Hildegard of Bingen and meditation

Hildegard of Bingen, visionary abbess of the 12th century, left her mark on her time with her spiritual wisdom and holistic approach to the world, a wisdom that still resonates deeply in modern times. Blending theology, medicine, botany and music, she saw the universe as an interconnected whole, where soul and body must be in harmony with nature and divine creation. Her works illustrate not only her mystical visions, but also her philosophy of balance between body, mind and universe. Through her writings, she advocates virtues such as compassion and humility, essential principles in the quest for well-being and meditation, as well as a medicine that heals body and mind together. Hildegarde offers a therapeutic approach ahead of its time, integrating diet, natural medicine and meditation, making spirituality a path to holistic health.

What was Hildegard's philosophy?

Hildegard of Bingen saw compassion, kindness and humility not just as moral virtues, but as the very foundations of an authentic, fulfilled spiritual life. In her view, true spiritual growth cannot be achieved without deep introspection and sincere recognition of one's own limitations and imperfections. Humility, in Hildegard's thinking, is not self-denial, but a path to understanding the divine order and the human place within it. By accepting humility, the individual opens his or her heart to divine grace and inner wisdom, essential steps towards spiritual elevation. Compassion and kindness must be translated into concrete commitment to others, through selfless service and brotherly love. For her, serving others is not just a moral duty, but a privileged way to strengthen one's connection with the divine, since love of neighbor is seen as an extension of love of God. By helping others, the individual accesses a form of inner healing and strengthens his or her connection with the cosmos and divine creation as a whole. Thus, true spirituality, in Hildegard's vision, was realized in the balance between humble introspection and generous self-giving to others.

Hildegard of Bingen also believed that body, mind and soul formed an inseparable whole, and that physical health was an indispensable condition for spiritual fulfillment. In her writings, she emphasized the need to maintain a harmonious balance in all areas of life, including diet (through general principles and precise recipes), physical activity, rest and spiritual practice. For her, the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the human being are intimately linked, and true health cannot be achieved without harmony between these fundamental aspects of life.

Hildegarde de Bingen was convinced that nature possessed healing and regenerative powers. She wrote extensively on the medicinal virtues of plants and herbs, which she used in her therapeutic practices, seeking to harmonize natural forces with the needs of the human body to promote healing and well-being.

What are Hildegarde de Bingen's works?

Hildegard of Bingen left a vast and diverse body of work, covering theology, medicine, music and cosmology, testifying to her creative and spiritual genius. Here are just a few of her major works:

• Scivias ("Sci vias Domini", "To know the ways of the Lord") is her first theological work, written between 1141 and 1151, in which she describes 26 mystical visions touching on creation, redemption and salvation. The text is illustrated with images depicting her visions.
• Liber Vitae Meritorum ("The Book of the Merits of Life") is a treatise written between 1158 and 1163 that explores the spiritual struggle between virtues and vices, and how human actions influence the eternal destiny of the soul.
• Liber Divinorum Operum ("The Book of Divine Works") is her last visionary work, composed between 1163 and 1173. In it, she develops a cosmological and theological vision of creation, exploring the relationship between God, the universe and humanity.
• Physica is a nine-volume work of natural medicine, describing the therapeutic properties of plants, minerals and animals. This work testifies to her in-depth knowledge of medicine and botany.
• Causae et Curae is another medical treatise detailing the causes of illness and their remedies, reflecting his holistic vision of health, where man is seen as an integral part of the universe, influenced by divine and natural forces.
• Ordo Virtutum is a musical and theatrical work written around 1151, often considered the first liturgical play. It is a kind of "virtue play", in which the virtues fight the devil to save the human soul.
• Symphonia Armoniae Celestium Revelationum is a collection of liturgical chants, including antiphonaries, hymns and sequences, bearing witness to his musical genius. His music, imbued with his mysticism, is still played today.

How can I meditate with Hildegard of Bingen?

To meditate with Hildegard of Bingen is to enter a universe where spirituality is intimately linked to nature, music and inner contemplation. Here are a few suggestions inspired by her writings and practices for meditation based on her approach.

Connecting with nature: Hildegard sees the universe as a harmonious whole, where every element, from the human body to the smallest plant, is interconnected. To meditate according to her perspective, it's important to regularly reconnect with the earth and nature in order to regain a balance between body, mind and soul.

Music and song: Hildegard composed spiritual hymns, which she saw as a way of raising the soul to God. To meditate according to her inspiration, we can listen to her compositions, such as the Symphonia Armoniae Celestium Revelationum, and let ourselves be carried away by the music.

Introspection through virtue: In her Liber Vitae Meritorum, Hildegard highlights the struggle between virtues and vices. From this perspective, we can practice a daily examination of conscience, meditating on our own actions, thoughts and intentions. The idea is to confront oneself with humility, while seeking to cultivate virtues such as compassion, humility and kindness.

Body meditation and holistic health: Hildegard advocates a balance between body and mind. This means integrating breathing practices, gentle stretching and simple exercises to harmonize body and mind. Diet, sleep and moderation are also essential components of spiritual well-being, and reflecting on these aspects can enrich meditative practice.

Discover how to meditate

Every day, pray and meditate the daily Gospel through commentaries from great spiritual leaders.