Dear Friends: What are the stages of silent worship which lead to the unity of a Collected or Gathered Meeting? The first stage is Settling into Worship, though not so comfortably that one has a hard time keeping awake. Focus on what is going on within, rather than distractions. This is known as Centering and includes awareness of similarly minded worshippers.
The experience of worshipful unity can include awareness of an entire Meeting being Collected or Gathered. It has also been described as the Presence in the Midst or even as the living Christ.
Roger Weaver, Corvallis Friends Meeting (OR, NPYM)