The Right Conduct at the Assembly of Friends
We should know that “Two is the least plural.” This means that if two friends sit together and contemplate how to enhance the importance of the Creator, they already have the strength to receive enhancement of the greatness of the Creator in the form of awakening from below. And for this act, the awakening from above follows, and they begin to have some sensation of the greatness of the Creator.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“The Agenda of the Assembly”
When they gather, what should they discuss? First, the goal must be clear to everyone—this gathering must yield the result of love of friends, that each of the friends will be awakened to love the other, which is called “love of others.” However, this is only a result. To beget this lovely offspring, actions must be taken to produce the love.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“What to Look For in the Assembly of Friends”
When they gather, each of them should think that he has now come for the purpose of annulling self-love. It means that he will not consider how to satisfy his will to receive now, but will think as much as possible only of the love of others. This is the only way to acquire the desire and the need to acquire a new quality, called “the will to bestow.”
And from love of friends, one can reach love of the Creator, meaning wanting to give contentment to the Creator. It turns out that only in this does one obtain a need and understanding that bestowing is important and necessary, and this comes to him through love of friends.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“Love of Friends”
The beginning of the assembly, meaning the beginning of the discussions, which is the beginning of the assembly, should be about the praise of the society. Each and everyone must try to provide reasons and explanations to their merit and importance. They should speak of nothing but the praise of society.
Finally, its praise should be disclosed by all the friends. Then they should say, “Now we are through with stage one of the assembly of friends, and stage two begins.” Then each will state his mind about the actions we can take so that each and everyone will be able to acquire the love of friends. In other words, what each person can do to acquire love in his heart for each and everyone in the society.
And once stage two is completed—which is suggestions regarding what can be done in favor of society—begins stage three. This concerns carrying out of the friends’ decisions about what should be done.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“The Agenda of the Assembly”