General Worldwide 4/18

■ ANTHROPOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

April 2018 • N° 4

Anthroposophical Society 2018 Annual Conference and AGM The Executive Council at the after the motion to reaffirm 1 Executive Council letter to members Paul Mackay and Bodo von Plato was rejected 2 AGM minutes 6 Reflections 8 Reports General Anthroposophical Society 10 Address by Paul Mackay Address by Bodo von Plato Statement from the Executive 11 Outcome of ballot Seija Zimmermann: emerita status Council at the Goetheanum 12 , The agenda of this year’s Annual General Meeting of the General Anthroposophical 18 Obituary: Vladimir Tichomirov Society included a motion to reaffirm Paul Mackay and Bodo von Plato as Executive Obituary: Lyda Bräunlich Council members. The majority of members present rejected this motion. The Execu- 19 Obituary: Johannes Zwiauer tive Council at the Goetheanum has responded with a letter to the members. Membership news

School of Spiritual Science Dear members of the Plato since 2001. After an extensive and con- 13 General Anthroposophical Section: Anthroposophical Society, troversial debate at the AGM the proposal Goetheanum Studies was rejected by the majority of members 14 Medical Section: We acknowledge with sadness that the present. We have to accept this decision. Research congress motion we submitted, and which was sup- In addition, a number of general secretar- ported by the Goetheanum Leadership and ies pointed out that many members who Anthroposophy Worldwide the Conference of General Secretaries, to live at a greater distance from the Goethea- 15 Germany: Congress on vaccination extend the term of office of Paul Mackay num are excluded from having their say in 15 Germany: Rheumatoid and Bodo von Plato as members of the Ex- these situations because they are unable Arthritis study ecutive Council was rejected by the AGM to attend for financial reasons. Proposals 16 India, Nepal, Kenia, Namibia: on 24 March 2018. With Seija Zimmermann to this point are to be submitted for next from Joan Sleigh’s travel log standing down at the same time, this raises year’s AGM to consult on. 17 Turkey: Calendar of the serious questions for the remaining Execu- We now have to work intensively on the Soul in Turkish tive Council members, the Goetheanum problems we are facing. Responsibilities 17 Worldwide: Lemniscate Arts on tour Leadership and the Goetheanum as regards need redistributing and we have to try and Feature planned projects and developments and the improve communication with the members 20 Conference: Meditation as a Path distribution of tasks in as well as even more. At the same time a new, strong to Knowledge around the world. will to work together has emerged in this cri- Consultations were held between Sep- sis: in the Society worldwide, among many tember and December 2017 within the Exec- leading members, and the Goetheanum staff. utive Council, the Goetheanum Leadership We therefore ask you as members to help and the Conference of General Secretaries, within your own context to ensure that our resulting in a joint proposal for reaffirma- work can continue in a fruitful way. | With tion. Paul Mackay has been a member of warm greetings: Justus Wittich, Joan Sleigh, the Executive Council since 1996, Bodo von Constanza Kaliks and Matthias Girke 2 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18

