General Anthroposophical Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 9/18
World Goetheanum Forum Working together in a spirit of dignity June 2018 • N° 9 The forthcoming Michaelmas period re- minds us that the future of the earth is still Goetheanum 1 World Goetheanum Forum to be shaped – in the struggle with the ‹dragon›. Michael helps those who take the Anthroposophical Society initiative. One area where the dragon is 2 General Anthroposophical Society: very active is the economic life. Associative The Goetheanum needs your help economics, the subject-matter of the World 8 Annual Motif for 2018/2019: The Goetheanum Forum, is an ‹antidote›. voices of the hierarchies in the Cosmic Word How can we celebrate the festival of Michael existence and growth to initial anthropo- 10 Annual General Meeting: publically today? The trials we are facing sophical impulses. The respect for the earth More members’ views (4) now are immense, calling to mind the image shown in biodynamic farming, the respect 11 Communication: May we contact of the Apocalypse. Michael and his angels for young children in Waldorf Education and you by email? (3) cast on to the earth the dragon that intend- for the dignity of the individual in Curative ed to devour the new-born child and drown Education and Medicine, the way the desert School of Spiritual Science his mother, «and the earth helped the wom- has been made to blossom in Sekem, the 4 Humanities Section: Conference on Transhumanism an» (Revelation 12:16). How do we connect meaningful and value-oriented approach 5 Visual Arts Section: Painters’ with the future of the earth? The earth re- to money in anthroposophically inspired Workshop with Dorothea and ceives its life from the sun, from the cosmos. banks are being noticed everywhere in the Ronald Templeton Whether or not we will be able to protect world and are attracting young people, too. 6 General Anthroposophical Section: the warmth, air and water around the earth And yet, those who are working in these Conversation and contemplation and its fertility will depend essentially on institutions and enterprises are facing chal- 7 General Anthroposophical Section: the ideas we commit to and how much these lenges: cooperation and competition, self- Alma Humana! ideas can inform our life and co-existence. efficacy and burn-out, dialogic leadership and hierarchy, spiritual identity and the Anthroposophy Worldwide In charge of an enterprise and of oneself limits of communication in a team or be- 6 Georgia: Tbilisi conference The We all rely on global cooperation today. tween the generations – the task of being Soul of Europe By what spirit should this cooperation be in charge of an enterprise and of oneself is Forum guided given the dragon’s merciless interfer- becoming ever more demanding. 12 Germany: Responses to the ence that does not respect human dignity? How can we learn to draw from the sourc- documentation ‹Open In 1923, the Anthroposophical Society had es of spiritual science in our everyday lives? Anthroposophy and its Opponents› 12,000 members and less than ten enterpris- Which questions and fruitful experiences 14 Reply to Johannes Falk’s es were working out of anthroposophical can we share with each other, across the announcement of a study on impulses, among them the Waldorf School professions? The World Goetheanum Asso- the location of the Representative in Stuttgart (de), the hospital founded by Ita ciation offers the possibility to anyone inter- of Humanity Wegman in Arlesheim (ch) and the Weleda. ested, whatever their professional orienta- Today, the General Anthroposophical Society tion and country, to share their thoughts on Feature 16 Shanti Leprosy Aid: counts more than 40,000 members, but economic, social and spiritual responsibility. A home for the outcast more than 30,000 farms, schools, kinder- | Georg Soldner, Goetheanum gartens, medical practices and hospitals, social therapy centres, banks, businesses, World Goetheanum Forum 28–30 pharmaceutical manufacturers, publishers, September 2018 at the Goetheanum, toy manufacturers and others owe their ww.worldgoetheanum.org 2 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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General Anthroposophical Society 3.8 million Francs: contributions from The Goetheanum needs your help more than 40,000 members + 0.7 million Francs: investment income from real estate used for housing The Executive Council aims to make the its ten specialist departments (that include − 0.5 million Francs: expenses for the achievements and visions of anthropos- the Sections for Agriculture, Medicine or Membership Office, Executive ophy, as a «healing» influence (Rudolf Education, for instance) and if it can be Council and Society costs Steiner) on the challenges and needs of our realized and put into practice in permanent = 4 million Francs: in support of the time, more effective by 2024-25 and for the contact with the professional areas and Goetheanum as the School of second century after the Christmas Confer- current developments. Around one mil- Spiritual Science ence. It can only succeed in this endeavour, lion Swiss Francs per year are needed for if we, as a global initiative and community, this, over and above the present individual The Goetheanum as the School of Spiri- continue to work on strengthening anthro- member’s contribution of ideally 125 Francs. tual Science is primarily an institution of posophy in our various locations, institu- • the arts can be nurtured and developed the cultural life and spends, in the pres- tions and life situations. By consolidating at the Goetheanum, if eurythmy in particu- ent austerity mode, annually around our cooperation across professions and lar can be seen on stage, and if speech, dra- borders, we can pool our forces and create ma and the visual arts can be strengthened. 6 million Francs for the activities of an extended Goetheanum as a spiritual- The decision to assemble a new permanent the School’s eleven Sections social venue around the globe. eurythmy ensemble at the Goetheanum + 1 million Francs for the Eurythmy from the autumn of 2018 means that one Ensemble and its extra expenses Three big challenges million Francs will be required every year. + 1 million Francs for keeping the stages The around 220 co-workers of the Goethea- • Rudolf Steiner’s cultural creations (for ready for performances and num - as it was historically created by Rudolf instance his drawings, models, sculpture conferences Steiner and as it stands in Dornach (ch) now, and the second Goetheanum with its land- + 3 million Francs for maintenance in the twenty-first century - strive to make scaped park and buildings and the Art Col- of buildings and technical this the living centre of the wider, global lection which contains more than 12,000 infrastructure Goetheanum and to realize the School of objects) are looked after and made acces- + 2 million Francs for Reception, Spiritual Science. This task requires us to sible. Maintaining these treasures alone Event Planning, Administration develop an ever new individual awareness requires three million Francs per year. and Documentation of the being of anthroposophy and to make These are three major challenges for the + 1 million Francs for the weekly this being a tangible factor in today’s world. Anthroposophical Society in 2018 and the Das Goetheanum, the monthly The Goetheanum can achieve this if coming years. It will be possible to meet Anthroposophy Worldwide and • the School of Spiritual Science is fos- them if each of the over 40,000 members other publications tered by implementing anthroposophy in in the world could pay the actual amount = 14 million Francs total expenditure of 125 Francs per year (the present aver- for the Goetheanum age contribution is 85 Francs per member). Anthroposophy Worldwide appears ten times a year, is distributed by the national Anthroposoph- Unfortunately, the economic and social This annual expenditure is presently ical Societies, and appears as a supplement to conditions in many countries make this very funded through the weekly ‹Das Goetheanum› Publisher General difficult at the moment. Can we counter- Anthroposophical Society, represented by Justus Wittich Editors Sebastian Jüngel (responsible for balance this shortfall as a community in a 4 million Francs of contributions this edition), Michael Kranawetvogl (responsible spirit of solidarity? from members of the Anthroposophi- for the Spanish edition), Margot M. Saar (respon- Please help us with financial contribu- cal Society (see above) sible for the English edition), Proofreader for the English edition: Amadeus Bodenstein. Address tions, loans and your active support, so that + 3 million Francs of income from Wochenschrift ‹Das Goetheanum›, Postfach, we can together, as the Anthroposophi- performances and conferences 4143 Dornach, Switzerland, Fax +41 61 706 44 65, cal Society, master the great task that lies + 1 million Francs of revenues from [email protected] Correspondents/ news agency Jürgen Vater (Sweden), News Net- before us. | The Executive Council at the Das Goetheanum and other work Anthroposophy (nna). We expressly wish Goetheanum - Justus Wittich (treasurer), publications for active support and collaboration. Subscrip- Joan Sleigh, Constanza Kaliks, Matthias + 1 million Francs of services provided tions To receive ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide› please apply to the Anthroposophical Society in Girke – and the Goetheanum Leadership. for third parties and other revenues your country. Alternatively, individual subscrip- = 9 million Francs total of tions are available at chf 30 (eur/us$ 30) per The Goetheanum’s financial regular income year. An e-mail version is available to members situation. A synopsis of the Anthroposophical Society only at www. goetheanum.org/630.html?L=1 © 2017 General The General Anthroposophical Society is re- The Goetheanum has consequently an Anthroposophical Society, Dornach, Switzerland sponsible for the Goetheanum as the School annual shortfall of five million Francs of Spiritual Science. Every year, it makes mem- that is not covered by regular income. Picture credits p. 3: z.V.g, S. Jüngel, H. Sommer, bers’ contributions of around four million This amount needs to be raised addition- Ch. Fischer | p. 7: J. Lismont | p. 16: M. Großpietsch Swiss Francs available to the Goetheanum: ally every year, for instance Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18 | 3
