Quaker process as practical spirituality for the anthropocene age

Sara J. Wolcott

pp. 277-292

in: Ananta K. Giri (ed), Practical spirituality and human development, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018

Abstract

For over 400 years, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) has developed a particular process for engaging with complex problems such as the kind which are increasingly prevalent during the Anthropocene Age. This process is often referred to as Quaker process. In this chapter, Quakerism, including its fundamentals, its history, and Quaker process, is explained. Then, the uses of Quaker process within the context of global governance is explored, borrowing particularly from the experience of the Quaker think tank, the Quaker Institute for the Future. It is argued that Quaker process offers a particular and much needed form of practical spirituality for increasingly uncertain times where multiple perspectives that can engage in a holistic, emergent, and Spirit-led process are direly needed.