Year of Contemplation 2026: Seeing With the Eyes of the Heart

Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

‘Seeing with the eyes of the heart’ is part of our Year of Contemplation 2026, which will focus on seeking God and learning more about prayer through ancient and more modern paths of silence, spiritual exercises and the senses.

The essence of contemplative spiritual life is learning to see, and we find this embodied in the practise of Visio Divina or “divine seeing”. This practise invites us to move beyond mere observation into a deep prayerful encounter. Contemplative photography also encourages us to slow down and receive as a gift rather than “take” an image. We will learn to see with the “eyes of our hearts”. The day will split between time spent exploring both photography and Rembrandt’s painting Return of the Prodigal Son.

This day will be led by Sue Lunn, a Spiritual Director in the Blackburn Diocese and an ALM leading worship and preaching in her home church. She follows the contemplative path and has spent many years exploring and experiencing different ways to pray, which not only deepen her own relationship with God, but also encourage and guide others also, especially through Lectio and Visio Divina and contemplative photography.

There will be two Pathways to Prayer workshop days, in January and September, two retreats, in June and December and several quiet days in between, expanding what has been introduced in the workshops.

Participants are encouraged to bring a journal, a phone camera or digital camera, and outdoor wear. You may want to also bring a Bible or Bible app.

£39 includes lunch and covers a small material fee.