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2 million Francs of designated for an extended health system, education • a new stage curtain for eurythmy is to donations for research, the arts towards freedom (Waldorf Education) and be made based on designs by Rudolf Steiner and projects the promotion of a solidarity-based society (45,000 Francs). + 2 million Francs from institutions and that protects individuals and their spiritual companies (including Weleda) development. The Goetheanum brings a Thank you for the + 1 million Francs of non-designated natural-scientific approach extended by support given to us so far! donations, raised by this appeal, for Goetheanism and a spiritual cosmology We would like to thank you warmly for the instance to current issues and develops biodynamic support you have given us over so many = 5 million Francs total of donations agriculture as a way of conserving and cul- years and for your regular membership fee! and project funding required per year tivating the earth’s organism and producing In addition we would like to ask you with food suitable for human beings. this appeal whether you could possible For around a third of its income the Goethe- The Goetheanum strives to stimulate the spare a further – one-off or regular – do- anum relies every year on whether people artistic and creative side in each individual nation in 2018 for the tasks of the Goethea- consider its activities to be justified and through encounters with the arts and artis- num. | Justus Wittich, Schatzmeister relevant. The present appeal, for instance, tic practice, and to contribute to a renewal serves the purpose of raising, with your of the arts within the triad of knowledge, help, the sum of one million Francs in do- art and active social commitment. nations for 2018. What projects are lined Is the Goetheanum rich or poor? up for the next two years? The Goetheanum is certainly rich when it In medicine, education and eurythmy in- comes to ideas, initiatives and expertise! tensive research plans are underway with Yet, every year, as you can see from the the aim to publish Rudolf Steiner’s lectures synopsis above, it is dependent on whether and indications, as well as recent practical enough friends, individuals and institutions experiences, in a scientific context. can be found to gift funds for its mainte- Extensive preparations are being made nance. This uncertainty can be bridged with for participating in major events in 2019 reserves for a certain period of time because that celebrate the centenary of Waldorf Ed- • the Goetheanum building and campus ucation and Social Threefolding. The World are free of debt. Goetheanum Association, which was found- • the Anthroposophical Society has hid- ed in May with eighty partners from anthro- den reserves in 40 properties and 24 flats, posophically inspired enterprises, societies The Executive Council at the which serve as staff accommodation and and institutions worldwide, will meet and it Goetheanum: Justus Wittich, Joan Sleigh, earn an annual income. extends a first invitation to a public forum Constanza Kaliks and Matthias Girke • the Anthroposophical Society has vot- to be held in Dornach from 28 to 30 Sep- ing stock and other, non-voting, capital in- tember 2018 (www.worldgoetheanum.org). vested in Weleda. The latter shares have a From 7 to 9 September 2018, there will be high selling value but do not serve as in- a conference on transhumanism (The End Donations from Switzerland (tax-deductible): Allgemeine Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, vestments because they secure the manu- of Humanity?), organized by the Humani- Postfach, 4143 Dornach, Raiffeisenbank, 4143 Dor- facturing of anthroposophical medicines ties Section, for which various poets and nach, bic RAIFCH22, iban CH36 8093 9000 0010 and therefore Anthroposophic Medicine writers will be present (www.goetheanum. 0607 1, Reference: Sommerspende in general in the long term. org/8857.html, see also page 4). Donations from Germany in Euros (tax-deduct- The new eurythmy ensemble will begin ible): Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Deutsch- What does the Goetheanum, as a its artistic work in September 2018 and aim, land, gls Gemeinschaftsbank eG, bic GENO- School of Spiritual Science, want to among other things, to present a further- DEM1GLS, iban DE13 4306 0967 0010 0845 10, Reference: Goetheanum achieve? developed performance of Rudolf Steiner’s The Goetheanum wants to make a contri- four Mystery Dramas in the summer of 2019 Donations from other Euro-zone countries Gener- bution to the knowledge, promotion and and of Faust 2020. al Anthroposophical Society, po Box, ch–4143 Dor- strengthening of humanity in the present Concrete practical tasks will include (if nach, gls Gemeinschaftsbank, D-44708 Bochum, bic GENODEM1GLS, iban DE53 4306 0967 0000 and future. As a basis for this endeavour financial means permit this): 9881 00, Reference: Sommerspende the Goetheanum explores and develops • the system of roads and paths around the anthroposophical spiritual-scientific and up to the Goetheanum requires urgent Loans and legacies please contact Justus Wittich path of knowledge and Rudolf Steiner’s and expert improvement (ca 800,000 Swiss (treasurer) or Dr Oliver Conradt (head of finance) if you are able to support the Goetheanum in the recommendations in order to make them Francs); present zero-interest times (from chf/€ 10,000 available to the public. • Haus Schuurman (designed by Rudolf and for one year). If you have any questions re- The Goetheanum investigates the foun- Steiner) needs to be thoroughly renovated garding legacies or testaments we are happy * dations and coordinates practice research (around 500,000 Francs) to contact you. 4 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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Humanities Section: Transhumanism conference Here sit I, fashioning mortals in my own image The conference The End of Humanity? The challenges of transhumanist visions of the future», to be held at the Goetheanum from 7 to 9 September, will provide a forum for pursuing the questions and demands posed by transhumanism and for joining scien- tists and artists in seeking ways toward a humane future.
The thought of forming oneself according at placing the universe into the hands of to one’s own ideal is central to transhu- humanity. This not only reveals the whole manists. They consider human beings to hubris behind these ideas, it also lacks logic be imperfect and flawed and in need of because how can human beings hold any- improvement and development through thing in their hands when they no longer technology. The option of being born again exist as such. for divine and higher purposes is not neces- The whole gigantic scenario is supported sarily a problem for the transhumanist con- by scientists, entrepreneurs and govern- cept, if one sees this state as a transition to ments all over the world. Not only in the us an artificial super intelligence, unrelated to but in China, India and Europe, too, incred- any divine powers or cosmic developments. ible sums of money are being invested in Targeted genetic, neurotechnological, research projects. Transhumanism has also prosthetic and pharmacological interven- fully arrived in politics and religion. In 2014, tions are meant to optimize our bodies, feel- Zoltan Istvan founded a Transhumanist ings and mind (brain) and broaden them Party in the United States, Germany has so that biologically programmed human its Transhumane Partei Deutschlands (tpd); beings living on earth in freedom. Socially, limitations, sickness, ageing and death can in 2015 Anthony Levandowski founded the these developments mean isolation and a be overcome and ultimately left behind. religious organization Way of the Future, focusing on one’s own apparent self. Only The name reveals its central programme: which wants to create a deity based on in the encounter with the other human transcending human limitations at all levels Artificial Intelligence. being can the ‹I› find itself and become a through technology. As early as a hundred years ago, Rudolf chalice for something higher. The machines Steiner outlined this development when to which all thinking, remembering, even The sacred history of technology he described that certain forces, Ahrimanic feeling and doing are being transferred Ray Kurzweil, head engineer at Google, is beings, were aiming at a new earth evolu- will not only cause us to become alienated one of the pioneers of this movement which tion and at awakening in human beings from ourselves and separated from our emerged in the 1980s and has become influ- an interest in «everything mechanical and fellow humans, but also released from any ential in science, economy and politics. In his machine-like». Their aspiration was to let responsibility. We will be unfree puppets book The Singularity is Near. When Humans the animal, plant and human world disap- of machines. Transcend Biology (New York 2005) Kurzweil pear, to have «human beings taken away Goethe’s Prometheus also fashions mor- describes the stages of this transition. He from the earth», and to create a «world tals in his image, «a race resembling me.» divides evolution into six epochs. The fifth with nothing but machines» (ga 203, lec- But this Prometheus does not exclude the epoch begins in 2030 and is marked by the ture of 11 March 1921). pain; in his vision «to suffer, to weep, to merging of human beings and machines. It enjoy and be glad» are part of being hu- is the beginning of the singularity; for Kurz- Cut off from cosmic evolution man.| Ariane Eichenberg, Stuttgart (de) and weil a time when exponential growth ex- Rudolf Steiner explanations reveal why Christiane Haid, Goetheanum plodes, when the human-technical creative spirituality and transcendence are part of power will grow immeasurably, when the the transhumanist model of the world and boundaries of mind and body will be over- why the yearning for them will continue, Source ‹Stil›, St John’s edition 2018 (extract) come and technology will have acquired a even in such a distorted and perverted kind of consciousness. «Once we saturate form. It is important to understand trans- For Information or to register for the matter and energy in the universe with humanism and its consequences. Once age, the Transhumanism Conference visit www.goetheanum.org/8857.html intelligence, it will ‹wake up›, be conscious sickness and death are no longer necessary and sublimely intelligent» (p. 375). This is the conditions of development, the ‹I› will be Other conferences on the subject: (in the sixth epoch of evolution which, Kurzweil put into a state of permanent conscious- past) 1–5 August 2018, Emerson College concludes, will come «quite close to God.» ness. Human beings will be cut off from the (gb); (upcoming) 27 October 2018, Zeist (nl) natural cosmic rhythms of day and night. In Life as a computing operation his Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts (GA Ray Kurzweil’s book is a great sacred his- 26) Rudolf Steiner points out, however, that tory of a technology that aims, he says, cosmic evolution is dependent on human Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18 | 5
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Visual Arts Section: Painters’ Workshop with Dorothea and Ronald Templeton The sources of art Intensive perception and its artistic implementation are prerequisite to a path of in- ner development through painting. Rudolf Steiner’s designs for painting the inside of the first Goetheanum’s cupolas and his sketches for the Goetheanum windows pro- vide a wealth of material for studying and can open up new paths.
