making reading sacred

Lutheran, The, Jul 2001 by Brussat, Frederic, Brussat, Mary Ann

Start with a book that stirs your soul

"Summertime-and the livin' is easy." Now it's time for a change of pace. For some of us, summer means school's out. For others, casual dress and half-days at work on Fridays. Summer is long car rides or airplane flights to vacation spots. It's mornings in the garden or afternoons at the beach. For us, it always promises more time to read!

Summer is the ideal time to enjoy the spiritual practice of reading. You may pick up a new book seeking knowledge on a subject that fascinates you. Or you may feel like exploring an alternative world created by a novelist. When your reading also exercises your faith, fires your imagination, stirs your soul and expands your circle of compassion, it becomes a sacred activity.

Here are some practices we've used to deepen our reading experiences.

* Before you open a book, take a moment to thank God for gifting its creator with the time, energy, creativity and cooperation needed to make it possible for you to read it now.

* Treat the space where you are reading as sacred. Try to eliminate distractions. Turn off the phone. Close the door. Commit to focusing all of your divinely endowed energies of attention and imagination on the text.

* Be a good host to the author. Let go of attitudes that might limit your receptiveness. Forget what you've heard about the book so you don't prejudge it. Don't expect the author to live up to some standard you've established. Instead, just be open to the words, characters and messages as they unfold. Allow yourself to be surprised.

* Don't rush. Books are meant to be savored like a delicious meal. If you hurry, you may miss some of the im portant nuances and subtle textures the author has worked hard to include.

* Be patient. Sometimes you won't get what the author is saying right away. Maybe, as happens when you're talking with someone, you won't realize what was meant until you think about it later. If so, go back and reread that section of the book. There's no rule that you only get one pass through the pages.

* Have a conversation with the author as you read. Underline passages that catch your fancy. Or, if you're reading a borrowed book or library copy, write favorite phrases in a notebook. Know that a heavily notated book is one you've taken to heart.

* As you read, notice and relish all the ways the text speaks directly to you. It may remind you of something you are feeling, some need or yearning. More often than not, God gives us the books we need at just the right time to challenge or comfort us.

* Pause periodically, just hold the book and allow yourself a moment of reverie. Let your senses come alive after reading a particularly apt description. Harvest the memories a turn of a story brings to mind. See if you identify with what the author or a character is feeling.

* Consciously seek out moral mentors in your reading. The writings of religious and spiritual teachers, biographies of admirable people, even many novels are good medicine for our souls. Let these mentors' experiences become a source of inspiration and healing. They give us the courage to face the truth about ourselves, including any darkness within us, and to endure pain, suffering and death.

* Spread the joy of reading a good book around. Send a letter via the publisher to the author or editor. Write a mini-review and post it where the book is described at one ol the online bookstores such as ama zon.com, barnesandnoble.com or borders.com.

* Finally, one of the best ways to make reading sacred is to use it to create deeper connections with your family, friends and community. When you get together for summer barbecues or gather in the church garden for coffee hour, talk about what you're reading. Demonstrate your love by passing on a book that i special to you. That way the gift keeps moving as the Spirit kindles the hearts of others through the fire your enthusiasm.

The Brussats are the authors of Spiritual Rx: Prescriptions for Living a Meaningful Life (Hyperion 2000).