Do you read on purpose or for distraction?

Reading as an Intentional Practice

What happens when you read? Think about it.

How do you read? Do you sit still and sink into the material, like lowering yourself into a deliciously hot bath? Or do you skim, going way too fast, greedy for the gist, oblivious to the gift of context and detail?

I find so much of my reading is incredibly selfish. There’s a kind of “do me” attitude I’m not proud of. What will this do for me? What can I take from it into a conversation or something I’m writing that will make me seem like I’ve really thought about it?

It’s rarely that sacred exchange of my attention for your words. Rarely is it me stepping onto the ship of whatever you’re telling me, and experiencing the ocean of it while the shore of my laundry-laden life recedes.

Since I’ve become aware of this attitude, my inner guru has given me a teaching: Give ten minutes of every day to reading as a spiritual practice. Put in place the following parameters:

1. Be intentional.
   Give some thought to what you’re going to read. Don’t just read to distract yourself or pass the time. I don’t care if you’ve chosen the National Enquirer, just make sure you’ve decided to read it on purpose and for real. Ask your mind what…