Below are links, books and other resources for people who want to cultivate the interior life — whether you are looking to start a practice of lectio divina, want to read more about contemplative prayer or feel a calling toward a religious vocation.

Lectio Divina

• The Art of Lectio Divina (Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB)
• The Classical Monastic Practice of Lectio Divina (Fr. Thomas Keating)

Divine Office

• Praying the Divine Office at the Canonical Hours

Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer is a process consisting of four inter-related moments. It begins with lectio divina, in which a passage from Scripture (or an inspirational work by the Saints) is read several times. In meditatio, you reflect upon the text of the passage and on its meaning, especially how to apply the lessons to your own life. (This process is not exegesis (i.e., extensive critical analysis and interpretation), but rather a personal reading.) Gravitate toward a particular word or short phrase from the text that seems to have particular importance. Next, in oratio (prayer), respond to the passage by opening your heart to God in prayer. Finally, in contemplatio, free yourself from your own thoughts as completely as possible. Try to open your mind, heart and soul. Listen to God. If you find your thoughts wandering, you can briefly repeat the word you chose from the passage (or another simple word, such as ‘Jesus’) to free your mind from its preoccupation and return focus to the contemplative process. (However, do not repeat the word like a mantra.)

• Centered living, in the Christian tradition

Recommended Books

• Prayer — Hans Urs von Balthasar
• Christian Meditation — Hans Urs von Balthasar
• New Seeds of Contemplation — Thomas Merton
• Beginning Contemplative Prayer — Kathryn J. Hermes
• Centered Living — M. Basil Pennington
• The Diversity of Centering Prayer — e.d. Gustave Reininger