Visual engagement is a rich tool for helping our thinking, understanding and discernment. The visual may be imaginary in the form of metaphors or it may be more tangible using images to act as a basis for thinking and questioning. Of course we think and speak in metaphors all the time - it feels like a mountain to climb; I am feeling on top of the world; it seems that we are going round in circles. In the context of coaching or mentoring it is helpful if the mentor can take care to listen out for visual references in what they are hearing. This may be said quite quickly in the course of conversation. However it can be worth referring back. So, for example, if a ‘hill being climbed’ is mentioned, ask what it feels like, the view, the obstacles, the weather : whatever helps to understand more what is going on and allow more insight. It may be that an actual image is mentioned : so it could be a mental or actual photograph of an event or place. Mentioning a beautiful sunset that had been seen could lead to a conversation about why it mattered so much, what encouragement it gave, and perhaps how the memory of this may be held for the future.
With visual engagement there is an underlying aim of getting a new perspective - ‘seeing’ things differently'.
An idea for using and developing a metaphor
A very familiar term is ’life is a journey’. One way of expanding this and digging in further is to work on aspects of the journey. Each of these could form the basis of part of a mentor discussion. It can be helpful to actually imagine the journey as something tangible and real. The discussion can then focus on the ‘story’ of the journey while revealing important truths.
Life is a journey.....
Hill top viewpoints / Sign posts - choices Where are you going? Skipping, sauntering, slogging / pace. How are you getting along? Kit - to carry or send on or store Are you correctly equipped? Avoiding distractions / milestones Are you keeping going? Hospice, retreats, rests Do you pause? Small detailed view, and the sky What are you noticing? People on the way Who is going with you?
Taking this a step further, there are ways in which a mentor can encourage more visual engagement as a way of furthering growth and understanding. Actual images can be introduced into the conversation to bring about new perspectives and possibilities.
An example of using collections of images to ask challenging questions
These groupings of pictures are an example of how images can be used to spur new thinking. Not everyone finds this helpful, but for those who naturally think in this way this could be a fruitful exercise.
Which of these paintings most closely illustrates how you are feeling about life at the moment Look at the other two - do either, or both, of them add anything
Topic area being thought about..... Which one best illustrates your thinking? .... Which one do you find most challenging? ....
For your team and how they work together Pick one of these patterns and explain how the image could be used as a visual aid to encourage and motivate your team
Which of these images could be used to describe a concern, challenge or fear you have at the moment? Is there a way the image you have picked could be helpful in seeing the way forward?
As you look ahead towards the next six months Choose one of these images and use it to help you think about the future in unexpected ways.
Other possibilities to encourage visual engagement:
It can be fruitful to find a fairly complex image and ask the person to talk slowly about it, weave some sort of narrative and then reflect if relevant to anything in their life. There are so many paintings or photographs that could be used for this exercise. Here is an example : Rembrandt’s ‘Storm on the lake Galilee’
Rembrandt : Christ in a storm on the Sea of Galilee
If you have a big enough version of this painting you can see all the disciples caught in the storm. They are a great way of talking through different reactions to the storms of life. You could suggest a piece of writing on this : I tried…..
An example of a written meditation on this Rembrandt : Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee The storm-tossed ship on the lake flails And cracks with the force of the black white waves. The angle is steep, fearful steep, full of torn things Trying to battle forces far greater. And each responds differently. One holds firm the rudder – allowing himself to become part of the storm. The other watches the sails, masts ropes Looks carefully, adds his strength to the taut canvas. Then, facing the spray, where the boat rises, are three who try to mend. Putting huge energy to keep the broken sail, Throwing their backs into the battle. Another, next to them, looks to be climbing up, looking outwards, to some distant light Glimpsing something beyond or perhaps preparing himself for death. And then in the well of the boat, one detached, huddled to himself, looks away. On the other side, one crouches, looks to speak, inward. One just goes down down and prays. One leads over the side to be ill, full of perplexity. And two speak to Christ. They urge and argue and pull and plead. And he, of them all, looks calm and relaxed. And the extra passenger, the painter, the observer, looks out and calls us in. Who are you?
Providing their own images (or making their own) and talking about them
If the idea of visual engagement appeals the person could be encouraged to try out their own visual thinking.
Some ideas:
Ask person to come to the session with one or two images that they have come across in the previous week ready to talk about them. It could be photos taken on their phone, or things from the newspaper. It would mean they are willing to have open eyes and hearts to notice (without too much thinking at the time)
Find a painting that speaks to them, or about them, or challenges them
Use an art book to give some focus eg 'Conscious Creativity' by Philippa Stanton has lots of great ideas.
Use an app to manipulate images that will make them think about mood and feeling. (Eg Brushstoke app)
During the session the mentor could doodle and then show to person to see if it adds anything. Or get the person themselves to doodle and share
An example : three paintings made it a time of grief and mourning that were very helpful ways of expressing feeings and still resonate many years later