In these times of out-of-control toxic masculinity on display in the social media, far right news, in pockets of Congress itself, and fully on display on January 6, it is important to first critique the toxic masculine as we find it in individuals and institutions—political, media and also religious institutions. Thus we have spoken out on the toxic masculinity asserting itself in evangelical religion and in the Opus Dei wing of the Roman Catholic church today.
Some people are uncomfortable with this, but spirituality is not about comfort—neither Jesus nor Buddha ever said, “Blessed are the comfortable.” Jesus did say: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice.” And, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
It’s pretty hard to hunger and thirst after justice without first naming the injustice. Or to be a peace-maker sans making “good trouble” as John Lewis taught us. Good trouble is what the prophets do, and we are all prophets or meant to be, to “interfere” as Rabbi Heschel teaches.
It is also important to pay attention to a healthier masculine and we are building up to that in fuller meditations very soon.
Hildegard of Bingen talk of virtues as “soldiers” and “sweet warriors” who do battle against the “deceiver.” Says she: “We virtues are in God and we remain in God, we are soldiers for the King of kings and we overcome evil by good. O King of kings, we are fighting in your battles.” God tells her that “my Word is a very strong warrior.”
She urges women and men alike to “become strong warriors” who “resist strongly” falsehoods, lies and injustice. She calls Christ “a very strong warrior” combating injustice.
It is important to keep the divine feminine front and center, for that is part of the sacred masculine too. We shall consider Hildegard on that tomorrow.
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Hildegard of Bingen, A Saint for Our Times: Unleashing Her Power for the 21st Century, pp. 23, 28.
And Matthew Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, pp. 118, 81.
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: A practitioner of the ancient martial art of Tai Chi performs the movement “Snake Creeps Down” in the Wudang Mountains of China. Photo by Yürgen Oster on Wikimedia Commons.
Queries for Contemplation
Do you recognize virtue as integral to the sacred masculine like Hildegard does? Which virtues do you think are calling you and our culture forward today?
Recommended Reading
Hildegard of Bingen, A Saint for Our Times: Unleashing Her Power in the 21st Century
Matthew Fox writes in Hildegard of Bingen about this amazing woman and what we can learn from her.
In an era when women were marginalized, Hildegard was an outspoken, controversial figure. Yet so visionary was her insight that she was sought out by kings, popes, abbots, and bishops for advice.
“This book gives strong, sterling, and unvarnished evidence that everything – everything – we ourselves become will affect what women after us may also become….This is a truly marvelous, useful, profound, and creative book.” ~~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism.
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen, Illuminations reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists and intellectuals of the Western Mystical Tradition. At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations–24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.
“If one person deserves credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.” – Dr Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices.
8 thoughts on “Hildegard of Bingen on the Sacred Masculine”
For me the virtues I feel I am being called to are compassion, sustainability ( which is everything to do with justice) and expressing that through my work as an artist (which we all are).
I,m really looking forward to these forthcoming meditations on the sacred masculine!
Really wonderful meditations. Today, I thought of toxic christians. Of course, a take on toxic masculinity. I use the small “c” for christians who are toxic males. They remind me of the prophets in the Hebrew writings who told the king everything he wanted to hear and prayed and worshiped on his behalf to make him feel good about himself. So, they were toxic prophets. Nixon had his toxic evangelicals as did Trump. Fox is a great prophet in the same vein as Jeremiah and Hosea.
Arnold, I like how you use the small “c” for christian when referring to Christians who are toxic males. And you are very insightful in your seeing the difference between true and false prophets. And yes, Matthew is a prophet in our time as Jeremiah and Hosea were in their times. But in his terms I would call him a “mystic-prophet.” He comes from a deep place, and from that deep place he speaks forth the word of truth.
In today’s DM, Hildegard speaks of virtues that make for a strong spiritual warrior. There’s one story in the bible that has always intrigued me, that being the moment Jesus flipped over the money changers tables, in the temple place of worship. With the intention of today’s theme, that of the virtues of a strong spiritual warrior, I am going to go out on a limb here, and ask, “Can anger be a virtue of a spiritual warrior, when acted upon in a balanced masculine way?”
Recent scientific research suggests that it can be. Bare with me here, and let me explain some of their findings. Firstly, this scientific research recognizes that anger has played an important evolutionary role in ensuring survival. Anger motivates humanity to vigilantly detect threats and sharpens our focus. Anger provides the healthy aggression needed to overcome.
