VISIO DIVINA
Photo by Karen Zhao on Unsplash
Why Engage It?
A few weeks ago, our weekly practice was Lectio Divina: a beautiful way of reading, meditating, and praying through scripture. Visio Divina is similar but instead of scripture, you use visual elements.
Visio Divina can also be called “divine seeing.” When we practice Visio Divina, we can pray through any form of art: icons, stained glass, paintings, photos, even nature! It is not a new spiritual practice, Christians have been using this form of prayer for centuries.
“The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing…. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.” -C.S. Lewis
Lewis says that beauty can lead us to God. This is why we practice Visio Divina: to find God through the beauty of the created world.
How to Practice It
First, find an image you would like to use. Like mentioned above, this could be a scene outside your window, a painting, an icon, or any image that draws your attention.
Start with a prayer. You may begin with scripture, especially if it is related to your image, or just pray that your mind and heart would be open to receiving whatever it is God wants you to take away from this time. Close your eyes, breathe deep, clear your mind and ask God to speak to you through the image you have chosen.
As you open your eyes and look at the image you selected, notice the first thing your eyes are drawn to. Let your eyes rest there for a moment, before turning your gaze to the rest of the image.
Do you notice any words or emotions rising in you? Take note of what you are sensing and what God may be communicating to you.
Continue to gaze and reflect on the image as long as you need. Respond to God by speaking with him (out loud or in your mind) about what you are feeling and experiencing. Talk through any words, emotions, thoughts, feelings, or images that have come to you.
When you feel your time coming to a close, rest your eyes as you thank God for this time. Rest in God’s presence as you reflect on your experience.