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Hitbonenut is a Hebrew term used by the Hasidim, a Jewish mystical group. It derives from a root "to build, discern," notes Andrea Cohen-Kiener, teacher of Jewish meditation and educator ("Go to Your Self," in Meditation from the Heart of Judaism, ed. Avram Davis).
Cohen-Kiener typically renders hitbonenut as "long thinking." She writes that this means we sit with a sacred text, or a word or a letter of it, and open ourselves to its layers of meaning. "We find," she notes, "the riddles implicit in the text, and we personalize them. We enter the story of the text and the story enters us."
Once I said in a sermon on Scripture, "The primary question, for me, is not the historical question, 'Was the Bible inspired?,' but 'Is the Bible providing inspiration now?'" Inspiration is directly related to a discipline of reading like to hitbonenut, "reflective, patient, deep reading."
I once sat in a College English class. The professor had us look closely at a picture. We shared together what we saw in the picture. Afterward, the professor began showing us what we had seen but had not recognized we had seen. In other words, he helped us see all the details that we had not noticed but that were as much a part of the picture as what we had focused on.
Hitbonenut, or reflective looking, allows us to see more and receive more. This can happen with a Scripture, a poem, a story, or any form of writing. This can happen in reflection with nature, also. Then, we can remain teachable to Spirit and learn by taking the time to look closely into any variety of written sources for the Word and see the principles that nature teaches us—recall how often Jesus referred to nature in his teaching. However, unless we can be still long enough, be quiet long enough, and be patient, we will see little of what Spirit can show us.
This reflecting, this entering into the living Word in writing and nature is a Means of Grace. This is taught, for example, in the Christian practice of Sacred Reading, or Lectio Divina. Then, if we are able to allow a story, for example, to wash over and through us long enough, we begin to sense it being personalized for us. This is not so much a rational process as a simple act of being open to the wholeness, or integrity, of the text, what we presently see and will see, and the slow unfolding of layers of meaning.
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However, how can we see deeply and hear deeply (or, live deeply) unless we can be still and quiet long enough? The Psalm 1.2 writer says to us, "… they meditate on the teaching of God in the daytime and nighttime." The writer recognized that being nurtured through sacred texts is part of the spiritual path. And the word for meditate in Psalm 1 refers, it appears, to the ancient practice of taking words of sacred text and repeating them over and over in a low tone, somewhat like a mild murmur. The Hebrew word is akin to the word for the moaning-like sound of doves.
Therefore, mediation trains persons in being able, first, to endure quietude and stillness and, second, enjoying it. With the ability to cease a fevered push to get one more thing done, we can enjoy interacting deeply with texts and the texts of our lives, as well as with the text of our natural environment.
Spiritual Exercise
1. Take a short Scripture, a hymn, or a poem and read it slowly through three times. On the next reading stop and reflect prayerfully on anything in the passage that speaks to you. Then, proceed to reading again from that point in the passage. When ready, rest in Silence for a few minutes.
2. Take a walk in nature, even if it is simply in your own yard. Remain prayerfully open to what principles and processes that the Spirit might teach you through the environment.
3. Take the following Prayer, close your eyes, and repeat it inwardly. Keep repeating it, letting it resonate in you and lead you into the Blissful Silence of Holy Communion with the Holy Spirit. When ready, rest in Silence, with a smile and grateful heart.
Prayer
I am here,
I am open,
Spirit of Love.
-Brian K. Wilcox
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
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