Contemplative Beholding

“In this remarkable book, my dear friend and colleague Joel Upton shares his practice of contemplative beholding, which is a journey from separation and loss to the intimation of reconciliation.... His is a trustworthy path toward cultivating the ‘right eyes’ to see deeply into humanity’s great works of art, which is simultaneously a seeing into the human condition and to a ‘more human love.’” — Arthur Zajonc, author of Meditation as Contemplative Inquiry

This book and its companion website (contemplativebeholding.org) are intended as a guide to an art and practice of contemplative beholding. On the website are images that provide focused occasions for viewing works of art, including painting, sculpture, and architecture.

The combined act of reading the text and viewing the images initiates a contemplative process of change, growth, and transformation, a journey that leads one to a point of renewal.