This meditation is inspired by the practice of Lectio Divina, or divine reading, which
comes from the Benedictine tradition. While I give you a brief overview of the five steps,
ready yourself for meditation by insuring that your positioned in a way which allows
you to feel supported without distraction… and begin to bring your attention inward.
During the first step, I will read a passage from Dr. Ernest Holmes; during the second
step, you'll contemplate or ponder that passage; in the third step, you'll have an opportunity
to pray or commune with the Divine as you understand it, in the fourth step, you'll
simply meditate or listen to whatever might arise for you, and in the fifth step, you'll
take a moment to consider how you might move into action based on this experience. Don't
worry about remembering all of this. I'll walk you through each step.
Let us begin.
Step 1 Simply listen to the following passage inspired
by the writing of Dr. Ernest Holmes. I'll read it three times. The intent is not to
listen intellectually… not to figure it out or to analyze it, but simply to listen
and be aware of words or phrases that stand out or seem to be particularly relevant to
you. Simply listen and be aware.
Divine Beloved … thou art the center and circumference
of my life, The beginningless and endless part of me,
The eternal Reality of me; The everlasting Power within me;
The eternal Good working through me; The infinite Love impelling me;
The limitless Peace and Calm within me; The Joy of the Soul and the Light of the Spirit,
illumining me. Divine Beloved, eternal and forever blessed,
Thou art the whole of my being!
Divine Beloved … thou art the center and circumference
of my life, The beginningless and endless part of me,
The eternal Reality of me; The everlasting Power within me;
The eternal Good working through me; The infinite Love impelling me;
The limitless Peace and Calm within me; The Joy of the Soul and the Light of the Spirit,
illumining me. Divine Beloved, eternal and forever blessed,
Thou art the whole of my being!
Divine Beloved … thou art the center and circumference
of my life, The beginningless and endless part of me,
The eternal Reality of me; The everlasting Power within me;
The eternal Good working through me; The infinite Love impelling me;
The limitless Peace and Calm within me; The Joy of the Soul and the Light of the Spirit,
illumining me. Divine Beloved, eternal and forever blessed,
Thou art the whole of my being!
Step 2 The second step involves contemplating or
pondering the part or parts that stood out for you: it is an active reflecting on what
resonates with you. As you contemplate you can consider: “What does this part say to
me? How is this word or phrase relevant to me now.”
Step 3 The third step involves prayer. This prayer
can take whatever form you are most comfortable and familiar with. The intent is one of connection,
communion or loving conversation with the Divine in whatever way you understand that.
It can also be thought of entering into the embrace of that which you hold sacred.
Step 4 The forth step simply involves a time of being
open… being in stillness and open to whatever might arise in the form of insight or revelation;
it can be thought of as an active listening; a willingness to receive. If nothing specific
arises in your awareness, that is perfectly fine.
Step 5 The final step involves considering how you
will put what you have realized form this experience into action in your life. Consider
the question: "How am I called to carry this forward and put this into practice in my life?"…
"Based on this experience, what am I being called to become or to do."
This concludes our time together. Be at peace.