Lectio Divinia

On of the most beautiful ways for a Christian to meditate is to follow the ancient practice of Lectio Divina which began around 4 a.d and was used by those in monastic orders. The words Lectio Divina mean "Divine Reading",(many thanks to anon for pointing out I had made a typo there and typed Diving Reading!!!) ... and are Latin. An obsolete Roman language

Oh yes, I know New Age has given meditation a bad name, but this is an
ancient Christian meditation which fills the heart and soul. A deeply spiritual meditation. An aloneness with God. No, it is not a ritual, not a catholic thing, it's something true Christians can adapt quite easily into their lives. It is a time when we once again offer ourselves to God. Total communion with God. If you are married hold hands with your partner during this time, for it is a special time.

Many Christians use in their daily lectio divina one of the scriptures which they love. It makes no difference which text is chosen, as long as one has no set goal of covering a certain amount of text: the amount of text covered is in God's hands, not ours.

(1) You place yourself in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent. Some Christians focus for a few moments on their breathing; other have prayer words which they gently recite in order to become mentally silent. Use whatever method is best for you and allow yourself to enjoy silence for a few moments.

(2) Then one turns to the text (or texts) and reads it slowly, gently. Enjoying and mentally absorbing each portion of the reading, and constantly listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or something that somehow says, “I am here". In lectio divina God is teaching us to listen to Him, to seek Him in silence and He softly, gently invites us ever more deeply into His presence.

(3) Then take the word or phrase into yourself. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and whatever. There is no need to be afraid of distractions. Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself which, when they occur during lectio divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self. Allow this inner pondering, to invite you into dialogue with God.

(4) Then you , SPEAK to God. Whether one uses words or ideas or images or all three is not important. Interact with God as you would with one who you know as a dear friend. And give to Him what you have discovered in yourself during your experience of meditation. Experience yourself as the child that you are. Experience God using the word or phrase that He has given you as a means of blessing, of transforming the ideas and memories, which your pondering on His word has awakened within you. Give to God what you have found within your heart.

(5) Finally, rest in God's embrace. And when He invites you to return to your pondering of His word or to your inner talk with Him, do so. Learn to use words when words are helpful, and to let go of words when they no longer are neeeded. Rejoice in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner mental receptivity.

Sometimes during lectio divina one will return several times to the text, to savor the literary context of the word. At other times only a single word or phrase will fill the whole time set aside for lectio divina. It is not necessary to anxiously assess the quality of one's lectio divina as if one were seeking a goal, lectio divina has no goal other than that of being in the presence of God by praying the Scriptures.

One can take as long as they like for this type of meditation, there is no set limit.

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8)

This url explains more about this beautiful meditation practice for those who are interested.

http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html