■ EDITORIAL ■ ANTHROPOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Regarding General Anthroposophical Society this edition Minutes of the 2018 Annual General Meeting Dear readers, The 2018 Annual General Meeting was em- a) the pink 2018 AGM booklet which Coverage of the AGM has changed in recent bedded in the Annual Conference («What includes, among other things, up-to- years. As recently as twenty years ago, the are we building on?») which was held at the date versions of the motions statements presented at the AGM were Goetheanum from 22 to 25 March 2018. As b) Justus Wittich’s written replies to 40 documented in the Newssheet several a trial, the meeting was planned as a three queries concerning agenda item 3 weeks after the meeting took place; then stage process with conscious judgment (2017 financial statement) from Diet- the editors introduced quick reports to give forming (with a night between the first mar Ferger (Lörrach/de) and Leonhard members a first glimpse into the processes and second and the second and third stage): Schuster (Rohrlack/de), and and «results». Nowadays, the first issue c) four pages of information on the of Anthroposophy Worldwide after the 1 AGM (part 1): information (22 March) World Goetheanum Association. AGM provides a first selection by publish- 2 AGM (part 2): discussion (23 March) ing detailed reports on the meeting and 3 AGM (part 3): decision (24 March) Ca. 650 members are present documenting the contributions made. This in the Main Auditorium. is also the case in this issue. The 2018 An- Georg Soldner (Goetheanum, Medical nual Conference and AGM will continue to Section) chaired the meeting on 22 March, Executive Council Report be discussed in Anthroposophy Worldwide: Florian Osswald (Goetheanum, Education Joan Sleigh (Executive Council at the we have already received the first letters Section) on 23 March, and Justus Wittich Goetheanum) presents the Executive Coun- with impressions from the meeting. (Goetheanum Executive Council member cil Report (documented on page 10). We have barely had four days (and nights) and treasurer) on 24 March. to evaluate, write, correct, translate and Philip Jacobsen (Dornach/CH) and his Presentation of the 2017 financial print this issue. If you come across any team (Stuart Chambers, Francine Courbat, statement and Auditor’s report mistakes or errors, we would ask you to Elisabeth Davison, Rozanne Hartmann, An- Justus Wittich (treasurer at the Goethea- be lenient, but also to let us know. nette Hug-Riesel, Peter Kaufmann, Maxime num) has unpleasant news: the financial I thank all the speakers for looking Le Roux, Jens-Peter Manfrass, Fionn Meier, year 2017 ends with a deficit of CHF 960,000. through the proofs of their contributions Emanuel Pusterer, Thomas Rippel, Michael This means that a total of CHF 1,098,539 is so quickly: mostly also within a few hours Sölch) were counting the votes; Oliver Con- not covered in the balance at the end of the or overnight. | Sebastian Jüngel radt (Goetheanum, Section for Mathemat- year. For details of the annual accounts see ics and Astronomy) took the minutes. All the pink booklet. German contributions were simultaneously Justus Wittich explains how it has come Anthroposophy Worldwide appears ten times a interpreted into English (Bernard Jarman) to this deficit (continuation of Faust 1 and 2, year, is distributed by the national Anthroposoph- and French (René Becker). performances of ’s Mystery ical Societies, and appears as a supplement to Dramas, Goetheanum building deprecia- the weekly ‹Das Goetheanum› Publisher General Anthroposophical Society, represented by Justus tion) despite the fact that the initiative of Wittich Editors Sebastian Jüngel (responsible for the treasurers in various countries raised an this edition), Michael Kranawetvogl (responsible extra income of almost CHF 400,000 world- for the Spanish edition), Margot M. Saar (respon- Thursday 22 March 2018 sible for the English edition), Proofreader for the wide. It is hoped that the annual accounts English edition: Amadeus Bodenstein. Address Location: Goetheanum, Main Auditorium will be balanced again by 2020 at the latest. Wochenschrift ‹Das Goetheanum›, Postfach, The plan is to make the transition period «or- 4143 Dornach, , Fax +41 61 706 44 65, [email protected] Correspondents/ 5.15 p.m.: Opening of agm (part 1): information ganic», so that staff members do not need news agency Jürgen Vater (Sweden), News Net- to live in fear. Justus Wittich therefore takes work Anthroposophy (NNA). We expressly wish Beginning of AGM responsibility for the deficit in the 2017 an- for active support and collaboration. Subscrip- tions To receive ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide› Georg Soldner opens the meeting on behalf nual accounts and is supported in this by the please apply to the Anthroposophical Society in of the Executive Council and the Goethea- Executive Council, the Goetheanum Leader- your country. Alternatively, individual subscrip- num Leadership, explains procedures and ship and the treasurers of the societies in tions are available at CHF 30 (EUR/US$ 30) per year. An e-mail version is available to members states that the invitation for the AGM was other countries. The treasurers have agreed of the Anthroposophical Society only at www. announced properly and in good time in the to meet in London in the autumn of 2018. goetheanum.org/630.html?L=1 © 2017 General Society’s newsletter and that the meeting Justus Wittich asks all the members to Anthroposophical Society, Dornach, Switzerland is therefore quorate. The agenda and mo- support the transition plans and the con- tions were published in Anthroposophy solidation of the budget. Picture credits p. 1: S. Jüngel | p. 3: S. Jüngel | p. 4: Worldwide 1–2/2018, the treasurer’s report Georg Soldner asks for the audit report. S. Jüngel | p. 5: S. Jüngel | p. 10: S. Jüngel | p. 12: Goe- theanum Dokumentatiion, Forschungsstelle Kultu- in Anthroposophy Worldwide 3/2018. At the Urs Santschi of Santschi & Partner Treu- rimpuls | p. 13: z.V.g. | p. 14: Heike Sommer | p. 16,17: doors to the Main Auditorium the following hand AG (Reinach/CH) refers to the audit Joan Sleight | p. 18: Peter Tschaikowski, z. V. g. items were made available to the members. report that is published in the pink booklet Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18 | 3

■ ANTHROPOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Around 940 members attended part 3 of the AGM: decision-making

needed to appoint a member of the Execu- tive Council or extend his or her term in office (page 6 in the pink booklet). Heidrun Mathilde Scholze (Unterföhring/DE) speaks to Motion 4, proposing that Article 8 of our Statutes should specify with binding effect that the minutes of the AGM must include processes rather than decisions only (pages 6f. in the pink booklet). Thomas Heck ex- plains Motions 5 to 8 (see pages 7 to 13 in the pink booklet), Eckhardt Dönges (Bern/CH) Motion 9 (see page 13 in the pink booklet), Marek Majorek (Latterbach/CH) Motion 10 (page 14 in the pink booklet) and Karin Lanz (Basel/CH) Motions 11 and 12 (page 14 in the pink booklet).

