https://renovare.org/articles/a-different-way-to-read
p 15 Lectio Divina
What does it consist of? How is it done?
Phenomenon of Reminiscence
Reading is a whole mind and body activity, like writing and chanting-- often done aloud
-- sometimes quiet, but when it is tacite or silent, as Augustine comments, is specified as such. Rule warns against monks disturbing others by their reading at quiet time.
Sometimes reading done for dictation, which explains phonetic mistakes in some documents, so necessarily quite vigorous. Doctors prescribed reading similarly to walking or playing ball games.
Meditatio -- a word rich in meaning both to classical Romans and to Jews, then Christians.
Secular usage -- think, reflect, but with more direction towards practical or moral order, unlike cogitare or considerare. Vestiges of this in "premeditation" etc.
Implies preparing for a thing, previewing it, practicing it mentally.
Christian use of term from Hebrew "haga" -- more directly reference to a text, especially Scriptures and patristic commentaries
a kind of murmuring "the just heart meditates wisdom" -- pronouncing words to retain them. (Like Jesus as the "Word"?)
So this fundamental activity of monastics is based on literature, letters.
The foremost aid to good works is a text. Exegesis directed towards life, not just knowledge. (I wonder about distinction between life and knowledge, but.)
Literature not sought out and developed for its own sake, but is still a "conditioning factor", a vital part of the culture of the monks. (Rule talking about monks who must be read to, until they can read for themselves, and also supervised to make sure they are reading at due times rather than chatting or fidgeting.
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