Visio divina — divine seeing — is an ancient prayer practice inviting us to use our eyes to lead us in contemplation about God and enter into prayer with him. Visio divina invites us to engage with God using our minds, our imaginations, and our hearts. Many of us “live in our heads,” so it’s helpful to be led into exercises which engage all of who we are.

Following each walk of the Harmony Way you are invited to use this practice with a piece of art from an Indigenous artist - maybe directly after you walk or later in the week. Any time that works for you. Though we are using art, it can easily be adapted to use whenever you observe something of beauty, whether on a trip to the art museum, a day at the beach, or a hike in the Grand Canyon.

Whether this practice is new to you or very familiar, our prayer is that it will be life-giving.

Instructions for Visio Divina come from Karen Guzman, Director of Women Scholars and Professionals here.

Walk 1: Harmony with God

This work is part of an installation called Altars of Reconciliation. These pieces express diverse, individual faith experiences of three Southeastern Native artists who practice Christianity. Each “altar” depicts ongoing personal reconciliation between the artist and God, with awareness of the complex history of Christianity among Southeastern tribes and the mystery of faith that transcends it.

Questions

What do you see? As you begin, take a few deep breaths. While we know God is always with us, invite the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak to you afresh in these moments. Spend some time looking at the image. What do you see? Does this image evoke any emotions? Similar to doing Bible study, make as many observations as you can. What do you like or dislike? Why? What questions do you have?
What stands out? How does the artist use color, light, style, composition, and material? What do you think the artist wanted to communicate? What stands out to you? Why do you think this is so?
Is there any scripture that comes to mind? How does this image relate to the scripture and stories from the walk today?
What is God’s invitation? Spend some time reflecting on any Scripture and looking again at today’s image. What is God’s invitation to you? What might you need to see, understand, or believe? How does your current life experience intersect with what you are seeing and reflecting on? How might this image help you pray today? What do you want to say to God? Ask from him?

Erin Shaw. As a Chickasaw-Choctaw artist, she creates in a state of tension, suspended between two worlds where both solemnity and humor pervade her art. http://www.erinshawart.com

Walk 2: Harmony with Creation

Watercolor inspired by a trip to the Chickasaw homelands in Mississippi.

Questions

What do you see? As you begin, take a few deep breaths. While we know God is always with us, invite the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak to you afresh in these moments. Spend some time looking at the image. What do you see? Does this image evoke any emotions? Similar to doing Bible study, make as many observations as you can. What do you like or dislike? Why? What questions do you have?
What stands out? How does the artist use color, light, style, composition, and material? What do you think the artist wanted to communicate? What stands out to you? Why do you think this is so?
Is there any scripture that comes to mind? How does this image relate to the scripture and stories from the walk today?
What is God’s invitation? Spend some time reflecting on any Scripture and looking again at today’s image. What is God’s invitation to you? What might you need to see, understand, or believe? How does your current life experience intersect with what you are seeing and reflecting on? How might this image help you pray today? What do you want to say to God? Ask from him?

Erin Shaw. As a Chickasaw-Choctaw artist, she creates in a state of tension, suspended between two worlds where both solemnity and humor pervade her art. http://www.erinshawart.com

Walk 3: Harmony with Others

Surrounded by Herron Ladies at the Camphouse

This work is compressed charcoal and 24k gold leaf on mulberry paper mounted on panel.

Questions

What do you see? As you begin, take a few deep breaths. While we know God is always with us, invite the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak to you afresh in these moments. Spend some time looking at the image. What do you see? Does this image evoke any emotions? Similar to doing Bible study, make as many observations as you can. What do you like or dislike? Why? What questions do you have?
What stands out? How does the artist use color, light, style, composition, and material? What do you think the artist wanted to communicate? What stands out to you? Why do you think this is so?
Is there any scripture that comes to mind? How does this image relate to the scripture and stories from the walk today?
What is God’s invitation? Spend some time reflecting on any Scripture and looking again at today’s image. What is God’s invitation to you? What might you need to see, understand, or believe? How does your current life experience intersect with what you are seeing and reflecting on? How might this image help you pray today? What do you want to say to God? Ask from him?

Bobby C. Martin is an artist/educator/facilitator who works out of his Martin Mountain Studio near West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. Martin’s artwork is exhibited and collected internationally and has been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions.

You can learn more about Bobby Martin’s work here.

Walk 4: Harmony with Self

Brevity of Time

Brevity of Time is multi stacked panels that examine the wonder and mystery of the metamorphic process of the butterfly. This artistic creation is metaphor for human kind to understand the transformation process God does in the life of a believer of the gospel. Acrylic paint, ink, paper, with serigraph on stacked panels 36x48in. With Muscogee text (Lord’s Prayer), the piece is part of the Transformation series. The butterfly that inspired this piece is the Pink Lady.

Questions

What do you see? As you begin, take a few deep breaths. While we know God is always with us, invite the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak to you afresh in these moments. Spend some time looking at the image. What do you see? Does this image evoke any emotions? Similar to doing Bible study, make as many observations as you can. What do you like or dislike? Why? What questions do you have?
What stands out? How does the artist use color, light, style, composition, and material? What do you think the artist wanted to communicate? What stands out to you? Why do you think this is so?
Is there any scripture that comes to mind? How does this image relate to the scripture and stories from the walk today?
What is God’s invitation? Spend some time reflecting on any Scripture and looking again at today’s image. What is God’s invitation to you? What might you need to see, understand, or believe? How does your current life experience intersect with what you are seeing and reflecting on? How might this image help you pray today? What do you want to say to God? Ask from him?

Tony Tiger (Muscogee/Sac & Fox-Seminole) is an award-winning painter, printmaker, and mixed media artist, who was born in Los Angeles, California in 1964. His artwork is shown in national solo as well as group exhibitions.

You can follow Tony Tiger on Facebook and Instagram at t.tigerart.