In the Renaissance the world celebrated the of spiritual experience in words required rebirth of ancient knowledge in a Christian careful artistic activity so that the language garment. Not only the visual arts, but mu- itself could become the sensory expression sic, poetry and philosophy, too, found new of a non-sensory content. means of expression. It was not until the It was only logical to then erect a building, end of the eighteenth century, in the Age of a house, for the word: the Goetheanum. Enlightenment, that a consciousness sepa- Rudolf Steiner pointed out that «the artistic rate from the divine was consolidated. A forms of the building must arise from the natural science keen on discovery emerged, same foundations from which the thoughts as did industrialization, which was useful of anthroposophy also arise. […] It lies in to humanity and economically profitable. the nature of anthroposophy that this can- not be achieved with lifeless allegories of Arts and Crafts, architectural forms or a symbolism ailing organic art, art nouveau from intellect» (ga 36). In the mid-nineteenth century the impres- Rudolf Steiner’s 1920 design for the journal Die sionists and post-impressionists conquered Moving forms begin to speak Drei (above); floral art nouveau decoration from around 1906 (below) new artistic territory. At the end of the These forms did not originate in nature but nineteenth century, the Arts and Crafts in spiritual experience. The art historian movement in Britain initiated a counter- Dolf Sternberger may have spoken very future. What I am describing here remains movement to the advance of technology, positively of Rudolf Steiner in his book on my hypothesis until other observers feel materialism above all. This more craft- art nouveau (Über Jugendstil, 1977), but called upon to make their own discoveries. based impulse was soon taken up in the Steiner would have taken exception to con- United States, France and elsewhere and cepts such as «ornamental consecration» or The first Goetheanum manifested in «organic» design elements. «symbolic meaning». What he created out Traces of Rudolf Steiner’s work can be found People began to see their houses, floral of his spirit experience set him apart from all over the Dornach hill, from the shaping decorations, gardens as part of their life- nature inspiration and symbolism. The new of the landscape to the houses he designed style. This impulse developed into ‹art nou- art form required the observer to be active to their relationship with each other. The veau›, an artistic style inspired by organic and empathetic. Rudolf Steiner was not the Statue of the Representative of Humanity, movement that resonated in the human only one to demand this. The Blaue Reiter too, calls on the observer to enter into the soul. The search for a clear aesthetic that al- artists around Wassily Kandinsky and Franz language of its plastic forms. lowed for an emotional resonance was part Marc did the same. Vision and creative artis- If we use original drawings or models of the zeitgeist which came to expression in tic activity are united in the activity of the to explore how Rudolf Steiner expressed the yearningly swelling and recurring forms observing ‹I› and complete the work of art. himself in his work, he will guide us to his that one could easily enter into. Rudolf Steiner goes one step further: the sources. He shows us, on the one hand, From an early age Rudolf Steiner was able observer needs to have the possibility to how «content is created through form» to penetrate the veil of the sensory world. observe his sentiments consciously in order and, on the other hand, how new sources Towards the end of the nineteenth century to grasp what he perceives in the non-sen- of inspiration can be uncovered. Rudolf anthroposophy emerged as a result of his sory realm. Art can then become a bridge Steiner becomes both an example and striving to put this clairvoyance on solid to spiritual experience; Wassily Kandinsky, an inspiration – and one feels inspired to scientific foundations; and he continued Franz Marc and others could sense this. find one’s one language to express what to expand it, paving ways into the spiritual This empathetic, sentient perception has one has experienced. | Ronald Templeton, world and opening up new sources. the effect that forms manifest as move- Dornach (ch) Rudolf Steiner initially devoted himself ments and gestures. If one perceives their more to his philosophical work which he development empathetically, the move- The next Painters’ Workshop will be from then transformed into spiritual science. ments and gestures in the capitals of the 8 to 26 October at the Goetheanum; see www.sbk.goetheanum.org/studium What was new was that this spiritual sci- first Goetheanum, for instance, can become ence required an adequate form of presen- a narrative that tells the story of human evo- Registration/contact Edda Nehmiz, tation in which spiritual experience could lution, speaking of crises and their overcom- phone +41 61 706 44 14, http://studium- be conveyed through words. This clothing ing, thus opening up visions of a possible goetheanum.org/foldersen/ 6 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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General Anthroposophical Section Georgia: The Soul of Europe Conversation and European values and Georgian culture contemplation Around eighty people gathered for a conference in the series The Soul of Europe, held in Tbilisi from 9 to 12 July. They came from Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Members of the School of Spiritual Science Ukraine, Finland, Romania, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Britain. Group in Celle (de) met at Vichel Castle in A group from Tbilisi headed by Nodar Belkania had prepared the conference. Northern Germany from 25 to 27 May in order to contemplate the Class mantras. The conference theme was based on the could sense what one owed to one’s own It was Rudolf Steiner’s wish that each Class question, What does ‹Europe› mean? Is it people and what tasks one has individually, lesson in the School of Spiritual Science a geographical term? Or a cultural ideal? as a member of a particular folk soul. should be a new spiritual event, a «creation What specific contribution the culture Rati Amaglobeli, a young poet who is out of nothing» (ga 107, lecture of 17 June of a people make to the development of well-known in Georgia, used a novella by 1909). It is important to approach the task Europe? In a country that, conventionally the Georgian writer Vazha Pshavela to il- Rudolf Steiner gave to the first Class hold- speaking, is no longer a part of Europe but lustrate the path of a man from a Caucasian ers – who had to use their own initiative and was important even in the emergence of ethnic group, from being rooted in tribal had no access to the transcripts available to European culture in prehistoric times and traditions to being cast out because his us today – in a new way, without devaluing in that has an ancient Christian tradition such conscience did not allow him to continue any way the tradition of reading the lessons. questions are particularly relevant. a particular tradition. It is the journey from The meeting began and ended with the group consciousness to individualization reading of a Class lesson. In between, a con- Spiritual streams in Georgia that can only succeed if one connects with versation unfolded – moderated confidently Unlike the previous conferences this one the Christian impulse. These were the Geor- by Bodo von Plato – with a series of mindful- no longer dealt with the contrast between gian contributions. ness exercises, during which the impressions East and West. Nodar Belkania presented an and attempts of the individual participants outline of Georgia’s cultural history in a way Working with the hierarchies resonated in refreshing harmoniousness. that made one feel that the pinnacles of the Gerald Häfner related the questions pre- Georgian culture had nothing to do with sented to the social, economic and cultural Holding out a hand to national considerations. There was open- development in Europe. Friedrich Glasl the seeker of knowledge ness for influences from everywhere, which focused on aspects of development, at A comparison was attempted between the merged and created a specific cultural re- the individual, mesosocial (organizations) Class lessons given in Bern (ch) and London gion that was linked to the world religions of and macrosocial (state) levels. Paul Mackay (gb) and the two Breslau lessons recently dis- Europe and the Middle East. The special rela- spoke about the connection and working covered by Thomas Meyer. Johannes Kiersch tionship with Russia in the nineteenth cen- together of human beings with the angelic spoke of Moritz Bartsch, who had organized tury, too, was important for both countries. hierarchies, with the folk spirit and with the Koberwitz Course, and of the unusual In his contribution, the architect Otar Michael, the guiding spirit of our time. mood radiating out from the farmers gath- Kvrivishvili spoke of the highlights of the me- A group of young actors, directed by ered in Breslau. Maybe it is due to this mood dieval church architecture which is steeped Valerian Gorgoshidze, performed scenes of soul that the Guardian of the Threshold, in Christianity: Georgia became Christian from Goethe’s Faust in Georgian (slightly who in other Class lessons seems sublime as early as the fourth century. There were abridged). The powerful Georgian language, and almost threatening, holds out his hand excursions before and after the conference the imaginative direction and the devoted here reassuringly to the seeker of knowledge. to see examples of this church architecture. commitment of the actors were all deeply The group visited Landin, a nearby village, Gia Bughadze, a painter and art historian, impressive, as were the six young singers where Rudolf Steiner spent three weeks in the established astonishing links between who presented folk songs from various summer of 1906 with his closest pupils and the Greco-Spanish artist El Greco and the Georgian regions. where he gave a lecture on Wagner’s Parsifal.* Georgian painter Pirosmani, links that are Three excursions framed the conference: The contemplative sessions were deep- connected with spiritual streams in Georgia. a walk around the historic Tbilisi, a visit to ened and extended by conversations in the Nargizi Tizlarishvili, a priest of the Chris- Saguramo (the country estate of the well- charming parkland of the Temnitz valley, joint tian Community in Tbilisi, spoke vividly of known writer Ilia Chavchavadze), to Jvari musical improvisations on the movements of her great love for Georgia, of how wonder- and Mtskheta, and an outing to two im- the heavenly bodies (harmony of the spheres) ful she finds this country and how it caused portant churches, Samtavisi and Ateni Sioni, under the direction of Almut Wichmann Er- a deep inner dilemma for her when her and to the ruins of the ancient rock-hewn len and eurythmy exercises with Michael destiny led her abroad (to Germany). But town of Uplistsikhe. | Hans Hasler, Lahti (fi) Voelkel. | Johannes Kiersch, Bochum (de) widening one’s view of the world and loos- ening one’s attachment to one’s own coun- The next conference in the series The * Johannes Kiersch and Almut Wichmann try made it possible, she said, to experience Soul of Europe will be held in Brussels Erlen: Rudolf Steiner und Eugenie von Bre- the world in a new and more universally from 23 to 25 August 2019, www.soulo- dow im Havelland, Info3-Verlag. human way. When one then returned, one feurope.net. Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18 | 7
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Building bridges: the conference members during the concluding session.
