Come and See: Postcards and Spiritual Direction
In the summer months I often find myself visiting new places – enjoying a day trip out of the city or making the most of the galleries and museums that scatter the capital. My memento from such visits is often a postcard (they are after all fairly affordable and easy to store in large numbers!). I am drawn to images that will remind me of the experiences. Not just the content, but my reactions, feelings and sense of the day. An exhibition by Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid (at Tate Modern) opens her display with 25 questions for the audience, including “What will I learn about myself here?”.
So my friend and I have committed to journaling each day for the next month on one of the questions and sharing our responses in an anam cara way. My small collection of postcards from the visit help recall the ambiance, delights and challenges of the works.
As a spiritual director I’m often moved to share a poem with someone I accompany – some words which might stretch their understanding of the divine, or that will provide comfort. I remember one directee who struggled to focus in her quiet time – so I sent her away with 50 postcards to use as prayer prompt (if she wished) over the month ahead. As I sit at my desk typing this piece I realise I keep a display stand of images, and when I have a pause (or seek distraction) I might flick through the cards and see who or what I’m reminded of – so I have a focus for a quick prayer and then return to my tasks.
I’m now thinking more about how my postcard collection might be useful in this ministry of spiritual accompaniment. Whilst lectio divina (prayer with words) may be common practice, I suspect there are fewer of us using visio divina on a regular basis.
We can look (read) at the image, meditate (let my eyes be led), pray (what caught my eye) and contemplate (how is God speaking through this image?).
I am clear that for me images allow my mind to wander as freely and creatively as a block of words. In fact I may have more cultural or historical assumptions attached to a set of words than I might with a variety of pictures. I prefer to use secular artwork (rather than photos or religious images) and recognise that there is a bigger invitation for me beyond an interpretation of what I’m seeing based on my own experiences (and baggage). I pause and ask what it is the spirit is showing me today.
The ordinary can become extraordinary if the eyes of my heart are opened. I can be transformed wonderfully if I look through the lens of faith and open myself within an image to experience encounters with the divine. What am I being shown? What is beyond the grasp of my usual 20/20 vision?
As Jesus said to his followers “Come and see” - what might a postcard offer you?
Questions from Lahaina Timid Exhibition
What will I learn about myself here?
What does love sound like?
What are monuments for?
We live in clothes, we live in buildings – do they fit us?’
How do you distinguish safety from danger?
Gill Sewell
Gill is a spiritual director, supervisor, Ignatian Guide and tutor on the Encounter Course. Gill delights in creative approaches to spirituality - hoping to explore the presence of the divine in all things and all places.
Gill will be leading a Saturday Developing Direction workshop “We always light a candle”; a creative morning reflecting on times and seasons and how what we offer as spiritual directors might be informed and enhanced by the liturgical year.