6.45 p.m.: End of the agm (part 1): information

Friday 23 March 2018 Motions and concerns 2.30 p.m.: Begin of agm (part 2): discussion (pages 25 to 32) and recommends that the to the 2018 AGM (explanations) Annual General Meeting accept the an- Florian Osswald welcomes approximately nual financial statement. The audit report Georg Soldner reminds the AGM of Article 8 650 members in the Main Auditorium, ex- includes a statement that underlines the of our Statutes: the reason for the division plains procedures and asks speakers for fact that «due to the re-appreciation of the of motions into matters lying within the consideration of this special place when shares by CHF 889,900 the ordinary sphere of the members’ rights (motions 1 they make their contribution. result of the business year 2017 looks better to 4) and requests and wishes in the form than it actually is.» Georg Soldner asks Ju- of motions to the Executive Council, on Motions and concerns lian Schily (treasurer of the Anthroposophi- which the AGM can vote (motions 5 to 12). to the AGM (discussion) cal Society in Germany) to speak about the Justus Wittich explains Motion 1, which The following members speak to Motion 1: work of the treasurer’s advisory group. At proposes the reaffirmation of Paul Mackay Andreas Fischer (Rehetobel/CH), Paul Chris- present this group consists of Julian Sch- and Bodo von Plato for a further term as tiaan van Panhuys (Wijdewormer/NL), Jaap ily, Alexander Thiersch (DE), Marc Desaules members of the Executive Council at the Sijmons (Anthroposophical Society in the (CH), Pim Blomaard (NL), Daniel Håkanson Goetheanum (see also pages 15 and 16 in , president and general secre- (DK), Marianne Schubert, Ueli Hurter, Paul the pink booklet). He asks the members for tary), Robert Jan Kelder (Amsterdam/NL), An- Mackay and Oliver Conradt (Goetheanum). their agreement regarding both persons. drea Meyer Jeserich (Dornach/CH), Christiane Julian Schily thanks the societies in the Thomas Heck (Dornach/CH) presents Mo- Haid (Goetheanum, Humanities Section). various countries for their efforts in raising tion 2, which proposes that the 2018 AGM Andreas Worel (/CH) demands the additional sum of almost CHF 400,000 rescinds the resolution taken by the AGM that the consultations on Motion 1 should in 2017. When the advisory group last met at on 14 April 1935 to exclude Ita Wegman not be concluded yet but that there should the end of February 2018 and at the meet- and Elisabeth Vreede from the Executive be time for conversation on the Executive ing of Councils and treasurers in the run-up Council. This would be an important step Council’s report and the financial state- to the AGM the main topics were how the towards the reinstatement of both these ment. Florian Osswald consults the meet- General Anthroposophical Society and the members of the original Executive Council ing and accepts the proposal. Societies in other countries can be put on with regard to unjustly raised accusations In the discussion on the Executive Council a sound financial footing. (page 5 in the pink booklet). report and financial statement the follow- The advisory group recommends that the Gottfried Caspar (Dornach/CH) presents ing members speak: Jean Cousquer (Saint Annual General Meeting adopts the annual Motion 3 to amend Article 12 of the Statutes. Cybranet/FR), Thomas Heck, Georg Sold- financial statement. It proposes that a two-thirds majority is ner, Peter Joachim Knörrich (Reutlingen/DE), 4 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18

Questions of organization Information stand of the Education Section Waiting for the doors to open before the ballot