soul must find its balance, it must move between the power of self-consciousness and devotion to the world. Fritz Wessling’s General Anthroposophical Section: Alma Humana! contribution on the discoveries and con- A new language of peace quests, which started with the age of spiri- tual soul from the Iberian Peninsula, was The conference Human Soul! A Contribution to World Peace on 7 to 11 July 2018 was an illuminating example of this. the first Romance language conference at the Goetheanum. The mood was cheerful Joan Melé, a promoter of ethical banking and informal as the more than 380 conference members shared their views, discuss- in Spain, explained that the question of ing also deeper questions in relation with the Foundation Stone Meditation. money must not be separated from the human soul or the spirit of the conference. The main theme was how the qualities of pointed out that the mediating qualities According to the Foundation Stone Medita- the different cultures can resonate together of art refer us to the second verse of the tion, true thinking, feeling and willing are and create a space for the universally hu- Foundation Stone Meditation; we also find also reflected in the way we use money. man. The separating as well as uniting qual- them in Anthroposophic Medicine which Money that is not used to buy unneces- ity of language(s) became evident as the works with the balancing powers of the sary things can be gifted, for instance for Foundations Stone Meditation resounded rhythmic system. An important factor of bursaries of the School of Spiritual Science. in Portuguese, Catalan, French, Romanian, health and balance, he added, was the Italian and Spanish. Because of the con- fostering of joy as a positive and healing Conditions for peace gress’ artistic orientation one could expe- emotional force that establishes the right in the social sphere rience again and again how a work of art relationship between thinking and will. This By working on the Foundation Stone Medi- can be part of general human culture and element of joy was tangible throughout the tation this conference continued the theme yet find particular resonance in the soul of entire conference. The presence of many of the 2016 Goetheanum World Confer- one person or culture. And vice versa: in young people, many of them from Latin ence and invited members to work more the daily choir sessions, for instance, led by America, played a particular part in this. intensely on the current annual motif. In a the singer and music therapist Margherita The wish was expressed that it should be wider historical sense, it was also related Puliga, the individual folk soul came to life made possible for the Northern cultures to the war and peace developments a in the souls of every one present. When we also to experience this mood. hundred years ago, when Rudolf Steiner sang the Chorus of the Slaves from Verdi’s uncovered, among other things, the inten- Nabucco together, we entered deeply into Signatures of the Spiritual Soul tions of the US military intervention of 1917 the Italian folk soul but also experienced Although Rudolf Steiner assigned the spiri- and warned against the consequences of the song as an expression of the modern tual soul (consciousness soul) geographi- the Versailles Peace Treaty (1919). It was soul’s homelessness. cally mainly to the Anglo-Saxon culture, not Rudolf Steiner’s intention to present a This meeting of languages provided many the conference raised awareness of other moralizing sermon of peace that «merely occasions to reflect on the various transla- places, too. Florencio Herrero spoke of encourages people to escape this barbarism tions of the Foundation Stone Meditation. Teresa of Ávila who, according to Rudolf by withdrawing into a kind of inner spiritual The rousing French translation, for instance, Steiner, was one of the first representatives life»; instead he felt that «we must acquire which asks us to «Practise Spirit Presence» of the spiritual soul. Valentin Fernández a new language», for instance the language rather than «Spirit Awareness», compared presented Don Quijote as an archetypal of the building in Dornach that unites na- to other variations such as «Practise spirit representative of the spiritual soul. While tions and cultures, but a language also that contemplation» – all of them translations presented humorously by Miguel de Cer- builds a bridge to the material reality, «to that should allow the reader or meditant vantes and clearly an expression of the the spirit that is truly also spirit and that to experience a wealth of meanings. It sentient soul, Don Quijote always stands is at work in the capital, for instance» (ga is similar with attributive nouns such as up for and justifies his actions. 189, lecture of 7 March 1919). This bridge- «Menschen-Welten-Wesen» for which dif- Constanza Kaliks spoke of the spiritual building was attempted and the result of ferent ways of expression need to be found soul in relation to the threefold human be- this attempt was received with gratitude; in the Romance languages. ing: we learn from the Foundation Stone the wish for a continuation was expressed Meditation that the soul lives in a field of at the end of the conference. | Michael Balance, health, joy tension, where mind (thought/will) de- Kranawetvogl, Villagarcía de Arosa (es) The artistic presentations from the vari- pends on matter (brain/system of limbs ous countries – another unifying ele- and metabolism). When the soul strives to The conference was prepared by René ment – would each deserve separate praise. integrate itself into the world, it distances Becker (fr), Stefano Gasperi (it), Con- Florencio Herrero, an anthroposophical itself from it at the same time and can even stanza Kaliks (ch/br), Clara Steinemann physician and school doctor from Spain, destroy it in the extreme case. The spiritual (ch) and Marc Desaules (ch). 8 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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«Let…» – the fourth rhythm (in: Rudolf Steiner, ga 260)
our time, we must renew these words and say, «Human soul, know yourself in your weaving existence in spirit, soul and body.»7 Human beings today can only be truly understood as trichotomous beings. The starting point is Rudolf Steiner’s differen- tiation of body, soul and spirit, which he presented from 19048 in the attempt to overcome the image of the human being created more than a thousand years earlier in an event that Rudolf Steiner referred to repeatedly as the «abolition of the spirit.»9 In this trichotomic view, soul and body – as experienced inner world and The Anthroposophical Society’s 2018/2019 Annual Motif outer sensory world – form a polarity. In The voices of the Hierarchies in the Cosmic Word his writings Rudolf Steiner presents the threefold division of the soul into the soul In the fourth rhythm of the Foundation Stone Meditation Rudolf Steiner explores the forces of thinking, feeling, and willing as threefold human trichotomy and relates the activity of the Trinity to the Hierarchies. an a priori fact. The threefoldness of the To the call upon human beings to «Practise» is added a request directed at the beings body, on the other hand, as neurosensory of the three hierarchies («Let …»). system, rhythmic system and system of metabolism and limbs, emerges later and is «Know Yourself» – these words, inscribed These are new and unusual thoughts, but only mentioned until 1917. The correspond- above the entrance to the Apollo temple they are an essential part of the anthropo- ing threefoldness of the spirit is mentioned at Delphi, are the source of the spiritual sophical Foundation Stone. The dawning of last. In Rudolf Steiner’s newly gained view foundation stone on which Rudolf Steiner such thoughts goes back, however, to the of human trichotomy the spirit is not simply newly founded the Anthroposophical Soci- early modern period, to Master Eckhart for the third member; it is, to use Goethe’s con- ety at Christmas 1923/1924. To the people instance (1260 – 1328), who said in one of cept, an «enhancement» in relation to the gathered there for the Christmas Confer- his sermons, «If I were a king and did not polarity of body and soul.10 Rudolf Steiner ence he presented the Foundation Stone know it, I should be no king».5 This state- characterizes this relationship accordingly, Meditation «in order to renew the ancient ment, which seems easy to understand «We are therefore citizens of three worlds. mystery words ‹Know Yourself› in our sense, at first, says something that is less easily With our body we belong to the world that out of the signs of our time.»1 understood: that the outer reality of being we also perceive bodily; with our soul we king is created through consciousness! In build up our own world; through our spirit Cognition as creative activity this sense, the Foundation Stone Medita- a world is revealed in us that stands above What does ‹cognition› mean? Whether – in tion as a path of self-knowledge is a path of the other two».11 opposition to Kant’s view – reality can be self-creation, a path to the consciousness When we begin to become spiritually known at all or whether it consists of sub- of our humanity. Rudolf Steiner called this active through self-knowledge, we begin jective mental representations was the consciousness ‹anthroposophy›. «The right to wake up to a consciousness of our hu- decisive question that moved the young Ru- translation of the word ‹anthroposophy› is manity, a creative process of becoming dolf Steiner and led him, as he approached not ‹knowledge of the human being› but human that is imbued with the prophetic his 21st year, to the positive answer that ‹consciousness of our humanity›».6 certainty, «You will become a true human it is possible to gain cognitive access to Anthroposophy becomes a path to the being». This is what Rudolf Steiner means the objective reality.2 A few years later he creative awakening to our true humanity. when he says, «Self-knowledge cannot be wrote down his findings.3 It is essential to It is like a voice which calls to us again and different from spirit knowledge, because I overcome the preconception «that real- again from the centre of the Foundation can only feel that I am truly human when I ity exists somewhere outside cognition Stone Meditation, asking us to pursue this recognize myself as a spirit among spirits».12 and that a human representation of this path: «Practise!». The creative source of all spiritual «practis- reality is formed as we gain knowledge». ing» becomes apparent here. We must realize more and more «That this Becoming spiritually active The presentation of the threefold human reality cannot be found through cognition, through self-knowledge being finds its conclusion in the Founda- because it is only created as reality in the While it was enough in ancient Greece to say, tion Stone Meditation, where the spiritual cognitive process».4 Gaining knowledge is «O man, know yourself», this is no longer activity also appears in a tripartite way: consequently a creative activity. sufficient today. Today, heeding the signs of Practise Spirit Recalling – Practise Spirit Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18 | 9
