Visio Divina
An invitation to wonder
Visio Divina invites us to slow down, truly look and pay attention to the Holy in our lives. It creates space to open the eyes of our soul to help us see God and ourselves in new, life-giving ways. Visio does not require any special knowledge or appreciation of art. Anyone of any age can do Visio Divina.
Try out Visio Divina using The Return of the Prodigal Son
The Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt vin Rijn, c 1661–1669
Get Ready: Take a few moments to get ready. Find a comfortable position where you can gaze at the photograph. Settle into God’s presence by connecting with your breath. Move your awareness from your head into your heart. Know that God can be known through many different forms and images. Be present. Be open.
Eyes to See: Allow your eyes to gaze gently on your image. Let them sweep the whole of the picture. Notice the shapes and the colours. Notice the lines and the details. Look for symbols. Notice if there is a place on the image where your eye is invited to linger. Are you called back again and again to a certain detail or colour? Try not to think about it too much. Simply notice where your energy is drawn. Notice where you eye is avoiding or passing over. What part inspires you? Where do you experience resistance? Slowly become aware of the place on the image that is just for you today. It might be a colour, a shape, or a tiny detail. Linger here. Be open and present to this.
Open Heart: Take a second longer look. Open your imagination. As you reflect on your place on the image, what feelings or longings are evoked? What memories or hopes are stirred? Make room within your heart for whatever wants to emerge. Be here. Be present. Let go of judging or critiquing. Simply be, lingering here, opening your heart to whatever wants to rise.
Respond: Slowly begin to notice what being revealed in your seeing and through what you are feeling. What is the invitation in this moment of your life? In the day-to-day life you are living what is God calling you to do or be? What insights have you gained? What invitation is growing in you? What work would you like to do today?
Enjoy: Let go. Rest. Enjoy a few moments of stillness in this space.
Spend a moment to reflect on your time here
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What is Visio Divina?
While Lectio Divina is a method of praying with scripture, Visio Divina (Latin for "divine seeing") is a method for praying with images or other media. Scripture shows us that imagery has been an important part of God's way of communicating with us. Ezekiel's vision of dry bones (Ezek 37:1-14 NASB), and Peter's dream on the rooftop (Acts 10), are just two instances of how images and prayer are vitally connected.
Where should we do Visio Divina?
Visio divina can be practiced individually or with a group in a small group, classroom or worship setting. Anywhere you can use a piece of art as a focal point for prayer. Scripture can also be paired with the image in order for the viewer to reflect on the scripture through the art.
Why should we consider Visio Divina?
With our culture becoming more and more visually oriented, an intentional way of praying with images is needed now more than ever. Visio Divina invites us to see at a more contemplative pace. It invites us to see all there is to see, exploring the entirety of the image. It invites us to see deeply, beyond first and second impressions, below initial ideas, judgments, or understandings. It invites us to be seen, addressed, surprised, and transformed by God who is never limited or tied to any image, but speaks through them.
Source: https://biloxidiocese.org/visio-divina