Eva Lohmann-Heck (Dornach/CH) and Chris- No members ask to speak to this proposal ing. Two sessions, one before and one tine Untersulzner (Gorizia/IT). by Justus Wittich. Florian Osswald asks the after the coffee break, are available for The discussion of Motion 1 then con- members to vote. The AGM accepts with a part 3 of the AGM. He explains the agenda tinues. The following members speak: In- clear majority. for this meeting. grid Caspar (Dornach/CH), Marc Desaules Constanza Kaliks (Executive Council at the (Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland, Goetheanum) chairs the session on «World- Motions and concerns general secretary and treasurer), Wilfried wide Goetheanum. Reports, current devel- to the AGM (decisions) Bohm (Anthroposophical Society in South opments and projects in the Anthroposophi- Before the meeting Ingrid and Gottfried Africa, representative), Wolfgang Tomas- cal Society around the world». Introductions Caspar have submitted a procedural mo- chitz (Anthroposophical Society in Austria, include Henri Murto as the new general tion to vote on Motion 3 before Motion 1. general secretary), Josiana Arippol (Zeist/ secretary for Finland, Horacio Müller and Justus Wittich explains briefly that accord- NL), Tatiana Garcia-Cuerva (Arlesheim/CH), Vlad Radu Popa as the new representatives ing to Swiss law, if Motion 3 is accepted, Ulf Waltz (Munich/DE), Arie van Amerin- for Argentina and Romania respectively. the amendment of Article 12 of the Stat- gen (Anthroposophical Society in Canada, utes would become immediately effec- general secretary), Sue Simpson (Anthro- 6.10 p.m. Part 2 of the tive. In the following vote this procedural posophical Society in New Zealand, general AGM continues: discussion motion is accepted. secretary) and Gerald Häfner (Goetheanum, Before the meeting, requests were also Section for Social Sciences). The speakers on Motion 2 are submitted to present before the voting (Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland, 4.35 p.m. Break Council), Gerald Häfner, Daniel Marston a) an issue of concern raised in the (Dornach/CH), Jaap Sijmons and Heidrun Nordic countries regarding the 5.15 p.m. Part 2 of the Mathilde Scholze (Unterföhring/DE). voting procedure AGM continues: discussion b) an issue of concern raised by 6.35 p.m. Part 2 of the AGM concludes the young people Florian Osswald asks Justus Wittich to make a suggestion as to how to continue The AGM agrees these requests in two the AGM. After the reports on current de- separate polls. velopments and projects in the Anthropo- sophical Society worldwide, around half Saturday 24 March 2018 Niels Henrik Nielsen (Anthroposophical an hour will remain for the discussion of 2.30 p.m. Part 3 of the agm begins: Society in Denmark, general secretary) Motion 2, the reinstatement of Ita Wegman discussion and decision-making presents an issue that has been discussed and Elisabeth Vreede. This motion is very for many years in Denmark and is now – in important and needs enough time. Discus- Justus Wittich welcomes almost 1000 a matured state – expressed at the AGM sion of motions 3 to 12 would have to be members in the Main Auditorium, partic- of the General Anthroposophical Society. postponed to 24 March. ularly those who newly joined the meet- Every member has the right to participate Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18 | 5

1 by one year. A consultative raising of hands reveals that the AGM is in favour of voting on Motion 1 now. Philip Jacobsen, head of the vote counting team, explains the separate and secret bal- lot. Ballot boxes can be found at the exits of the Main Auditorium.

