“Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings. Now, think. What delight God gives to humankind with all these things . All nature is at the disposal of humankind. We are to work with it.For without we cannot survive.” – Hildegard of Bingen
I love this quotation by Eleanor Roosevelt:
“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.”
Curiosity is the precursor to scientific breakthroughs, to all great literature and art. Albert Einstein said,
“I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.”
He also said, “Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”
That’s exactly what Hildegard possessed–a holy curiosity. She must have jumped out of bed every morning, eager to discover something new. She walked the earth with the fervent belief that God placed everything here for our discovery and enjoyment. In her science book Causae et Curae, Hildegard writes about topics as varied as medicine, human sexuality, astronomy, and theology. Her science wasn’t always spot on. “There are also the five planets….And as a human’s five senses hold the body together, so too these five planets hold the sun together and are its ornament” (Causae et Curae page 29, as translated by Margaret Berger).
But the breadth and depth of her investigations into the world around her were truly staggering for a 12th century nun.
I’m sure if she were here today, Hildegard would tell you that curiosity, just like her 35 virtues, could be cultivated and enhanced with a little effort on our part.
Sarah’s suggestions in her daily Living Hildegard blog are
Explore an old path and look at it with fresh eyes. Read a magazine you wouldn’t normally pick up. Learn something new. Make a new friend. Travel to a different place. Take a class. Pick up a new language or a musical instrument–proven ways to keep your brain sharp into old age.
Hildegard may be the first and best example of a commitment to lifelong learning coupled with the courage to branch out into the unknown.
It’s good for your heart, health and brain to step outside your comfort zone and explore something new.
Thank you to the brilliant blogs Healthy Hildegard and the daily blog Living Hildegard with Sarah Rhiem
Explore an old path and look at it with fresh eyes.
Curiosity on our local walk today
The play of light on the Red Gum with the peeling of bark stoped me in my tracks.
Michael enjoying the calm greeness of the stand of Red woods
The ferns in the forest today were very active. I love the way this koru has unfolded and now all the secondary korus are unfolding. I have caught it in a moment of time.
Curiosity: Here we were amazed at the uncurling stage of the new fronds. I don’t think this photo does it justice but up close for Michael and I we were full of wonder at the unfurling of creation.
Wet and dry reflections.Beneath my feet. The ferns reflected. It takes a moment for your eyes to see the play of light and silhouette.
What an amazing fungus. And the blood red colours of the trunk and play of light caught our attention for ages.
So lovely to be in our Cathedral of light and peace with the music of the tinkling creek backgrounded by bird song.
Reflections along the creek. We enjoyed the tinkling and bubbling sound of running water too.
Our monarch butterfly danced for us a graceful beauitful performance.
Back home we were still full of wonder and gratitude for a refreshing and healing walk. Our curiosity sated for today.