Lectio Divina

[StAthanasius]

After readnig Vox's great article on it, I just started to make an attempt at Lectio Divina.

I'm kind of curious, how much time do people usually spend in the different stages?  For a first attempt, it went pretty good, but does anyone have any other practical advice?

[VoxClamantis]

I have no other practical advice to give, but my understanding is that many religious communities take an hour for the entire exercise. That might give you some idea as to how much time to spend on each step (note that only the 4 outlined by Guigo are the classic "4 rungs," the "stairway to Heaven." The "statio" part, though, I think is good to in order to prepare oneself, and the "collatio" step is good if groups engage in Lectio together.)

[StAthanasius]

Yikes!  An hour?  I thought I was doing good with 15 minutes.

I have the attention span of a flea.

[Mark]

Yikes! An hour?  I thought I was doing good with 15 minutes.

I have the attention span of a flea.

 

I confess the very same thing.. ~sigh~

[lumengentleman]

does anyone have any other practical advice?

 

Yes - take notes.  As you are reading and meditating, as you begin to put thoughts together, as questions arise, take copious notes. 

 

You will revisit these notes later and hopefully draw inspiration from them - or you'll run across questions that you've since answered.

 

If you're reading the history books (Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, etc.) or the Gospels, read them a story at a time.  Ignore the somewhat artificial chapter and verse headings.  For example, if you're reading through Exodus, read the story of Moses' infancy first, which actually runs from chapter 1 into mid-chapter 2; or if you're reading John 6, there's no need to read the whole chapter - just read the story of the feeding of the 5,000, and the next day read the story of Jesus walking on the water, then read the bread of life discourse the next day.

 

If you're having trouble making out the literal and allegorical meanings, ask for help; that's what this forum is for.  The moral application is somewhat more personal, but you do need a good literal/allegorical understanding in order to make a good personal moral application.

[StAthanasius]

Yes - take notes.  As you are reading and meditating, as you begin to put thoughts together, as questions arise, take copious notes.  

You will revisit these notes later and hopefully draw inspiration from them - or you'll run across questions that you've since answered.

If you're reading the history books (Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, etc.) or the Gospels, read them a story at a time.  Ignore the somewhat artificial chapter and verse headings.  For example, if you're reading through Exodus, read the story of Moses' infancy first, which actually runs from chapter 1 into mid-chapter 2; or if you're reading John 6, there's no need to read the whole chapter - just read the story of the feeding of the 5,000, and the next day read the story of Jesus walking on the water, then read the bread of life discourse the next day.

If you're having trouble making out the literal and allegorical meanings, ask for help; that's what this forum is for.  The moral application is somewhat more personal, but you do need a good literal/allegorical understanding in order to make a good personal moral application.

Awesome, this is exactly the kind of practical do's and dont's I was looking for.

Do you practice Lection Divina with your family?  If so, how does that work out?

[lumengentleman]

Do you practice Lection Divina with your family?  If so, how does that work out?

I do not ... it's far too difficult with three kids under the age of three.  :-)

 

 

[dsewing02]

 Yikes!  An hour?  I thought I was doing good with 15 minutes.
 
  I have the attention span of a flea.

 Yeah, me too. I'm easily distracted.