Paying attention is mostly what happens in good prayer and in good art. Noticing what’s right in front of you; being mindful of this moment and place rather than allowing thoughts to wander off to the past or future; regularly taking the time and energy to look, listen, touch, taste, and smell. All of this is necessary for good writing, and it’s also necessary for effective spiritual engagement. In fact, one of the benefits of bringing art and spiritual practice together is discovering how the physical senses and practical skills can enhance prayer – and also how a sense of the Eternal and Loving can open up deeper places in the art.
from “The Art of Spiritual Writing” by Vinita Hampton Wright
