Up: [[Spirituality]] Created: 2023-09-06 Paintner’s suggestion for cultivating vision is to engage in a practice she called Visio Divina, which means **sacred seeing**. It is a modification of an ancient practice called [[Lectio Divina]] which is about being present to a sacred text in a heart-centred way. There are steps to either practice that are followed until you’ve internalized the rhythm of it and then you just make space for it to happen. For Visio Divina, the steps are: 1. Choose one of your own images that speaks to you for whatever reason. 2. Close your eyes and do the breathwork and softening that takes you out of your head and down into your heart. Put your hand on your heart for a moment to establish a physical connection. Notice what you are feeling without judging it. 3. Slowly open your eyes and let them wander gently over the photo’s details — shapes, colours, symbols. Gradually notice if there’s a place on the photo where your eyes are invited to rest, but don’t push this too hard. You can also notice where your energy is resistant, the spots you avoid. What is the space on the image that is calling to you or that you are resisting? Is it a symbol? A colour? An expression? Just notice, then allow that place on the photo to unfold in your imagination. Paintner suggests that you might want to close your eyes, and notice any memories, images or feelings, again without judgment. 4. See if there’s an invitation coming from those memories, images or feelings; some awareness or action you’re being called to respond to and any indication of how you might respond. Paintner, of course, makes this a call from God. 5. Breathe deeply, open your eyes noticing anything you might not have noticed before, release the image with gratitude, enjoy the stillness. Write reflections in your journal. > [!User] Christine Valters Paintner > *Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice*