Visio Divina 1

Good morning all, Bore da pawb!

For Day 9 *new Psalm reading in the exercise below*

So, we’ve had a go at Holy Reading now let’s have a try with it’s arty cousin Visio Divina. Divine viewing.

In the Orthodox and Catholic tradition of praying with Icons (Holy images) you do not just view the images, among other things you “read” them. Each detail that the painter included has a meaning behind it that can be read.

Visio Divina is like Lectio in that one reads the image in a careful and prayerful way. The image I have provided is one which I painted a number of years ago (I use this because I own the copywrite) but for the purpose of this exercise I shan’t tell you what the name is nor the thinking behind the image as I do not want to colour your impressions nor steer how you may feel God speaking with you.

PRAY

Begin with a brief word of prayer.

Be still, be silent.

“Please guide my thinking and guide my seeing. Speak with me I pray. AMEN.”

FIRST IMPRESSION

Look on the image. What part of the painting initially drew your eye? Was it a colour, a detail? A particular brush stroke? For a moment, think of the very first detail of the painting which stood out to you. Slow your breathing and ask God to speak through that detail.

VIEW

Try not to focus on any one part, let your eyes drift around the image. Focus on what the painting is making you feel. Uncomfortable? Hopeful? Sad? Happy? Does the image provoke questions in you, does it connect with any memories.

TRAVEL

In your third viewing of the painting, begin by looking at the top left corner, maybe focus on one of the yellow circles. Now slowly let your vision track left to right to the right hand corner, then down, then to the left, then up. Travel through the image in a loose spiral until you reach the point you feel is the centre. Now, ask yourself the simple question “where am I in this painting.” Are you looking from the street, are you inside a building, are you the homeless man?

LISTEN

In silence mentally take a step back from the image and once again view the whole. How are you being spoke to through the practice of looking at the painting. What thoughts are beginning to solidify for you. Is God trying to tell you something?

RESPOND

What are you going to do based on your experience? Print the image and pin it to your fridge? Save the image to your computer? Go and read up on something? Pray for someone? Are you going to go through the steps again later to see if something different comes to you?

*****

MORNING

Wake, but do not move to begin with. Be aware of yourself, the air going in and out of your lungs, be aware of your senses and what they are telling you, feel the aches and pains of life that were dulled a bit by rest.

Give thanks, because all you feel means you are alive, the world is better for you being in it.

Take a moment to think of ONE positive thing you will try to do today.

Psalm 143:8 (Read through slowly 3 times)

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

    for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

    for to you I lift up my soul.

BREAKFAST

As you make your breakfast, be mindful of each thing you do as you do it. Be fully present.

As you consume your breakfast offer thanks for the producers and distributers of our food, water and power.

LUNCH

Pause. Sit. Breathe. You are still here.

Follow the same routine of mindfulness and thanks as at breakfast.

DINNER/TEA

Same as for lunch

EVENING BEFORE SLEEP

Be aware of yourself, the air going in and out of your lungs, be aware of your senses and what they are telling you, feel the aches and pains of life that will be dulled a bit by rest.

Give thanks, because all you feel means you are alive and have lived, the world is better for you being in it.

Thanks be to God.

Amen