Introduction to Experiment with Light

We shall look first at what the experience was, at the beginning of the Quaker movement. We shall then undertake an experiment to see whether that experience is still available to us. Part of this will be a meditation in which we try to experience the Light as early Friends understood it. This can be a searching and powerful experience. Finally, in small groups and in the larger group, we shall try to make sense of what happened and reflect on the significance of the Light for our lives today.

Rex Ambler's book, Light to Live by, explains how he discovered what has now become Experiment with Light; Friends have been practising Experiment with Light in Britain for twenty years and there are thought to be about 60 groups meeting regularly.

The day will be facilitated by Helen Meads, Hilary Southall and Sasha Bosbeer. Helen researched the Experiment while studying for her degree at the University of Birmingham through Woodbrooke's Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies. She has been in the High Flatts Light group since 2000 and has been facilitating introductory workshops and retreats since 2007. Hilary has been in the Yealand Light group since 2008 and helped start the Kendal Light group in 2013, where she also Experiments. Sasha is currently Friend in Residence at Swarthmoor.

To read more about Friends' responses to their practice, see the Experiment with Light Journal: http://www.experiment-with-light.org.uk/resource.htm

9:30 Arrivals of participants – coffee and other refreshments

Preparation

10:00 Introductions

10:30 The origins of the Experiment (talk by Helen)

Doing Experiment with Light

11:15 How we'll approach Experiment with Light today

11:30 The guided steps of the practice

12:10 Time alone

12:30 Worship sharing in small groups

13:15 Lunch

Reflection

14:00 Plenary for reflection on the process and experience today

15:00 Questions & What next?

16:00 Valediction