Arthur Aghajanian

Contemplatives in Conversation: Images in Contemplative Practice

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Jan 10, 2022 | Articles, Journal, Religion & Philosophy |

Arthur Aghajanian and Don Salmon discuss the use of images for spiritual guidance in traditional and contemporary practice.

The Place Of Unknowing

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Nov 17, 2021 | Articles, Religion & Philosophy |

In this essay, Arthur Aghajanian writes about Caspar David Friedrich’s “Monk by the Sea” as a visual embodiment of the apophatic tradition.

The Shape of Personality

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Jul 19, 2021 | Articles, Journal, Religion & Philosophy |

In an essay inspired by writing from C.S. Lewis, Arthur Aghajanian explores the representation of personality in our visual culture.

Portraits of the True Self

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Feb 15, 2021 | Articles, Psychology & Personal Growth |

Arthur Aghajanian has done it again. Please enjoy a compelling examination of the art of Rembrandt. This time with a personal touch. Arthur shares his own struggles around finding his true self after working very hard to perfect his artist persona. How do we find our way out of the shadows and into the light?

Birth Through the Virgin and Child

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Dec 22, 2020 | Articles, Contemplative Christianity, Religion & Philosophy |

Continuing our holiday series, Arthur Aghajanian considers how most people see Christmas as the celebration of an individual birth at a certain moment in history, accompanied by portrayals of the Holy Child in churches and on Christmas cards. These images have their place in the religious education of children, he writes. Yet for adults, visualizing the meaning of Christmas in this way often only helps reinforce a limited understanding of what the occasion can mean for us. How does mature Christianity recognize Jesus’s birth?

Picturing Faith

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Dec 7, 2020 | Articles, Contemplative Christianity, Religion & Philosophy |

Arthur Aghajanian offers a beautiful consideration of the difference between faith and belief, indicating that faith is an experiential knowing, a sense of connectedness with one’s true nature. How is this different from belief?

Ecstasy in Stone: Viewing Bernini through a Contemplative Lens

Posted by Arthur Aghajanian | Nov 30, 2020 | Articles, Contemplative Christianity, Religion & Philosophy |

Contemplative Light is pleased to introduce a new writer this week. Arthur Aghajanian explores visual culture in ways that are informed by his own contemplative practice. In his first article, Arthur analyzes Bernini’s “Ecstasy of St. Teresa” through a contemplative lens. Please enjoy.