Monotation Mondays

Each Monday a New Monotation

I am introducing a new feature to the site this week. “Monotation Mondays”, I will create and post a new Monotation for your reflection and comments. I take these photos during my travels, it is a type of spiritual meditation for me.

Below you can see a sample of some of the Monotations (click on the image to see a full size photograph). “Adventure” was taken at a large football field and the bright white fence stood in contrast to the openness of the green gateway to freedom.  ”Breath” is an photo of a cloud pattern and it reminded me of the Spirit of God. “Choices” was an image of two doors with an eery light of dusk that gave me a feeling of transition.

One image I took with my friend Jon, we walked past a weathered bench with peeling paint and he said “Generations”.  You can give me a challenge word (in the comments below) and if I pick it I will give you credit for the “Monotation Challenge”.

What is a Monotation? One Image – One Word

These are visual meditations with one word to create space for personal reflection. I have taken these images on my iPhone on the road. This is a growing collection. My desire is to encourage people to take a moment each day to reflect, center and meditate – using a simple image with one word to evoke understanding, love, self-reflection, creativity, celebration, integration . . .

I have always enjoyed expressing myself through photography. It has been both a spiritual practice and a creative outlet for my art. These images speak to me. I hope you enjoy them.

How It is Done

As I travel, I keep my iPhone ready to capture iconic compositions that seem to be awaiting discovery in each environment I find myself. After taking the photo, I manipulate it using the iPhone app “polarize” where I add a single word that speaks to the imagination. This is harder than it may seem. It has now become a practice of mine to name what I see and the feeling it evokes with a single word. When you see the image, it may create a different feeling and a different word. On another day, in different lighting and at a different time in my life, I might return to the same image with a completely different experience.

That’s the beauty of MONOTATION – you see and experience them with your spirit and perspective, and make them your own meditation.