A link to a website all about the practice coincidentally called Lectio Poetica
As I was describing a practice that I found helpful while studying Poetry Therapy Facilitation, she referred me to this group. Sadly, they have discontinued as of January 2017, but there is a wealth of information on their website about how their group adapted the ancient form of spiritual conversation with your own soul from using divine writings to using poetry.
Personally I find that poetry opens us up in new and deep ways whereas, sometimes, we get stuck in a religious text and try to assess the meaning we are supposed to find rather than our own discovery.
Poetry is succinct and has an openness that allows us to just follow the thread of thought.
For instance the poem, The Way It Is by William Stafford is a favourite of mine.
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
Read it slowly three times and then write for 5 or 10 minutes on what rises in you.
Would you be interested in joining a ZOOM group to do this process in community?
susannasays.com 