What's the Lectio Divina Workbook?

Your Guide to Consistency in Spiritual Practice

Coming Soon! The Lectio Divina Workbook

I am thrilled to announce a regular series of “lectiones” and a Workbook to deepen your spiritual practice through Lectio Divina!

First, each Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") will include a profound message from one of the Ascended Masters channeled by Mark and Elizabeth Clare Prophet, with footnotes citing relevant Scripture.

The selected Discourse will serve as the foundation for the “Lectio Divina”, which will be guiding you through a deep spiritual practice rooted in the wisdom of both the teachings of the Ascended Masters and the Scriptures.

…AND… All of it will be delivered to subscribers as a printable Workbook that includes the message, reflections, invocations, decrees and journaling prompts.

LECTIO DIVINA is a time-honored Christian practice that invites believers to engage deeply with Scripture, transforming the act of reading the Bible into a spiritual experience.

Originating from the early monastic traditions, Lectio Divina encourages us to engage in a slow, reflective reading of one or more sections of the Scriptures, allowing the text to speak to us personally and profoundly.

Though this practice is associated with specific liturgical seasons like Christmas, it is valuable as a daily or weekly discipline throughout the year.

The Four Steps of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina traditionally follows distinct steps. Here we will practice them as follows: The reading of the Ascended Master’s message followed by the biblical passage/s (lectio), a reflection (meditatio), an invocation/prayer (oratio), the (contemplatio) or decree, and journaling prompts as a means of taking action (actio) …

Lectio (Reading):

Begin by reading slowly and attentively a selected instruction from one of the great Ascended Masters, followed by the passages from Scripture found in the footnotes.

The focus here is not on analysis but on listening with an open heart, allowing words or phrases to naturally stand out to you.

This step is about welcoming the text into your heart and mind, creating a foundation for deeper reflection and spiritual engagement.

Meditatio (Reflection):

Then we will transition into Meditatio, which is a reflective practice.

Consider why this particular part of the passage may be important for you and how it connects to your current life, emotions, and spiritual journey.

Reflect deeply on the meaning of the text, allowing yourself to engage in an internal dialogue where you ponder its implications for your life.

This step is about understanding, internalizing, and letting the writings inspire and transform you.

Oratio (Invocation):

Following your reflection, we move into Oratio, which means prayer, responding to God based on the insights that you've gained.

We can incorporate an invocation here—which is a formal call upon the Divine Presence or specific qualities or virtues of God, such as love, mercy, peace, etc. The qualities you seek to manifest in your life.

This prayer or invocation might include elements of thanksgiving, confession, petition, or decrees, depending on what the passage has stirred within you.

In this step, you engage in a heartfelt conversation with the Divine in you, invoking spiritual power and sharing the thoughts and emotions that have arisen from your reading and meditation.

Contemplatio (Contemplation and Decree):

The final step is contemplation, where you rest in God's presence inside of you.

In this state of silent, loving communion, you may choose to incorporate a decree—a spoken affirmation or command that aligns with the spiritual insights and intentions you’ve cultivated during the previous steps.

Decrees are powerful and versatile tools that can be employed to affirm divine qualities, manifest desires, invoke spiritual protection, facilitate personal transformation, promote world peace and collective blessings, etc.

This step is about being with the Divine in you, allowing the insights and spiritual nourishment from the reading, reflection, and prayer to deepen and manifest in your life, fostering a profound and lasting connection with God.

Actio (Action)

Actio (Action) is a more modern addition to the practice and is often encouraged as a way to put the insights gained from Lectio Divina into practice in daily life. While not part of the traditional structure, it serves as a bridge between contemplative practice and living out the spiritual lessons learned, encouraging the integration of spirituality into everyday actions.

Journaling can be a powerful Actio addition to the Lectio Divina practice, offering a space to capture and reflect on your spiritual insights, prayers, and experiences. Here’s how you can integrate journaling Actio into each step, as you elect:

1. After Reading (Lectio):

   • Write down the specific word or phrase that stood out to you. Reflect briefly on why it caught your attention.

2. During Meditation (Meditatio):

   • Journal your thoughts and feelings as you read the reflection and meditate on the passage. Consider how this scripture applies to your life and what it is inviting you to change or embrace.

3. Following Prayer (Oratio):

   • Write down your invocation or the key points of your conversation with God. Document any new insights or emotions that arose during your prayer.

4. In Contemplation (Contemplatio):

   • After your decree, take a few moments to journal about the experience. Capture any feelings of peace, clarity, or connection that you experienced during this time of silent communion.

Historical Development:

LECTIO DIVINA HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN MONASTIC TRADITION and was developed as a formal spiritual practice by the Benedictine monks. The practice dates back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, with significant development occurring in the 6th century under Saint Benedict of Nursia, who is often credited with shaping monastic spirituality in the Western Christian tradition.

1. Early Beginnings:

   • The origins of Lectio Divina can be traced to the early Christian monastic communities in the deserts of Egypt, where hermits and monks would engage in deep, meditative reading of Scripture as a way to commune with God. This method of reading was not just for study but was aimed at a transformative encounter with the divine.

2. Saint Benedict and the Rule:

   • In the 6th century, Saint Benedict of Nursia formalized Lectio Divina in his Rule of Saint Benedict, which outlined the daily life of monks. He emphasized the importance of "spiritual reading" (lectio spiritualis) as a key part of monastic life. This reading was meant to be slow and meditative, focusing not just on understanding the text but on allowing it to inspire and transform the reader.

3. Lectio Divina in Medieval Monasticism:

   • By the 12th century, Lectio Divina had become a well-established practice in monasteries across Europe. The Carthusian monk Guigo II is credited with outlining the four steps of Lectio Divina (Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio) in his work "The Ladder of Monks." This structured approach to reading Scripture became central to monastic spirituality.

Why Practice Lectio Divina?

LECTIO DIVINA IS AN EXPERIENCE that offers a lot more than only reading the messages from the Ascended masters and passages of the Bible. Rather, it’s about cultivating a deeper, more personal relationship with your I AM Presence through the Messages and Scriptures.

By slowing down and engaging with the writings on a spiritual level, you open yourself up to their transformative power.

This practice helps to integrate the teachings of the Ascended Masters into your daily life, making your faith more dynamic and intimate.

Lectio Divina in Daily or Weekly Practice

Lectio Divina is sometimes highlighted during special seasons like Christmas—where the focus might be on passages related to the birth of Christ—but it is equally powerful as a daily or weekly practice.

Incorporating Lectio Divina into your routine can bring a sense of peace, clarity, and spiritual growth.

For daily practice, you might set aside a specific time each morning or evening to go through the steps with a short passage from the Bible.

For a weekly practice, consider dedicating a longer period, perhaps on a Sunday, to dive deeper into a passage, allowing for more extended reflection and prayer.

Whether practiced daily or weekly, and specially when enhanced through journaling, it serves as a powerful tool for spiritual development, helping you to understand and live out your faith more fully in every aspect of your life.