Lectio Divina
In Lectio Divina you work intensely with a short scriptural passage in four steps: (1) read (2) reflect (3) verbalize (4) and rest. Lectio Divina is not an academic exercise; you are not dissecting or analyzing a passage, but are instead entering into it with your imagination.
Use your imagination
If this is your first time visiting this website, the name is Head Heart Hara. The Head communicates through language and logic, but you are now in the Hara section, and the Hara (or gut) communicates through metaphor, symbol, and imagination. Essentially, lectio is reading with your imagination.
The premise behind lectio is that scripture is the living word, so when you engage in it deeply, it will offer you real life insights. People who do lectio divina regularly are amazed at how often they are led to exactly what they need to hear.
Select a passage from a sacred text
Traditionally monks only use the Bible when they practice lectio divina, but it can be done with any sacred text from any spiritual tradition. Religious texts such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Tao Te Ching, or the Upanishads produce wonderful results, as do non-religious texts, like the writings of Rumi, the Epic of Gilgamesh, or the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Keep in mind that although lectio can be used with other texts, it is essentially a Christian practice, so the Bible should be the mainstay of your lectio divina. When selecting a text make sure that’s not too long. One or two short paragraphs are ideal, although a single sentence will work just as well.
Begin by tuning in
Find a comfortable place to sit where you won’t be disturbed. Light a candle or burn some incense you want to set the mood; this step is of course entirely optional. Take a few moments to let go of any worries or thoughts going around in your head. Then say a short prayer of invitation, something like, “Dear God, thank you for letting me hear from you through (name of the passage).”
1. Lectio ~ Read
There are two ways to read: legere ~ the usual quick way where our aim is to access as much information as we can in the shortest time, and lectio ~ a slow contemplative and meditative way reading where the purpose is to deeply contemplate a short text. Today we will be doing lectio.
Read the following passage slowly and, if possible, aloud. As your eyes move over the page, allow yourself to be drawn to a sentence, a phrase, or even a single word that piques your interest.
Let’s use Matthew 19-20 KJV. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
Which words were you drawn to? Perhaps it was, “looking up to heaven” or “they all did eat,” or perhaps “multitude?”
2. Meditatio ~ Reflect
Read the passage a second time, and as you read, dwell on the word or phrase that stood out to you. Allow the word or phrase to wash over you and permeate your thoughts and feelings. Don’t slip into “head mode” and trying to analyze the passage. Simply allow your imagination, your memory and your emotions to begin to work with the passage.
Each time something a bit different will happen. Sometimes the passage might trigger a memory from your life. At other times it might confuse you or make you angry. Occasionally, it might bring you joy. See if you can figure out why.
At this stage you might want to role play one of the characters. Imagine yourself as one of the people eating the bread and fish. How did the fish taste? What did you say to say to the disciple when he handed you the bread?
3. Oratio ~ Pray, speak, verbalize
The Latin word "oratio" means to orate, speak, hold a discourse, pontificate, preach, sermonize, sound off, spout off, and to pray. Read the text a third time. What feelings do the words raise up? What do they say to you?
Let the feelings happen. Sit with them quietly and see if they want to shape themselves into a prayer. You might discover, for example, that the words, "they were filled” express your desire to be nourishing and nurtured. Or perhaps Jesus looking up to heaven mirrored your need to look up to a higher source.
4. Contemplatio ~ contemplate, resting
Read the text a final time. As you do, let go of the word or phrase. The final step in lectio divina is traditionally described as "resting in God." Imagine you’ve just eaten a satisfying meal and now it’s time sit back, relax, and let the meal digest. In the same way, at this stage of lectio you let go of all mental and emotional activity and simply "rest." The digestive work of the Hara goes on beneath the level of your conscious mind.
After 10 to 30 minutes get up and go about your day. The words and images of lectio will continue to percolate beneath the surface of your day, shaping what you see and do in ways you could never have imagined.
I’m Dr. Rodger Douglas, DMH, a South African-born homeopath now based in Osaka, Japan. With a psychology degree from Nelson Mandela University and a diploma from the Hahnemann College of Heilkunst, I specialize in holistic care for fibromyalgia. I serve clients by phone or video across the US, Canada, the UK, and beyond, shipping remedies directly from Japan.