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Awareness – Practise Spirit Beholding. Only cling us» and the «Spirit’s world thoughts». closer to an answer to the question as to then does the human being – the image of where «God figures in the anthroposophical God – appear in its full trichotomous exis- From the Trinity to the Hierarchies view of world evolution (or of creation).» tence as body, soul and spirit: the image of The holding sway of the Trinity is followed, the trinity, of the triune God. Accordingly, as we progress from the Friday to the Satur- Developing skills through practice the Foundation Stone Meditation, as a path day rhythm, by that of the Hierarchies. This In the week of the spiritual laying of the to true humanity, has a threefold structure working of the Hierarchies echoes that of Foundation Stone, which went from that allows us, as we gain knowledge, to the Trinity. The «Father Spirit of Heights» Wednesday (25 December) to Tuesday (1 become consciously aware of the trinity in holds sway «in depths of worlds, beget- January), Saturday, the day of Saturn (where inner contemplation: the «Father Spirit of ting life». The beings of the first Hierarchy evolution started) lies exactly in the middle. the Heights», «the Christ will encircling us» (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones) let their Rudolf Steiner condensed the essence of and the «Spirit’s world-thoughts». voices resound accordingly in the Cosmic this cosmic and human evolution, its begin- Word «from the heights», and they find a ning and its goal, when he said, «But this Inner rhythms creative echo «in the depths». The «Christ former supersensible world had to pass Rudolf Steiner has given diverse structures will encircles us, bestowing grace upon through the sensory world. Without this for working inwardly with the Foundation souls». The beings of the second Hierarchy passage it could not have evolved further. Stone Meditation, which focus on particular (Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai) follow, «en- Only once beings with the requisite facul- motifs and words taken from the whole kindling from the East what through the ties will have evolved within the sensory verse. They are summaries, all of them West takes on form». «The Spirit’s world- realm, will the supersensible world be able tripartite, which he refers to as «inner thoughts,» finally, hold sway and work up- to pursue its course. We are these beings.»16 rhythms.» When you deepen these rhythms wards, «yearning for light» in cosmic being. Developing these faculties needs practice. in meditation, «when you pay attention The beings of the third Hierarchy (Archai, From the thoughts contained in this sen- to the inner rhythms inherent in these Archangeloi, Angeloi) join into the Cosmic tence the mood can arise that is required verses and then raise them to soul aware- Word in entreating from the depths «what for a deepening of the Saturday rhythm, ness while carrying out a corresponding in the heights will be heard». for its «contemplation» as a Saturn mood. inner meditation, a contemplating,» then The Saturday rhythm, in directing the in- | Michael Debus, Stuttgart (de) these rhythms can be experienced as the ner gaze so immediately to the working of pronouncement of the cosmic mysteries, the Hierarchies, fills our consciousness with 1 Rudolf Steiner: ga 260, lecture of 25 De- «if these cosmic mysteries rise within the the mystery of cosmic and human evolution, cember 1923. human soul as self-knowledge».13 as unfolded by Rudolf Steiner in his book An 2 Cf. Hella Wiesberger in Beiträge zur Rudolf Steiner Gesamtausgabe, 49/50, Easter 1975. On each of the seven days of that founda- Outline of Esoteric Science (formerly Occult 3 Rudolf Steiner: ga 2, Goethe’s Theory of tion week – and assigned to that day of the Science). Here, the creation of the world and Knowledge. week – Rudolf Steiner formed a particular of the human being appears as the work of 4 Rudolf Steiner: ga 2, preface to the new inner rhythm. The following example is the Hierarchies. No other creative powers edition of 1924. 5 Deutsche Predigten und Traktate, edited for Saturday, the day of Saturn. It has the are mentioned, so that one could come to by Josef Quint, Munich 1963 / Zurich 1979, following form (see picture): the conclusion that the Trinity had no part p. 323, Sermon 36. • «Practise Spirit Recalling» / Seraphim, in the anthroposophical presentation of 6 Rudolf Steiner: ga 257, lecture of 13 Feb- Cherubim, Thrones / «Let ring from evolution. «This confirms […] that, certainly ruary 1923. 7 Rudolf Steiner: ga 260, lecture of 25 De- the heights / What in the depths is in the places mentioned [in An Outline of cember 1923. echoed.» Esoteric Science], the highest mystery of the 8 Rudolf Steiner: ga 9. • «Practise Spirit Awareness» / Kyriotetes, Trinity, its pre- and extramundane unity, 9 This refers to the Council of Constanti- Dynamis, Exusiai / «Let from the East the oneness of the Three, is not mentioned. nople of 869/870. Cf. Rudolf Steiner: ga 175, lecture of 8 May 1917. be enkindled, / What in the West takes The question as to where God figures in the 10 «The essence of the world is but polarity on form» anthroposophical view of world evolution and enhancement.» (Letter to Chancellor • «Practise Spirit Beholding» / Archai, (or of creation) remains open.»15 This open von Müller, dated 24 May 1828). Archangeloi, Angeloi / «Let from the question is only answered in the Foundation 11 Rudolf Steiner: ga 9, Chapter 1 («The Constitution of the Human Being») depths be entreated / What in the Stone Meditation. When we practise Spirit 12 Rudolf Steiner: ga 231, lecture of 15 No- heights will be heard». Recalling we can experience the creative vember 1923. This Saturday rhythm calls attention to the activity of the first Hierarchy arising from 13 Rudolf Steiner: ga 260, lecture of 27 December 1923. working of the nine Hierarchies, in a way the Father Spirit of the Heights. Similarly, 14 Cf. Ariane Eichenberg in Anthroposophy that presents the hierarchical organism as when we practise Spirit Awareness, we ex- Worldwide 7–8/2018. threefold, connected with the practising of perience how the Christ-will holds sway, 15 Günther Röschert: Metaphysik der Spirit Recalling, Spirit Awareness and Spirit encircling us, behind the working of the Weltentwicklung. Rudolf Steiners Geheim- wissenschaft im Umriss, Stuttgart 2011, p.79. Beholding. The Friday rhythm14 does not second Hierarchy. And finally: in practising 16 Rudolf Steiner: ga 10, Chapter 11 («Life have this connection with the Hierarchies Spirit Beholding we approach the Spirit’s and Death. The Greater Guardian of the but relates directly to the Trinity, the «Father world-thoughts in the activity of the third Threshold») Spirit of the Heights», the «Christ will encir- Hierarchy. The Saturday rhythm brings us 10 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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Readers’ letters regarding the 2018 agm Reaffirmation means that one stops to More members’ views (4) reconsider past achievements and future plans. How else can the members be en- abled to form a judgment? Because this did not happen, they were unable to make informed decisions and all they could do May humility situation around 1935. I don’t say this was to profess their sympathy or antipathy. prevail again in order to question everything these If a confirmation was expected, why two personalities have done for an- have a vote in the first place? What good Jaap Sijmons wrote very personally about throposophy, but their merits are no is a meaningless number of votes when it Paul Mackay in Anthroposophy Worldwide greater than those of many others. comes to the continuation or correction 7–8/2018, mentioning also the ‹urbanity› This last half-sentence also weakens Peter of efforts regarding spiritual paths in the the latter brought from the Netherlands Selg’s objective discussion of the fact that future? If that moment of reconsideration to Dornach (ch). This ‹urbanity›, or maybe the two events – the rehabilitation of Ita is meaningful rather than superficial, if it sophistication, is in my view misunder- Wegman and Elisabeth Vreede and the is there to question actions and ways of stood in the Anthroposophical Society and non-affirmation of Paul Mackay and Bodo thinking, then it can elicit experiences that should – must – have no place in it. von Plato – are not actually comparable. put one in mind of the meeting with the I can hear the opposing voices: but an- And it reveals that, through this process of Guardian. This moment must take place in throposophy needs it so it can arrive in the rehabilitation, a particular type of opinion- a protected space. world of decision and decision-makers. And forming is to be given validity, using the ma- It is, in principle, not right that mem- people are delighted when they hear about jority decision as an instrument of power. bers of the Executive Council are elected. it. The way I see it is that the results of the And this sentiment has now become In the morning of 24 December 1923, in a anthroposophical work belong into and to part of the emotional sphere of a great discussion of the Statutes at the Christ- the world. Anthroposophy belongs to the many people; that an instrument of power mas Conference, Rudolf Steiner pointed individual human soul! And the individual has been used in order to bring home the out that «It needs to be clear from the start soul can only ask for it out of its own karma. message that Paul Mackay and Bodo von that actual voting is impossible in the An- Maybe the new situation will allow this Plato are no longer suitable members of the throposophical Society, only initiative is humility to return and establish itself Executive Council. The majority decision possible» (ga 260). Having this moment of again, and the ‹urbanity› can be left as an instrument of power is, after all, the reconsideration and including the Society behind. For what happens when humil- common denominator in both processes. in decisions regarding our joint future must ity is no longer a basic virtue? With the It has long been known – certainly since not mean that this process is dragged down right kind of Executive Council it would the exclusions of 1935 – that nothing can onto the level of political voting; on the be easy to turn the Anthroposophical be gained by majority decisions. Even if the contrary: it can only work if the Society can Society into a church-like institution; no present Executive Council has introduced rise to the sphere where joint spiritual life Michaelic ‹profit›! Could this outlook be the reaffirmation after seven years in office comes into being. A process that is suitable a reason for the decision to restructure? (and now has to suffer the consequences), for a real moment of reconsideration and I can look at it that way. | Gunther Hull- this certainly does not mean that the pro- reaffirmation is still to be developed. | Peter mann, Osnabrück (de) cess is in itself a healthy one. Those who Ferger, Dachsberg (de) wish to use majority decisions in the free spiritual life must ask themselves earnestly Majority decision as an how much of this is about power. | Edgar An abstention is not instrument of power Spittler, Bolzano (it) a show of support
