the quaker glossary

by Kelley Still, Communications Associate seasoning

When difficult decisions must be made, it is the Quaker way to incorporate the process of “seasoning” in which decisionmaking is deferred for reflection and to allow for residual unease or discomfort to surface.

Through this thoughtful process, love and unity are preserved and the decisions made are no longer viewed as victories or defeats. With this in mind, Friends are able to move forward with joy and confidence in an inclusive, profoundly respectful community.

In the event that the final decision goes against what one initially proposes, as long as seasoning has taken place as an integral part of the process, rather than feeling rejected or opposed, the additional time to ruminate on a particularly difficult decision eases the transition and allows one to find peace with the outcome, ensuring all considerations have been taken into account and all thoughts and stances have been respectfully acknowledged and considered.

“I love the term seasoning,” says Head of School Pankti Sevak, herself a veteran Quaker administrator. “When I learned to cook from my grandmother, she taught me how to use my senses to season a dish. Her measurements were never accurate, or measured, but instead, it was literally a little of this and a little of that. I never used a timer, but I learned to feel for a texture to note when the cooking was ‘done.’ Seasoning was an art much more than a science. Seasoning in Quaker decision making is kind of the same. While we may have a sense of something we want to do, it’s equally important to know that these decisions are made with the community in mind. Seasoning makes our decisions better- it strengthens them. Seasoning gives us an opportunity to appreciate a problem from multiple perspectives when we remain open to listening. Seasoning sharpens the decision and can help to build confidence and understanding, especially when tensions naturally arise. Seasoning centers inclusion, participation and the collective wisdom of our community. Seasoning enables unity and assumes that we will do better work together, when we are clear on our shared purpose.” •