4.05 p.m. break

4.45 p.m. Part 3 of the AGM continues: discussion and decision-making

Motions and concerns to the AGM (decisions) The votes on Motion 1 are still being count- ed when the presentation of Motion 2 be- gins. Justus Wittich asks Thomas Heck to briefly outline this motion again. Gerald Thomas Heck explains Motion 2 (reinstatement) Häfner explains the motion seconding Mo- tion 2 submitted by the Executive Coun- cil at the Goetheanum, the Goetheanum Adoption of the 2018 in meetings of the Society and to cast a Leadership and the Conference of General financial statement vote, if present. The long journey makes Secretaries (page 5 in the pink booklet). Ida- it impossible for most members of our The annual financial statement was adopted Maria Hoek (Amerongen/NL) withdraws Society to participate in general meet- by a clear majority, with many abstentions. her wish to explain the concern she raised ings. This problem applies to many mem- regarding Motion 2. bers worldwide. The concern to find new Election of auditors Since the vote-counters have still not forms of participation is shared by the Justus Wittich as the treasurer proposes to returned to the Main Auditorium, Justus Scandinavian countries. commission Santschi & Partner Treuhand AG Wittich proposes to the AGM that the min- Ingrid Reistad (Anthroposophical So- for a seventh and last time to audit the ac- ute-taker counts and assesses the votes for ciety in Norway, Goetheanum contact counts. The proposal is accepted by the AGM. this motion. The audience agrees. Kristina person) adds that this concern is also sup- Lucia Parmentier (Ledeberg/BE) and Gerald ported by Great Britain, the Netherlands, Discharge of the Executive Council Häfner help with the counting. France, Belgium, Australia and New Zea- The AGM discharges the Executive Council Motion 2 is agreed to by an overwhelm- land. The meeting of general secretaries with a clear majority. ing majority, with three votes against and and representatives had consulted on 17 abstentions. Justus Wittich thanks the this question with a view to submitting Motions and concerns meeting for this vote and reminds the this proposal next year. to the AGM (decisions) members that this is only a step on the way Macarena Kralj from Argentina and Da- Ingrid Caspar briefly introduces Motion 3. to reinstating Ita Wegman and Elisabeth rina Evgrafova from Russia present the During the debate the following members Vreede. The resolution of 1935 is rescinded concern raised by the young people. They speak: Josiana Arippol (Zeist/NL), Ron Dun- with immediate effect. were shocked by the debate on Motion selman (Meppel/NL), Jan Baker-Finch (An- Heidrun Mathilde Scholze speaks to Mo- 1. Two individuals are being judged. How throposophical Society in Australia, general tion 4. In the debate Jean Cousquer, another can one expect young people to join the secretary) and Christoph Lukas (Otzberg/DE). member, Henry Saphir (Dornach/CH) and Anthroposophical Society if they cannot Eduard Willareth (Arlesheim/CH) proposes another person ask to speak. Georg Soldner participate in such meetings full-heartedly? to postpone Motion 3 to the AGM in 2019. submits a procedural motion to postpone The Council members represented anthro- This procedural motion is clearly accepted. voting on this motion by one year and to posophy all over the world, not only at the examine the issue in a wider context. The Goetheanum. The Executive Council at the Confirmation of a further term in office procedural motion receives clear support. Goetheanum was not only there to admin- Motion 1 was discussed yesterday. Before Justus Wittich announces the result of istrate but was also esoteric. the poll Paul Mackay and Bodo von Plato the ballot on Motion 1: The reaffirmation of Justus Wittich points out that the 2017 have opportunity to each make a statement Paul Mackay as a member of the Executive annual accounts and the Executive Coun- (see pages 10f.). Council is rejected, with 408 votes in favour, cil report had been presented and dis- Dietmar Ferger (not present) and Jo- 467 votes against and 62 abstentions (of cussed over the previous two days. It can hannes Falk (Dornach/CH) submit a proce- a total of 937 valid votes). The reaffirma- therefore be voted on. dural motion to postpone voting on Motion tion of Bodo von Plato as a member of the 6 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18