Peter Selg’s essay in Anthroposophy World- The 7-8/18 awe includes an article by Mar- wide 5/2018, p. 8, could be a helpful contri- Queries regarding tina Rasch. Ms Rasch writes regarding the bution to processing the events of the 2018 the reaffirmation vote of confidence in Paul Mackay and Bodo agm in a factual manner, if it were not for von Plato at the March 2018 agm: «In the the second part of the last sentence. Why procedure case of Mr Mackay 49.83 per cent voted should I look to Ita Wegman and Elisabeth The outcome of the vote at the agm proj- against, while 50.16 per cent voted yes or Vreede for guidance when working through ects the picture of an Anthroposophical abstained; in the case of Bodo von Plato present problems? This appeal renders Peter Society that is not united. This division goes 51.7 per cent of the members present voted Selg’s well-put arguments regarding the back a long time and is well-known. What against, while 48.29 per cent voted in favor damaging effect of partisanship on our So- is surprising about the result is that it was or remained neutral.» ciety null and void. There are many mem- brought about by a minority of members The numbers published in awe 4/18 are bers who don’t wish to look to Ita Wegman who happened to be physically present. But as follows: Paul Mackay 408 yes, 467 no, 62 and Elisabeth Vreede for guidance, precisely is that not due to the way the reaffirmation abstentions for a total of 937 valid votes. because they have studied the Society’s procedure is being carried out? Bodo von Plato had 398 yes, 486 no, 56 Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18 | 11
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Communication abstentions, for a total of 940 valid votes. dolf Steiner’s statements about his occult Consequently Paul Mackay was affirmed research results were increasingly ques- May we contact by 408/937 votes or 43.5 per cent. Bodo von tioned, even within the anthroposophical Plato was affirmed by 398/940 or 42.3 per community. This criticism lived also within you by email? (3) cent. Ms Rasch argues, based on her pre- the Executive Council and caused serious sentation of the numbers, that the vote was tensions because there was no chairman Why are we asking for your email very close. As this was a vote of confidence who could have facilitated the necessary address? Firstly, because the Anthro- what matters is the number of yes votes discussion. The situation «exploded» on 30 posophical Society in Germany will, to total votes. An abstention certainly does March 2012 during a remembrance ceremo- from 2019, distribute the contents of not indicate a show of support! By taking ny for Rudolf Steiner. This conflict weakened Anthroposophy Worldwide only four the sum of yes votes and abstentions and the effectiveness of the Executive Council (instead of ten) times per year with dividing those by total valid votes, Ms Rasch even more. ‹Dornach› had lost its charisma. the German quarterly Anthroposophie. presents a distorted picture. The amendment to the Statutes nec- Secondly, the editor and publisher of Also observe that there was a motion on essary for the founding of the Goethea- Anthroposophy Worldwide would the floor of the March agm that called for num Leadership was adopted at the AGM like to save the high costs of posting setting the bar at 66 per cent «yes»; the in 2014. This structure was justified as a by distributing this newsletter of the idea being that a simple majority was not way of improving cooperation between Anthroposophical Society and of the sufficient support for a person to effec- the Executive Council and the collegium Goetheanum electronically free of tively lead the Society. Finally, note that Ms of the School of Spiritual Science – an en- charge. Thirdly, not even half of the Rasch acknowledges she is not a member! tirely positive step that I, too, supported members in the world read German Exactly, what business does a non-member at the time. It was what had been dis- now, relying instead on communica- have voicing an opinion on such a matter cussed at the Christmas Conference, on tions in English, French and Spanish. in awe? And why did the editors allow a 27 December 1923, when Rudolf Steiner Digital distribution is more economi- non-member to publish such an article in said, «We will have here as the leadership cal and helps to create a truly global awe? | Stephen E. Usher, Austin, Texas (us) of the Goetheanum the Executive Coun- consciousness among the members. cil, which has now been formed, and in We are aware of the downside of this addition there will be the leaders of the technology and experience its effect No recognizable individual sections of the School of Spiritual on many levels in daily life – we are Executive Council Science who will act as advisers». (ga 260) part of a shift similar to the one long He was speaking about consulting and ago from mouth-to-ear communica- In the third letter to the Members of 8 June collegiality – not about transferring the tion to the printed word. 2018 (Anthroposophy Worldwide 7-8/2018, tasks of the Executive Council. But that p. 4f.) we read that the Goetheanum Leader- has happened now and, in my view, it has Please get in touch ship has «taken over the responsibilities […] happened because the Executive Council More than half the members have in a broader sense for the Anthroposophical was not strong enough. provided the Goetheanum with their Society». While the Executive Council «is In addition we note that the General An- email addresses by now. If we don’t ultimately responsible for the legal con- throposophical Society is in a crisis – spiritu- have your email address yet, or if it nection to the outside world» it has «in- ally, socially and financially. It is evident that has changed, please get in touch, using ternally […] become integrated within the the leadership structure has something to the form on the Goetheanum website: overall responsibilities of the Goetheanum do with this situation. www.dasgoetheanum.com/email. Leadership since 2012». This means that the The world is asking for anthroposophy, If you should experience problems General Anthroposophical Society is today for practical application and as a foun- with filling in or sending off the form led by a body of which only a small propor- dation for existential questions. Around (and only then, please), you can email tion (4 out of 15) have been elected by the 80,000 people come to the Goetheanum your details directly to kommunika- Members. The General Anthroposophical every year, for conferences organized by [email protected] or send them Society is led like a foundation. This goes the specialist departments. The work of by post to Anthroposophy World- against the law of associations and under- the School of Spiritual Science is becoming wide, «email», Postfach, 4143 Dornach, mines its effectivity. That cannot be right. ever more important. Switzerland. How did we get to this situation? When The General Anthroposophical Society of Eighty members and one branch Manfred Schmidt-Brabant died in 2001, the the twenty-first century will be different have informed us that they do not Executive Council did not appoint a new from that of the past century, but it must have an email address and that they chairman. This endangered the cohesion of remain active. A healthy Anthroposophical are not willing to get one for various the Council, a fact that became apparent Society needs an efficient Executive Council reasons. Some also wrote that they in the financial crisis of 2010 because the that enjoys the trust of the members. The find it unfair to have to pay more. other Executive Council members were Goetheanum Leadership should of course Please let us know if you have no email not sufficiently informed of the financial be maintained – in an advisory capacity. address. | Justus Wittich (as publisher), situation. After the turn of the century, Ru- | Rob Steinbuch, Driebergen (nl) Sebastian Jüngel (as editor) 12 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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Documentation on «Open anthroposophy and its opponents» It is important to acknowledge different Readers’ responses sources of information and explanations. Some statements are derogatory. They The documentation «Open anthroposophy and its opponents» (Anthroposophy vilify in particular Daniele Ganser and Worldwide 7-8/2018) with eight statements on conspiracy theories within the an- the journals Der Europäer and Ein Nach- throposophical movement has evoked a strong response. For reasons of space we will richtenblatt, lumping them together print a summary of the views expressed in more than 25 readers’ letters. unjustly with the Reichsbürger and the representatives of the chemtrail theory. The invitation to start a conversation on from the anthroposophical scene has been Generalizations – whether they are made conspiracy theories has been accepted. formed in order to express public criticism in the statements or in the general so- More than 25 letters arrived by the time for the first time.» (This is not quite correct: cietal discourse – do nothing to estab- this issue went to press. Because these let- in early 2015 the association of Waldorf lish the truth. Attributes mentioned are ters would take up around sixteen printed Schools released a critical publication about ‹Germanophile›, ‹national›, ‹right-wing›, pages, we are preparing a digital extra of the Reichsbürger movement.3) ‹left-wing›, ‹conspiracy theorists› ‹popu- Anthroposophy Worldwide (pdf) to include list›, ‹racist›, ‹anti-Semites› and ‹fanatics›. all of the (mostly German) letters. We will Response to the statements 3 Attitude The authors of the statements let you know in the next issue of Anthro- Most of those who wrote to Anthroposo- are obsequious, probably under pressure to posophy Worldwide how you can access phy Worldwide voiced their frustration conform so as to not be attacked – possibly this extra edition. If you wish for an English with the way the subject-matter was in fear of «government reprisals» or «finan- translation, or are able to help with trans- dealt with. They criticized, for instance, cial disadvantages»? The authors writing lating, please write to me at aww@das- that judgements were presented without for Info 3 are discrediting writers from rival goetheanum.com. In order to give you an explaining how they had been arrived at. journals. The background of certain events idea of the tenor of these letters we provide «Why warnings rather than research?» Even is blanked out – Rudolf Steiner, if judged in a summary of the topics and views below. those who acknowledge that Reichsbürger the same way, would be dismissed today To clarify: when a contribution like the and conspiracy theorists may appear in as a conspiracy theorist, while he in truth eight statements appears in Anthroposo- anthroposophical institutions and that understood what was behind the Jesuits, phy Worldwide, this does not reflect any one finds «real nonsense» among the fol- for instance, or World War I, or the socialist kind of ‹official› opinion or stance with lowers of conspiracy theorists declare that experiment in the Soviet Union. Recom- regard to their content. Nor does it mean this was not representative, that Daniele mended reading from Rudolf Steiner’s work that the editor or publisher share these Ganser, who was mentioned in some state- includes: ga 10, ga 99 (lecture of 30 May thoughts and views. It merely means that ments, was not one of them. Only one of 1907), ga 173a-c, ga 174 a-b, ga 177 and ga 186. the editors consider an occurrence to be the over 25 letters mentions that it was Markus Osterrieder’s book Welt im Um- relevant – in this case the public statements courageous to point out the conspiracies, bruch (changing world) is also mentioned. of eight representatives from