Monasteries of the Heart

New to lectio? Click the graphic at left to view a short video on lectio.

Click here for a written explanation of how to do lectio.

Photo Lectio

Click the photo to do lectio with this photo and psalm verse.

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God is the friend of silence.
Trees, flowers, grass grow in silence.
See the stars, moon, and sun,
how they move in silence.

  Mother Teresa

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Poetry Lectio

Poem by Ikkyu

Every day, priests minutely examine the Law
And endlessly chant complicated sutras.
Before doing that, though, they should learn
How to read the love letters sent by the wind
and rain, the snow and moon.
~ Ikkyu ~

Learn more about this poet
May 11, 2012
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Pray this Poem

Read this poem, aloud if possible.
Ask: What is this poem saying?

Read the poem again.
Ask: What is this poem saying to me?

Read the poem again.
Ask: What do I want to say to God through this poem?

Read the poem again.
Ask: What difference might this poem make in my life?

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Books for Lectio

What book have you read that helped you to see with the eyes of God? In 200 words or less tell why you recommend this book — non-fiction, novels, poetry, memoirs — to members of Monasteries of the Heart.

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The Zen Teachings of Jesus
Cloth of Veronica - 12th century, Cathedral of the Dormition, Moscow
By Kenneth S. Leong
Why I recommend this book:

I could not put this book down. Leong opens up the sayings of Jesus in a fresh and inspiring way. He sees the poet and artist in Jesus and uses the basic elements of Zen: presence, ordinariness, zest , ease, gentleness, freedom, simplicity, and paradox - to emphasize the sage and wisdom teacher that He was. We recognize a Jesus that brings joy and fun to His way of seeing the world. We find in this book a 'lost dimension' of Jesus, one that helps us practice an everyday spitituality.

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Recommended by: Anita
May 15, 2012

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Cloth of Veronica - 12th century, Cathedral of the Dormition, Moscow
An Altar in the World

Group Lectio with Scripture

Lectio divina is the holy reading and listening to Scripture that is a daily practice for all Benedictines and central to our prayer life. Use the steps at below to do group lectio with Psalm 1.

Psalm 1
Blessed are the man and woman
Who have grown beyond their greed
And have put an end to hatred
And no longer nourish illusions.
 
But they delight in the way things are
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
 
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
 
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.

—translation by Stephen Mitchell,
from A Book of Psalms, Harper Collins, 1993

Step One
Read a Psalm or passage from Scripture out loud, with a different reader for each stanza. Read it slowly and reflectively, pausing briefly between each stanza. Sit with the reading in silence for a brief period of time before moving on.

Step Two
Read the same Psalm or passage out loud again, with a different reader for each stanza. Read it slowly and reflectively, pausing briefly between each stanza. One by one, share the word or phrase from the reading that meant the most to you, that moved you or touched your soul.

 Step Three
Read the same Psalm or passage again out loud, with a different reader for each stanza. Read it slowly and reflectively, pausing briefly between each stanza. One by one, explain why the word or phrase that you selected as the one meant the most to you, or moved you or touched your soul.

Step Four
Read the same Psalm or passage out loud one more time, with a different reader for each stanza. Read it slowly and reflectively, pausing briefly between each stanza. One by one, explain what you believe is God’s message for you today as you reflect on the word or phrase that meant the most to you, or moved you or touched your soul.