Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four parts — lectio (read), meditatio (reflect), oratio (respond), and contemplatio (rest) — and involves the reading of a passage, poem, or prayer four times with periods of silence between each reading.
If you’re new to this practice, you may find it helpful to move through each part in order. Or you may find the stages to be as Fr. Thomas Keating describes: compass points around a circle wherein the Holy Spirit moves you seamlessly between each part.
