This time of the year as Epiphany ends and we begin to think about Lent; we often think about what we are going to give up. Yet I would invite you to think about trying something to enrich your relationship with God. Many of us are familiar with Lectio Divina; the practice of sacred reading; but perhaps have not heard the term; Visio Divina. Visio Divina refers to sacred seeing. As technology has made photography accessible to anyone with a phone, Visio Divina has come to mean more than at a looking or observing a picture. It involves learning to receive images as gifts from God. Therefore, whether you are a seasoned photographer or just enjoy taking pictures for fun; I invite you to engage in Visio Divina through the book, Photography As A Christian Contemplative Practice: Eyes of the Heart. This eight-chapter book features meditations, photographic explorations and reflections designed to help the reader experience God in a deeper way.
Written by Christine Valters Paintner in 2013; Dr. Painter in her introduction gives the reader not only a complete overview of the book but discusses her journey and describes how to use the book. Painter; calls the book, “process-oriented” ; it is not a book to be devoured in one sitting but rather to be implemented in one’s life over time and what is important is not the end product but the process. Using the various aspects of photography as a metaphor for the spiritual journey Eyes of the Heart invites us through the first six chapters to consider light and the shadows, contrast, composition, perspective, patterns, color, and reflection.
Paintner leads us down a path of re-framing and learning to receive images as a contemplative practice rather than taking them to get them done.The book concludes with two chapters on the Holy. Chapter 7 deals with seeing the holy within ourselves. Then chapter 8 focuses on seeing the holy everywhere. Thus, we are taken on a journey from looking to seeing; from disgust to holiness and from self-loathing to love. Following chapter 8, there is a conclusion, acknowledgments, notes and additional resources notes and additional resources all of which give the reader many of choices of places to continue their journey.
Using a mixture of photographs, scripture, poetry and variety of writings from mystics such as Richard Rohr, Hildegard of Bingen and Thomas Merton; there is plenty of creativity and insight to be gained. This book can be used for small group study or for individual study during anytime of the year but especially for those times when we are trying to give God more of our focus.
A little over a 140 pages, Eyes of the Heart while not technical in nature, is a book for those who seek to experience the Holy in a new way. However, it is written with no expectation of experience with contemplation or photography.
Available as a paperback or as an e-book for under $15; this book is well worth its purchase price.
Has your God grown too small? Consider reading, Photography As A Christian Contemplative Practice: Eyes of the Heart as a part of journeying through Lent, to the Cross and to the Resurrection. Engage all of your senses and experience Jesus more deeply.
For more information about the self-study course entitled Eyes of the Heart: visit http://abbeyofthearts.com/classes/self-study-online-classes/
To purchase the book and learn more about the publisher visit https://www.avemariapress.com/
First published in Jackson FUMC newsletter Jackson, TN, visit http://www.jacksonfumc.org/
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