The (he)art of contemplative reading…
When reading, we usually proceed in a discursive and linear fashion, passing from one thought to another and tracking the development of the ideas and imaginations of the author, until we arrive at an ending or more complete picture of things. We ‘borrow a mind’ from another in order to experience or gain something new or to remind ourselves of a core truth we want to deepen ourselves into. If we read ‘well’ enough, we might find our own minds actively dialoguing with the author or text and be aware of new ideas forming in an imaginal and productive inner dialogue.
Contemplative reading is more spiral in nature. It is a practice inspired by the contemplative vision of a unified (or unitive) and interconnected reality in which humanity and consciousness is embedded. It is an intuitive reading of things, regardless of how maligned or pitied the mention of ‘intuition’ has become as a result of the contemporary collective fascination with so-called objective measurement of psychological or spiritual practice. Whereas mindfulness or other popular forms of meditation encourages us to make attentional use of our mind-body in grounding ourselves in reality, we are encouraged across monastic traditions to contemplate with our whole being, inclusive of both the parts with which we self-identify (the mind-body) and all that lies beyond immediate awareness.
During contemplative reading we put aside thoughts of studying the text. In fact, much like in Zen practice, we raise an eyebrow towards thinking altogether. Thomas Merton, in ‘The Inner Experience’, wrote that reading becomes contemplative only when we rise above thought and penetrate into the mystery of truth which is experienced intuitively as present and actual.
You can approach contemplative reading in a structured way, by using an anthology or collection of inspirational texts. You might even wait for texts or passages to befall you, keeping a journal note of those words, phrases, links or typed texts that flirt with your attention when you’re in conversation, whilst daydreaming, reading the news or scrolling through social media posts. Sometimes, I follow the law of two feet and make my way mindlessly towards a bookcase or pile of books and await an internal nudge towards one. I might then run a deliberately unfocused eye over the contents until I’m prompted to stop and explore - that’s where the cultivated spine of meditative discipline is useful to not move away again - and other times something presents itself in a half-open or dog-eared page corner. On one occasion recently a particular book fell on my head twice in an hour. The second time I noticed. Here’s some brief notes on how to make space and allow contemplative reading to unfold:
Drop out of time (as you ‘know’ it)…
Take a few moments (or minutes) to quieten and centre yourself. Breathe easy and notice, without ‘doing’ anything, the timbre of the breath. Befriend the space between thoughts or feelings and drop out of time as you ‘know’ it.
Choose a ritual as a doorway into practice…
Rituals amplify our best efforts to make space for the deeper rhythms of life. You may want to mark the beginning of your practice as contemplative time by lighting a candle, ringing a meditation chime, or by offering a simple gesture of reverence such as a deep bow or placing your hand gently on your heart. Pause to acknowledge that this window of practice is not only for your own benefit, but also out of love for those whose lives you touch, directly or indirectly – even for the benefit, in some way you may never know, of the whole of interconnected life itself.
Read slowly…
Read the day’s writing slowly and receptively more than once. Read silently or out loud. Give it your fullest attention, whatever the bandwidth of that is for you right now.
Reflect…
Notice carefully which word or phrase captures or flirts with your gentle attention. Take some time to reflect on the meaning that word or phrase has for you at this particular time. What associations or images unfold around the word or phrase? Ask yourself to listen to what is evoked within the echo chamber of your heart. Sit gently with the questions, challenges or insights it raises for your life right now. (You may want to jot the word or phrase down to carry with you as a reminder through your day as it unfolds.)
Respond…
Once you have reflected deeply and intuitively, allow yourself to respond. This may be as simple as an inner “thank you” or a professed vow to express the wisdom you have intuited in your life at some point later today. You may feel a need to further express feelings that have been stirred in your time of reflection. Do not censor yourself but, much like the freedom of free-association in psychoanalysis or in the spirit of the psalmists of old, allow yourself whatever has arisen in you – whether gratitude, wonder, hope, joy, or anger, grief, shame or fear. Evoke a Jungian and spiritually creative response to what is emerging from the depths: speak it, write it, pray it, dance it, draw it, sing it. Ask God or your inner spiritual guide for further illumination or guidance, for strength or courage to translate what you have discovered into action in your life. Open yourself to feeling fully heard and held by God, by the universe, by all of life.
Receive…
Now allow yourself to enter a time of inner stillness and silence – a time of letting go and of releasing agendas or control. Remember that contemplative silence is never only an absence, nor is it a dumb or numb void. It is a silent emptiness (that is also a fullness) precisely because one arrives there through overcoming the mental, passing beyond words and transcending thoughts. Don’t reach for any particular kind of experience during this time; simply surrender and offer yourself to life, trusting that whatever transformation and healing you need is being done in and for and through you as you rest and allow. Try to spend at least five minutes in this profound and receptive silence, or longer if possible.
Re-member yourself…
Gently return your awareness to your physical surroundings and prepare to re-enter your daily life in the world. Spend a moment in gratitude for whatever you have received in this time of practice, and for the many blessings in your life. You may want to end your time of practice with a deep bow to time passed or with a personal prayer of gratitude.
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