On being present where you are

This is an illuminating and deep discussion of what it means to be present, fully present, to another person, to God, and to people across social barriers of various kinds. To be present is to be open, to listen, to be involved and to care. The consequence of this vital contact is to learn and to change, to transform and to be transformed.
In a particularly valuable and challenging section, Steere discusses at some length how people of different faiths have long ignored each other (and worse), and what it would mean for them to become present to each other. He insists that to engage in such presence across faiths does not mean to weaken one's own faith, but as we open, we irradiate and enrich each other. This is an awareness that show more Friends pride themselves on, but our too frequent blind spots become apparent. His comments on the lack of presence across racial barriers are also illuminating to apply to current racism. show less

What does it mean to be present at any given place or time, and what does genuine presence imply?

pamphlet #151

PHP #151

1967 James Backhouse Lecture (Australia)