Reading To Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina(231 Cistercian Studies Series)

Lectio divina, the ancient practice of prayerful reading, is a font whose waters are waiting to quench the thirst of spiritual seekers, both beginners on the spiritual journey and experienced travelers. The art of holy reading transforms lives. Through the practice of lectio individuals and communities discover God's living word addressed to them in their particular now," to enlighten, challenge, encourage, and suggest. Reading to Live traces the practice of lectio divina from its roots in the ascetic movement in the early church and monasticism to its rediscovery in recent times. The benefits lectio brings become clear as Origen, Augustine, Bernard, and many others throughout history testify to its power in their lives. Modern commentators from a variety of disciplines spell out lectio's potential for the world of the twenty-first century. This book invites people of al faiths to embrace the Venerable practice of lectio divina. It provides abundant creative testimonies to its practice and to its life-changing effects. Raymond Studzinski, OSB, a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, is an associate professor in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC, where he teaches courses on religious development and spirituality. "

Table of Contents:
Contents
Preface    ix
Abbreviations    xiii

CHAPTER ONE
The Problem of Spiritual Illiteracy    1
     Various Approaches to Reading    5
     Digital Text    8
     The Printed Book    10
     Scholastic Text    12
     The Monastic Book    14
     A Method of Retrieval    17

CHAPTER TWO
The Art of Lectio Divina: Beginning of a Christian Spiritual Practice    20
     Judaism and Religious Reading    22
     Beginning of a Christian Approach to Reading    26
     Origen, the Master Reader    28

CHAPTER THREE
The Spread of a Christian Practice    59
     Women Scholar-Readers    61
     Augustine, Reading, and the Self    74 

CHAPTER FOUR
The Evolution and Regularization of a Practice    93
     The Desert Tradition    94
     Early Eastern Cenobitic Forms of Monasticism    108
     Cassian and Western Monasticism    115
     Rule of Saint Benedict, Rule of the Master, and Reading    122

CHAPTER FIVE
The Ups and Downs of a Practice    140
     Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Reform    141
     Bernard of Clairvaux    146
     Hugh of St. Victor and the Didascalicon    161
     Guigo II and The Ladder of Monks    166
     The Eclipse of Lectio    172

CHAPTER SIX
The Revival of a Practice    177
     Toward a Revival of Bible Reading    179
     The Revival of Lectio Divina    192
     The Phenomenology of Reading and Lectio Divina    200
     Social Science, Psychology, and Lectio Divina    203
     Theological Perspectives, Narrative, and Lectio Divina    209
     Learning Lectio Divina Today    213
     Lectio as Actualizing the Word    215
     Lectio as Group Activity    218

CONCLUSION
Lectio: The Once and Future Practice    220

Bibliography    223
Index    256

Review :
I found the inner portion of the book fascinating, exciting, and informative far beyond my expectation. Indeed, if I have any criticism of this work it is that the title makes it sound like much more of a dry academic tome than in fact it is. This brief and highly accessible book is a treasure trove of information, old and new, for anyone interested in the centrality of scripture in the life of the individual believer and the ongoing worship life of the Christian community.John N. Brittain, OSL, Professor of Religion and Dean of the Chapel Houghton College This book was worth waiting for. When you read this book you wil see that, for those formators who want to know what they are doing when they are doing it, this is an indispensable compendium for teaching lectio. Cistercian Studies Quarterly The author's text is clear and well researched, its tone quiet and unobtrusive, but somehow the whole is inspirational: 'If those people could learn to read, so can I!'American Benedictine Review Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina dives into the art of prayer reading, and the discussion of God's living word. Speaking of the art's spiritual benefits to its practitioner, Raymond Studzinski offers much insight into lectio divina and gives a very highly recommended look into its historical origins and modern practice. Reading to Live is a top pick for religious collections, very highly recommended.The Midwest Book Review