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It’s one of the most foundational, beautiful, and sometimes puzzling phrases you’ll hear when discussing Friends education and the values of Media-Providence Friends School (MPFS): "the Inner Light" What does it truly mean?

What is the Essence of "the Light"?

The simplest way to think about it is this: it refers to the belief that every person—regardless of background, belief, or behavior—possesses an inherent divine light, a spark of the sacred, or a core of fundamental worth.

• Is it the part of God in us? Yes.
• Is it the part of us that connects us all? Also yes.

Some people might ask, "Can't we just call it the 'good' in people?" While it includes goodness, the phrase "the Inner Light" or "That of God" goes deeper. It implies something transcendent—something that makes us not just inherently good, but inherently connected. This shared divine light is the reason Friends believe we are all part of each other.

A Note on Language: Understanding "the Inner Light" in an Inclusive Community

At Media-Providence Friends School (MPFS), we are proud that our students and families come from a diverse array of backgrounds, faiths, and spiritual traditions—many of whom are not affiliated with the Friends faith or organized religion.

As a lifelong Friend, and employee of MPFS for 15 years, I recognize that the word "God" may be uncomfortable or off-putting to some. When Friends use the phrase "Inner Light" or "That of God in everyone," we are pointing to an experience, not a dogma. You can easily substitute the word "God" or "Light" with a term that resonates more personally, such as:

• A Sacred Spark
• The Core of Goodness
• Fundamental Worth
• Inherent Potential

The central, non-negotiable idea is that every human being is intrinsically worthy of respect, love, and attention. This principle is not a religious test; it is a shared human value that drives our educational approach. This belief that something universally good and connecting exists within all of us is what makes a Friends education welcoming to everyone.

How Does This Belief Shape Our Lives and School?

This core spiritual truth provides the foundation for the other Friends values that we practice at MPFS:

• Peace: If every person carries a divine light, how can one raise a hand against someone who shares the same sacred spark? The belief in "That of God in everyone" makes war, violence, and even bullying fundamentally unacceptable.
• Community and Equality: We honor the light within every person equally. This compels us to seek genuine connection, listen deeply, and reject discrimination.
• Simplicity and Integrity: Living in the light means living honestly and authentically.

A Charge to "Walk Cheerfully Over the World"

The founder of the Society of Friends, George Fox, gave his followers a powerful mission that summarizes this concept:

"Be patterns, be examples... that your life and conduct may preach among all sorts of people... Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one..."

Fox sent early Friends out not to convert others, but to find and speak to that common light within every person they met. By acknowledging the divine in others, our own inner light grows stronger.

This is the meaning of "Letting Your Lives Speak." It means:

1. Be an example of how to live when you walk in the light.
2. Look for the best in every person you encounter.
3. Hold high expectations for yourself and others, knowing that the divine light makes excellence and goodness possible.

The beautiful outcome Fox promised? That by living this way, we "will come to walk cheerfully over the world." This is a profoundly hopeful message—a call to live with optimism, seeking the sacred connection in all, rather than focusing on fear or doom. It’s an approach that truly sets Friends education apart. -- Teacher Claire Wilson, Registrar