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Lectio + Haiku
Where do you meet God in
conversation?
In this corner of the courtyard, you can listen for God’s voice
in the words of sacred texts, then join together in prayerful
response.
A different Bible passage or other sacred text is posted here each
month. Using an approach based on the ancient practice of lectio
divina, you can read the text, give it your heartfelt attention,
then respond by writing a haiku. If you like, you can email us
your haiku to be posted here with others.
If this is your first visit to Lectio + Haiku, please read
About Lectio Divina and Haiku.
Then join us in reading and responding to this month’s
text, following the steps
below..
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Haiku
This empty clearing's
society of shadows
is a crowd of thoughts.
--
Greg, Seattle
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Out, out, damned thought! You
are no guest - no welcome here
for imps and demons.
-- Brad, Port Townsend
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I'm just passing through,
said the shadow to the host.
Wanna play some whist?
--
Roberta, Sequim
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A young black dog runs
into the sunlit clearing,
filling emptiness.
-- Margaret, In the Courtyard
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The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
from The Illuminated Rumi
Broadway Books, 1997,
translation by Coleman Barks
Steps for responding
Click for a
printer-friendly version of the scripture above and steps
below.
Take a moment for silence, becoming aware of God’s
presence.
Slowly read the poem or passage, then read it again,
listening with both heart and mind.
Jot down a few words or phrases from the text that “rise
up” and carry energy for you at this moment.
Now put the passage aside and turn to the words you jotted down. Spend time with the memories,
feelings, and associations they carry to you.
Write a haiku that includes at least one of those words.
(It’s okay to use a different form of the word if it
works better in your haiku. For example, if the word
“sowing” is on your list, it’s okay to use “sow.”)
Return to the passage, read it one more time,
then read your haiku response.
Take another moment for silence in God’s presence.
Share your response
To join your haiku with others in the courtyard, fill in
this form.
Archives: Lectio + Haiku
June 2008 -- Psalm 131:
1-3 O LORD, I am not proud; I have no haughty
looks. I do not occupy myself with great matters, or
with things that are too hard for me.
more...
May 2008 -- From Psalms
for Troubled Times: Prayers of Hope and Challenge by
Barbara Gibson. Psalm 3 “Help from Sophia”
O Wisdom, how many are my doubts! My cynical thoughts
disturb me, saying “There is no hope for the world.”
more...
April 2008 -- Psalm
148:1-14 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD
from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
more...
March 2008 -- Psalm 116:
1-4; 6-8 I love the LORD, because he has heard my
voice and my supplications.
more...
February 2008 --
HURRY TO THE SOURCE OF LIFE by Rumi, the 13th Century
Sufi mystic poet. How could the soul not take
flight / When from the glorious Presence / A soft call
flows sweet as honey, comes right up to her / And
whispers, “Rise up now, come away.”
more...
January 2008 --
Isaiah 35:1-8 The wilderness and the dry land shall be
glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the
crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy
and singing...
more...
December 2007 --
James 5:7-8 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until
the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the
precious crop from the earth, being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains...
more...
November 2007 --
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:1-8 There is nothing
better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find
enjoyment in their toil... For everything there is
a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...
more...
October 2007 -- Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my
help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven
and earth...
more...
September 2007 -- In this month's
passage, Paul riffs on the interdependence of
all people. I Corinthians
12:13b–22, 24–26 We were all made to drink
of one Spirit...
more...
August 2007 -- Last month,
Wisdom told about being present with God at the creation
of the cosmos. For this month, I chose a variety of
verses taken from the same book. Selected Proverbs
Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart
reflects another. ...
more...
July 2007 -- Proverbs
8:1-4; 22-31 Does not wisdom call, and does not
understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside
the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand...
more...
June 2007 --
Last month, the Bride sang to her
Bridegroom. For the month of weddings, it seems only
fair to let the Bridegroom respond. Song of Solomon 4:
1-7, 9 How beautiful you are, my love, how very
beautiful...
more...
May 2007 --
For the lusty month of May, a portion of Solomon’s Song
of Songs. Song of Solomon 2: 8-17 The voice
of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the
mountains...
more...
April 2007 --
A passage with the promise that after famine comes
abundance. Joel 2: 21-29 Do not fear, O
soil; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great
things!
more...
March 2007 --
Lent is a season for coming to terms with who we really
are. Wisdom of Solomon 7: 1-6 I also am mortal,
like everyone else, a descendant of the first-formed
child of earth;
more...
February 2007 --
Winter turns toward spring, and the heart of the
psalmist turns toward God.
Psalm 42 : 1-7 As the deer longs for the
water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God.
more...
January 2007 --
For the last days of the Christmas season and the first
weeks of Epiphany, a song of intimacy and awe.
Psalm 139 : 1- 8 O LORD, you have searched
me and known me.
more...
December 2006 --
For the month of Advent and Christmas,
a song of remembrance and
hope. Psalm 126 : 1-6
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
more...
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