A visual meditation with images from my travels during the World Congress of Benedictine Oblates in October 2009. The photos were taken in the Vatican City, Rome, Subiaco (Benedict’s Cave), Monte Cassino (Benedictine monastery), and Sant’Anselmo (Primatial Abbey). The music is by Hildegard of Bingen.
© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts
Christine Valters Paintner had a conversation on Creativity, Chronic Illness, and Contemplation with Mike Petrow on his podcast The Healer with a Thousand Faces (also available through audio podcast channels). Joins us in Lent 2027 for the retreat The Wisdom of Our Wounds: Chronic Illness
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jaqui Eicher’s reflection and poem. After reading Christine Valters Paintner’s poem, “St. Gall and the Bear,” I responded in writing to the prompt:
For Deeper Gratitude*Spirit of Generosity,we come to you with heartsoverflowing with gratitudefor your abundant creation.As we awaken each morning,help us to rememberthis day is a gift,this breath is a grace,this life a wonder.Remind uswith every flower we see,every act of kindness,every moment of connectionto something
14 Responses
Stunning. Please do more of these.
Thank you dear friends for the lovely comments. This is my first attempt at trying something like this and I created it for my Oblate community but thought it would be fun to share.
Christine, thank you for this lovely meditation. I just experienced it after doing my lectio divina on the phrase “my sin is always before me” in Psalm 51. This was a healing balm after that intense struggle. It was very soothing and gently transported me, my soul to a new place of healing and hope.
Thank you for sharing such beautiful images and inspiring music. I just loaded Hildegard of Bingen into my playlist for Pandora. It will be interesting to see what else shows up. I really loved the art, pictures of saints. So peaceful, calm and reassuring.
thank you and sweet blessings to you….
I like the concept of a visual meditation. Thanks. I liked the music too.
A calming moment for a busy morning!
Awesome! It leaves a feeling of calmness and inner joy. Thank You.
Splash of water, flight of birds, cast of shadow catches the moment. Beautiful.
Simply stunning and SO grounding for me. Blessings!
Thank you. This provides a welcome moment to be slow and thoughtful.