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The Christian Contemplative Tradition | Contemplative Outreach Ltd.

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By the middle of 19th century, the historical critical approach to biblical analysis which had started over a century earlier, and focused on determining the historicity of gospel episodes, had taken away some of the emphasis on spreading Lectio Divina outside monastic communities. In , one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council , the dogmatic constitution Dei verbum "Word of God" emphasized the use of Lectio Divina.

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I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina: Dei verbum , n. One condition for Lectio Divina is that the mind and heart be illumined by the Holy Spirit, that is, by the same Spirit who inspired the Scriptures, and that they be approached with an attitude of "reverential hearing". Since the latter part of the 20th century, the popularity of Lectio Divina has increased outside monastic circles and many lay Catholics, as well as some Protestants, practice it, at times keeping a "Lectio journal" in which they record their thoughts and contemplations after each session.

Historically, Lectio Divina has been a "community practice" performed by monks in monasteries. Although it can be taken up individually, its community element should not be forgotten. Lectio Divina has been likened to "feasting on the Word": Although a passage may be repeated a few times, Lectio Divina is not essentially repetitive in nature.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. The first step is the reading of Scripture. In order to achieve a calm and tranquil state of mind, preparation before Lectio Divina is recommended. The biblical basis for the preparation goes back to 1 Corinthians 2: Following the preparation the first movement of Lectio Divina is slow and gradual reading of the scriptural passage, perhaps several times.

The attentive reading begins the process through which a higher level of understanding can be achieved. Although Lectio Divina involves reading, it is less a practice of reading than one of listening to the inner message of the Scripture delivered through the Holy Spirit. It does not treat Scripture as text to be studied, but as the " Living Word ". The second movement in Lectio Divina thus involves meditating upon and pondering on the scriptural passage.

When the passage is read, it is generally advised not to try to assign a meaning to it at first, but to wait for the action of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the mind, as the passage is pondered upon.


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The English word ponder comes from the Latin pondus which relates to the mental activity of weighing or considering. To ponder on the passage that has been read, it is held lightly and gently considered from various angles. Again, the emphasis is not on analysis of the passage but to keep the mind open and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire a meaning for it.

An example passage may be the statement by Jesus during the Last Supper in John An analytical approach would focus on why Jesus said that, the fact that it was said at the Last Supper, and the context within the biblical episode. Other theological analysis may follow, e. However, these theological analyses are generally avoided in Lectio Divina , where the focus is on Christ as the key that interprets the passage and relates it to the meditator.

So rather than "dissecting peace" in an analytical manner, the practitioner of Lectio Divina "enters peace" and shares the peace of Christ. The focus will thus be on achieving peace via a closer communion with God rather than a biblical analysis of the passage. Similar other passages may be "Abide in my love", "I am the Good Shepherd", etc.

The Christian Contemplative Tradition

In the Christian tradition, prayer is understood as dialogue with God, that is, as loving conversation with God who has invited us into an embrace. The constitution Dei verbum which endorsed Lectio Divina for the general public, as well as in monastic settings, quoted Saint Ambrose on the importance of prayer in conjunction with Scripture reading and stated: And let them remember that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that God and man may talk together; for "we speak to Him when we pray; we hear Him when we read the divine saying.

Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the importance of using Lectio Divina and prayers on Scripture as a guiding light and a source of direction and stated: It should never be forgotten that the Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. This state is not the suspension of all activity, but the reduction of many acts and reflections to a single act or thought in order to sustain one's consent to God's presence and action. In this traditional understanding, contemplation, or contemplative prayer, is not something that can be achieved through will, but rather is God's gift.

It is the opening of mind and heart - one's whole being - to God.


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Contemplative prayer is a process of interior transformation. It is a relationship initiated by God and leading, if one consents, to divine union. Contemplative prayer is by no means a modern addition to Christianity.

Divine contemplation

Contemplative Christian prayer has representatives in every age. A form of contemplative prayer was first practiced and taught by the Desert Fathers of Egypt, Palestine and Syria including Evagrius, St. In the Middle Ages, St. Bernard of Clarivaux, William of St.