Becoming a contemplative photographer.....

I didn't really see it coming.  It came.  One day I looked up and looked back and realized, that yes, I had been moving into this process for a very long time.  Though not necessarily intentionally as in a goal for arrival, I think it has been a natural outlet for my soul.

Much like the beginnings of my spiritual journey take me back to the days of roaming and wandering the woods for hours and sitting at the mossy creek side up behind my Dad's campground (Trail's Inn), my photography journey started without me realizing it.  It is in looking back that I am able to recognize the beginnings of both these journeys and the path they have taken me.

I have had a camera in my hands since I was a child.  My very first camera was a Kodak Instamatic.

http://www.kodakcameracollection.com/cameras/KODAK-INSTAMATIC-Xxdashx15-Camera

 

My favorite part of that was the light bulbs.  In my high school days, in band we used those types of light bulbs for a special effects on one of our marching shows.  Everyone "popped" the wire at the same time at the end of the show. 

My first 35 mm was a Minolta XG1.

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/XG%20Series.htm

I could go on with the cameras I have had and used throughout the years, but that would make this post much longer.  I have primarily taken pictures of nature, architecture, and things that strike my attention.  But, I do take people pictures at times. 

In the past year or so I have noticed contemplative photography sites on Facebook of other people and started following them (such as Diane Walker's Contemplative Photography website or her Facebook page.  Their photographs and their words have spoken to me.  Additionally, other inspirational sites such as Shalem, Terry Hershey Fan Page, Alive Now, Weavings, etc. often use photography along with sayings to share a message.  I believe all of these have spoken to the deep place in my soul.  My soul not only listened, but started doing what it heard and saw. 

I really never set out to take contemplative photographs, to reflect my soul, or to allow others to reflect in the depths of their souls.  Yet, I know now that I am doing it.  And I'm glad.  Because I enjoy it and it is something that speaks to my soul.  It is one of those things that has grown out of my being.  Doing has come from being.  Being is always the root of doing because the well must have something to supply.  (This is one of those lessons that has been in the making, an ongoing learning journey and it flows from Psalm 46:10--Be still and know that I am God.)

I will note that part of my "a-ha" moment, realizing and recognizing that I have been on this journey came when a dear brother on the journey pointed it out to me.  My reaction was "oh".  Then, "hmmm".  That germinated and took root and helped me see, indeed, it was true.

At SOULfeast last week I attended a workshop "Visual Psalms" taught by Beth Richardson (a wonderful photographer, writer, singer, and all around creative person) and our assignment was to attempt to photograph the Psalms as we walked around the grounds.  I left our classroom, praying as I walked, and started taking some pictures here and there.  Sometimes I had an idea what Psalm or what portion of the Psalm might fit.  At other times, it was simply taking a picture of something that captured my attention.  Later that night I looked over the Psalms to match a Psalm or a portion of the Psalm with a picture that I had taken.  The first picture below fits the first category.  I knew when I looked at the mountains, that I thought "where does my help come from?".  And, I liked the idea of framing the picture with the archway at the chapel breezeway.  For the second picture, I enjoyed the roses.  There are SO MANY beautiful roses there.  These caught my attention because of the difference in stages and as I reflected on the passages and the pictures, it made me think of the different stages of waiting in life, etc.

Psalm 66:1-2-- I lift my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (NRSV)  (faith and trust theme)

Psalm 130:5-6--"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning." (NRSV) (petition theme)

When I walk and hike, things catch my attention.  There might not always be Scripture that goes along with it.  Sometimes I have found quotes that go along with the picture later, as in this leaf in the water back in the Fall. 

This one is of the creek at the North Chickamauga Gorge and I had read a verse that was on my mind:

 

(I created both of the above with the Textgram App on my phone.)

Sometimes, it is simply a moment with God.  Maybe just meant for me.  Maybe meant to share.  Sometimes I share.   Sometimes I don't. 

One doesn't always know what is for self and what is for others.  However, I do believe that most of what the Creator allows me to learn and experience is "for the sake of others", as Bob Mulholland reminded me of Christ's teachings.  And, I do want to live my life poured out for others.  However, that can only be accomplished if I regularly fill up at the well. 