General Anthroposophical Society: Executive Council at the Goetheanum is result with a third of votes in favour, a third 2018 Annual Conference rejected with 398 votes in favour, 486 votes against, and a third abstaining. against and 56 abstentions (of a total of Justus Wittich announces that on 25 Rich soul life 940 valid votes). March, for about half an hour in the break, A procedural motion from the room ask- starting from 10.20 a.m., an image of the The non-confirmation of Paul Mackay ing for a break is rejected by the AGM. Representative of Humanity will be project- and Bodo von Plato and the contribu- Eckart Dönges (Bern/CH) submits the pro- ed onto the stage. This meets the demands tion to the reinstatement of Elisabeth cedural motion to vote on Motions 5 to 12 made in Motion 12. Vreede and Ita Wegman were dominant consultatively so that the Executive Coun- themes in the final days of March. And cil gets an impression of the AGM’s views. Conclusion of AGM yet, there was also a diverse and rich an- This motion is carried by a clear majority. Paul Mackay speaks to the AGM after the nual conference. The events unfolding Thomas Heck announces that the propos- result of the vote has been announced. He between 22 and 25 March took place at ers withdraw Motion 5 because the basic respects the decision that the majority of various levels and require differentiated orientation of the further work is suffi- the AGM does not support his reaffirmation contemplation. ciently described in the pink booklet. Stefan and expresses his gratitude for 22 years of Hasler (Goetheanum, Section for the Per- working together. He particularly thanks It is true: reports of this annual conference forming Arts) speaks of Andrea Pfaehler’s the General Secretaries and representa- need to focus on the non-confirmation. deep devotion to the Goetheanum. He tives, his colleagues in the Goetheanum Again and again before, during and after the also reports that creative speech will play Leadership and on the Executive Council. meeting it was pointed out that one could a major part and that Agnes Zehnter has The audience rises and thanks Paul Mackay not possible heal the history of the Society been recruited to support this endeavour. with extended, demonstrative applause. by pursuing the reinstatement initiative on Further descriptions of production issues Bodo von Plato expresses his thanks and the one hand whilst causing new wounds will be published in the Society’s organs. trust that what we are doing here for the good on the other by refusing to reaffirm two cur- Economic circumstances clearly speak for a of humankind will continue. The audience rent Executive Council members. Whether short trial phase for which public rehearsals rises a second time and thanks Bodo von Pla- or not one sees parallels between the two and audience discussions are envisaged. to with extended, demonstrative applause. situations is a question of perspective. Thomas Heck announces that Motion 6 Ute Craemer (Anthroposophical Soci- Unlike Elisabeth Vreede and Ita Wegman has been rendered immaterial by the in- ety in Brazil, general secretary) thanks Paul in 1935, Paul Mackay and Bodo von Plato formation on the World Goetheanum As- Mackay and Bodo von Plato on behalf of the were not excluded from the Executive sociation made available at the entrance to Society worldwide and Brazil in particular. Council. Their term came to an end and the Main Auditorium. Georg Soldner speaks Justus Wittich states that the Executive they were not reaffirmed. of the developments regarding the World Council was in a difficult situation now and This decision taken by the AGM illustrates Goetheanum Association so far. that it would consult with the Goetheanum that the express wish of the leading organs Leadership, particularly since Seija Zimmer- for continued cooperation and the concern Thomas Heck withdraws Motion 7. mann was standing down now. of the majority of (voting) members pres- Seija Zimmermann says her farewell to ent were not congruent on 24 March. To Thomas Heck would like to see Motion 8 the Executive Council. Joan Sleigh and Con- those who had a fruitful experience work- dealt with by the AGM. During the debate stanza Kaliks thank her (page 11). ing with Paul Mackay and Bodo von Plato Andreas Worel, Laurenz Kistler (Basel/CH) Further departures follow from Lena this came as a «shock», particularly because and Gerald Häfner ask to speak. A consul- Westergren as general secretary for Finland, the mood in the Main Auditorium was not tative vote reveals that Motion 8 carries a and from Gheorghe Paxino and Rosa Körte seen as reflecting the mood of the member- clear majority. (absent) as representatives of Romania and ship worldwide. The ballot was preceded by Eckhart Dönges explains Motion 9 again. Argentina respectively. appeals to not reaffirm the two members A show of hands reveals a clear majority in Constanza Kaliks and Jaap Sijmons ad- in question. An interview published in the favour of Motion 9. Justus Wittich briefly dress the AGM, Paul Mackay and Bodo von weekly journal Das Goetheanum was seen mentions that the attitude among the edi- Plato with a personal statement and thanks. as propaganda to influence readers in fa- tors of the weekly journal (Das Goethea- All the representatives and general secre- vour of Paul Mackay and Bodo von Plato. num) was different, and that Mr Dönges taries come onto the stage to thank Paul Yet despite all this, and despite the deficit and the editors will meet in Dornach or Bern. Mackay and Bodo von Plato. Long-lasting in the annual accounts of almost a million Marek Majorek explains Motion 10. Jo- applause. Swiss Francs, the financial report was ad- hannes Kühl (Goetheanum, Natural Sci- opted and the Executive Council discharged, ence Section), Ida-Maria Hoek and Heidrun Justus Wittich concludes the extraordinary both with great majority. Mathilde Scholze speak to this motion. In general meeting at 6.53 p.m. the consultative vote Motion 10 is rejected. Avoiding the creation of Moritz Christoph (Weil am Rhein/DE) | minute-taker: Oliver Conradt; chairs: Justus legends and stigmatization presents Motion 11. The picture arising from Wittich, Florian Osswald and Georg Soldner; Regarding the statement that the Council the consultative vote is that of a balanced for the vote-counting: Philip Jacobsen of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzer- Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18 | 7

