Introducing Visio Divina

I love this photo I took.  I used the creative settings on the camera.  I am sure some folks could tell me what was happening internally in my camera with the lens, filters, and the speed of the shutter opening and closing.

I think it looks cool.

I like the way the reds, oranges, greens, and browns dance together.

As you look at the photo, what do you see?

After you exhaust all you can notice and name, dive deeper to ask, why are you seeing those images?

And even better if you can talk with someone else who answered those two questions on his or her own.

I see hints of blue dancing in some places.

I see swirls and spots.

I see the colors on a canvas that might be like daily life.

Each day, we paint on the canvas called, "Our life".  Rarely is the canvas completely blank.  There are smudges, shapes, and swirls from days gone by.  We try to keep adding paint here or there.  Sometimes we add beautiful strokes to the painting of our life, sometimes the strokes we add are abstract, and other times cover up something by mistake.

The prayer practice of pondering, gazing rather than glancing is not something new.  It is ancient and is called, Visio Divina.  That is just theological speak for, "divine seeing."  This isn't about trying to sort out what the sacred is seeing.  This isn't a quiz the holy is inviting us to see if we can pass.  It is about seeing the sacred within and around the picture as well as opening ourselves up to hear our own insights.  Again, what we see is only half the invitation, the second part being why do we see that part of the photo? In Visio Divina, we engage our eyes to look in new ways.

Maybe you have heard of Lectio Divina, where you slowly and repeatedly read a passage of scripture.  Visio Divina is similar in slowing us down.  Rather than chewing on words, we try to taste and be-held by what we are seeing before us.  Further, this prayer practice is good for Advent, which is a season when we are called to be awake, alert, and aware of what is happening around us (even in the most peculiar places like a stable).

Each day in Advent, I will post a photo I took while on Sabbatical for you to ponder prayerfully.

Each day the prayer practice will be the same.

1. First, slow down your breathing.  I find it helpful to breathe in to the count of three and exhale to the count of six, seven, or even eleven.  There is good science and research behind how such an easy practice can calm you down, center you, and clear your mind.  It is a good prayer practice not only for reading this devotional, but for life!  This is especially true when out shopping in the coming days.  Or when you are going to that Christmas party thrown by that person you barely know; you are wondering if you have to bring a gift; after all you don't want to be called, "The Grinch"; and Sally said she was bringing a gift but that is because she has all those left over candles she had to buy from her child's fundraiser this fall; and all you have is that fruitcake your aunt just sent you....and...and...

Breathe.

In...one....two....three.

Out....four...five...six...seven...eight...nine.

Again.

And again.

And again.

You may even want to close your eyes as you breathe in and out.

Sometimes I breathe in the words, "Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer."

And on the exhale try to push out the stress and strain of my jaw/shoulders.

Breathe.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Once you've centered, calmed, and put out of your mind the endless to-do lists, the prayer practice of Visio Divina goes like this as described on the Upper Room Website:

Look at the image and let your eyes stay with the very first thing that you see. Keep your attention on that one part of the image that first catches your eye. Try to keep your eyes from wandering to other parts of the picture. Breathe deeply and let yourself gaze at that part of the image for a minute or so.

Now, let your eyes gaze at the whole image. Take your time and look at every part of the photograph. See it all. Reflect on the image for a minute or so.

Consider the following questions:

What emotions does this image evoke in you?

What does the image stir up in you, bring forth in you?

Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.

Maybe even go back to the photo above and try this out for a few moments.

I encourage you to have a prayer journal so you can list what you are seeing initially and as you keep returning to survey/study the details.  There may be a story from your life that connects to the photo.  By no means do you have to answer all the questions every day.  Some days, some photos might evoke responses to certain questions, but other questions don't seem to apply.  We sit with the questions for a while as we gaze (not just glance) at the photo, letting each question sink deep into our soul.

My deep prayer is that this practice might open your full self to the beauty and brokenness of the world around us in such a time as this.  My deeper prayer is that we might discover, encounter, and be-held by more than a trace of God's grace each day this season of Advent.

Blessings ~~