Daily walks in creation, events such as SOULfeast, silence and solitude, music, ordinary things, etc.  There are many ways to fill up at the well. 

Thanks be to the Creator!

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  Here are a few other resources not listed in the post above.

Visual Psalmists posted on Alive Now!
Sight Psalms

Other sites on Contemplative Photography:

Seeing Fresh:  The Practice of Contemplative Photography
Contemplative Camera

A book:

Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice by Christine Valters Paintner

Monday morning... the joys of a new week

Monday morning.

The beginning of a new week.  A fresh start.  The LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY.  GULP!

The first part of the thoughts are calming, but then I go slightly into panic mode, realizing all that I have on my plate to do this week to finish out my Bioethics class, prepare to teach Disciple's Path, and help my daughter prepare (meaning support her as Mom as she prepares) for solo ensemble this Saturday and for the Beta Convention Sunday through Tuesday.  GULP!

So, as my daughter gets ready for school this morning, I take some time to read an article in Weavings while I drink my coffee.  I chose the article by Pamela Hawkins since I had just done her Advent study over the Advent season and her name caught my attention.  The article was about caregiving, fitting into my bioethics course and my life.  It was an insightful glimpse into what she experiences on her journey.  What a blessing that she was willing to share it.  This is an area that needs a voice for the voice-less.  I imagine Pamela has a solid community around her that reaches out to her, allowing her to take time off from care giving from time to time and also that offers her help with meals and other activities/chores for which she may not have the time or energy.  Yet, many people do not have this community.  Or, maybe they do, yet they don't tap into it.  We too often don't live fully into our community living.  The article, by the way, is entitled "Love's Solitary Confinement:  A Caregiver's Psalm".  You can find it in Weavings Volume XXIX , Number 2 (Feb/Mar/Apr 2014).

Weavings offers a guide on Spiritual Reading online.  Though intended for those interested in forming reading groups, it is a good resource for anyone.

You can access Weavings here.  Though you cannot read it online, you can access their online newsletter here and sign up for it.  Weavings is online via Facebook, so check them out by clicking here to access their page.

My mind is working rather slow for a morning, but maybe not for a Monday morning.  It has been good to drink some coffee, to read an article that touched my heart and mind, to actually be able to sit and write.  Yet, what precipitated me sitting down to write was a moment that made me realize that this truly is a slow Monday morning.

I was preparing to transfer the coffee from the coffee maker to a carafe to keep it warm without cooking it more (you know, to prevent the "burn" taste).  I turned the kitchen sink water on to hot so I could pre-heat the carafe.  Several minutes later, the water was still running cold.  And, then more minutes.... still cold.  I was perplexed.  Until I realized that in my Monday morning stupor, I had it ON COLD, not hot.  LIGHT BULB (a-aha!) moment!  One can not expect the proper thing to occur from the incorrect position. 

I thought about that.  Smiled.  Changed the handle over to the left side to heat up the water and continued to reflect on my teaching/learning moment as the water quickly heated up.

How many times do I attempt to accomplish things in life from the side that won't bring me the desired result?  Or, how many times do I attempt to do something with the incorrect leverage?  One could work through this in several ways, I imagine.

However one goes about it, for me it was a definite "cause for a pause".  Not simply because my hand was very cold and causing my brain to wonder 'what's going on here?' 

Who would think that a kitchen sink and cold water could create a thinking process that might have spiritual and other growth implications?

Check out the Weavings article and the rest of the issue.

And remember that using the proper resources/tools will facilitate the situation.  Hot water warms up a carafe much better than cold water.

Blessings on this week and on your journey,

Debra

Weavings Article-- Diving Deep for Wisdom: Spiritual Discernment

http://weavings.upperroom.org/2011/01/diving-deep-for-wisdom-spiritual-discernment/

On-line article (January 21, 2011) by Ann Siddall (Uniting Church, Synod of South Australia)

[I don't know if she is still Director, but she was at one time at: Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community.  http://www.missionresourcing.net.au/stillpoint/stillpoint-welcome.html  There are some liturgies and other resources available at this site.]

I was paging through the Weavings on-line articles and found this one.  Every word in the title caught my attention--"Diving Deep for Wisdom: Spiritual Discernment".  I knew I had to read it. 

As I read it, I thought I'd share it.  Maybe someone else might get something from it as well.