land had rejected the reaffirmation, Marc De- form, where do I need moments of freedom well as connecting with the world – through saules, the Swiss general secretary, said that (by that I do not mean arbitrariness, wilful- our senses, for instance. If we then meet this had happened internally, in a conversa- ness, etc.)? And lastly: When do I postulate a difficulties and trials, we can build on the tion in reply to a question from the Executive truth in the form of a generally valid state- balance we have achieved. Rhythm plays Council at the Goetheanum, and that it had ment as opposed to speaking my own mind? an important part in this, because rhythm been reported among the general secretar- connects different worlds and makes them ies. When this grew into a public contro- Insight into the Goetheanum’s activities interact without intermixing them. versy, questions were addressed to the Swiss A new format was given to this year’s an- Council, and the Swiss Council responded nual meeting and AGM in order to provide Anthroposophy is life-changing by describing the process, not by explicitly the best possible opportunities for encoun- The presentations on the anthroposophi- recommending to members how to vote. ters, sharing and for receiving substantial cal work in the world illustrated where an- Additionally, Marc Desaules pointed out contents. The annual meeting in 2017 was, throposophy is being taken up actively and that similar views had been expressed by So- in continuation of the 2016 Goetheanum how it can give a new, hope-filled, future- cieties in other countries, not just Switzerland, World Conference, a meeting of the anthro- oriented direction to a person’s biography. who also wondered whether the sought-for posophical movement. This was particularly tangible in the example renewal can come from those who have, over It is also true to say that the annual confer- of a small farmer in India, whose family was several seven-year periods, been instrumen- ence provided a diverse and rich programme. threatened by ruin due to debt. He learned tal in bringing about the present situation. My impression was that the Goetheanum to prepare compost using biodynamic prep- One member with whom I spoke at the demonstrated widely what it can do and arations and was able to turn around his eco- AGM had the impression that people had what it stands for: there were esoteric stud- nomic situation: within three years his farm differing reasons for voting for or against the ies and contemplation, the work of the sec- was debt-free, his parents had recovered reaffirmation and that there were not just tions was presented (information stands from illness, and his sister, who had been two opposing parties. I mention this because and work groups); ideas on how to look cast out by her husband’s family, was able to I see the danger that legends and stigmati- at the Foundation Stone Mediation were start a new life. Anthroposophy offers two zations are being created, and because the woven like a thread through the meetings, ways – one of working, studying, sharing Swiss writer Max Frisch’s tragedy Andorra illustrated also by performances; and one of practical involvement – which warns me not to assign roles to other people. and insights were given into the Anthropo- can change lives and destinies. Further sophical Society’s spheres of work at the examples of this are the work done at the How do ideals become Goetheanum and in the world. In addition, hospital in Arlesheim (Klinik Arlesheim) and binding without coercion? staff members at the Goetheanum opened the development of anthroposophy in India In spite of all this, I experienced a clash- up their work places, explained what they and Sweden. An image emerged of a vibrant ing of polar opposite views, for instance are doing, and answered questions. anthroposophical life in the world. when it came to the question of ideal and The Goetheanum Leadership strives to principle. Given that members should be The Foundation Stone see all these qualities implemented at the included more in Society matters and that Meditation as self-education Goetheanum, too: to work profoundly, cre- the decision-making should not be left to The Goetheanum Leadership has chosen ate possibilities for sharing experiences, ex- two per cent of the 44,000 existing mem- the Foundation Stone Meditation as the plore the esoteric dimensions of the practi- bers, recording everything that happened community-building focus of the Society’s cal work, breathing between centre and in procedural minutes (Motion 4) is a rea- endeavours. Diverse contributions cast a periphery, between thinking and doing, in sonable request, as is the aspiration that light on this meditation from different the rhythms of the feeling life. editorial actions should correspond to the perspectives. Stefan Hasler and Margrethe truth (see Motion 8), even if one speaks, to Solstad used eurythmy demonstrations to Tasks based on competence my knowledge, more modestly of truthful- inspire members to try and experience and Several contributors spoke of an immaturity ness in journalism. understand what they saw – by actively par- of the soul life and of the need to build on What does a healthy relationship between ticipating in their seats. For instance, how do trust and love, with both qualities being warranted ideals and laid-down principles periphery and centre relate to each other? seen as fruits of self-education. Justus Wit- look like? A lofty ideal such as «The dignity of How do two groups of three relate to the tich asked, «How much of the competence human beings is inviolable» becomes bind- direction each of them takes (fourth verse)? necessary for the working together of the ing when included in a constitution, as is the They take the cue from each other! And when shepherds’ and kings’ streams have we al- case in Germany. In a (fictitious) example leaving the stage, one group walks the path ready acquired?» His impression was that such as «Every person is under an obligation the other walked before, but backwards. we «have not yet arrived at the mystery site, to breathe», a reasonable request is being Repeatedly we were encouraged to prac- at the Michael School.» And he described made, because without breathing we can- tise the appeals made in the Foundation a vision: «We will increasingly come to a not live. But does it make sense to declare Stone Meditation in our everyday life or point that is not about voting and offices, something imperative because it is sensible? work. They aim, we are told, to transform but about competence: the competence Various needs and experiences might be the soul so that we can become «truly» hu- from which responsibility and leadership reflected in such a request: where do I need man. Self-perception is required for this, as will arise.» | Sebastian Jüngel 8 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18

