Friday Photographs-Visio Divina: An Introduction

Visio Divina or praying with art is a spiritual/meditative practice that like its sister practice Lectio Divina is gaining popularity. Both Lectio Divina and Visio Divina are ancient practices that find their roots in the Benedictine Christian tradition.

Visio Divina (Latin for "divine seeing") uses images as the basis for prayer and meditation. While practicing Visio Divina one gazes at an image and lets the image speak to them. The image becomes an avenue for becoming aware of God's presence within us as well as for God to speak to us. Visio Divina speaks to me because it is accessible to almost everyone from young children to adults. It speaks to me because it lets our spirits connect with both the spirit of God and the spirit of the artist who created the image.Visio Divina speaks to my creative side and I hope it will connect with some of you.

Try Visio Divina with the image below. Here is one method to get you started:

Breathe in, breathe out.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Invite God into this time of prayer & meditation.

Gaze prayerfully at this photo...

...let your thoughts and feelings sit with you for a while.

What do you see?

What are you feeling?

What might God be saying to you through this photograph?

Say a work of thanks to God for this time! 

Friday Photographs: Visio Divina

Breathe in, breathe out.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Invite God into this time of prayer & meditation.

Gaze prayerfully at this photo...

...let your thoughts and feelings sit with you for a while.

What do you see?

What are you feeling?

What might God be saying to you through this photograph?

Say a work of thanks to God for this time! 

Visualization Prayer and Meditation

I am sitting in a big comfy chair in an open gazebo like structure. The candles are glowing and there is a fire going in the stone fireplace. There are vases of flowers and beautiful artwork. As I gaze outside I see a meadow in one direction, a lake in the other, and behind me is forest. As I sit in the stillness I feel the a cool breeze against my body and watch the candles flicker. I am waiting. Then there is a knock at the door...who will it be? What will I say to them? What will they say to me? How will I feel being in there presence?

This place doesn't literally exists. You have just entered into one of the settings and situations for my visualization prayer and meditation. This is one of my favorite forms of prayer and meditation. What I love about visualization is that it gives me something tangible to focus on. In this particular visualization setting the person at the door might be Jesus, a co-worker, a family member, a friend, or even a combination of people. There have been times when I thought I knew who was that the door but when the person entered I was completely surprised. I believe God brings particular people or personas to my door as specific times and for specific reasons. There are times when I just need to lay all my sadness, anger or anxiety out before Jesus. Other times I need to have a "conversation" with a person or persona in order to heal from or move deeper into a situation.

My first encounter with visualization prayer and meditation was during sessions with my Spiritual Director, Rev. Anita Cummings. These were guided visualizations that I have been able to take with me and use them on my own. There are many forms of visualization prayer and meditation. It may help you discern a God's will in a particular decision or situation, it may help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings toward a person or situation, it may give you an avenue for "venting" to God, or it may provide an opportunity to dwell in God's healing love.

I invite you to give this form a prayer and meditation a try. If you would like some assistance getting started I would be happy to partner with you as you venture in.