There is quite a bit that resonates within me in this article.  I found myself liking the job description she outlined in the third paragraph: personal spiritual direction, retreats, workshops on prayer and the spiritual life, creating resource material..... I found myself thinking: 'sounds great to me!'

She mentions some authors I'm not familiar with (Danny Morris and Charles Olson) as well as a means of listening that I am familiar with and have practiced once (Quaker Clearness Committee). 

A quote that caught my attention: "Without trust there is no openness and without openness people are unable to see things from a different angle." 

The author recognizes that discernment is something that never goes away, it is something that we will always need.  In fact, she refers to discernment as a total way of life (about 3/4 into the article).    She says: "Discernment, as an issue, refused to go away, but it now seemed to have more to do with a total way of life than with a few minutes of silence in a meeting.  And that total way of life calls for a deepened spirituality."

Enjoy the article!

May your journey continue to include listening, discernment, and diving deeper!

~Debra

 

Lectio divina....spiritual reading.

Lectio divina is the Latin term for "spiritual reading", "divine reading", "holy reading".  Lectio divina is a spiritual practice that will help one slow things down and focus, contemplate, reflect.  It is a way of prayer.

Lectio divina works like this:  you take a passage and read it slowly, paying attention to the words and phrases that stick out to you at the time.  Re-read the passage another time or two, allowing the passage to speak to you.   Spend some time reflecting on what you've gotten from the passage. 

WARNING!  This type of reading is habit forming!  I have read in places that anything can become spiritual reading when read intentionally in this way.  I would agree, from experience.  Though I read Scripture in this method, I also read books in this way.  Not all the time, mind you...... But, it has become a default, underlying current, style of reading. 

I will explain.  You may have noticed.   There are at least two blog entries in which I've quoted a passage from an author and then I've gone back and shared the words that stood out to me.  Then, I've reflected on those words.  That's lectio divina, spiritual reading. 

I realized yesterday (with the help of an "intervention" by some friends) that I am in constant "think-mode" when I read.  Even when I read fiction.  Seriously.  If it's my copy of the book, I'm known to take notes and underline.  If it's not, watch out for lots of yellow sticky notes or brightly colored sticky flags.   I think part of my "problem" is that I have developed the practice of reading in the style of lectio divina.  The other side of that coin is that I rarely choose non-thinking material to read. 

Have you tried lectio divina as a way to change up your study time?  I encourage you to try it.  I realize that my amateur explanations of this spiritual practice may not be enough for you to get into the practice, so I am going to include some additional resources for you.

A book I've mentioned before, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives For Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton, has a chapter on lectio divina, Chapter 3: "Encountering God Through Lectio Divina".

Another book I've mentioned before, Soulfeast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson, also has a chapter, Chapter 2: "Chewing the Bread of the Word: The Nature and Practice of Spiritual Reading".

Weavings has an online guide "On Spiritual Reading" you can print out.  It is intended to be used with the Weavings articles, but gives a good overview of spiritual reading as well.  http://www.weavings.org/ (Click on "Reading Groups" and then scroll down and find "On Spiritual Reading".  Click and read and/or print.)

Here is a link to the Upper Room: http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/prayermethods/lectio.asp.  Here you can read a little about lectio divina and then try it.  Just follow the instructions for the next steps.

This is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg on the topic.  If this is new to you, maybe you can post what you read and your reflections...... If this isn't new to you, post your experiences and/or some other resources you've found along the way.

As we continue the journey, I wish you all "happy reading"!  As for me, I'm going to attempt to NOT read something with spiritual reading eyes.  (I've been told that if I do and if I take notes or even reflect on this one, I have to share....)

You might be wondering what I'll be reading..... Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn.  I hope I'll be able to read this like a "normal" person. :)

May there be joy in your journey today!

~Debra

Weavings | Fortunate Fencing

Weavings Fortunate Fencing

"Fortunate Fencing" by E. Glenn Hinson in the "Fenced In" issue of Weavings.

Being "fenced in".... the "should's" and "should nots", St. Augustine and much more. This article is worth some reflection and "chewing" time. :)


Are there fences in my life, your life that can be seen from a different light now? Do some fences need putting up or mended? Are there others that are no longer needed and can be taken down?

~dd