Spiritual practice must be uninterrupted. We
may be anxious because we see very little
happening on a daily basis, but we must be
patient until we can see what the accumulation
of our efforts yields. Self-cultivation means
steady, gradual progress.
- Deng Ming-Dao
365 Tao Daily Meditations #74
Although Ming-Dao is speaking about spiritual practice, his words could as well apply to contemplative photography. Seeing the landscapes metaphors, deciphering your images through Photo Lectio, looking for the hidden meanings all around us takes time and patient cultivation. For me, contemplative photography is my primary spiritual practice.
In a society use to instantaneous gratification and quick fixes, the practice of contemplative photography must seem like (as my Grandmother loved to say of slow things...) "It is like cold molasses running uphill in January!" That is really slow!
This should not dissuade someone from beginning. Overtime, the accumulation of experience will occur. Subtly, without fanfare, you will see your perceptions shift. The landscape will speak more clearly to you and your images will become open books to your searching soul.
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