Contemplative Practices from Diverse Traditions, Pt. 1: Lectio Divina
When Words Becomes Stillness

Over the last three years, Xavier has been the site of a campus-wide initiative, "Read Today Lead Tomorrow," which aims to enhance the reading culture. Over the same period of time, CAT has promoted a series of sessions on contemplative practices and their role in higher education. Now we are pleased to present a session that combines both of these themes.

Lectio Divina is Latin for "divine reading." It is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer. Thus, Lectio Divina combines reading and contemplation.

We welcome Rev. William Thiele of the School for Contemplative Living who will lead this session.

Participants will will receive a brief introduction to contemplative practice, and the specific practice of Lectio Divina, with a short word about the origin of the practice at least 1500 years ago and an outline of the four phases of the practice. The four phases are lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation/reflection), oratio (speaking/praying/responding), and contemplatio (the gift of oneness/inner stillness). The program will allow for a few minutes to engage the practice.

CAT recognizes and respects the religious diversity of our faculty. Though Lectio Divina has its origins as a Christian practice, Bart Everson (CAT) will suggest alternative approaches compatible with other paths, without needing a formal theological construct or religious ideology. Lectio Divina can then be an example of how contemplation involves opening to simple being, intentionally cultivating mindful presence, surrendering control of inner experience, and allowing intuitive and trans-rational consciousness to emerge.

  • Led by: Rev. William Thiele of the School for Contemplative Living (with Bart Everson)
  • Date: Monday, February 4, 2013
  • Time: Noon - 1:00 PM
  • Location: Mellon Seminar Room
  • Sponsor: QEP & CAT

To register: RSVP to ocrum@xula.edu for lunch.

Tags: RTLT, outside speaker, contemplative
Format: presentation
Event ID: 01203


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