This is an empty, unsubstantiated claim besides being, from the onset, a false and greatly exaggerated understanding of a form of prayer that is quite simple and straightforward.
In a word, lectio divina is “meditating on the word of the Lord day and night”.
It’s lamentable that it has to be presented as anything else.
It’s regrettable that there are websites out there that have twisted lectio divina into something other than what it truthfully is.
Lectio divina is one person sitting with Sacred Scriptures in his hands, reading passages from it, letting the Holy Spirit give him understanding and counsel from God’s word and letting it enter into his heart and mind, that he may better live in the Presence of God.
What a pity that it should be called “repetitive mantra” and “replacing the words of Scripture”.
What a pity that there is lack of discernment to distinguish the true act of Scripture reading and the false use of something that is essentially right and good.
So then what is, by nature, a good thing is called bad.
“An enemy has done this”.
There are indeed times when opinions become nonsense, and worse yet, present falsehoods.
The ones I have read how to do lectio divina from are those who are sympathetic to it and who admire the desert fathers and other Catholic mystics. Of course you think I’m mistaken, because you approve of it (per your last posts).
http://www.covchurch.org/companion/articles/2004-september-spiritual-practices101
“Students are instructed to find one phrase, or even one key word, and to just continually meditate on it. After ten minutes, I ask the students to share their experience, and have been amazed at the depth of theological insight that has come from the meditation of teenagers.”
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I’m sorry but repeating a phrase or word like that is a mantra.
Mysticism is not part of the Christian faith. Spiritual ‘practices’ or ‘disciplines’ do nothing to sanctify. It is what Colossians and Galatians were confronting.
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https://www.covchurch.org/formation/departmental-ministries/prayer-ministry
Habits of the Heart
The Habits of the Heart seminar is an interactive and experiential spiritual formation retreat to provide instruction and experiences in classic spiritual habits/disciplines so that participants grow in their practice of the presence of God. The most common form is as an all-church weekend retreat beginning Friday evening, continuing all day Saturday, and concluding on Sunday morning.
Topics covered include:
* Praying the Word (Lectio Divina)
* God-centered silence (centering prayer)
* Our spiritual heritage (liturgical prayer)
* Less can be more (feasting by fasting)
* Empowered by a personal vision (a rule of life)
* Encouraged by a “soul friend” (spiritual direction)
* Written reflection on our life and faith (journaling)
Time to Breathe… an invitation to a place and time to hear God’s still small voice.“
A Time to Breathe” is an interactive and experiential retreat for youth that is designed to provide guidance and experience in spiritual practices so that participants may grow in their journey with God. Youth Workers and students explore together what it means to be in the presence of God.
Come take time to breathe!
• Quiet
• Space for God’s transformation
• Intentional time to be with God
• Looking at Prayer in new ways
• Multi-sensory approaches to interact with God
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This is all Colossians 2 behavior.