One of the things I like to do as a pastime is photography. And one of my favorite things to photograph is water. I have spent many years taking photographs of the ocean and reflections, but more recently, I’ve taken to photograph rivers. 

Our eyes can’t see the river’s motion in the same way that a camera does. We see a different view of the water when we slow the camera down by controlling the shutter speed. The fluidity of the water takes a shape of its own. One that we can’t discern by the naked eye. The colors and the shapes take on their own forms based on how they pass over the rocks. Creating streams within a stream. The resulting image, as the one shown here, becomes almost abstract. 

Meaning is implied differently than just a straight recording, or snapshot, of the water as we see it. 

For me, these natural images also illustrate how things are in our minds and soul at times. The eternal nature of the river, or so it seems, makes us think differently. The water that passes in front of us, perhaps passed there for generations before, making its way to homes, fields, and gardens, and then eventually the ocean. So a cycle of replenishment and nourishment and movement is shown. 

Another observation from this image presented to me is one of a river full of thoughts. In contemplative prayer circles, we spend much time trying to simplify our thought process. Trying to quieten our mind down, focusing on just resting, taking on the mind of Christ, cradling ourselves in his arms, attempting to move ourselves from the everyday distractions. 

John Cassian, 3rd century desert father, tried the same thing. He left the city to avoid distractions and temptations for the desert, only to find himself bombarded by a river full of thoughts once the secular temptations were removed from his presence. it is often the case when we try to quieten down, perhaps in silent prayer, attending a retreat, visiting our favorite sacred space, we encounter this initial river full of thoughts. 

In the centering prior tradition, when we feel this way, the method tells us to not try to reject these thoughts, engage with them, or remove them, but rather just let them pass by, like the water in the picture. Letting them go by slowly, beautifully, and consciously by just saying a single simple word indicating our commitment to return to Christ. 

You know everyday life, when we feel overwhelmed and overcome by the river of thoughts and the ensuing decisions we face, it may make sense to go the way of the image in the picture. To slow down, to discern, to have God involved in the decision-making process, just as God is the instigator and contemplative prayer, and all our lives may be a little calmer, more peace-filled, and rewarding. 

God Bless, Michael

Thoughts

Passing by,

At the rate of sixty thousand a day,

But who is counting;

There are just too many.

Mostly distractions,

Leaving as fast as they came,

Not slamming the door,

But rather taking a sneak peak of my soul,

And leaving without a goodbye,

Hustled out in a crowd,

Only looking forward. 

Then the leaders come,

A different color,

Waving a flag,

Shouting notice me,

Or you may regret it.

… If you let me go.

These are the ones which make up our conscious,

The unwilling to daydream,

Thoughts who want to form us,

From wherever they came.

These lit up thoughts,

Are hard to extinguish.

Yet, this is my must.

For otherwise my true self cannot be presented,

And offered up without agenda.

  

Reflection, poem and Photograph copyright 2024 Michael J. Cunningham OFS

Oh hi there 👋 It’s