Poetry as Sacred Text

"More and more, humanity will discover that we have to turn to poetry to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us . . . Most of what passes with us for religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry."

- Matthew Arnold (1880)

The practice

You can practice Lectio Poetica alone or in a group. In our local gatherings, we use all seven movements described below. If, however, you practice at home with a poem of your choice, you will, of course, skip step 5. Feel free to adapt the movements as you see fit.

When we meet as a group, we always gather in a circle with a candle at the center, representing the illumination and insight that we seek, both in solitude and community. Generally we give the process two hours.
If you're alone, take sufficient time to discover your own contemplative rhythm. Slow down, go deep, and listen to the voice of your soul. You might be surprised at what it has to say, given a chance.

The Seven Movements of Lectio Poetica

(For an example of how this process works in real life, see "Lectio Poetica: A Personal Experience," Oct. 15, 2012 blog.)

1. Preparatio (Readying)
  • Begin by settling into your body, following your breathing, becoming full present
  • Bring to mind some of the unresolved problems, disorienting dilemmas, puzzles, paradoxes, or decisions you are facing right now in your life or work
  • Jot down 2 or 3 issues that seem worth exploring or giving more attention
  • Identify the one to which you feel most drawn right now, and frame it as a question
  • This is the topic of conversation you will have with your own soul

2. Lectio (Reading)
  • Read the selected poem 3 times out loud, pausing between each reading
  • Listen with the ears of the heart, noticing what shimmers, lights up, strikes you, attracts or repels you, no matter how odd or obscure
  • Write down the single most compelling word or phrase you heard, even (or especially) if you have no idea why it has arrested your attention
  • Trust that your soul has chosen this word or phrase through which to speak

3. Meditatio (Ruminating/Repeating)
  • Along with your breathing, slowly, gently begin repeating the word or phrase inwardly (like a mantra)
  • Let go of the rest of the poem, listen deeply, and feel the word or phrase resonating within, without analyzing or straining for any special insights

4. Oratio (Reflecting/Responding)
  • Allow yourself to begin an inner dialogue with your soul, your deeper self; go ahead and talk to yourself
  • Ask your soul why it chose this particular word or phrase at this moment, and what it has to do with the issue or dilemma you wrote down
  • Notice questions, connections, reflections, ideas, and feelings that arise
  • Journal about what is going on within you, responding from the heart with awareness, kindness, and curiosity
  • See if some new direction, wisdom, guidance, answer or solution emerges

5. Conversatio (Relating)
  • Share whatever you wish about your experience with others in the group, if you are comfortable
  • Listen to their experience with an open mind and heart, not attempting to help, advise, fix, save or intervene; notice what new insights arise

6. Incarnatio (Realizing)
  • Consider whether your soul may be inviting you to do or to change or to embody something based on your experience with the poem
  • Consider a date/time when you might do it, and put it on your calendar

7. Contemplatio (Resting)
  • Let go of words, thoughts and questions, return your awareness to the body
  • Rest silently in the present moment with acceptance of what is; just sit
© Jay and Barbara Valusek