What if a directee can’t visualise? How does that shape prayer and discernment?
Many spiritual practices – such as Imaginative Prayer - assume an ability to visualise and draw on a range of mental imagery (i.e. “Put yourself in the Bible scene – what do you see, hear, touch, smell, taste?”) But people with aphantasia, who to varying degrees cannot access mental imagery, can be left feeling excluded and may question their faith when they cannot pray this way (especially in the context of church communities which stress the importance of visionary experiences). Meanwhile, those at the opposite end of the spectrum (hyperphantasia) may feel overwhelmed and confused by the vividness of multisensory imagery, and need support in discerning its significance.
This workshop explores how these underrecognised forms of neurological diversities, can impact on prayer, meditation, reflection, and the experience of God's presence – and considers how we as Spiritual Directors can honour diverse minds and support directees with different imaginative capacities.
Drawing on the latest research and personal experiences of aphantasia, we’ll explore practical ways to adapt traditional practices, consider how best to support directees who struggle with mental imagery and accompany people who pray without pictures. You’ll leave with language and tools to affirm a wider range of spiritual imaginations and celebrate the rich diversity of human experience.
Rev. Sheena Gabriel
With a background in further education, counselling, and creative therapies, Sheena has a special interest in the intersection between psychology, mental health, the arts, spirituality, and religious experience. Raised in the Pentecostal church, after a meandering faith journey, Sheena found her spiritual home within the Unitarian and Free Christian church. After training as a minister, she led a congregation in Godalming for 12 years, and continues to be active in leading worship, meditation, and teaching. Having trained on the Encounter course at LCSD, she offers spiritual accompaniment to people from different traditions, and has a heart for those who find themselves on the edges of church.
Date: Friday 5 December
When: 10:00- 15:00 GMT
Where: Online
Cost: £50 Non Members, £40 Members
FAQ
-
After booking your event you’ll receive an automatic confirmation email that contains your unique Zoom link. Please check your inbox (and spam folder, just in case) for this email.
You will also receive a reminder email 48 hours before the event and one hour before.
You do not need a Zoom account to join. On the day of the event, simply click the Zoom link in your confirmation email. This will open the Zoom app or website, where you’ll be able to join the event. Be sure to log in a few minutes early to make sure everything is set up!
-
Handouts, if provided, will be shared with you via a link in both your confirmation and reminder emails. The link will direct you to a folder in Google Drive where you can download the materials. To download the handouts:
Click the link in your email to access the folder.
Once in the folder, find the documents listed.
Click on the document you want to download and look for the "Download" option (usually in the top-right corner of the screen).
Select Download, and the file will be saved to your device.
Any handouts made available after the event will be added to this folder.
We strive to provide handouts for each event that it is appropriate for, but please note that some speakers may not provide them. If handouts are available, they will be uploaded to the folder at least 48 hours before the event. Be sure to check the folder ahead of time to ensure you have everything you need!
-
Yes, you can reschedule your booking through the confirmation email. Just click the "Reschedule" link and choose a new time. Please note that rescheduling is subject to availability.
To cancel your booking, simply follow the link in your confirmation email and you’ll find an option to cancel your appointment. Cancellations and refunds are only available before the event starts.
-
If you’re having trouble joining the event, first try checking your internet connection or restarting your Zoom app. If issues persist, please contact us immediately via email at info@lcsd.org.uk, and we’ll try to help troubleshoot or provide an alternative solution.
-
Click on the “Book” button on the page.
Enter your personal information (name, email, etc.) and click “Continue to Payment” button.
On the payment page, fill in your payment details.
Under “Order Summary” you’ll see a field labelled “Package, gift, or coupon code”
Enter your code and click Apply.
Once applied, you should see your 20% member discount reflected in the total amount.
Follow the prompts to finalise your payment and booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details of your event.