Lens-Artists Challenge #254 – Spiritual Sites
“The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen
This week the Lens-Artists challenge is focused on Spiritual Sites. While many associate spirituality with religion, the Oxford dictionary defines it as “relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things”, a much wider interpretation. For example, I’ve opened with the stunning Chapel of the Holy Cross which sits high above the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. The chapel itself is an obvious choice, but beyond that, the entirety of Sedona is viewed as a center of spirituality and is regarded by many as a vortex, “a center of energy conducive to healing, meditation and inspiration”. While I don’t know much about that, I will admit I felt a sense of energy and calm while visiting this extraordinarily beautiful area.
“You have to expect spiritual warfare whenever you stand up for righteousness or call attention to basic values. It’s just a matter of light battling the darkness.”
Thomas Kinkade
Yet another fairly obvious choice above, the dome of a church towering over a Jerusalem street. The idea of spirituality is easily linked to the dome, but for me it could be felt throughout the entire Old City. To think of those who walked its stone paths in long-ago times, and of the many who have visited and worshipped here since, was for me a profoundly moving experience.
“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.”
Eckhart Tolle
Since our visit a few years back, I’ve shared many images of Angkor Wat, but never the one above. I captured it at dawn (so unlike me!) from a tethered hot-air balloon above the scene. To me, the morning mist added to the already-incredible spirituality of the site. As a side bonus, it also obscured the nasty green construction tents that marred the facade during our visit.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Spirituality can be found in many places beyond the confines of a church or a monastery such as the beautiful example above. For example, I found the ruins of Petra, a small section of which is shown below, extraordinarily spiritual. It was the sense of history and a thriving culture totally lost, as well as the glorious beauty and peace of the natural stone walls, that drew me in. (Note the tiny people in the image for a sense of scale.)
“Excellence encourages one about life generally; it shows the spiritual wealth of the world.”
George Eliot
I’ll close today’s post with some of the natural sites that have inspired me spiritually. Whether you worship in a church, believe in God in your own way, or find spirituality in the glories of nature or the love of the people around you, remember to pay attention to your spiritual side. It will remind you of the positivity in the world when its chaos seems overwhelming.
“There’s something overwhelming about being in raw nature. It’s got an aura about it is that is really majestic and spiritual.”
Christoper Lloyd
“Big-heartedness is the most essential virtue on the spiritual journey.”
Matthew Fox
“I think there are only two instructions we need to follow to develop and deepen our spiritual life: slow down and let go.”
Oriah Mountain Dreamer
“The garden reconciles human art and wild nature, hard work and deep pleasure, spiritual practice and the material world. It is a magical place because it is not divided.”
Thomas Moore
For those who knew or followed her, my final image is in memory of Bren of Brashly Photography who passed away following her battle with cancer. She ws a wonderful photographer and blogger and we were proud to have had her host one of our L-A Challenges.
We hope you’ll join us this week to share your thoughts on spirituality and the places where it can be found. Be sure to link to my post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to appear in our reader. We offer sincere thanks to Brian of Bushboy’s World for last week’s wonderful Fragments challenge, and to you for your creative responses. Patti will lead our challenge next week on her amazing Pilotfish blog so be sure to check her out next Saturday at noon EDT. Until then, as always please stay safe, be kind and enjoy the journey.
Travels and Trifles 
🙂 I saw your photo of Angkor Wat, and I couldn’t believe it… what an incredible perspective and I wondered how I could not have been aware of taking such a shot when I was there so long ago. And then I read it was from a balloon 🙂 Awesome photo and view… as they all are, but the “Through the Mist, Angkor Wat” really took me.
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Thank you for including religious sites belonging to different faiths. Spirituality is there to move us beyond existing religions to a better religion called ‘humanity’.
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Nice
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Amazing photos. Bar Harbor has an extra special place in my heart; I can’t wait to see stormy skies there again someday.
Thanks Stephanie – yes it’s an amazing place. Each year for the past 20 my brothers and I take our families for a reunion to the beach. Next year for the first time the reunion will be in Bar Harbor. It will be interesting to see how all of the children react to the change!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures
Thanks for your visit and comment Allen
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Hi Tina, I wasn’t sure I’d get this complete as I am in the middle of a visit with friends. This morning however, we had quiet time together and here’s what I have to contribute to the wonderful challenge.https://lindylecoq.com/2023/06/23/lens-artists-photo-challenge-254-spiritual-sites/
Thanks so much for taking the time from your friends’ visits to join us Lindy – much appreciated!
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Your post is so touching and beautiful, Tina. The church in Sedona is a perfect choice, as well as all your other images…both the “traditionally” spiritual as well as the non-traditional ones–like nature. I didn’t know that Bren had cancer. I’m so sad to hear that she has passed. Your tribute to her is wonderfully beautiful.
Thanks so much Patti – especially for taking the time to comment as you explore the wonders of Mother Nature so far afield! Yes, so sad about Bren. I didn’t know either and was glad Anne spread the word for us.
Impressive collection, Tina, for a wonderful theme, all your photos are just amazing! 🙂 I love the sunset image very much, the texture of the water and the orange hues…
Here is my contribution too, https://starrysteps.wordpress.com/2023/06/23/locuri-de-suflet-lens-artists-photo-challenge-254-spiritual-sites/
A very beautiful response Nicole. Many thanks for the lovely comment and for joining us this week.
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