Lectio Divina - Other Christian Methods

Other Christian Methods

See also: Prayer, meditation and contemplation in Christianity
Guigo II Clare of Assisi
Read (lectio) Gaze on the Cross (intueri)
Meditate (meditatio) Consider (considerare)
Pray (oratio) Contemplate (contemplari)
Contemplate (contemplatio) Imitate (imitare)

While the Lectio Divina has been the key method of meditation and contemplation within the Benedictine, Cistercian and Carthusian orders, other Catholic religious orders have used other methods.

An example is the 4 step approach of Saint Clare of Assisi (shown in the table) which is used by the Franciscan order. Clare's method is more visual than Guigo II's which seems more intellectual in comparison.

Saint Teresa of Avila's method of "recollection" which uses book passages to keep focus during meditation has similarities to the way Lectio divina uses a specific Scriptural passage as the centerpiece of a session of meditation and contemplation. It is likely that Teresa did not initially know of Guigo II's methods, although she may have been indirectly influenced by those teachings via the works of Francisco de Osuna which she studied in detail.

Read more about this topic:  Lectio Divina

Famous quotes containing the words christian and/or methods:

    “My Christian friends, in bonds of love, whose hearts in sweetest union join,
    Your friendship’s like a drawing band, yet we must take the parting hand.
    Your company’s sweet, your union dear; Your words delightful to my ear,
    Yet when I see that we must part, You draw like cords around my heart.”
    —John Blain (18th century)

    “I believe in women; and in their right to their own best possibilities in every department of life. I believe that the methods of dress practiced among women are a marked hindrance to the realization of these possibilities, and should be scorned or persuaded out of society.”
    —Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (1844–1911)