Hildegardisweg: Contemplative Path
The official title of the recently (2018) opened Hildegardis Trail is
«Hildegard von Bingen Pilgerwanderweg» (Pilgrims' Way of
Hildegard von Bingen). With a total length of 137 km (85 miles), it
leads from the town of
Idar-Oberstein
to the town of
Bingen
at the mouth of the Nahe river into the Rhine, in close vicinity of
the two monasteries
Rupertsberg
and Eibingen. The trail is laid out around its natural center of
Bad Sobernheim
and the
Disibodenberg
hill, where
Hildegard von Bingen
lived during the first 50 years of her life. The Hildegardis Trail offers
a wide variety of different experiences. Dr. Annette Esser, one of
the initiators of the trail, summarized this as follows: people using the
trail with a spiritual goal in mind may enjoy the athletic aspects as well,
while others coming with sporting ambitions may also experience the trail's
spiritual aspects. However, common to all the different ways of enjoying
the Hildegardis Trail are unforgettable memories of the unique cultural
heritage found almost everywhere in the Nahe Valley.
Getting to Know Yourself Better
What is this all about?
Many of us did not learn anymore that "true" life necessarily includes ups and
downs that may switch between each other from time to time. By nature, we possess
all the means to successfully copy with the varying demands of the daily grind.
However, current lifestyles (i.e., "awareness of life") are dominated by
comfortably consuming almost everything, while taking this for granted: a fulfilling life,
uninterrupted entertainment, frequent vacations, constant health, everlasting good
fortune —and sports, of course, without being physically active. The drawbacks:
chronic stress on workplace, overweight, increased risk of psychosomatic disturbances,
emptyness, social isolation, excessive alcohol consumption, illegal drugs.
Several scientific studies with more than 2,500 students from 6 different countries
in Europe, the U.S., and Southamerika have recently revealed that 15% of young
people exhibit insufficient coping behavior under chronic stress, thus being exposed
to a significantly increased risk for physical illnesses and psychiatric disorders.
Yet these studies have also demonstrated that regular excercises, riding a bicycle
on a habitual basis, or going for a 30-min walk several days a week, can achieve
true "miracles" of change [Prof. Dr. Hans H. Stassen, author of numerous
scientific publications in this field].
Key points are: get some distance, come to a rest, observe your environment
consciously with all its facets. The term «contemplative» encompasses
exactly these aspects. And where else could this better be realized than during
a several-day hike along the Hildegardis Trail with its many and various places
of peace, reflection, and fascinating outlooks. A perfect oportunity to learn more
about the complex interplay between body and mind.