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Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment.
–Evelyn Underwood, Practical Mysticism

The essential characteristic of it is the attainment of a personal conviction by an individual that the human spirit and the divine Spirit have met, have found each other, and are in mutual and reciprocal correspondence as spirit with Spirit.
–Rufus M. Jones, The Trail of Life in the Middle Years

Equally valid definitions may range from those of St. John of the Cross to Zen Buddhism. All of which, together, can probably more easily confuse than clarify. Most such definitions tend to give an impression that the self is negated as in the definition by Evelyn Underwood. Yet, when looking at Jones’s definition, one notices that there is not a negation of the individual but a rather an intercommunion with the divine Spirit or God. Perhaps this perspective is in keeping with the traditional Christian reply to ‘what is the purpose of man?’ as ‘being to worship God.’

“The affirmation mystic,” Rufus Jones declared in Social Law in the Spiritual World, “seeks union with God, but not through loss of personality.” On the contrary, his personality is fulfilled in God. St. Paul’s statement, “It is no longer I that live but Christ liveth in me,” Rufus Jones understood as “no negation of personality but a triumphant type of immensely expanded personality.”

At the same time, Jones readily acknowledge the negation of self with mysticism He was fond of quoting in this connection the lines,

“Whatever your mind comes at,
I tell you flat
God is not that!”

Jones often lectured on the God of the negation mystic, the “nameless Nothing” of Eckhart, the “Divine Dark” of Dionysius the Areopagite, the “fathomless Nothingness” of Tauler, Rufus Jones characterized as the “Abstract Infinite.” He once wrote, “The long struggle of man’s mind with the stem Compulsions of this abstract infinite is, I think, one of the major intellectual tragedies of human life . . . It is easy to see how that theory of the abstract [i.e. characterless] infinite would lead the mind of a mystic to expect his experience of God to terminate in a mental blank, an everlasting Nay.”

While recognizing that presence of God is closer to oneself than one’s ego, the affirmative mystics value the role of the self in relationship with a personal God. Rufus Jones traced this affirmative type of mysticism first to St. John and St. Paul, who, he said, had been often disqualified as mystics by New Testament scholars who assumed that mysticism meant withdrawal from all that is finite and temporal.

“The focal idea of this new type of mysticism,” Jones wrote, “is the glowing faith that there is something divine in man which under right influences and responses can become the dominant feature of a person’s whole life. The favorite text of the exponents of the affirmation mysticism was that noble oracular fragment in Proverbs already quoted: ‘The Spirit of man is a candle of the Lord.’ This line of thought goes back for its pedigree, without much doubt, to the humanism of the Renaissance.”

More than 300 years ago Friends (and many others before and since) have affirmed both the inherent goodness of human beings and their communion with a personal God.

Although Rufus Jones insisted upon the distinction between affirmative and negative mystics, he declared with equal emphasis that there were both affirmative and negative elements in both types of mysticism. The difference between the two types was a relative difference. “There have been no negation mystics who were not also affirmative, and there neither are nor will be any important affirmation mystics who do not tread at some point the via negativa, – the hard and dolorous road.”

Denial of self can easily lead to a denial of a personal God. One may argue whether such a denial is of critical importance. Yet, I would suggest that form of denial can often lead to a less full experience of a mystic not only in terms of a relationship with the divine Spirit but possibly of a less active and influential radiance in society. Mysticism ideally should not be a withdrawal but an enhancement of the individual in all facets of life.”

(For more on Rufus Jones and his spiritual path, please refer to Elizabeth Gray Vining’s Friend of Life – A Biography of Rufus M. Jones.)

Fr. Matthew Kelty, OSCO, monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, reads “The Merton Prayer”

“Contemplation is the highest expression of man’s intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive. It is spiritual wonder. It is spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. It is gratitude for life, for awareness, and for being. It is a vivid realization of the fact that life and being in us proceed from an invisible, transcendent and infinitely abundant Source. Contemplation is, above all, an awareness of the reality of that Source.”

Thomas Merton, Catholic monk and poet
New Seeds of Contemplation

Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them: for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the good soil of freedom, spontaneity, and love.

The ever-changing reality in the midst of which we live should awaken us to the possibility of an uninterrupted dialogue with God.

Thomas Merton, Catholic monk and poet
New Seeds of Contemplation

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if it is the axis
on which the world earth revolves
- slowly, evenly, without
rushing toward the future;
Live the actual moment.
Only this moment is life.”

“We are often exposed, if not first hand, then through films, reading material, and conversations, to violence, fear, hatred, meaningless infatuations. Society is full of violence and hatred, which accumulates in the collective consciousness. If in our daily lives we do not know now to abstain from damaging materials and attitudes, the seeds of violence, hatred and suffering in us will continue to be watered. We need to be aware of what we hear,see, and read every day… Do our associations and consumptions poison us?”

Meeting has experienced several significant losses this past year. Two of our active young members have moved away or have found a spiritual home in another Meeting. One of our elder members passed away in November; her leadership and enthusiasm were an inspiration to us all, and Meeting is diminished for her passing. Joyfully, VMM has welcomed two new members to our Spiritual Community. Noteworthy, we still miss the presence of a young family which has returned to Europe after years of service to our Meeting, but we are grateful for the leadership they are giving to Friends in Central Europe.

The future of the Vassalboro Meeting is always a concern; we have a number of young, deeply involved families, but we are unclear as to how to assist them in assuming the role of membership, supporting the process of their taking over the leadership of Meeting, as a number of us age. There has also been a decline in the number of children in the early years of First Day School, as several have moved into their teen years, with sporadic participation. Last year, though, a number of babies were born into the Meeting Community, but their impact has not yet been felt. It is also clear that the current family responsibilities of younger adults often does not permit them to participate consistently in Meeting activities.

Meeting has addressed several practical problems this past year. Importantly, it has adopted a policy on the use of the burial ground, consistent with guidance in Faith and Practice. VMM has also responded to an infestation of mold in its library. To address the problem, Meeting has invested in a new propane heater and a dehumidifier for the library, as our Property Committee and Library Committee have worked very hard to remedy the mold problem. Addressing the issue of mud, Meeting has paved the entire driveway, improving its handicap accessibility by also paving the handicap parking space; in addition, Friends utilized a workday to build beautiful raised flower beds in the front and side of the Meeting House. Significantly, VMM has improved winter plowing and cleaning of the Meeting House by contracting with a local husband and wife.

As in past years, VMM had special activities to celebrate Christmas and Easter. Contributing to the Life of Meeting, VMM’s educational-communication opportunities have been expanded significantly during the past year; in addition to our attractive, comprehensive monthly newsletter, we have added an extensive VMM web site, with Meeting-specific information and detailed links to worldwide Quaker sites. Importantly, the Adult Education Committee has organized meaningful workshops and speakers to stimulate the spiritual growth of the VMM Community… and our evening Friends and Flicks showing of several videos again proved to be an enjoyable opportunity for community sharing.

Members of the Meeting provided leadership to Quarterly Meeting (youth presentation, Clerk of Ministry and Counsel, Recording Clerk and Treasurer) and Yearly Meeting (Permanent Board, Ministry and Counsel, and workshop leaders… and Board of Maine Council of Churches). The Meeting is also involved in local ecumenical projects: emergency fuel fund, community Thanksgiving Service, etc.)

The Friends of VMM have ongoing work to accomplish as we are led to deepen the shared inward experience of our Spiritual Community; in this vein, we continue to hold our brothers and sisters of the World in the Light.

Concerning how effectively Meeting deals with issues of peace and social justice, a Friend notes that “…sustainability is related to peace and justice, and they are primary concerns of the Meeting. ” One felt more participation was needed. Some Friends think that there is an absence of political activity. Some suggestions for improvements include that the Meeting take up an issue collectively rather than individually, for more effect…that we encourage people who have interests in specific concerns to e-mail the Meeting to enlist help for this concern to increase participation…and that we mention more about these activities to the general Meeting, enlisting help from the YALTTS.

Responding to questions regarding Quarterly Meeting and Yearly Meeting, Friends note that generally they receive necessary, timely information; in addition, Friends acknowledge enthusiastically that the VMM Library is an inspirational source of Quaker information and ongoing spiritual rejuvenation. Expressing great appreciation, Friends are extremely positive regarding the VMM Newsletter. Some comments were: “…backbone of the Meeting”… “well-published and useful“…”lovely and informative”… “helps us keep up,” “excellent and helpful”… “provides information.” In considering Meeting for Business, some Friends are quite upset at the small numbers who attend. Participation is encouraged by announcements at rise of Meeting, the VMM Newsletter, e-mails, admonitions by the Clerk, and the use of humor. Barriers to attending include the length of time needed to attend both Meeting for Worship and Meeting for Business, and personal commitments and time constraints. VMM Friends express enthusiasm and appreciation for the informational e-mails which contribute to unite our Meeting, helping to overcome the large distances which physically separate us.

Most Friends feel that Meeting is open and welcoming, without pressuring attenders to join or conform; however, some Friends feel that the issue of membership is quite crucial…especially since we have an aging community. Significantly, Meeting must find ways to encourage participation from more attenders and members…realizing that distance and family-employment responsibilities can make consistent participation difficult. As one Friend says, “It’s about commitment.”

With seventy-four members and approximately half as many attenders, Vassalboro Monthly Meeting continues to be a vibrant Community of Worshipers; certainly, we have issues before us which we need to address, as we hold each other in the Light; yet, as our survey indicates, Friends at VMM value their attendance of Meeting for Worship and extended VMM Community activities as fulfilling their spiritual needs.

Phyllis was born May 28, 1931, in Orange, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Chatham. Among her various later homes were San Diego, California, where her children were mostly raised; Redding, California, where she retired; and Waterville, Maine, where she enjoyed spending her final years in close proximity to her only grandchild.

Phyllis is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Walter, whom she regarded as the best husband she could possibly have had, by her brother Kenneth Guyre, by her children Earl, Heather, Randolph, and Seth, by Randolph’s son Benjamin, by Walter’s daughters Bonnie and Mignon, by a widely extended family largely gathered by her enthusiastic genealogical research, and by a vast circle of friends whom she accumulated wherever she went, including extensive travel in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Phyllis joined the Quakers at the University Friends Meeting in Seattle, in the Spring of 1959. She spent three years in Topsham, Maine, where she attended the Portland and Durham monthly meetings, although she was not a member. In 1962, Phyllis moved to San Diego and joined the La Jolla Monthly Meeting. In the early 1970s, a worship group was formed in San Diego, which she attended occasionally; it eventually became a
meeting, and she joined it. On retirement, Phyllis moved to Redding, CA, and joined the Redding Monthly Meeting. Then Phyllis followed her grandson to Maine in 2001 and joined the Vassalboro Monthly Meeting.

During the 40 years she was in California, Phyllis was highly active in the Pacific Yearly Meeting and held many positions, including membership in various committees, assorted clerkships of committees, the positions of statistical clerk, reading clerk, and treasurer; in recent years, until the end of her life, Phyllis served Vassalboro Monthly Meeting as Clerk of the Library Committee, as Statistical Clerk, and as a member of the Finance Committee, as well as helping organize, participating in, the musical program of VMM’s annual Christmas Celebration.

Phyllis devoted her life to education and music, combining them as a music and elementary school teacher, working in various volunteer capacities for schools, as well as home-schooling her children during the year they all lived in Czechoslovakia. Phyllis played cello in a number of community
orchestras until her health finally made it impossible. In recent years, she particularly enjoyed spending time as a volunteer for instrumental music in the Waterville public schools and participated as a cellist in the Augusta Symphony Orchestra.

Before her death, Phyllis expressed the hope that she will be remembered fondly by the thousands of students to whom she brought an appreciation for music during her lifetime. In accordance with her devotion to education, she donated her body to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Memorial services will be held at the Quaker meeting houses in Palo Alto, California (December 19) and at East Vassalboro, Maine (December 27). Additionally, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra will dedicate its performance of Handel’s Messiah on December 12 to the memory of this beloved woman. In lieu of flowers, her family asks those who are moved to do so to contribute to charities in accordance with their memories of Phyllis and the things she held dear.

My Happy Song

I’m not averse to writing verse
That is of solemn mien.
And I could rage on every page
To set a scary scene,
But life is such; we have too much
Of sorrow, pain, and fright,
My pleasure clings to simple things
Of joy and pure delight.
The butterfly that flutters by
Is happiness on wings,
And beauty floats from all the notes
The cheery robin sings.
The river flows and as it goes,
It hums a ripply tune,
While daisy ranks along its banks
Stand listening to its croon.
There’s love and care most everywhere
The tender eye can see.
For as I write, my life is bright
Because your love’s for me.
– Eleanor Wilson (My World, My Words)