my soul is quiet within me

This is a painting I did (based on one I saw on google images) inspired by the Lectio Divina experience I mentioned previously. It is based on Psalm 131 'as a child lies quiet in its mother's arms so my soul is quiet within me' There is something about 'divine reading' that has the effect of stilling the soul. It is about resting. I wrote a blog before about Lectio Divina as the ladder of monks - and the sense of ascending into God's presence.

The following are some of the materials we used in our sacred:space evening

"Lectio divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by our Rule. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. In this way we shall put into practice the Apostle Paul’s commandment, which is mentioned in our Rule: “Let the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, live abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever you must do, do it in the name of the Lord.” Carmelite Constitutions (No. 82)

"Lectio Divina", a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk called Guigo, described the stages which he saw as essential to the practice of Lectio Divina. There are various ways of practicing Lectio Divina either individually or in groups but Guigo's description remains fundamental.

He said that the first stage is lectio (reading) where we read the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us. Any passage of Scripture can be used for this way of prayer but the passage should not be too long.

The second stage is meditatio (reflection) where we think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us.

The third stage is oratio (response) where we leave our thinking aside and simply let our hearts speak to God. This response is inspired by our reflection on the Word of God.

The final stage of Lectio Divina is contemplatio (rest) where we let go not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations but also of our holy words and thoughts. We simply rest in the Word of God. We listen at the deepest level of our being to God who speaks within us with a still small voice. As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within.

"To get the full flavor of an herb, it must be pressed between the fingers, so it is the same with the Scriptures; the more familiar they become, the more they reveal their hidden treasures and yield their indescribable riches." John Chrysostom, 347-407
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Lectio Divina: the ladder of Monks

The painting is a version I did of Jacob's dream (based on a pic I saw on the net). It can be seen as an analogy of a spiritual journey and has been used as a metaphor to describe Lectio Divina.... based on the story in Gen 28:12 when Jacob dreamt of a 'stairway to heaven' Read more about Lectio Divina as a ladder with 4 rungs: The ladder of Monks by Guigo the Carthusian

I mentioned sacred:space and my encounter with Psalm 131 through Lectio Divina in a previous post Caroline complied the following instructions - Try them out with one of the suggested passages. The suggestions come from a website soul shepherding

Genesis 18: 1-15; Psalm 23; Psalm 27: 1-6; Psalm 42: 1-8; Psalm 46:1-10; Psalm 63: 1-8; Psalm 84: 1-10; Psalm 131; Isaiah 43: 1-4; Isaiah 53: 4-8; Ezekiel 34: 11-16; Song of Songs 2: 10-14; Matthew 5: 3-12; Luke 6: 37-42; John 1: 1-5; John 14: 9-20; John 15: 1-10; Romans 8: 31-39; 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13; Galatians 5: 22-26; Ephesians 3: 14-21; Revelation 7: 14-17; Revelation 21: 1-7

Firstly, prepare yourself. Get comfortable and allow yourself to become calm and silent. Perhaps focus on your breathing for a few minutes. Submit yourself and the exercise to God.

1) Read the passage through slowly, several times. Be attentive for any words or phrases which particularly connect with you; which seem to be for you today. If you wish, underline or write down the words which have caught your attention

2) Take the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas. Notice any thoughts or feelings which arise during this process.

3) Speak to God. Whether you use words or ideas or images or all three is not important. Offer to Him whatever thoughts, feelings or memories the passage has stirred up in you. This may involve confessing a sin, confronting a struggle or a past hurt, or recognising a longing within yourself.

Allow God’s Spirit and His Word to dialogue with you about the matters you have raised, bringing His acceptance, forgiveness, comfort and healing. Allow Him to inform and transform your ideas and memories.

4) Simply rest in God’s presence, experiencing His love and grace, His joy and peace. You are tasting His goodness. You may have no need for words. You may wish to return to the words of the passage, or to note a particular invitation or affirmation which you sense God is giving you.

Do not worry about assessing the quality of your lectio divina as if you were “performing” or seeking some goal. Lectio divina has no goal other than that of being in the presence of God by praying the Scriptures