Art based on *Race and the Cosmos* (Vonda Drees)

*Race and the Cosmos* is available through the Center for Action and Contemplation.

A note from editor Carmen Retzlaff: I had hoped to include something about Dr. Barbara A. Holmes’ amazing book Race and the Cosmos in this issue of All Creation about “Re-framing Darkness.” Holmes writes about science and astronomy as part of a new vision for looking at human relations and race. She argues for incorporating our growing knowledge of science into our views of and aspirations for society. Holmes is a womanist theologian and contemplative, writing about faith and science.

However, I had just discovered—and dived into—the book. When I found out that artist Vonda Drees was working with this book and creating images to accompany her reading and study, I was thrilled to be able to offer this visual accompaniment, a conversation with this important text. Drees, whose art often reflects and interacts with her faith, lead a discussion and creative journaling process as part of her work with the Grünewald Guild, an arts and faith education retreat center in Washington state. Included here are eight of Drees’ images with quotes from Race and the Cosmos.

**Image Meditations on Race and the Cosmos by Barbara A. Holmes**

Race and the Cosmos is the third in a series of anti-racism books that have provided inspiration for my recent online journaling sessions. The first was How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and the second, My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem. Unforeseen by me, I noticed that Kendi's book, focused on policy, seemed related to mind work, while Menakem's book, focusing on racialized trauma, was related to body work. I've admired previous work by Dr. Barbara Holmes and when Race and the Cosmos came up, it seemed that it would be a great fit for soul work. I am still searching for the fourth book, one that will be about the heart of anti-racism work. I'm open to suggestions. - Vonda Drees

“To consider our lives within the scope of a planetary system that is billions of years old would put our race/class/gender scuffles into perspective. To realize the rarity of blue/green life-sustaining planets in the cosmos would put ecology on the top of the priority list.” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 44

“It is a unity in plurality that allows for the emergence of self on many levels. Roles assigned by civic mythologies can fracture this unity. ... [S]cience writer Angela Tilby says, ‘our presence in the universe is very closely linked to the way the universe is. There is a resonance between the existence of human beings and the world within which we are embedded and from which we have emerged.’” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 51

“In the beginning there is a natal darkness. It is the womb out of which we are born, a genesis space for ‘Let there be’ and nurture. This is a mothering darkness that nurses its offspring. I am describing a darkness that is like rich loam, that strengthens us, encourages us to push deep roots into the dark earth, where we can grow toward the light fed by the darkness. There are still other darknesses that are yet to be revealed.” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 142-143

“While theories are fascinating, all we can conclude at this point is that darkness is a power in our universe. From a rhetorical perspective, we are observing a trinity of darknesses: dark energy, dark matter, and dark flow. Dark energy seems to be accelerating the expansion of the universe, dark matter seems to be a holding mechanism of the cosmos, and dark flow may be the response of galactic objects to a force outside of this universe that is pulling them beyond the known realm. The mysteries abound.” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 150

“...our desires for community... may... be a reflection of our own physical and quantum connections to a relational cosmos. Theologian [Diarmuid] O’Murchu puts it well when he says that ‘the search for community is not merely a pursuit of security and intimacy to obviate our loneliness... It is much more than that. It is an expression ... of a yearning from deep within the created order itself.’ He continues, citing Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry, ‘Our broken, fragmented world yearns to be whole again. We humans imbibe this longing and, on behalf of creation, we give it conscious expression, particularly in our desire and efforts to re-create a sense of the earthly and cosmic community.’ ... Ultimately, the universe will not sanction our divisions; instead, the cosmos groans for the restorative acts of humankind.” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 198, 199

“Goodness is a first principle of the universe. God declares it on the first page of the story of creation. It is good to live in a universe that supports and nurtures us.” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 216

“...as we continue the struggle for justice, the universe invites us toward expanded options. We can incorporate the wonder of science in our liturgy, prayers, and politics.” —Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos, p. 220-221

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Vonda is a creative contemplative. She has used her artistic gifts and passion to share images from her spiritual journaling practice, deliver arts programs, and develop immersions and resources. Vonda and her husband, Jim, are currently wrapping up their tenure as directors at the Grünewald Guild. Vonda Drees Instagram, Website. Drees has also illustrated a set of yoga and meditation cards available here.

"A theology worthy of God presumes a universe worthy of God-Holmes offers us both!" -Richard RohrWhat does it mean to be a cosmic being, a creature of divine...