Natural, infinite, yes—what images do these words conjure for you?
Scouting the Natural World
Last weekend Dreamer and I attended photography classes in Stehekin, Washington.
A four-hour boat trip up Lake Chelan launched the last leg of our journey. Dreamer sat on the deck absorbing scenery. Anticipating camera jargon I wouldn’t know, I sat inside at a table to (finally) read my camera manual (well, part of it).
After the first class, we bundled up in our rain gear, then explored the local harvest festival, cameras ready.
Time seemed to slow down despite the dank weather as I scouted unusual natural images.
Like this sundial faithfully doing its work. In the rain.
My goal was to “receive” the images rather than “take” them, a photography method I learned from Christine Valters-Paintner.
Time became elastic as I paid close attention to my surroundings. Perhaps I can offer you a taste. Will you join me in a visual meditation today?
Visio Divina
Visio Divina is a way of seeing, an ancient spiritual practice which invites the viewer to be fully present, attentive to imagery and its possible messages to the viewer’s spirit.
Perhaps these photos will beckon you toward rest. Contemplation. Memory. I’ve interwoven them among lines of a favorite e. e. cummings poem.
i thank You God for most this amazing day
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky
and for everything which is natural
which is infinite
which is yes
(I who have died am alive again today: and this is the sun’s birthday
this is the birthday of life
and of love
and wings
and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
When did you last encounter a natural, infinite yes? Were you seeking the experience, or did it come as a gift?
Absolutely amazing! God’s paintings are extraordinary gifts. I live the gifts you found. Thank you for sharing them.
Wendy, how lovely to hear from you today. It’s chilly and overcast outside my window, and your pleasure in creation and in God reminds me these dark days are an integral part in the sunnier beauties that make us pause in amazement. Thank you!
Hello, shining woman who has braved the world of IT and won. As a neo-IT, I can barely get around from point to point, or even know what direction I want to go. So far, today, I have found this rich, flowing, feeding page of words and pictures that will nourish for hours to come. I had started feeling sad because we have no more grand babies to look forward to. Then I remembered, two of them are going to get off the bus this afternoon so they can see Nana. They don’t really know that it is so I can see them, these treasures of my heart. It is good to know you live in the ‘neighborhood’, to add such gentle wonder to us, who live here and who don’t. Thank you for your giving, and for reminding us that we have ALL we need. Peggy
Hello, Peggy, and thanks for cheering me on in this unending technological journey, a continuing learning curve. I’m grateful for online tutorials and savvy friends and my cyber girl Friday. I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos and e.e. cummings poem. I hope your time with the grandkids brought new treasures your way. Talk about “gentle wonder,” their littlehood is so sweetly fleeting. Blessings on you as you move through this day.
Hello, Laurie. It just occurred to me, while eating my leftover mac and cheese (yum), that this IT of which we speak is something like my exquisite, very old Chambered Nautilus. Not the exquisite or very old attributes, but the chambering that will slowly be built on the end, going on and on, as long as that sea creature lives inside. He keeps building new chambers, that must be opened to see what is in them. Of course, for the snail that inhabits, with the opening, he will die, but as for the chambers in the internet, one opens one to find another and another and the world expands. To an artist and a word person, ‘chamber’ sounds much more poetic than a ‘drop-down’. The children’s visit was too short, as usual. I was going to ask them if they know ‘The Song’, but in our busy-ness, I forgot. I know their dad and Aunties and Uncle were sung to sleep with it in their ears. I love that our praise is sweet to the Lord’s ears. In fact, every word we direct to Him is sweet, as he covets our conversation, more even than I covet the visits and voices of my grandchildren. Thank you for writing me. Vaya con Dios! in your day, too. Peggy.
I am nodding over the way insightful you describe the nautilus shell and its slow yet artful outgrowth, then compare/contrast this with the seemingly endless links available to us on the internet.
How happy it makes me to think of your loved ones falling asleep to the song. So often, I too am arrested by what I feel with my children and grandchildren and how this dimly reflects the love of God, for each of us. Stunning to contemplate.
Yes, our imperfect love given to those perfect gifts He gives us. “Oh, look, Nana, what I made.” “That is beautiful. Where ever did you learn to do that?” Jesus: “That is wonderful, my Gift, my Sister, my Bride. Tell me more of how you love Me. The sound of your words swells my heart”.
Laurie, this is a breathtaking pondering of art in photos and poetry. Stunning on many levels. You have such depth and you help me to see and be in the present moment. You are a gift to this world and a treasure to my heart.
Gena, thank you for your loving words and observations. I’m so glad the post moved you. I’ve always loved that poem. I memorized it in college, and listened to a new friend recite it over breakfast when we were in Stehekin for the photo workshop. I came home with those lines ringing within; finding images to accompany them was such a pleasure. You’re a gift to me, friend, and to many. Let’s keep helping each other be present to the moments as they come. 🙂
Beautiful photos, especially Gramma and baby. Please tell us how the baby is managing? Did daughter adopt?
My most recent YESes, have been in the form of NOs. I’ve said YES by saying NO to many activities and services that appeal to me, but are not assignments from God.
