Visio Divina is a way of praying that uses the arts as a guide rather than words. If you’re familiar with lectio divina (sacred reading) then visio divina will seem like a welcome companion. The practice of Visio Divina helps us to exercise different prayer muscles other than the cognitive ones many people use most of the time. Many Christian contemplatives write of God speaking to them, not only through the scriptures, but also through what they see in their daily lives. This practice helps us to see where God might already be present and we hadn’t noticed! It has a gentle four-fold movement.
Get ready by choosing a piece of artwork – painting, drawing, photograph, weaving, sculpture … (it doesn’t have to be religious in nature)
Settle into your space with your artwork, and take a minute or two to try and quieten your mind, seeking to be attentive to the presence of God.
- With a gentle gaze allow your eyes to roam over the art you are looking at. Take your time to notice – maybe colours, light, dark, shadows, details, overall movement, shapes, textures …
- Seek to be attentive to that which has ‘caught your eye’. What most attracts you, or intrigues you, or maybe scares you? Take time to sit with this and prayerfully discern an invitation …
- What response do you want to make? You might journal this, draw, create an abstract image, pray in silence or with words. There is no right way to respond other than for you to be authentic in this moment.
- Give thanks for what has been received and then take some time simply to rest in the silence, in God, in the image …
As you leave your prayer space you might want to make some gesture in recognition of the sacredness of what has just been experienced – eg a simple bow, making the sign of the cross, or speaking out ‘Amen’.
