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COURSE

The Sacred Art Of Lectio Divina

With Mark Gladman

Reading is more often than not an intellectual activity. But what if there were a way to allow the Divine Presence to speak deeply to our lives through sacred and spiritual texts? Enter the ancient, monastic exercise of Lectio Divina or "Divine Reading". In this course, Benedictine monastic, Br Frederick-James, walks you step-by-step through this ages old process of reading as a prayerful act. No matter what your faith background (or none), you will find much that will speak to your deepest self through engaging in the sacred art of Lectio Divina.

The transformative act of contemplative prayerful reading.

11 Days

1.1k students

5.0 stars

11 min / day

English

About this course

Lectio Divina

Values-Driven Action Practice

Meet your Teacher

Mark Gladman

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Queensland, Australia

Mark Gladman (aka the Monk In Docs), or Br Frederick-James to his Benedictine community, is a teacher of spirituality walking with people who are deconstructing and/or reconstructing their understanding of God and faith with a broader, more inclusive and open-minded view. Mark has been in Christian ministry for over 30 years and holds degrees in theology, divinity, Biblical studies, social work, and spirituality. He was received into his monastic community in 2016. Today his work encompasses creating resources and providing spiritual direction/mentorship to help people all over the world recapture the joy of their spiritual life, deepen their relationship with God, the world, and themselves, embrace true freedom in their beliefs, and learn to play within their spiritual life again as they explore who they are and their place in the world.

View Profile

11 Days

1.1k students

5.0 stars

11 min / day

English

Lesson 1

Lesson 1: Defining Lectio Divina

In this lesson, we will begin by defining what Lectio Divina is, and how the acts of "Divine" or "Sacred" reading as prayer differs from reading as an intellectual pursuit. When reading is for prayer, what does that look like?

Lesson 2

Lesson 2: What Should I Read?

Choosing a book for the purposes of Lectio Divina is very different from choosing a book for other purposes. In this lesson we will discuss how you might go about making choices for what to read as you engage in this prayerful act.

Lesson 3

Lesson 3: Space And Place

The beauty of Lectio Divina is that it is incredibly portable. But there are some benefits that come from making a particular space, place, and time for engaging in Lectio. In this lesson, we will discuss the pros and cons of "anywhere" versus "always here"; and look at how you set your space up for the best benefit from your practice.

Lesson 4

Lesson 4: Movement 1 - Lectio

Now that you have chosen your text and your space/place, it is now time to begin. To "begin by reading" sounds elementary, but Lectio is a special kind of reading...

Lesson 5

Lesson 5: Movement 2 - Meditatio

The Spirit has drawn out a word, or phrase, or idea from the text for you. Now what? In this lesson, we begin the process of allowing what will become the focus of our time in Lectio Divina to begin to take root through the movement of Meditatio.

Lesson 6

Lesson 6: Movement 3 - Oratio

Oratio is the movement in which the prayer begins to deepen as a dialogue takes place: a dialogue with your mind and a dialogue with God. In this lesson, we consider what this conversation looks like and how it plays out.

Lesson 7

Lesson 7: Movement 4 - Contemplatio

Contemplatio is the posture we take as a way of allowing the previous three movements to take root in our hearts. In this lesson, we consider the shape of those postures and how they might help us to allow our prayer to begin to change us.

Lesson 8

Lesson 8: Movement 5 - Operatio

Although intended by those who originally practiced Lectio Divina, Operatio has become a more formalised part of Lectio in more recent years. In this lesson we consider why intentional "Operatio" will ensure that we make the most of our time in Lectio Divina.

Lesson 9

Lesson 9: "The Flow"

Following the traditional "stages" of Lectio can take away that flow that happens when we become more apt at this prayerful reading practice. In this piece of prose, listen to the way in which the movements of Lectio Divina flow into and across each other and become more like the waves of the sea than the steps up a ladder.

Lesson 10

Lesson 10: Here To From Here? - Thirst, Faith, Transformation

My love of Lectio and my daily urge to practice this discipline comes down to an internal thirst in which my heartfelt desire is for God. As we conclude our time learning about the sacred art of Lectio Divina, I share three thoughts from the mind of Australian Cistercian monk, Fr. Michael Casey, which give language to this yearning. I hope they will also inspire you as you pursue the practice of Lectio Divina.

Lesson 11

Bonus: Guided Lectio Divina Contemplation Audio

As a way to help you become more confident in your practice, this Lectio Divina contemplation audio has guiding commentary from Mark that will help you move through each of the stages as you reflect on a sacred text that will challenge you to consider your spiritual practices in general.