In all of the great contemplative spiritual traditions, repeating aloud a sacred verse is a way to enter the heart and open to divine presence. For example, Christian’s have Lectio Divina, and the Sufi’s practice Dhikr and Spiritual Audition. Sacred poetry from all the great religious and spiritual traditions is recited from the heart in order to remove obstacles and open to the divine indwelling,
the Great Love. This is important work that, when done in a small circle, expands out into the world. Poetry Divina creates a container for individual experience and healing - and group community building. It requires and supports both solitude and community. We recite sacred poetry, or more exactly, converse and listen. This listening and conversation frees us of excessive dependence on thinking and allows us to move toward God and the point of communing beyond words, thoughts and feelings. We do not practice prayer or Poetry Divina with the goal of achieving certain benefits. Yet practitioners often report, as with other forms of prayer and contemplative practice, that Poetry Divina helps to:
• Tap into guidance for decisions in your life
• Let go of conflicts and worries
• Remove blocks to accomplishing goals
• Celebrate and honor your own and other spiritual traditions
• Transform difficulty and deepen your spiritual walking…
