I recently gave a talk on how I encounter the sacred in the ordinary in my work as a documentary photographer. I thought I would attempt to recreate it here as it was not recorded, and some have asked if there is a way to see it.
You can follow me on Instagram* to see all of the photos I included in the talk, as well as my latest work.
“Yes, it could be that I am a tiny piece of God, and each of you too, or at least
of his intention and his hope."
— Mary Oliver
This poem, “At the River Clarion,” makes me think of the doctrine of Imago Dei, which (put simply) is that humans are made in the image of God. An expression of the divine.
By extension, I believe our very moments can be sacred.
A week before my talk at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ on Summit, theology professor Cara Anthony, PhD. gave a talk on Christian Mysticism. While difficult to define, she quoted Bernard McGinn:
That part, or element, of Christian belief and practice that concerns the preparation for, the consciousness of, and the effect of [...] a direct and transformative presence of God.
I have experienced this to varying degrees while documenting people's ordinary moments.
Moments are connection. They contain love, joy, peace, and goodness, which some will recognize as the fruit of the Spirit.
At times I have even felt I was in a "thin place,” a term the Celts coined for spaces and moments where the distance between heaven and earth seem almost non-existent.
This can be a physical location or a liminal space (a space between, or a transition). For me, capturing a moment — a true moment — is a thin place.
This can be moments between people.
Moments of meaningful experiences or moments when we’re standing on the threshold. Liminal space — the time between what was and what's next.
It can be moments with nature. Or moments when we simply notice.
In these moments, it can almost feel like time stands still. I recently learned about kairological time — a seasonal, cyclic kind of time that many philosophers and mystics would refer to as “deep time” — where the world seems to stop entirely.
Another article I found on it described it as time as story because it includes not only time, but space and meaning.
Mary Oliver says, "I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention."
Or to paraphrase Dr. Anthony: the more you spend time in the wilderness, the likelier you are to encounter a bear.
Paying attention is prayer. Pay attention, and you, too, will begin to see the sacred in the ordinary.
See all the photos from the presentation. While it was not recorded, the Reverend Sarah Brouwer (she/her) gave an excellent summary the following Sunday (skip to about 45 minutes in unless you fully want to to go to church).
Resources!
The Foundations of Mysticism by Bernard McGinn
Mystics and Zen Masters by Thomas Merton
Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom by John O’Donohue
Turning to the Mystics with James Finley
Anam Chara, a blog by Carl McColman
Annnnnd that’s a lot of white men. I’m excited to dive into the work of Black women mystics, specifically. The Center for Action and Contemplation has a great list. There is also obviously St. John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Howard Thurman, and the list goes on and on.
I have also found Oak Moon Tarot to be an incredible resource and teacher (she also has a contemplative Christian tarot account, too!)
I tried reading Teresa of Ávila, but I am just not quite there yet.
Being new-ish to this and not a theologian, I would love to hear what resources you have on the topic (or related topics). I’m also curious in what ordinary moments you have encountered the divine.
*My Instagram is private because -hashtag creeps-. I would love to connect there, but if you request to follow me, please let me know who you are via direct message.