We will be using the Lectio Divina process for the workshops to read the poems. How does this work?
Lectio Divina is most commonly used as a way to read spiritual texts. It is a Benedictine practice designed to encourage contemplation and communication with the Divine (however one defines this). It is also designed to treat scripture as a living text.
It can also be used to read other texts. When this is done, as in the case for Deep Dialogue, it is to help us pay very close attention to what we are reading, why we are reading it, and to how we read it – and to the people who are being represented by the words on the page.
By reading each word intentionally and slowly, we give ourselves the opportunity to listen to our own voices reading the life of someone else. It is an opportunity to listen to others do the same. And, it is an opportunity for us to speak our own experiences about the reading and our lives without judgment.
There will be moments of silence as we take in what we are reading. This is also a way to affirm the experiences being read and that of the person reading.
After the reading, we spend time talking about what was read, what it means, could mean; what we will do with this experience.
Each of the excerpts selected from the books (remember, if you attend, you receive a copy of the book), invite us to enter the history and lives of someone different from us. Some of it is joyful. Some of it not.
All of it asks us to consider: what does this life tell us about someone and how do we honor their experiences? How do we honor these experiences as part of the whole of our integrated and separate histories? How do we create space to hear and listen to one another in our every day lives?
We look forward to seeing you. Don’t forget to register. There is still space. As always, gratitude for your support and willingness to enter the dialogue with us!
DEEP DIALOGUE: READINGS ON RACE AND ETHNICITY
To register for workshops go to: https://goo.gl/3tQ9Sr