The second monastic discipline is Lectio Divina which literally means divine reading. A more accurate understanding of this practice, however, is listening to "the word which comes from the mouth of God." It is a flexible rhythm of prayer, a loving communion with God through a text that a monk hears read or reads himself. Every monk engages in this exercise every day, even if it is only for a short time.
This practice begins with seeking out a quiet place where one is free of all distractions, taking a few moments to be still, calming the restlessness that comes with the day's many activities, and finally, raising the heart and mind to God in prayer. This prayer is not so much one of praying that God becomes present to the monk for God is present to all people at all times, but rather it is a prayer seeking the grace to become truly present to God.
Once centered in God, the monk chooses a reading (lectio) from the sacred scripture, perhaps from that day's liturgy, or some other reading of a spiritual nature. This reading is approached more with the heart than the head and is generally no longer than a chapter. More often, however, it is limited to a page, a paragraph, or even a sentence.
What follows is meditation, or inner listening. This allows God's word to sink deeply into the heart where it speaks to the monk. It is a time for being, not thinking. Rather than engaging in analytical reflection, the monk simply invites God's word to form in his own heart as he is at that given moment in his life.
Remaining centered in God, the monk may be drawn into deeper union, a state of contemplation, a state without thought or word, a state of being open to God's presence within.
This practice begins with seeking out a quiet place where one is free of all distractions, taking a few moments to be still, calming the restlessness that comes with the day's many activities, and finally, raising the heart and mind to God in prayer. This prayer is not so much one of praying that God becomes present to the monk for God is present to all people at all times, but rather it is a prayer seeking the grace to become truly present to God.
Once centered in God, the monk chooses a reading (lectio) from the sacred scripture, perhaps from that day's liturgy, or some other reading of a spiritual nature. This reading is approached more with the heart than the head and is generally no longer than a chapter. More often, however, it is limited to a page, a paragraph, or even a sentence.
What follows is meditation, or inner listening. This allows God's word to sink deeply into the heart where it speaks to the monk. It is a time for being, not thinking. Rather than engaging in analytical reflection, the monk simply invites God's word to form in his own heart as he is at that given moment in his life.
Remaining centered in God, the monk may be drawn into deeper union, a state of contemplation, a state without thought or word, a state of being open to God's presence within.
