Visio Divina 2

Good morning all, Bore da pawb!

For Day 10 *new Psalm reading in the exercise below*

How did you do with Visio Divina yesterday?

Today you get the opportunity to try it again but this time you get to choose which picture you go for. Yesterday’s image was “The least of my people” and today we have a Tryptic for you to choose an image from (or use all three, I’m not the law).

Again, I shall not tell you the names nor the original thinking behind the images but feel free to ask later.

Visio Divina is like Lectio in that one reads the image in a careful and prayerful way.

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 121:1-3 (Read through slowly 3 times)

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;

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