Eyes of the Heart: Photography as Contemplative Practice

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This class is now available for self-study through on-demand registration.  You can sign up and begin at any time and will have immediate access to the course materials when you pay online.

Eyes of the Heart – Program Fee $90 – Add to Cart

If you pay by check, I will send you the course access information when your check arrives.  See below for payment options.

Course description

Film is a record of the ever-changing face of God. This moment is holy, but we walk around like it’s not holy. We walk around like there are some holy moments and there are all the other moments that are not holy. [But they are] and film can let us see that. Film can frame it so we can see that, Ah! This moment. Holy.

- from the film Waking Life

Photography is a deeply contemplative practice. If we approach it with reverence and intention, it can help us to see the holy moments all around us. In this online class you will be invited to take your camera out into the world each week for photographic journeys based on an adaptation of the ancient monastic practice of lectio divina and specific guided themes. In the process of slowing down and lingering over moments of beauty, you will cultivate sacred seeing, your ability to see the world beneath the surface appearance of things.

Photography is essentially about the play of light and dark, illumination and shadow, much as the spiritual journey is a practice of paying attention to these elements of our lives and how the holy is revealed in each. Photography is also about the choices we make in the visual framing of elements, what to include and what to exclude, whether to zoom or pull back. This is a practice of visual discernment: a way of choosing what is important and what needs to be let go of. We begin to see things differently, and in our images also discover aspects of ourselves and God.  In our discussions we will explore how to distill wisdom from the images we receive.

Are you seeking a way to bring more presence and prayerfulness to your creative expression? Are you longing for ways to practice the contemplative life which are more visual and kinesthetic? Would you like to join a supportive online community to offer you structure and encouragement in the creative path?

This class is not about developing your technical proficiency as a photographer -  it is about cultivating your ability to see with the "eyes of the heart" (Eph 1:18).  In biblical and mystical traditions, the heart is the seat of our whole being.  To see with the heart, means we bring the whole of ourselves to whatever reality we find ourselves in. We will explore photography in service of expanding our contemplative practice and compassionate presence to the world and to ourselves.

The themes of this class are designed to build upon one another, opening you to new ways of seeing the world.  Your camera becomes a tool for contemplative practice.  Using the ancient practice of lectio divina in an adapted form, you will learn ways to become present to sacred in the world.

How the course works

What's included

What you need for the class

  1. Register for the class online below (checks also happily accepted)
  2. A commitment to yourself and your creative process
  3. Computer with email access and the ability to download PDF documents and play audio files (either on the computer, burn them on a disk, or listen to them on an mp3 player). 
  4. A digital camera to take on your photographic journeys (expensive or high end equipment is not necessary, a simple point and shoot will do!)
  5. A Flickr account if you'd like to post images

Sessions outline

Week One: Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart, Photographic Journeys, and Lectio Divina

Week Two: Exploring Shadow and Light

Week Three: Framing: What is Hidden and What is Revealed?

Week Four: Reflections: What is Mirrored Back?

Week Five: Self-Portraits

Week Six: Discovering Images of God

Cost and payment

To register I need your email address and payment.  All of the course materials are delivered online right after payment is received to the email used for payment.

You can pay by credit card either through Paypal or Google Checkouts using the link below.  Once you pay online you will receive confirmation of payment and an automatic email from me with course access information and you can begin the class right away.

Note: if you pay through Google Checkouts sometimes your settings mask your email address so please make sure to send me your email address directly in addition to payment. 

Eyes of the Heart – Program Fee $90 – Add to Cart

To pay by check please mail to Abbey of the Arts, PO Box 23160, Seattle, WA 98102 and send me an email to Christine@AbbeyoftheArts.com to let me know to expect your registration.  I will send you the link to the course materials once your check arrives.

Policies and FAQ

Please read the Class Policies and FAQ page before registering.

Your guide for the class

Visit the "About Christine" page for more information

Feel free to email me at Christine@AbbeyoftheArts.com with any questions or concerns.

Praise for the class

I just wanted to write a brief note to say thank you for the work that you do.  Taking part in the 'eyes of the heart' course earlier this year has had a profound effect on me, thickened and deepened my love of walking, photography, writing, and sense of connection with the natural world.  I'm developing what I in turn offer and teach to encapsulate all of those elements, and I know it's in large part to what you helped me see and learn as part of that course.
-Joanna Paterson

After the soul-satisfying Eyes of the Heart class that just ended, I am most grateful to now embrace my camera more intentionally as a sacred companion in Presence, helping me to see the Now with the eyes of my heartspace. You have given me tools to BE this way in the moment, but almost more importantly you have helped me give myself "permission" to be this contemplative in my daily, ordinary and sacred life. -Christine Aalto Jaeger

I have grown and been stretched, inspired, challenged and incredibly blessed by Christine's teaching, encouragement, modelling, support and understanding as we journeyed together for six weeks. Her faith, creativity, artistic expression and insights and all the incredible photographs shared have changed the way I "see". I had hoped to receive much but find in fact I received even more than that! I know I will benefit as a result for the rest of my life. Rather than being finished, this class has whet my appetite to learn more and to incorporate all this learning and experience into my being. Thank you, Christine, and God Bless all your future efforts and classes! –Jennifer Longley

This class was an ideal way to experience Lent, for me. The combination of reflections for the week, daily questions, guided meditations, and photography 'assignments' and reflection opportunities created an opportunity of unparalleled richness from which to learn. Thank you, Christine! -Laura S., Portland, OR

Eyes of the Heart was just what I needed in my frantic search for a practice which would combine my artistic passion and the contemplative life style. It has become a useful path which I can practice every day and embrace as a way of life.  Thank you for making it a great experience. It was the best on-line experience I have ever had. -Susan Hedge