public an- populists and conspiracy theorists who 4 Examples Examples of – either proven throposophical institutions. are given a stage within the Anthropo- or controversial – «conspiracies» are men- sophical Society. Here is a condensed sum- tioned, some pointing to the conspicuous Public relevance mary of the points that have been made: frequency of us influence: Kaspar Hauser; How relevant the discussion opened up by 1 Foundations The authors of the state- Skull and Bones; the Dreyfus Affair; the the eight statements was, is evident from a ments do not specify what they consider to World War I guilt question; the New World critical article published by a Basel newspa- be a conspiracy theory. The concept is used Order; the Manhattan Project; dealing with per. In early February 2018 Christian Mensch vaguely and the statements lack clarity. It is the Holocaust; ufos; the overthrow of the wrote in the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung also unclear what is meant by ‹open anthro- Iranian government under prime minister about an event on 3 March at the Scala, a posophy›. Without examples, one cannot Mohammad Mosaddegh; the murder of cultural venue in Basel (ch), with Daniele know what it is all about, but this would John F. Kennedy; the political intentions of Ganser, Ken Jebsen and Elias Davidsson. The be necessary for expressing an opinion. It the cia, including the mkultra project and article was entitled «Conspiracy mystics is not possible to verify the criticism. What the introduction of the term ‹conspiracy like Daniele Ganser capture Rudolf Stein- is missing is a phenomenological approach theory› in order to discredit critics; the er movement»1. On 11 July 2018 the same and the presentation of spiritual-scientific Iran-Contra Affair; the Nayirah testimony journalist wrote2, «Leading representatives foundations for the judgements of those (incubator allegations); World Trade Center of the Steiner movement ask for a critical who wrote the statements. (9/11); chemtrails; Putin and the nato en- approach to conspiracy theories», adding, 2 Style The authors of the statements largement to the east; the concentration of «Before the event [at the Scala] no represen- write polemically; their criticism of the power in international corporations; price tative of the anthroposophical movement representatives of conspiracy theories, a rigging; population transfer (planned mass dared to criticize the controversial speakers. lack of openness for instance, applies to migrations); membership of journalists and Reservations were only expressed in con- themselves, too. They consider others to politicians in transatlantic alliances; control fidential conversations. […] With some de- be unable to form their own judgement. of the media (by Bilderberg members for in- lay, an initiative of various representatives There is freedom of speech in a democracy. stance), media-created bogeyman-images Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18 | 13
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(leading to acts of war); the Mafia. 5 Suggestions The writers suggest Documented This shows clearly what the authors a clarification of concepts. ‹Conspir- Clarification to «Open Anthro- are concealing: that they are the real op- acy theories› should be investigated posophy and its Opponents»* ponents of the addressees of their ap- as to their sources, content and cred- peal, that is, of the journals Der Europäer ibility; this could happen in the context In statements that were individually and Ein Nachrichtenblatt, which they of a conference at the Goetheanum. composed but coordinated in form and are attacking. By using their unfounded content, eight individuals known within concept and by naming their opponents Discourse on various levels the Anthroposophical Society and in an- they are confusing the roles, portray- It is my impression that the authors of the throposophically oriented circles have ing the addressees as «opponents» and statements and of the letters are concerned attacked what they refer to as «oppo- therefore as attackers, and themselves with different levels. The term ‹conspiracy nents» of an «open anthroposophy», as the victims. theory› as such is neutral (even though it is naming in particular the journals Der The reader of these lines does not largely used dismissively today) and refers Europäer and Ein Nachrichtenblatt. need to be told what to think from the to the occupation with (potential) conspira- The authors are introducing a actual anthroposophical point of view cies. This is also the task of historians and of new concept which they claim for of such shrewd tactics that are clearly investigative journalism. The intention, at themselves: that of an «open an- inspired by the prevailing (mis-) culture. this level, is to uncover or exclude conspira- throposophy». This they contrast, It is self-evident that such methods will cies on the basis of facts, sources and in- by implication, with the actual an- reveal their own content to be no more formed decisions. (‹Theory› is a sophisticat- throposophy which is consequently than empty phrases! ed concept for an explanatory model that not – or no longer – open. They pro- We should add, however, that the goes beyond allegations and hypotheses). vide no explanation for their concept. lack of consideration and substance Academic discourse is also open to The authors do, on the basis of this that is revealed by the «declaration» conspiracy theories in this sense. Michael unexplained concept, name opponents of the eight authors surprises us – or Butter 4 emphasizes that a conspiracy the- of their «open anthroposophy», but fail maybe it doesn’t. | Thomas Meyer on ory can arise from a justified doubt. But to ask these «opponents» whether they, behalf of Der Europäer; Kirsten Juel, Béla sometimes the form (excessive footnotes) too, see themselves as «opponents» of Szoradi, Roland Tüscher on behalf of Ein and attitude (anti-Semitism for instance) their «open anthroposophy», although Nachrichtenblatt can call the credibility of a theory into this would be prerequisite to a justified * The declaration against conspiracy theo- question. Anetta Kahane 5 warns against naming of «opponents.» These «oppo- ries appeared on 25 June 2018 in the journal pathologizing conspiracy theories because nents» – had they been asked – would Info 3 (www.info3-magazin.de/die-offene- «socio-political reasons can also be a hot- not have been able to comment on the anthroposophieund-ihre-gegner/) and on 6 July 2018 in Anthroposophy Worldwide. bed for such developments» (p. 4). This, in question as to whether they see them- The authors were Jens Heisterkamp and my perception, is the level that most of selves as «opponents», because in order Ramon Brüll (Info 3); Volker Frielingsdorf, the readers’ letters are concerned with. to do that they would have had to know historian (Alanus University); Wolfgang Held There is another level that has to do with what «open anthroposophy» actually is. (Goetheanum); Laura Krautkrämer (Info3); Jost Schieren (Alanus University); Henning instrumentalization. The anthroposophi- This is, however, not possible if the eight Kullak-Ublick (board member of the Associa- cal movement is not immune from under- authors don’t provide an explanation tion of Waldorf Schools in Germany); David mining, for instance when individuals with for their new concept. Marc Hoffmann (Rudolf Steiner Archives). nationalistic views bring anthroposophy into disrepute by associating it with their own ideology. In my view, the authors of reliable and relevant and they must relate to the statements are more concerned with an expert in the given field. In the German gung-132179380 2 www.bzbasel.ch/basel/ baselbiet/nach-kritik-jetzt-wenden-sich-an- this level (this is said without judging the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung of 29 July throposophen-erstmals-gegen-verschwoer- content or style of these statements). 2018, a research team called attention to the ungstheorien-132794436 3 ‹Reichsbürger’ For the sake of completeness, I would like abuse of sources after they managed to have reject the modern Federal Republic of Ger- to mention two more levels. Sometimes ‹fake essays› with absurd content published many and claim that the German Reich continues to exist (translator’s note). Hen- assumptions and suppositions become en- in periodicals with scientific aspirations. ning Kulak-Ublick: Die Reichsbürgerbewe- trenched and are presented as more or less The fourth level is about fantastic and gung. Eine kritische Auseinandersetzung monocausal arguments that allow for no absurd ‹theories›, such as that of ‹reptilians› mit dem Neu-Deutschtum (published by other views on the matter. They come with for example. This kind of conspiracy theory Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen) 4 Mi- chael Butter: Nichts ist, wie es scheint. Über a tendency to narrowness, reduction and is not addressed in either the statements Verschwörungstheorien, Suhrkamp-Verlag, the urge to missionize. They typically emu- or the readers’ letters. | Sebastian Jüngel 2018. 5 Amadeu-Antonio-Stiftung (ed.): late the forms of academic discourse, for No World Order. Wie antisemitische Ver- schwörungsideologien die Welt verklären›. instance by using an excessive number of 1 www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/ver- www.amadeu-antonio-stiftung. de/w/files/ schwoerungsmystiker-wie-der-baslerdan- footnotes. In the scientific context, sources pdfs/verschwoerungen-internet.pdf always need to be verified: they must be iele-ganser-kapern-rudolf-steiner-bewe- 14 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/17
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Reply to Johannes Falk’s handwriting is very regular from announcement of a stu- dy on the location of the beginning to end (fig. 1) and that Representative of Humanity, he forms his letters in a charac- Anthroposophy Worldwide teristic way even where they get 7-8/2018 smaller and where he was prob- ably writing more quickly. There In Anthroposophy Worldwide, is no occasion therefore to speak Johannes Falk announced a of a «metamorphosing leaf» study on the location of the within one handwritten page. group sculpture. The main fo- If we compare, letter by letter, cus of this study will be a note the two words that are two lines written by Ernst Aisenpreis on apart and that Johannes Falk 13 April 1924, the question Eisen- suggests we should both read preis put to Rudolf Steiner as to as «dafür», we find the follow- where the group should stand ing (fig. 2): the first letters are in the second Goetheanum and identical, a lower-case ‹d›; the Rudolf Steiner’s reply. The fact second letters are different: the that the quoted passage is cru- transition from the first to the cial to this question but that the second letter and the continu- situation is not exhaustively ad- ing line clearly form a lower-case dressed by it has been discussed ‹a› in the word lower down and, in my article «On the location of without doubt, a lower-case ‹e› the Group Sculpture in the Sec- in the word higher up. The third ond Goetheanum» in the jour- letters are the same, a lower- nal Stil (4/2015, Epiphanias, p. case ‹f›. The rest of the word 13–33, Verlag am Goetheanum). is different. In the lower word The decisive factor for Jo- the upstrokes and the curved hannes Falk is that Ernst Aisen- line below form a lower-case ‹u›, preis’ question, and therefore with a dot above that changes Rudolf Steiner’s answer, refer it into an umlaut (ü); this is to the place where the sculp- followed by a lower-case ‹r› ture was to be completed, not written in a way characteristic to its ultimate location. In order of Aisenpreis, not only on this to support this conclusion, one page. The upstroke forms a tiny word – «defin.