Do you ever read the Bible and just think, “Hey, God… WTF?!”
Sacred stories are transformational, not just informational. Lectio Divina is an ancient contemplative practice of slowing ourselves down to read the Bible with our hearts and our bodies as well as our heads. Join me on Mondays from 5:00-6:30pm Pacific time as we listen for "the still, small voice" of the Spirit and reflect on what it’s asking of us, because truth isn't facts we extract from a book — it's a lived reality we're meant to experience together.
This group may be right for you if:
You have trouble dedicating regular time to spiritual practice and you need the container of a recurring event.
You don’t know many others engaging in their inner work and you’d like the solidarity of a reflective community.
You’re examining the stories you inherited and letting go of what doesn’t ring true.
You’re exploring the difference between what your church or culture taught you and what the Bible actually says.
You have questions and curiosity about the Bible but have never felt like your questions were “allowed”.
You want a holistic spiritual practice that engages the body & emotions.
On the other hand, this group is not right for you if:
You’re looking to engage in intellectual debate, theologizing, or heady dialogue. The central component of this gathering is embodied reflection, not information exchange.
You’re looking for community beyond our weekly gathering. We are not associated with any institution, church, or social media group. There is no designated way to contact members outside our time together.
You’re looking for a space to process your trauma history. You deserve a container sturdy enough to hold your pain; this group is not equipped to provide that level of support. Please seek a therapist or other mental health professional.
What to bring
Your presence — physical, emotional, and spiritual.
A journal or other note-taking tool.
Honesty about what you’re feeling.
Curiosity to explore what your reaction teaches you about yourself.
A willingness to be changed by what you encounter.
What to expect
On Monday morning, you’ll get an email from me with the Zoom link, the instructions, and the scripture reading. You do not need to have read this before we meet — it’s just for your reference.
At 5 p.m., we’ll gather on Zoom and take the first 3-5 minutes of our time together to connect and share a bit about how we’re doing. At about 5:05, I’ll encourage everyone to take a deep breath as I recite our opening prayer.
The passage will be read aloud three times, each time instructing you to listen for something different. (Click here for a sample PDF detailing what we listen for.) After each reading, we take 5 minutes of silence to listen to the response that emerges in us. Then, we invite each other to share what’s coming up. Invitation is not obligation — you can always pass or say, “Please come back to me.”
After the readings & responses, we take another five minutes of silence to simply rest in God’s embrace, remembering that whether or not we manage to do any of the things we feel asked to do, we are still loved.
Examining our experiences & reactions takes courage, and the brave souls who show up for this process are not shy about facing the hard things in life. We laugh, we cry, we swear. It’s not unusual for there to be some tears when we trip over old wounds or things we wish we’d done better. Be gentle with yourself; each participant is responsible for appropriately managing their own emotions & needs.
Arriving late? No sweat! This is a low pressure get together. Keep yourself muted, say a little blessing of your own, take a deep breath or few, and settle in to listen & participate when invited. Leaving early is also fine, just let us know quietly in the chat.
I explicitly encourage healthy boundaries. There is no obligation to share your thoughts or feelings unless you want to.
What we’ll expect from you
Be as present as possible
In a world of 24/7 distraction, it’s phenomenally hard to be in just one place and one moment at a time. Lectio Divina is an invitation to practice presence — to “be where our feet are” as the saying goes. On the other hand, sometimes we need a distraction because the world is too much and the overwhelm is real! However you arrive, you’re welcome here.
Trust and learn from silence
It’s okay to have silence between responses as the group shares. Like a photograph, some reflections need time & space to fully develop. This will feel really weird if you’re used to filling up every minute with maximum efficiency. It’s okay to feel weird. This is a skill everyone can benefit from practicing.
Speak for yourself
Share using “I” statements. We are only experts on our own experience. Rather than saying, “We all struggle with forgiving,” say “I struggle with forgiving.”
Listen & share respectfully
For many of us, putting language around our experience does not come naturally; we need the container of a collective ritual in which to practice this vital authenticity. Be mindful of the time when speaking to make sure everyone gets a chance to share.
Turn to wonder
If you’re listening attentively, at some point you’ll inevitably find yourself feeling defensive or judgmental when someone is sharing. This is normal. When you notice this happening, ask yourself: I wonder what brought them to this belief? I wonder what my reaction teaches me about myself?
No fixing, saving, or
setting other people straight
This is a space for contemplation & connection, not for instruction & correction. There are no teachers here; just students of the Spirit. Resist the temptation to offer quick advice — no matter how well intended, our advice is never as good as we think it is.