Pilgrimage – Day 4

Body and Soul

Hildegard was known as a healer, a doctor in her day, and we have her writings about the natural world and the healing properties of plants. (I am struck by how much our contemporary interest in wholistic medicine and physical care can be found in this 12th century visionary!) 
She did not see body and soul in dualistic terms. Body and soul are a microcosm of the macrocosm of the universe... Veriditas energizes all. When our body and soul is in harmony, we contribute to the harmony of the world.
Ponder these words as a prayer...
“The soul is like a wind
that waves over herbs,
Is like the dew that 
moistens the grass.
Is like the rain-soaked air
that lets things grow.
In the same way 
you should radiate kindness
to all who are filled with longing.
Be a wind, helping those in need.
Be a dew, consoling the abandoned.
Be the rain-soaked air,
giving heart to the weary,
Filling their hunger with instructions
By  giving them you soul.”
- From the Scivias

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September 9-19 Rev. Shawn is on Pilgrimage in Germany: “Hildegard of Bingen and the Greening Power of God”.

St. Hildegard was a 12th century  German Benedictine abbess. She was a mystic, composer, artist, poet, healer, and preacher. These short blog posts share some highlights from Rev Shawn’s pilgrimage.