Hildegard via Film and Tabor

“Love abounds in all things,
excels from the depths to beyond the stars,
is lovingly disposed to all things.
She has given the king on high
the kiss of peace.”
– Hildegard, Caritas Abundat

After my Meister Eckhart retreat I decided to continue with the German mystic theme and spent some time in the company of Hildegard of Bingen. I finally caught up with 2009’s biographical film “Vision: Aus dem Leben der Hildegard von Bingen” which has a fine performance from Barbara Sukowa in a rather conventional (awful pun!) telling of Hildegard’s life from director Margarethe von Trotta.

Vision 2009

The film was a useful introduction prior to a study day at Tabor Carmelite Retreat House in Preston on Hildegard. This was led by Fr Michael Miners OCDS and was a much more satisfying experience. There was useful biographical material, an overview of Hildegard’s visions and plenty of opportunity to consider her music, medical and visual legacy. Quite a lot was packed in to the day but we still had time for interesting conversations and quiet reflection in some of Tabor’s lovely spaces. It’s hard to believe you’re in Preston…

Hildegard's Trinity

Hildegard’s Trinity: “And so Eternity is called the Father, the Word is called the Son and the breath that connects these two is called the Holy Spirit; just as God marked it in man in whom there are body, soul and rationality.”

Everything Divine at Shepherds Dene

Shepherds Dene

I spent some time last week in the company of a lovely group of people at Shepherds Dene in Northumberland. We were all there to explore the thought and teachings of the 13th Century German mystic Meister Eckhart and to spend some time in quiet contemplation.

April Aubretia at Shepherds Dene

Shepherds Dene is the joint retreat centre for Durham and Newcastle Dioceses in the Anglican church and is set amid glorious countryside not far from Hadrian’s Wall. It is a beautiful place that’s comfortable and conducive to prayer and meditation. Oh, and some fine conversations over great food too; we weren’t being THAT silent.

Labyrinth at Shepherds Dene

The retreat was led by Anthony Finnerty from the Eckhart Society and was a good balance between interesting talks and reflection on the teachings.

Sculpture at Shepherds Dene

Curious to find that the late Maurice Walshe who was so well regarded by Theravada Buddhists for his translation of the Digha Nikaya (The Long Discourses of the Buddha) was also the key translator of Meister Eckhart’s complete mystical works into English for the Society. One of the tracts he produced for the Buddhist Publication Society’s Wheel series addresses these joint interests: Buddhism & Christianity: A Positive Approach.

Prayer Room at Shepherds Dene

“People should not worry as much about what they do but rather about what they are. If they and their ways are good, then their deeds are radiant. If you are righteous, then what you do will also be righteous. We should not think that holiness is based on what we do but rather on what we are, for it is not our works which sanctify us but we who sanctify our works.” – Meister Eckhart