God, the "Great Iconoclast."
  • Alma Turner
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    • Step 1: Humility >
      • Step One Questions
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Simple Directions for LECTIO DIVINA and Centering Prayer

Lectio Divina

"Lectio Divina is that wonderful Christian, monastic practice of deeply reading, ingesting, pondering, meditating, sitting in the presence of small bits of sacred text until the thing breaks open in your heart." 
- Cynthia Bourgeault


Directions
The process below is derived from those published on Busted Halo.com. 

Prepare
To tune in, maybe light a candle, not because it’s necessary, but because the flame and fragrance are calming. Maybe pray something like, “God, let me hear from you.” 

Lectio
(Read)
Read the passage. This first reading is an opportunity to get to know the passage, listening carefully for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. It’s important not to force things, but rather watch for what resonates.

Meditatio
(Reflect)
 Re-read and reflect on those words or phrases that resonate or "jump out".
Avoid slipping into “study mode” rather than listening to what God might be saying. Maybe ask, "God, make your message to me clear."

Oratio
(Respond) 
Maybe record thoughts in a journal, talk with a partner or small group of friends, or have an honest conversation with God, an important form of prayer.

Contemplatio
(Rest)
Lastly, spend a little time in silence, sitting quietly, allowing God to work. When the mind starts to wander and dart here and there, bring it gently back to stillness again. Contemplation can be broken down into "con" and "temple" or "get with the temple, the temple within."
​Personally, I often close by thanking God for the experience and then... go about my day.
Further into Lectio Divina
Centering Prayer

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
- Matthew 6:6

"Centering prayer is consenting and surrendering to God. The spiritual journey does not require going anywhere because God is already present and within us." 
- Thomas Keating, ("Open Mind, Open Heart" page20)


Directions
The process below is derived from "Contemplative Outreach" whose link is provided and Thomas Keating's "Open Heart, Open Mind." 


Get Comfortable
Choose a time, posture, and place that work for you and are peaceful. (For example, in the early morning, seated on a pillow on the floor by a window.)


Close Your Eyes
"Choose a sacred word that expresses your intention of opening, consenting and surrendering to God's presence." - Thomas Keating (For example, "shalom," "spirit," "freedom," "wisdom," "center," "open," "presence...")


Return to the Sacred
"Gently place your sacred word in your awareness when you begin and each time you recognize you are thinking about some other thought."  Father Keating likens the sacred word to "prayer hands,"  though an inner gesture of directing our consciousness towards God.

Gently Close
At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. Gently open your eyes.


Further Into Centering Prayer
Picture
  • Alma Turner
    • Alma Turner
    • Site Overview
    • Alma's Blessings
  • 12 Steps
    • Step 1: Humility >
      • Step One Questions
    • Step 2: Hope
    • Step 3: Faith
    • Step 4: Honesty
    • Step 5: Trust
    • Step 6: Willingness
    • Step 7: Surrender
    • Step 8: Forgiveness
    • Step 9: Justice >
      • Amend White to Black
    • Step 10: Perseverance >
      • Fear Watch
    • Step 11: Contact
    • Step 12: Service
  • Poems, Prayers, Music
    • Beloved Poems by Others >
      • I Stand at the Door by Sam Shoemaker
      • The Guest House by Rumi
      • The Invitation by Oriah
    • Poems
    • Poems Early 2021
    • Poems September 2021
    • Poems October 2021
    • Scratch Paper Poems
    • Parables and Songs
    • clay haiku
    • Big Book Prayers
    • Prayers by Me
    • Music >
      • Roberta Flack
      • Marvin Gaye
  • more
    • Rowdy Beauties >
      • Rowdy Beauties Bible Study N'awlins
      • Rowdy Beauties Bible Study Zoom
      • Rowdy Beauties Resouces >
        • Resources for Chapters 1-4
    • The Gospel of Thomas
    • Genesis >
      • High Priest
      • Jacob is Israel.
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 23, 46, 91, 139
      • Psalms 121, 1, and 32
    • Prophets >
      • Isaiah 30
      • Isaiah 54
      • Jeremiah 31:31-35
    • Jesus >
      • Brown or Black
      • Teacher
      • Son of Man
      • Activist
      • High Priest
      • Innocent
      • Lynched
      • Alive
      • Sayings >
        • Sayings 1-3
        • Sayings 4-6
        • Sayings 7-9
        • Sayings 10-12
        • Sayings 13-15
        • Sayings 16-18
        • Sayings 19-21
        • Sayings 22-24
        • Sayings 25-27
        • Sayings 28-30
        • Sayings 31-33
        • Sayings 34-36
        • Sayings 37, 38, 39
        • Sayings 40, 41, 42
        • Sayings 43, 44, 45
        • Sayings 46, 47, 48
        • Sayings 49, 50, 51
        • Sayings 52, 53, 54
        • Sayings 55, 56, 57
        • Sayings 58, 59, 60
        • Sayings 61, 62, 63
        • Sayings 64, 65, 66
        • Sayings 73, 74, 75
        • Sayings 76, 77, 78
        • Sayings 100, 101, 102
        • Sayings 103, 104, 105
        • Sayings 106, 107, 108
        • Sayings 109, 110, 111
        • Sayings 112, 113, 114
    • Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer
    • Fasting
    • Books!
    • 12 White Steps
    • The Circle and Triangle
    • The Symbol
    • Blog
    • Frederick Douglas
    • Preparations