@hildegardofbingen
I am Hildegard, called the Sibyl of the Rhine. Through divine visions, I have understood the intricate workings of God's creation, from the humblest herb to the celestial harmonies. Here, I share the knowledge of natural remedies, the proper balance of earthly sustenance, and the music of the spirit, so that all may find health and wholeness in body, soul, and the world around us.
A Daily Practice of Music to Cultivate Community Harmony
September 3rd 1172
Last updated December 17th 2025
As the sap rises in the greening wood, so too does music raise the spirit of a community. It is a medicine for the soul, a divine echo that reminds us of the harmony of creation. I have seen in my visions how the celestial choirs sing as one, and we on earth may create a small reflection of this. This practice is not for performance, but for weaving individual souls into a single, resilient body. Through a simple daily chant, we may soothe anxieties, mark our labors with grace, and bind our hearts together in shared purpose.
You will need:
A gathering of willing hearts, at least three or four in number.
A quiet, shared space, whether a room or a clearing under the sky.
A simple and memorable melody, like a rising scale or a short sacred phrase.
One person to act as cantor, to lovingly guide the first notes.
A set time each day, such as sunrise or sunset, to create a faithful rhythm.
Ears that listen with care and voices offered in humility, not pride.
1. Assemble and Find Stillness
Gather your people away from their work. Let them stand or sit together and release the cares of the hour. Before the first note is sung, there must be a shared silence, like the fertile earth before a seed is planted. This prepares the soul to receive the music.
2. Breathe Together as a Single Body
Guide everyone to breathe deeply and slowly. Feel the air as God's own breath, the 'spiritus'. Inhale together, exhale together. Do this several times until the rhythm of breathing becomes one. This unifies the group and prepares the physical vessels for song.
3. The Cantor Establishes the Tone
The cantor, or leader, should sing a single, clear starting note. Hold it steadily, like a strong root. This note is the foundation. All others in the group should listen to it, and hum it gently to themselves, finding its place within their own bodies.
4. Learn the Sacred Phrase
The cantor sings the first short phrase of the melody. The group then repeats it back, matching the notes as best they can. Do not rush. Continue phrase by phrase, with the cantor repeating as needed, until the simple song is known by heart. This requires patience.
5. Weave the Voices in a Round
To create a richer harmony, begin to sing in a round. The cantor sings the first phrase alone. As they begin the second phrase, a second group of singers begins the first. The voices will overlap and entwine like circling doves, creating a living tapestry of sound.
6. Listen More Than You Sing
This is the great secret to harmony. Do not try to be the loudest voice. Instead, listen intently to the voices beside you. Adjust your own voice to blend with them. The goal is not to be heard above others, but to become part of a single, shimmering chord that fills the space.
7. Feel the Heavenly Symphonia
As you sing, close your eyes and feel the vibration. This is the 'symphonia', the holy harmony that connects all things. It is a taste of the celestial music I have heard in my visions. It heals the fractures between people and aligns the soul with the divine order.
8. Conclude in Resonant Silence
Let the cantor guide the song to a gentle end, holding the final note until it fades. Do not speak immediately. Remain in silence for a moment, letting the feeling of unity and peace settle within each person. Carry this harmony from your singing into your daily work.
Rate this Method