Next stop on the Virtual Book Tour is a review by Peg Conway at Sense of the Faithful:
An inspiring new book by Christine Valters Paintner called Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice provides a transformative path for the digital age. Christine is the founder and abbess of the virtual Abbey of the Arts, where she offers online and in-person classes and other resources for contemplative living, with an emphasis on the expressive arts. From reading her blogs and newsletter and taking her free “monk in the world” e-course, I regarded Christine as a wise and compassionate teacher, and her new book more than lives up to this impression.
Eyes of the Heart is a rich and nourishing work; like a hearty soup or whole grain bread, it satisfies real hunger and is best when leisurely savored. The first two chapters introduce themes and practices that are carried through the rest. As someone who likes to write, I found it incredibly worthwhile to spend plenty of time here cultivating a visual awareness. This kind of seeing, as Christine presents it, is a deep work of the heart. A key practice is to begin “receiving” images rather than taking or making or shooting them. Such a shift of consciousness bears fruit not only with regard to photos but life in general.
Click here to purchase a copy of Eyes of the Heart>>
Previous Virtual Book Tour Stops:
- “Contemplative Photography in a Time-Obsessed Culture” Guest post by Christine at Expressive Prayer
- “Planning a Personal Retreat” Guest post by Christine at A Sacred Journey
- Audio Interview at A Congruent Life
- “Bless the World with Your Eyes” Guest post by Christine at Consecrate the Day
- Interview at Catherine Anderson Studio
- “Learning to Trust What Shimmers” Guest post by Christine at Holy Ordinary
- “Seeing Ourselves with Eyes of the Heart” Guest post by Christine at Ronna Detrick
- Interview with Louise Gallagher at A Year of Rejoicing
- Interview with Tara Owens of Anam Cara
- Book Review at Holy Ordinary with Brent Bill
- Webinar on Cultivating Contemplation in Your Parish through Photography through Ave Maria Press
- Book Review at Melanged Magic with Evelyn Jackson
- “Practicing Resurrection through the Eyes of the Heart” Guest post by Christine at Anam Cara