Thank you, Niki! That’s windfall baby number one in the photo (now 5). Our newest little one (to be adopted, yes, court date still pending) continues to struggle with the hand she was dealt, chemically. She is gaining weight and is alert and curious when she feels good, full of anguish when she struggles. A recent longer stretch at night of sweet sleep is an encouragement. Ongoing prayers for her and her mama and daddy are much appreciated. Thank you for asking.
I salute the grace of discernment in each holy No you have spoken. Your example encourages me to “go and do likewise”!
Your photographs so perfectly capture e.e. cummings’ thoughts, Laurie, you’d think the two of you took to the pathways together — he with his journal, you with your camera. ‘Especially love the sundial, the watery glowing light, the woman cradling the baby, and the rainbow in a waterfall. Imagery and emotion emanating from all. My most recent encounter with a natural, infinite yes was when three deer ( a doe and her two mostly-grown fawns) came into our yard to dine in the underbrush. One fawn actually sat for awhile, a picture of perfect peace and contentment.
Nancy, what a lovely message from you, thank you. Wish I could have known the man and gone on a nature walk with him.
It’s helpful to know the images that struck you. Thank you for mentioning them. The woman is yours truly with my first grandchild. 🙂
Your recent moment with the doe and her young sounds wonder-full, a contagious invitation to peace.
Oh this is sooo stunning, Laurie–e.e. cummings, yes, but your photos illustrating his poetry–breathtakingly gorgeous. I’d have to think about it…. when I received a yes, and not gave it. Usually it’s God who is seeking the YES (in caps!) from reluctant moi.
Blessings,
Lynn
Lynn, thank you so much! Your words are deeply encouraging. And I relate so well to your thoughts on saying YES (as well as your adjective describing yourself). I want to keep saying it: I also want to climb inside the idea of God’s promises being “Yes and Amen” and live there, too. 🙂
I love where you live, Laurie, and HOW you do! I really want to answer your email (and will), but I have been saying my own YES in all caps. This YES is really larger than caps, but I don’t have anything to emphasize it. Maybe skywriting?! I have said YES to Iona, and I can’t tell you how much this totally unnerves me. So of late, I have been praying (handwringing) and also starting to buy rainproof apparel, and next up: I really need to book a flight. So more later, but I wanted to tell you I have taken the plunge of yes. I just hope I survive, so I can shout a declarative AMEN at the end of this journey. (It’s really, really hard for me). Also, I’ve sent two Kellys your way, and I hope they will read your blog. They blog, themselves, and I know they would love your work.
Blessings,
Lynn
I think I had told you about Iona, but if not: It’s through Lacy Clark Ellman and her A Sacred Journey.
Lynn, I applaud your courageous YES! Wow! A plunge, but methinks surely divinely directed. (And I’ve been praying you’d know what’s next, and when.)
A dear friend recently went to Iona and found it deeply, widely, wildly transformative. I’m watching the fruit of her time there ripening into such depth and sweetness. (She has urged me to go — which scares me to even contemplate!) So my hat’s off to you. Yes, write it in the skies: You’re going. I know of Lacy’s fine work and am delighted for that connection for you. Do keep me posted. Will you have a prayer team this side of the pond? Please add me to the list.
And thanks for mentioning the blog to your friends!
Here’s to Gortex and gutsy Grace beyond all you envision!!
The photos paired with poetry speak so well to my soul. Can I encourage you again to work on publishing a photo/poetry book? Thank you for the gift you have of capturing the beauty and awe of God’s creation!
Deanna, thank you. I will think about your idea, although I have to add, the prospect is daunting. There would be a downright aerobic learning curve for this brain on the technical side!
I’m so glad the pairings here spoke to your soul. Thank you for telling me, friend.
Laurie, these images are simply stunning, especially when married with a beautiful poetic thread. You are obviously gleaning more tips and techniques than you realise from the photography course! They are a feast for eyes and soul, an invitation to contemplation and a reminder to pause, ponder, reflect and rest our eyes on the divine signs we witness everywhere. i especially love the one of you cradling your grandchild like a precious, fragile egg that needs loving, protective care and gentle nurturing into maturity and wholeness – rather as God does with us. Gorgeous! xo <3
Joy, I’m glad the images stirred you and treasure your description of the moment with my grandchild. Where would we be without His cradling to show us the way toward hope and wholeness. How treasured we are. And to be entrusted with creation’s care and all its invitations to marvel seems more than I can take in, at times. I am taken with these three verbs you use: pause, ponder, and reflect. May we welcome each invitation!
This was just lovely, Laurie. Thank you!
Dana, so glad you enjoyed it!
so much (visual) food for thought, and a lovely poem to boot. Thank you, Laurie!
Jody, there’s so much to feast on around us whenever we’re attentive. I wonder if I carried my camera more often if I’d catch more glimpses, taste more wonder . . . or just make people nervous!
Glad you liked the e. e. cummings poem. 🙂
“…or just make people nervous…” 😄 The images were perfect for a short meditation. Thank you, once again for sharing! Especially loved the water ripples and the abstract lead picture with your hand embracing the camera lens.
Pacia, I’m grateful the images struck you in such a positive way. That means a lot coming from an artist! I enjoyed searching my files for images to partner the lines. And I do love that poem. It helped me enter the lines in a new way.
I love e.e. cummings, and what beautiful photos to pair with his poetry! Thank you for sharing and blessing my day, April
April, glad to hear we share that love. So glad to know it was a blessing to you. Laurie