It has been said many times that Meditation is emptying yourself of all content. When there is no thought moving inside you there is stillness; that stillness is meditation. Ergo, Meditation is a priming of the mind and strengthening of awareness where on a micro level, we learn to detach from thoughts, feelings, sensations — to remain balanced. Here in Quaker Quicks - In Search of Stillness: Using a simple meditation to find inner peace, Joanna Godfrey Wood brings forth an enlightened regime of Meditation techniques, based on, and to encourage within us, the act of genuine stillness (re: mind, body and soul). As we all know, or at least those of us that have tried, “I think too much” and “I can’t get out of my own head” are comments we spurt out after just a few minutes of trying to find inner peace, inner stillness within Meditation. This is pretty common, as we learn from Wood, thinking isn’t the actual problem, but moreover the struggle comes when we’re constantly spinning stories in our head and getting caught up in them. For it is at those times, especially when we are trying to calm and quieten everything internal and external, that our minds suddenly jump from one thing to another, seeking distraction or avoiding difficulty. We can’t focus, we can’t be present in the moment, and we feel the need to be constantly busy again. But found in Quaker meetings, Meditation re: slowing down, a connection of mind and body can not only provide peace amongst your daily turmoil, but can spur you into action thereafter also. For as much as our inbred mental processes — jumping around and distraction and being caught up in stories — don’t have to cause anxiety, they are not only common, but it feels like they are part and parcel of the normal human condition. If this is how our minds are most of the time, then feeling afflicted by this condition is probably going to cause us constant anxiety. Hence why this new book from Wood allows you to take strident steps into a Quaker attitude toward stillness that, and take this from me, works like a charm. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=274 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Meditation, stillness, quotes, the book has all of these. A great and enlightening rendition of meditation techniques based on, and to bring out, the act of stillness. Found in Quaker meetings, this is the sense of calm as you enter the building and the aim is to find an 'inner stillness'. Meditation, a slowing down, a connection of mind and body: many aspects are covered, from healing to action. This book is a true insight into the nature of being 'alone', being true to oneself, holding another in the Light and going within to find God. ~ Tony Jackson, Librarian, Muswell Hill Meeting

Joanna gives us a very helpful and meaningful exploration of Quaker ‘stillness’ along with an assortment of exercises to take us along the meditative path. She also talks about the obstacles that can block the process. I found her quote – ‘Explore who you really are rather than who you think you are’ very helpful and she compares Quaker legendary writings on ‘stillness’. ~ Isa Louise Levy, MA, Artist/Arts Psychotherapist

In Search of Stillness is a creative and, above all, practical book of Liberal Quaker spirituality. In imaginatively adapting a simple meditation in a wide variety of ways, Joanna makes a central insight of the Liberal Quaker tradition accessible to modern day seekers. ~ Mark Russ, Quaker educator, theologian and blogger

This is a beautiful resource for exploring stillness from both the perspective of early Quakers and the present time. There are many ways of coming into stillness, whether to rest, to learn, to grow and to heal. Here Joanna Godfrey Wood offers a simple meditation one can use at any time, in Meeting for Worship or in time set aside on our own. Her words draw us gently and clearly into the stillness from where they seem to flow. We see how stillness is not simply an end in itself; it is the beginning of harmony in all we do. ~ Ruth Tod, member of the Central Committee of Quaker Peace and Social Witness

This book is filled with good ideas about how we can use stillness as part of a daily practice of contemplation, wellbeing, and action in the world. Drawing on a selection of inspiring early Quaker writings, Joanna Godfrey Wood translates the insights of those prophets into modern usage so we can all discover the potential of silence and stillness in our everyday lives. ~ Ben Pink Dandelion, Programmes Leader, Centre for Research in Quaker Studies, Woodbooke and Professor of Quaker Studies, University of Birmingham

In her book ‘In Search of Stillness’, Joanna encourages us to explore and deepen our relationship to stillness. Her meditation, which can be adapted to all aspects of our lives, guides us towards inner stillness, which can be found at the core of our being. ~ Judith Wilkings, Director of Animal Interfaith Alliance, member of Quaker Concern for Animals

Being new to Quakers and to meditation, Joanna’s distinction between silence and stillness was an eye-opener for me. I realise now it is stillness I seek, not necessarily silence. James Nayler’s words on waiting in stillness for Light to arise out of darkness to provide guidance were very helpful and I will use Joanna’s meditations to help me find the answers I seek from within. Julia Wise, retired lecturer of law ~ Julia Wise, Retired Lecturer of Law