Thursday, January 22, 2026: Our education Committee is inviting us to participate in a 3rd video of their 4-part series entitled Kataphatic Prayer: Opening to God Through Symbol and Story.

Our Education Committee is inviting us to participate in a 3rd video of the 4-part series. This one focuses on Kataphatic Prayer: Opening to God Through Symbol and Story. Kataphatic Prayer is ofen referred to as  "Praying with your eyes open" as opposed to silent prayer or reflection: "praying with your eyes closed."

Nancy and Bob McFarland have graciously offered their home once again as the site of the video and discussion.

Date: 2/4/26 at 1pm.  All are invited.  Please let Nancy know ahead.

By Phone: (707) 773-0904. or (707) 280-4705

Email: rnmcfar1938@yahoo.com

Nancy and Bob live at 2404 Marylyn Circle, Petaluma, CA 94954

The kataphatic, or affirmative, way of prayer seeks to describe God, and to express what or who God is in terms of what God is like, in order to understand and come closer to God. (From Grace Upon Grace)

Kataphatic Prayer: Opening to God Through Symbol and Story Praying with your eyes open

WITH ALEXANDER JOHN SHAIA

What if the images rising within you held a wisdom deeper than words? In this session, Alexander John Shaia introduces the hidden power of image-based meditation, or kataphatic prayer—a contemplative practice that engages imagination symbols, and sensory experience as a way of prayer. Kataphatic Prayer is praying with your eyes open.

Drawing from his Lebanese Catholic roots, where chanting, incense, and icons shaped his spirituality, Shaia will share how this path invites us to move into images rather than empty them away. Through practices like sand play, he shows how creating and sitting with images- without rushing to interpret them-can open us to transformation, healing, and a deeper knowing of God's presence.

Rooted in both ancient Christian mysticism and Jungian depth psychology, Shaia will reveal how images guide us through life's seasons of change, trial, and renewal.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Alexander John Shaia i s a visionary spiritual guide, Jungian psychotherapist, and author whose work blends ancient Christian mysticism with depth psychology and quantum insights. A first - generation Lebanese-American, he was formed in Eastern Christian traditions and has dedicated his life to exploring spiritual transformation. A s author of Heart and Mind and creator of Quadratos, he guides individuals along a four-path journey inspired b y the gospels.

A lifelong practitioner of image-based (kataphatic) meditation, Shala is a sought-after speaker, retreat leader, and author, fostering inclusive spaces for deep reflection and spiritual growth.

Notes on the Kataphatic  way of prayer: Praying with metaphor

Kataphatic is from the Greek for affirmative, and hence this way of prayer is also known by the Latin via affirmativa. It seeks to describe God, and to express what or who God is in terms of what God is like, in order to understand and come closer to God.

We often refer to God as father; God’s relationship with us is in some ways like an earthly father. In other ways, God is like a mother. In Isaiah we read “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” (66.13). Hosea 11.1-4 expresses both the motherly and fatherly qualities of God, and James 1.17-18 turns quickly from “Father of lights” to “he gave us birth”.

And God appears not only as a human parent. As Jesus laments over Jerusalem, he cries out “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Matt 23.37). God’s care for the people is “as an eagle [that] stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young” (Deut 32.11). Most startling is Hosea’s prophecy of God’s treatment of the unfaithful: “I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs” (13.8).

Elsewhere in the Bible, God is referred to as potter, shepherd, light, vine, rock, shield, fortress, gate, alpha and omega, bread, a drunken warrior with a hangover (Psalm 78) and many other kinds of animal, vegetable, mineral and abstract noun. Among the glories of Advent are the Great O Antiphons, which apply various metaphors from the Old Testament to the coming Messiah.

The kataphatic way uses metaphor as a way of expressing our praise and worship, lifting our hearts and drawing near to God, being surprised, finding consolation, finding strength. Each metaphor conveys a different aspect of God, or a truth about God. So you might find it helpful for a time to chew in prayer over one particular metaphor. Meditate on a particular image or word, and consider what truths it presents to you. 

For example, what might God as potter mean for me today? Shaping, re-forming or repairing me? Or in a time of need you may turn to metaphors of support and protection, as did the writer of Psalm 61. And in times of peace you might imagine yourself held in the loving arms of God as a father or mother.