Introducing The Art of Sacred Reading
The world is Love's pure mirror clear/
To eyes when free from clouds within.
With Love's own eyes, the Mirror view/
And there see The Divine, to self, akin.
--Rumi
Sacred Reading
This course teaches the ancient practice of lectio divina (sacred reading) translated for modern times. Lectio divina cultivates a state of openness, being-with, and deeper immersion into a text. It allows the text to touch our hearts--whether the text is a poem, the writing of a mystic, a painting, a song, a dream, or the events of one's day (all explored in the course). Lectio works by repetition. By deepening into the same text over and over, the text speaks to different aspects of our being, especially our heart. It is not an intellectual study but rather a communing with the depths of a text. Lectio nurtures our ability to deeply listen, to appreciate beauty in the ordinary, and to feel aligned to the mystery of Life. The practice of Lectio Divina is a potent form of medicine for our distracted and overly busy lives by inviting us into the grace of silence, mystery, and settled ease. This class is non-denominational and open to sincere practitioners from any spiritual lineage or path.
Course Curriculum
Attune To Beauty
Learn the process of lectio which softens our being and attunes us to beauty all around in the story of our lives.
Listen from The Heart
Invite a deeper, quieter space within to be touched by the words of poets, mystics, and sacred scripture.
Rest in Silent Presence
Learn how Lectio leads to greater silence and serenity within.
About The Facilitator
Chris Dierkes was raised in the mystical tradition of Christianity. It is there that he learned the process of Lectio Divina. He has spent years taking the distilled wisdom of Lectio and learning to share it with others in their own spiritual traditions, paths, and lineages.
Key Takeaways
What You'll Learn
The ancient practice of Lectio Divina for the contemporary age.
The steps to Lectio Divina which move through our the layers of mind, emotion, and soul.
How to apply the steps of Lectio to other kinds of texts--paintings, scenes of natural beauty, music, dream content, and the daily events of life.
What You'll Receive
3 videos explaining the history, goals, and steps of the practice of Lectio Divina, distilled down and translated for contemporary spiritual practitioners.
2 Audio Guided Meditations walking you the practice of Lectio Divina. One with a text selected by me (from Zen Master Dogen) and one where you select the text you wish to explore.
A further guided audio meditation leading you through a lectio of your day (aka the examen).
Lectio Without Words
Learn how the rhythm and practice of Lectio can be applied to many media other traditional words: e.g. a painting, a photograph, a scene in nature, a song, and even the events of your daily life.