He resides in my heart and is the very essence of my being? Such should be the attitude of one who is seeking'
(Paramananda, from The Upanishads) 🕉
(Paramananda, from The Upanishads) 🕉
a woman is holding a lit lamp in her hands .
ALT: a woman is holding a lit lamp in her hands .
media.tenor.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
'Who is better able to know God than I myself, since He resides in my heart and is the very essence of my being? Such should be the attitude of one who is seeking'
(Paramananda, from The Upanishads) 🕉
(Paramananda, from The Upanishads) 🕉
For one thing, it explains why I love my Facebook memories. When I see the pictures, I remember the event.
Reading this week's The New Yorker...there's an article about #aphantasia. I think I am on that spectrum. I form very few mental images. This explains a lot. aphantasia.com/what-is-apha...
What is Aphantasia? Understanding Mental Imagery Differences
Aphantasia is the inability to voluntarily visualize mental images — a neurological variation affecting how people think, dream, remember, and learn. Discover what it means to experience image-free th...
aphantasia.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
For one thing, it explains why I love my Facebook memories. When I see the pictures, I remember the event.
Reading this week's The New Yorker...there's an article about #aphantasia. I think I am on that spectrum. I form very few mental images. This explains a lot. aphantasia.com/what-is-apha...
What is Aphantasia? Understanding Mental Imagery Differences
Aphantasia is the inability to voluntarily visualize mental images — a neurological variation affecting how people think, dream, remember, and learn. Discover what it means to experience image-free th...
aphantasia.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reading this week's The New Yorker...there's an article about #aphantasia. I think I am on that spectrum. I form very few mental images. This explains a lot. aphantasia.com/what-is-apha...
Reposted by Barbara Birch
✨Join us for online meeting for worship! ✨
UK times shown, Friends welcome from around the world!
Find out more information on our website: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/worship
UK times shown, Friends welcome from around the world!
Find out more information on our website: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/worship
October 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
✨Join us for online meeting for worship! ✨
UK times shown, Friends welcome from around the world!
Find out more information on our website: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/worship
UK times shown, Friends welcome from around the world!
Find out more information on our website: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/worship
Reposted by Barbara Birch
"Hope Is Not Optimism; Hope Is Defiance."
If you're one of the many people feeling overwhelmed or burnt out right now, this candid and timely reflection by Marion Sarkisian Ramón Pareja may help you find some rejuvenating, empowering perspective for this moment.
If you're one of the many people feeling overwhelmed or burnt out right now, this candid and timely reflection by Marion Sarkisian Ramón Pareja may help you find some rejuvenating, empowering perspective for this moment.
Hope Is Not Optimism; Hope Is Defiance
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the world’s pain, remember that hope isn’t a feeling but a practice—it’s what you do and what you invite others to join.
sojo.net
October 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
"Hope Is Not Optimism; Hope Is Defiance."
If you're one of the many people feeling overwhelmed or burnt out right now, this candid and timely reflection by Marion Sarkisian Ramón Pareja may help you find some rejuvenating, empowering perspective for this moment.
If you're one of the many people feeling overwhelmed or burnt out right now, this candid and timely reflection by Marion Sarkisian Ramón Pareja may help you find some rejuvenating, empowering perspective for this moment.
Here's a really interesting video about outreach in the UK--how relevant is it to the US today? Might be an interesting discussion at my Meeting. Thanks Quake It Up
📣 New video! I talk to @jmthoughts.bsky.social about Quaker outreach/promoting and marketing. How and where should Quakers promote ourselves. Why are we so bad at it?
#quakers #quakerism #britishquakers
youtu.be/cVxvsLr8efM
#quakers #quakerism #britishquakers
youtu.be/cVxvsLr8efM
Rethinking Quaker Outreach - What’s Gone Wrong (and What Could Work) w/ Jon
YouTube video by Quake It Up
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Here's a really interesting video about outreach in the UK--how relevant is it to the US today? Might be an interesting discussion at my Meeting. Thanks Quake It Up