Secondly, researchers have discovered that anger is associated with what’s called approach-related motivation. They assert that relational forces are basic to anger, and that this motivation propels one to approach or move towards something greater desired, or to move away and withdraw from unpleasantries. Approach motivation comprises a balance of emotions, conscious awareness and actions that are driven by the hope of achieving a more desirable result. It turns out, that research has shown that anger significantly activates the left anterior cortex of the masculine side of the brain, which is associated with positive approach decision making. Thus anger can potentially provide one with the energy that may be necessary to take action towards achieving beneficial goals or to correct difficult or unjust situations. Anger, with its physiological arousal can help prepare oneself to take critical action when dealing with injustices.
Thirdly, scientific research also indicates that anger corresponds with optimisim; as it propels one to step into one’s inner authority and power in order to fulfill the needs of the collective, as well as assists one to step into one’s destiny. Further research studies have found that anger and risk assessment are associated with optimism and risk-taking. Another study discovered that anger evoked a new sense of clarity on a larger scale, helping to reduce fear, ultimately bringing people together for a common cause that will benefit the whole. In short, anger can induce optimism about our ability to change particular situations. This then empowers self and others to take positive action, moving from an undesirable outcome to a more desirable one.
Fourth, researchers discovered that anger increases co-operation, and that this then leads to greater harmony in relationships. If the anger is justified, expressed constructively and the response is appropriate; misunderstandings and conflict are often resolved. This constructive expression of anger allows for greater intimacey and co-operation. Ultimately, expressing anger constructively teaches respect for all.
Fifthly, research showed that anger can serve as an opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth. Being both curious and constructive in exploring anger can provide insight into our human faults and shortcomings and can lead to development of our divine nature. One study revealed that getting angry can intimately lead to a positive outcome by providing useful insight into what we can and that which must change.
Lastly, research has shown that anger expands our emotional intelligence. When one is emotionally mature, one has learnt not to resist anger, but instead welcome it with caution, curiosity and care, and in learning to do so we learn to deal with the many dark and negative realities that we experience and encounter in life, in a mature response rather than a hyper sensitive reaction.
I offer these comments today, simply to consider that there is a light side to anger, and perhaps the truth about this can expand our perception and understanding of anger as a healthy expression of the masculine energy that is perhaps a possible virtue of a spiritual warrior.
Jesus was human and divine after all, and I sense that he knew the light side of anger as a virtue, and I sense too that Hildegard did as well.
Jeanette, In reply to you this morning, I outline your positive points on healthy masculine anger as being:
1. “scientific research recognizes that anger has played an important evolutionary role in ensuring survival,”
2. “researchers have discovered that anger is associated with what’s called approach-related motivation. They asserts that this motivation propels one to approach or move towards something greater desired, or to move away and withdraw from unpleasantries.”
3. “scientific research also indicates that anger corresponds with optimism; as it propels one to step into one’s inner authority and power in order to fulfill the needs of the collective,”
4. “researchers discovered that anger increases co-operation, and that this then leads to greater harmony in relationships. If the anger is justified, expressed constructively and the response is appropriate; misunderstandings and conflict are often resolved.
5. “research showed that anger can serve as an opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth. Exploring anger can provide insight into our human faults and shortcomings and can lead to development of our divine nature.”
6. “research has shown that anger expands our emotional intelligence. When one is emotionally mature, one has learnt not to resist anger, but instead welcome it with caution.”
Thank you for sharing your ideas on the “light side to anger!”
I have had several men comment negatively on the use of the words “toxic masculinity” saying that it does not serve to improve things and often causes some men to resist positive change.
I argue that like most things we must see them for what they are before we can participate in transforming them, in ourselves, and others as well.
Yes, presenting the positive alternative is of great importance, so I’m glad Matthew Fox will be getting to that now.
}:- a.m. 🙏🏽♥️
Thank you Jeanette Jesus was ‘fully human and fully divine” in deed, using his justified righteous anger to enlighten his followers. He presents a very angry caveat to his promotion of “7 x 7” unconditional forgiveness of others in Matthew 18:6-7:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!”
Shedding light on disordered cultural conditions in Jesus’ time, scripture scholar Lorne R. Zelyck’s research suggests that in Matthew 18:6-7 “Jesus presents eschatological warnings of divine retribution against any disciple who scandalizes children through sexual abuse or exposure, rather than welcoming them and providing for their needs.” Many people today reflect Jesus’s anger when they become aware of the institutional Church’s seemingly ‘unforgiveable’ coverup of the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy. Toxic Masculinity in/deed…..
Gwen, Thank you for bringing our attention to Jesus’ teachings on the treatment of children. I am both a father and grandfather and truly care for children–especially my grandsons because they are still in the formative time of their lives at just 2 years old and 6.