[itiv]», referring loop at the top before the line to a definitive location – must continues to the right and then be read as «dafür», referring to turns downwards; all of these a preliminary location for com- characteristics are consistent pleting the carving. This shift is (even if the little loop becomes explained by that fact that Ernst a small hook when the writing Aisenpreis wrote more «care- gets faster and the whole let- lessly» at this crucial point (at ter appears slimmer) and clearly the top of the page, including distinguish it from a lower-case line 3), that his writing then ‹n›. With the word higher up, improves (conveniently from the upstrokes and curved lines line 5), becomes «more formed below with a dot above must and regular» and even features clearly be read as ‹in›; there is «larger letters». An image of the definitely no ‹r› at the end of the word, which allegedly appears word. For the sake of complete- three times, is duly presented ness it should be mentioned and the reader is asked to read that Ernst Aisenpreis, in using the clearly legible «defin.» as a full stops instead of question negligent spelling of «dafür». marks, would not have needed a second dot at the end of the sen- Fig. 2: lines 3 to 5 Letter by letter with the words ‹de- tence to indicate abbreviation. fin.› and ‹dafür› It is, however, immediately ap- The word must clearly be read as parent that Ernst Aisenpreis’ ‹defin.›, i.e. short for definitiv‹ ›. Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/17 | 15
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We have been informed that the follow- Klaus Wilde Kleinmachnow (de), 26 June 2018 ing 70 members have crossed the thresh- Robert Schmidt Überlingen (de), 28 June 2018 old of death. In their remembrance we Erika Wolter Heiligenberg/Steigen (de), are providing this information for their 28 June 2018 friends. | The Membership Office Jutta Vietor Bad Liebenzell (de), 29 June 2018 Fig. 1: whole page from at the Goetheanum Godula Hänlein Heidelberg (de), 30 June 2018 the notebook (original Albrecht Gründer Gründ (at), June 2018 height: 17 cm) Barbara Hurley Indianapolis (us), Ursula Bock Dortmund (de), 2 July 2018 25 September 2017 Eva-Maria von Heynitz Hanover (de), Janet Jones Wales (gb), 8 December 2017 3 July 2018 Marie-Luise Gotzian Bochum (de), François Jordan St. Germain en Laye (fr), 7 February 2018 4 July 2018 Marcela Mikulejska Praha 6 - Dejvice (cz), Rose Diez Paris (fr), 5 July 2018 12 February 2018 Cornelia Hahn Überlingen (de), 6 July 2018 Elisabeth Burkhart Zurich (ch), 12 March 2018 Dietrich Grimmer Jena (de), 11 July 2018 Miluše Kubičková Prague 4 (cz), 15 March 2018 Joy Whelan Manukau (nz), 11 July 2018 Erika Keipert Chateauguay (ca), 13 April 2018 Christa Geier Hartheim (de), 12 July 2018 Peter Rebbe Vierhöfen (de), 13 July 2018 When two words are made up Heidi Weiss Lörrach (de), 25 April 2018 Max Bänziger Baden (ch), 14 July 2018 of different letters they cannot Jan Matěcha Pardubice (cz), 7 May 2018 Renate Günther Stuttgart (de), 14 July 2018 be identical. Marie-Luise Knauer Dornach (ch), 17 May 2018 Ilse Peper Zeist (nl), 17 May 2018 Ernst Schmid Freiburg (de), 17 July 2018 Conclusion Susanne Klein Ismaning (de), 20 May 2018 Jim Willetts Carmichael (us), 18 July 2018 Elisabeth Engelhorn Heidenheim (de), The procedure suggested by Immo Sykora Berlin (de), 22 May 2018 19 July 2018 this (mis-)interpretation of Ai- Christoph Rau Braunschweig (de), Denise Tschopp Basel (ch), 19 July 2018 senpreise’s notes (when read- 24 May 2018 Carl-Heinz Schiel Bonn (de), 23 July 2018 ing ‹defin.’[itiv] as ‹dafür› ), i.e. Eleonore Bachmann Beringen (ch), Irmgard Goldenbow Hanover (de), 27 July 2018 to complete the carving on the 27 May 2018 Hanno Heidorn Hamburg (de), 29 July 2018 stage but ultimately position Elisabeth Schaaf Dresden (de), 3 June 2018 Angela-Carina Dana Timişoara (ro), the statue elsewhere, seems Lya Tessin Hamburg (de), 5 June 2018 31 July 2018 illogical or at least difficult to Barbara Stoeckel Hombrechtikon (ch), Pirkko Ristilä Kurikka (fi), 2 August 2018 understand and has been dis- 6 June 2018 Lea Blåfield Oravasaari (fi), 3 August 2018 cussed by Roland Halfen in his Karin Winkler Langballig (de), 7 June 2018 Etienne Blomerus Constantia (za), explanations on the group sculp- Marion Kenney Brighton (gb), 10 June 2018 5 August 2018 ture (in ga k 11, note 249, p. 210). Veronika Brugger Otterberg/Pfalz (de), Sepp Müller Zurich (ch), 5 August 2018 Further errors, which have aris- 12 June 2018 André Baer Kyburg (ch), 7 August 2018 en due to facts being omitted Lieselotte Hopf Nördlingen (de), 12 June 2018 Wera Levin Überlingen (de), 7 August 2018 from the article in the journal Antje Bölts Hamburg (de), 13 June 2018 Liselotte Wermbter Freiburg (de), Stil mentioned earlier as well as Warren Bouwer Forest Row (gb), 16 June 2018 7 August 2018 in ga k 11, cannot be discussed Florence Genestier Sainte Maure Günter Holakovsky Echzell (de), within the margins of this letter. de Touraine (fr), 17 June 2018 12 August 2018 By insisting on the ‹defin.› vs. Margaretha Hessdörfer Göppingen (de), ‹dafür› issue as a basis for his 17 June 2018 argumentation and by calling Helene Mantaux Bagneux (fr), 17 June 2018 From 19 June to 13 August 2018 the Soci- into question the only possible Karin-Elisabeth Mächtle Berlin (de), ety welcomed 176 new members; 57 are reading of Aisenpreis’ hand- 18 June 2018 no longer registered as members (resig- writing, Johannes Falk tries to Catherine Lilamand Paris (fr), 19 June 2018 nations, lost, and corrections by prove that the stage cannot Hanne Frank Hillerød (dk), 20 June 2018 country Societies). possibly have been envisaged Monica Dorrington Ringwood (gb), as the ultimate location for the 21 June 2018 Group sculpture in the second Betty Hunt Mont Albert (au), 22 June 2018 Goetheanum, leaving no scope Erich Traber Salenstein (ch), 22 June 2018 for further discussion. His ar- Gesa Beil Berlin (de), 23 June 2018 gumentation is not convincing, Klara Bahlrühs Dortmund (de), 25 June 2018 however, when one looks at it Wolfgang Friedrich Erlangen (de), 25 June 2018 more closely. | Dino Wendtland, Ulrike Strombach Aachen (de), 25 June 2018 Dornach (ch) 16 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/18
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New at Shanti: dentist Bibita Adhikari in her practice
state schools in Nepal are quite restrictive and have a military approach; they do not encourage creativity or independence in children. We have eleven teachers at pres- ent and more than a hundred students, 18 of them with severe disabilities. Our school is inclusive. You don’t find that any- where else in Nepal. Bopp How do you find qualified staff? Grosspietsch We offer ongoing training for our teachers and educators and also send them to Aban and Dilnawas Bana, two eurythmists and Waldorf teachers near Mumbai (in). We also often have special- Shanti Leprosy Aid ists coming from Germany who train our staff. Our school now goes up to class 7; the A home for the outcast children then graduate in one of the state In 1992 Marianne Großpietsch founded the aid organization Shanti Leprahilfe Dort- schools. They are always among the best! mund which raises funds for a centre in Kathmandu that offers a home to people in Breaking up the poverty cycle need. In addition to a medical surgery, workshops, organic farming, a kindergarten and school, a dental practice was opened in May – the only one in Nepal to offer Bopp How is it setting up such a school? treatment free of charge. Grosspietsch Introducing Waldorf Educa- tion and anthroposophy in Nepal is very Annette Bopp What inspired you to found additional training in Anthroposophic Medi- difficult. We must be careful that ‹Waldorf’ Shanti 26 years ago? cine, a dentist, two physiotherapists, two does not become a mere brand that one can Marianne Grosspietsch I wanted to give nurses and three staff members in charge of make a lot of money with. Our school is free a home to Leprosy sufferers in Nepal who wound care. The wounds of leprosy patients of charge for the families who entrust their are ostracized and excluded from society. need daily attention because otherwise rats children to us. We pay the teachers’ salaries The idea came to me because of the father come in the night and gnaw off their toes. and their professional development. I raise of our adopted son, who lived in the «lep- around 45,000 Euros every month for the ers’ ghetto». Life conditions there were so Greater independence centre and its circa one thousand people. degrading that I thought: this has to change. Bopp The centre is very colourful. How did 8,000 Euros of this are for the school. that come about? Bopp How is it with professional training? Being able to do something meaningful Grosspietsch We strive to foster the Nep- Grosspietsch We pay for that too. A nursing Bopp What did you do? alese culture, Mithila painting and Dhaka training costs 6,000 Euros in Nepal; hardly Grosspietsch First I rented a small house weaving for instance. All the walls have any parents can afford that. The average where twelve people could live and receive been painted with traditional motifs by annual salary here is 650 Euros! We have care. Later we were able to buy a plot of our residents, which means they can feel provided training for nurses, a pharma- land in Kathmandu with the help of the Ger- at home here and not cut off from their cist, a dental hygienist, a computer expert man Ministry of Economic Cooperation and culture. We have also salvaged wrought- and many others. We pay for clothes, food Development (bmz) and a generous dona- iron gates and railings from demolished and lodging. It is our wish to break through tion from [the German actor and presenter] houses and integrated them in our centre. the cycle of poverty so that these young Hape Kerkeling. We opened a centre there Bopp How widely is anthroposophy known people are no longer stigmatized as «un- that includes a big clinic, a dental practice, in Nepal? touchables» because they are children of rooms for people in need of care and work- Grosspietsch Apart from our school there «lepers» or other ostracized people. For me shops for carpentry, dress-making, weaving, are a few other Waldorf-inspired schools, this is the social impulse, the Christ impulse, painting and paper-making, and for produc- the Tashi-School in Kathmandu, which is applied in practice. ing biomass briquettes. I found it important recognized as a Waldorf school, and there is that people could do something meaningful Peter Effenberger’s farm, the only Demeter- Contact Shanti Leprahilfe Dortmund, and feel that they were part of society again. certified farm in Nepal. Olpketalstraße 63, 44229 Dortmund, Bopp How is the clinic structured? Bopp Was the Shanti School planned as a Germany, phone/ fax +49 231-736 914, Grosspietsch It is open to everyone, includ- Waldorf School from the start? [email protected], www.shanti-leprahilfe.de/en/association ing people from outside the centre. We Grosspietsch Yes, as was the kindergar- have a medical doctor who is undergoing ten which has nineteen children now. The