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Practicing Peace: A Devotional Walk Through the Quaker Tradition
From the best-selling author of Plain A Quaker Path to Simplicity comes Practicing A Devotional Walk through the Quaker Tradition , a guide to the Quaker discipline of practicing peace for spiritual seekers of any religious tradition. Stories of successful nonviolent movements throughout history are partnered with quotes mined from over 350 years of Quaker teachings on peace. Query questions lead readers on a journey to self-discovery and through the stages of practicing first by focusing inwardly, then turning their eyes to practice peace in the world around us. Includes a brief biography of each Friend quoted in the book, a glossary of common Quaker terms as well as additional online resources.
270 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
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130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 8, 2023
Let me preface this by saying: if you're not a Quaker (I'm not) read it anyway!
I chose this book as one of my "starting the new year off right" reads. It was so thought-provoking. So many intrinsic negativities that I don't even think most of us are conscious of (because we are reared in a society that thrives on survival of the fittest and violence) are examined by various speakers of the faith. One that deeply resonated with me (given our current political climate) was the suggestion by the author that, instead of expounding a lot of energy being angry towards what you feel is wrong with society or the government or the world: take those energies and use them to create the world that you want to live in.
It sound simple, but it was so freeing for me almost to be given permission to do what I've been feeling in my spirit for a long time, which is to distance myself from social media, political media, etc. Not a bury-my-head-in-the-sand but, instead of getting sucked in and bogged down by all the doom and gloom, to model the behavior that I hope we as a society can return to: one where we recognize the value of others (and ourselves) as human being and, therefore, deserving of dignity.
Okay, so that's just one takeaway from this book. There is so much more. It's opened my eyes to a new perspective of non-violence; like, the power of non-violence is the power to facilitate real change. I've always thought that a gun doesn't earn you respect. And you can oppress any people physically or economically but you can't enslave their souls. So--what if you could exact the change you want without violence? What if we didn't have to become the enemy in order to "defeat" them?
These are radically powerful ideas and--I think-- very dangerous ones because they call into question ideals that humanity has held to since the dawn of time (like oppressing others through violence and warfare to have control; even if the belief is that this is for "the good" of some people).
Anyway, as you can see, I could talk a long time about this book. Even if you don't agree, let it make you question. Let it make you question how humanity has always been doing it, and how that's working out for us?
Reread in 2019. A hug of a book~
Reread in 2023 bc....why not!
I chose this book as one of my "starting the new year off right" reads. It was so thought-provoking. So many intrinsic negativities that I don't even think most of us are conscious of (because we are reared in a society that thrives on survival of the fittest and violence) are examined by various speakers of the faith. One that deeply resonated with me (given our current political climate) was the suggestion by the author that, instead of expounding a lot of energy being angry towards what you feel is wrong with society or the government or the world: take those energies and use them to create the world that you want to live in.
It sound simple, but it was so freeing for me almost to be given permission to do what I've been feeling in my spirit for a long time, which is to distance myself from social media, political media, etc. Not a bury-my-head-in-the-sand but, instead of getting sucked in and bogged down by all the doom and gloom, to model the behavior that I hope we as a society can return to: one where we recognize the value of others (and ourselves) as human being and, therefore, deserving of dignity.
Okay, so that's just one takeaway from this book. There is so much more. It's opened my eyes to a new perspective of non-violence; like, the power of non-violence is the power to facilitate real change. I've always thought that a gun doesn't earn you respect. And you can oppress any people physically or economically but you can't enslave their souls. So--what if you could exact the change you want without violence? What if we didn't have to become the enemy in order to "defeat" them?
These are radically powerful ideas and--I think-- very dangerous ones because they call into question ideals that humanity has held to since the dawn of time (like oppressing others through violence and warfare to have control; even if the belief is that this is for "the good" of some people).
Anyway, as you can see, I could talk a long time about this book. Even if you don't agree, let it make you question. Let it make you question how humanity has always been doing it, and how that's working out for us?
Reread in 2019. A hug of a book~
Reread in 2023 bc....why not!
December 24, 2018
I really am thoroughly enjoying this book. I was raised my by grandparents. My grandmother was Christian Science and my grandfather was was Quaker. This book brought back a lot of the pillars and tenants they both strived to instill in me.
One passage that really struck home was "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my people, ye have done it to me." At the beginning, it might be well to note that this responsibility to accept everyone, has a very different catch in it, self-acceptance. The psychologist Jung has most disconcertingly asked whether one of "the least of these" might possibly be our own despised self whom we are forever bemoaning as too heavy a burden to bear, or bitterly reproaching Providence for not having created me more handsome, or more brilliant, more shapely, or more capable, or more attractive. Jung once suggested in a letter to a friend that "it is really a very perfect act of love to God to love accept and love ourselves and to put this scarred and wearisome and imperfect person into God's hands and get on with the work that needs to be done."
One passage that really struck home was "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my people, ye have done it to me." At the beginning, it might be well to note that this responsibility to accept everyone, has a very different catch in it, self-acceptance. The psychologist Jung has most disconcertingly asked whether one of "the least of these" might possibly be our own despised self whom we are forever bemoaning as too heavy a burden to bear, or bitterly reproaching Providence for not having created me more handsome, or more brilliant, more shapely, or more capable, or more attractive. Jung once suggested in a letter to a friend that "it is really a very perfect act of love to God to love accept and love ourselves and to put this scarred and wearisome and imperfect person into God's hands and get on with the work that needs to be done."
