Seeing with the eye of the heart
Led by Steve Radley
The heart is thought of as the seat of our emotions. For many of us, the last few years have been a roller coaster of emotions as we adapt to change and grieve the loss of things we knew. Discover how your smartphone or camera can be a gift to aid stillness, helping you explore your emotions and ways of seeing through the spiritual practice of Visio Divina.
No photographic skills are needed, just a smartphone or camera. There is a mindful prayer walk each day but for those who find walking more challenging, exercises can be practised around the house & gardens. The skills learnt can be used after the retreat, helping you see God throughout the day building spiritual and emotional resilience.
Session themes include helping us to see in new ways, exploring the ordinary through colour, embracing light and shadow, creating an image to explore our emotions, and using images to create an Ignation-style examen. One of your own photos will be printed for you after each prayer walk and there will be a colour leaflet of the day’s exercises.
The retreat uses photography as a contemplative art, supported by enough technical skills but without those getting in the way of the power of seeing our pictures as windows to the divine, revealing our inner hopes and fears through story, and sharing images to build relationships.
Silence will be kept for the greater part of each day. Some 1:1 appointments will be available, and a simple pattern of daily worship structured around the theme and images of the day.
Steve Radley is an Anglican priest, professional photographer, and members ambassador for the Guild of Photographers. A military veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan he found contemplative photography helped him after his experiences of war. In 2021 he was awarded the Amateur Photographer Magazine Unsung Hero Award.
He grew up in the Lake District and has a love of the outdoors and fell walking. He is an experienced sailor and accredited buddy sailor with Sailability. His working life started in agriculture followed by service on the Lee Abbey Community which led to a short career in business finance prior to his ordination. After parish ministry he was commissioned as a RAF Chaplain. His experience of war left him with a passion to help people see the beauty of life in new ways. This desire saw Steve pioneer a new direction in his ministry using image to promote resilience and build relationships through his organisation, Soulful Vision.
Steve is currently a doctoral student, researching healing after trauma through photography, he has a BTh (hons) in theology, MSc in Psychiatry & War, and certificates in counselling and MHFA. He has personal experience of mental health having suffered from depression, anxiety and moral injury, the latter following his last deployment to Afghan. Soulful Vision brings together this study and experience. He has led retreats across the UK and in Ireland.
This event is open to everyone.
Arrival: 3 - 5pm
Mon 6th November
2023
Departure: 10am
Fri 10th November
2023
Residential - £530 (20% ministry discount)
