Lectio Divina: In theory and practice

Once in an interview, the Daili Lama was asked to name the single most important skill of a spiritual master. One might think that a spiritual master needs to have half of the Bible memorized or spend the majority of time in prayer. However, the Daili Lama said just two words…”daily habits.” A spiritual master first masters himself.

At first glance it might appear that being overweight is a problem but seen from a spiritual perspective it could be the mechanism by which you will develop a closer relationship with God.  That would mean that being overweight is a blessing! No, I’m not kidding.  Consider all of the times you interact with food or in some cases—need to eat but don’t. If each of those instances were turned into a spiritual activity in which you are honoring your Body by mindfully eating healthy life-giving foods, think of all of all those additional moments that your thoughts would be turned toward God. Moments that were causing your problem are now providing a blessing.

The Lectio Divina is theoretically a means to provide your mind with a task. In theory, if you continue to associate eating with the sacred scripture, eventually eating and devotion will become linked in your mind. As I said, this is the theory. The actual practice, is another thing.  This week your assignment was to choose a version of the first Beatitude from one of the seven Greek translations from the website or from one of the 6 Aramaic interpretations found on page 47 of the book “Prayers of the Cosmos.” You were to then bring that verse to the practice of Lectio Divina throughout the day.

In order to be really connected to your version of the  Beatitude, you have to remember to practice the Moments of the Lectio Divina when you eat anything during one of the four time periods (before 10:00, 10:00-2:00, 2:00-6:00 and after 6:00). In order to remember that practice you have to mindful and attentive. In order to be mindful and attentive you need a slower mind not a busy, frantic, racing to the next thing mind. 

How do you slow your mind down when half the time you are eating at your desk or in the car or standing up by the sink or forgetting to eat all together because you are so busy. That’s the problem and that’s the practice. The practice becomes allowing the times of the day- when you eat your four meals and two snacks -to become an oasis of calm and quiet—even if the calm only lasts for two minutes.

The practice of Lectio Divina is just that, practice. It is the practice of being present to only what is happening when you are eating and thinking of your verse. And like any other skill the more dedication and commitment you bring to the practice sessions the better your game will be.