July 1, 2019
This book is a wonderful gift to anyone who is striving towards living in peace and understanding how everything in this world is connected, how peace making on a small scale influences peace in the world (no matter if agnostic, atheistic or religious).
The book is divided in chapters, each are 4-6 pages long and consist of a scripture passage, a one-page story about a historical event about the practicing of peace, selected small passages from Quaker Faith & Practice or other passages and end with Queries to help the reader reflect on their own life and application (and could also be used as an inspiration for journaling). This structure is just awesome, because it is a great mix of anecdotes and stories which are easier to read and more "meaty" passages from QF&P. I am also pretty sure that I will read this book again in a few years and compare the notes of my answers to the queries to my "current" answers.
All in all, this book left me very much inspired and optimistic about the future. This is one of those books, which automatically gets filled with sticky tabs, bookmarks and notes and will be a staple inspiration in my book collection. I wish I could gift this book to anyone in my life who is striving towards peace, no matter if agnostic, atheist, Christian or other.
The book is divided in chapters, each are 4-6 pages long and consist of a scripture passage, a one-page story about a historical event about the practicing of peace, selected small passages from Quaker Faith & Practice or other passages and end with Queries to help the reader reflect on their own life and application (and could also be used as an inspiration for journaling). This structure is just awesome, because it is a great mix of anecdotes and stories which are easier to read and more "meaty" passages from QF&P. I am also pretty sure that I will read this book again in a few years and compare the notes of my answers to the queries to my "current" answers.
All in all, this book left me very much inspired and optimistic about the future. This is one of those books, which automatically gets filled with sticky tabs, bookmarks and notes and will be a staple inspiration in my book collection. I wish I could gift this book to anyone in my life who is striving towards peace, no matter if agnostic, atheist, Christian or other.
September 2, 2009
The wisdom from Friend's through history was inspiring. Could not help but wonder about the costs of becoming a true advocate for peace and justice. They (peace, justice) make wonderful titles for types of ministry, but the calling to witness to peace and justice is a heavy calling. Liked it a lot.
July 16, 2010
"Through prayer and discernment we, too, can know in which gaps God would have us stand. Our efforts may feel unimportant, but nothing is too small to make a difference. we may be led to write a peace poem, grow vegetables, raise children, drive hot meals to the elderly, save turtles in a wetland, teach refugees to read, or educate ourselves about racism. Or we may be called to organize prayer vigils for peace, offer nonviolence trainings in prisons, protest against torture, or join an international peace team. Our tools may include organic seeds, compost piles, guitars, birthday cards, e-mail lists, and peace banners. We may be sustained by hot cups of tea, locally grown strawberries, new songs, old and abiding friendships, and deep worship. However, when we live with kindness, work with patience, and make loe the first motion in all we do, peace will follow us wherever we go." pg. 31
Stories and quotes about learning peace, followed by chapter ending queries make this a worthwhile read for people of any religious persuasion. Some of the terms may be a bit confusing to non-Quakers at first, but there's a glossary in the back.
Stories and quotes about learning peace, followed by chapter ending queries make this a worthwhile read for people of any religious persuasion. Some of the terms may be a bit confusing to non-Quakers at first, but there's a glossary in the back.
September 10, 2009
The Quaker tradition relies heavily on the stories and experiences from others in their community, both past and current members. I love that idea, and this collection was a welcome reminder of the importance of writing things down, as mundane as they may seem at the time.
On a side note, this was a great middle-of-the-night read with our new son, and I'll remind him that we read together about Christ's call to peacemaking even when he was a wee little man.
On a side note, this was a great middle-of-the-night read with our new son, and I'll remind him that we read together about Christ's call to peacemaking even when he was a wee little man.
November 4, 2019
This was a quiet, thought provoking devotional about what peace is in our world and having it in all aspects of life. It covered writers from across the centuries and around the world with their only commonality being their Quaker faith.
June 14, 2011
So peaceful. I really do believe I am a Quaker. Now sew me some plain cloths
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August 11, 2011Amazing wisdom in these pages.
April 17, 2017
A great book full of quotes to meditate upon, ranging a variety of topics.
September 14, 2019
Some really rich quotes in this book, definitely helpful for the soul!
January 3, 2024
Over 10 years ago I started this book as part of an Interfaith book club. I am not a Quaker and readers need not be either. It was slow yet insightful then and I had a harder time pushing through it each of the four or five times I tried to resume. It gave me points to consider and challenged me, which I enjoy in any book and I expected from this one. I particularly enjoyed the quotes ranging in centuries that touched on each theme.
November 24, 2020
I loved this excellent book about Quaker spirituality! The author introduces each area with a Bible verse and a biographical anecdote. She then lists "potent quotes" about the subject, from Quakers and others throughout time. Finally, she has queries, for the reader to consider about their own life. Highly recommended!
June 4, 2024
A book about finding inner peace and our essential roll of creating a peaceful world through the examples and lives of others.
July 23, 2025
Another impulse read. It’s mainly a collection of quotes grouped by themes. Not my preferred style.
September 17, 2018
A collection of quotes by theme, quotes from all sources, on values held dear by Quakers. Not a devotional. Still useful and good.
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September 11, 2013Meh.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews