John Woolman's True Shepherd

"There was a care on my mind so to pass my time, as to things outward, that nothing might hinder me from the most steady attention to the voice of the True Shepherd." (John Woolman, writing in the 1740s)

In his journal, the Quaker John Woolman writes of the temptations, or distractions, that he and his contemporaries faced. Two he mentions are spirits (alcohol) and spending money on fine apparel (clothing). Today, the range of distractions is much wider: the internet; films and box sets on demand; and planes, trains and automobiles that make it so much easier to explore the world, near and far. Our choices appear almost limitless. To quote the old Microsoft advert: "Where do you want to go today?"

But perhaps, in truth, this seeming myriad of choices can be reduced to one. Ours is the same decision that John Woolman had to make: which voice do we choose to listen to? Will we jump to the tune of our ego, or will we take heed to the promptings of Love?

The voice of my small, separate, self would have me seek "things outward" to complete me - but it is never satisfied with what it gets. If I observe its urges carefully but don't immediately act on them, I may discern another voice. This is the voice of what Woolman called the "True Shepherd", and which we might call our Greater Self. If we give that loving voice our steady attention, and remain true to it alone, it may lead us to a simpler life - one with fewer distractions. It will surely lead us to greater fulfilment and peace.

I blogged some time ago about one of my biggest outward distractions - the internet. I go on-line with good intentions, but frequently I fall down a rabbit-hole on YouTube, or check the Polish lower-division football scores. The longer I sit in front of the screen, the harder I find it to pull myself away. I wonder what Woolman would have made of the web? I expect he would reflect on whether or not it helped him to stay in touch with his Inner Guide. If he found it a hindrance, he would lay the distraction aside.

I sometimes think there should be a 12-steps programme, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, for people who are addicted to their computers, television or phones.

In the absence of such a group, I've devised my own rule (in the monastic sense of the word), which I'll try to observe from now on…

• If, on a whim, I want to look something up on the internet or visit a particular site, I'll write that down but won't act on the whim there and then;
• Outside of work, I'll limit my time on-line to 45 minutes in any one sitting. I'll set a count-down alarm, and log off when it rings. If there are things I still want to do on-line when the alarm sounds, I'll make a note of them. I can do them the next time I'm on the internet, if I still really want to.
• I'll observe Sunday as a sabbath and look to avoid the internet entirely one day in every seven. This is not for religious reasons, but for my own sanity and peace of mind. As Jesus said, "The sabbath was made for people, and not people for the sabbath." (Mark 2:27)
• I'll not work at my computer after 8pm, leaving me free to enjoy quiet time as the day draws to a close.

Questions for reflection

What outward things may be hindering you from paying steady attention to the voice of the True Shepherd?

What rule might help you remove those blocks to Inner Peace?