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Executive Council at the Goetheanum humanity, on the basis of anthroposophy The Goetheanum in Development process is Individual and Rudolf Steiner. And finally, we have building on what many people all over the suggested moving from an annual theme world have founded, achieved, developed; contribution and space to an annual motif, taking the Foundation to what they have devoted their strength for inspiration Stone Meditation as our motif to work on. and time. It wants to be open to today’s In the meeting of the general secretaries questions and make a contribution to a I will speak generally about our tasks in and representatives of the Societies in the knowledge of the human being that is the Executive Council of the General An- world the Michael impulse and the Foun- guided by human dignity. throposophical Society. Because there are dation Stone Meditation came together. still so many items waiting on the agenda While not planned, this was deeply moving. What emerges in human beings? of the AGM, I will focus on a few aspects This dignity of the human being, of human and examples. Perceptive, curious, relationship-forming co-existence with nature and with the The Executive Council and Goetheanum The Anthroposophical Society is a global so- earth, is one of the concerns of the School Leadership have fostered a culture of co- ciety which we are fostering by being inter- of Spiritual Science, the School in which operation and participation in recent years. ested, perceptive and curious, and by form- knowledge of the human being as a being We practise this also in the Executive Coun- ing relationships. We could tell you much of body, soul and spirit, is being sought cil’s extended meetings, in the general sec- about our diverse travels in the world. The and developed. This kind of knowledge, retaries’ conferences, and now also in the Goetheanum Studies have created an inter- where something that is emerging is both meetings with branch leaders, and with the national learning landscape here in Dornach. starting point and goal, is new compared to representatives of . This year, 40 people from 21 countries, speak- the natural-scientific approach. It opens up We are trying to develop a culture of ing many languages, have come together new perspectives in many spheres of life: working together, a culture of conver- here for a new study course. And we have education, medicine, nursing, etc. sation. We therefore practise in each of international, cross-sectional conferences, Promoting and supporting this School of these organs that each person makes their for instance «Rudolf Steiner and the Mystery Spiritual Science and its Sections and the individual contribution and that we form Dramas worldwide» from 21 to 25 July 2018. spheres of life connected with them is the a space together into which the light for The Goetheanum is a place of encoun- task of the Anthroposophical Society. To a forthcoming decision can be received ters, a place for meeting and perception. make them visible and accessible to those out of the whole. Constanza Kaliks has de- As a synthesis of the arts, the building who see spiritual knowledge as a necessary scribed the development of a new lead- and surrounding park form the centre of contribution to a time of great challenges ership culture as one of the tasks of the anthroposophical research and teaching, is a task that the Goetheanum is taking on. Goetheanum Studies. It is something that of art, speech and drama, all of which are We have chosen three wider areas, or tar- is being worked on in many places. Today’s authentically presented here. get images, for the Goetheanum in Develop- AGM is also such an organ: everyone has But by Goetheanum we also mean the ment process. The first is the harmonization something to contribute so that we can Goetheanum in the world. The Goethea- of the Anthroposophical Society, the School hopefully come to an overall picture, and num is everywhere where anthroposophical of Spiritual Science and the spheres of life. from an overall picture to a shared decision. work is being done. To use an image: In the One of the projects is devoted to develop- cardiovascular system the blood is enriched ing the School, to working more intensively Questions that point beyond the An- with oxygen in the heart, while nutrients with its members and with those who are throposophical Society are being absorbed in the periphery. Centre responsible for the Class Lessons, in order to The General Anthroposophical Society’s and periphery are being moved by the circu- work together towards a culture of talking esoteric work focuses on what is universally lation, in a warming and nurturing activity. about questions of inner development in human. In the past year we co-organized Each Goetheanum in the world is at the the spheres of life and work. two Class conferences, one in Stuttgart same time centre and periphery. At the Another project refers to the research (DE) and one in Dornach (CH), for which Paul Goetheanum in Dornach we are a centre; within the Sections, which relates to life Mackay and Bodo von Plato were co-re- but this centre would not be viable if it was in that every school or farm is a field of re- sponsible. In addition there were two major not nurtured by the periphery. And vice ver- search that can contribute to gaining knowl- conferences on current issues: «Living Con- sa: we are looking forward to see the work edge. The third project is concerned with nections» in July was a first open gathering of those who form their own centre. | Joan the teaching, deepening and visibility of an- on anthroposophically oriented meditation Sleigh, Executive Council at the Goetheanum throposophy. We perceive a great need for and on cultivating an inner culture. In De- further training when it comes to manage- cember we had the sixth conference on a ment: the question for many institutions is culture of death and dying, in which we Goetheanum in Development to what extent those in leading positions re- tried to come closer to an understanding late to an anthroposophically oriented path of birth and death. These are areas, ques- Human dignity of knowledge, and whether those who are tions, of life that do not only occupy the looking for such a path, have the opportu- Anthroposophical Society, and to which What are we building on? This question nity to undergo the corresponding training. we are able to make a contribution for forms the theme of this annual conference. The second target image is about coop- Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18 | 9

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eration and possibilities for developing a Entwicklung der Sectionen (The Goethea- Our task now is to connect this with the culture of agreements. The corresponding num – School of Spiritual Science. The His- spheres of life, with the spheres where an- project focuses on the multiple layers of tory and Development of the Sections.) throposophy is applied in practice. The 1100 communication: with the members, within The new structure of this year’s Annual Waldorf Schools worldwide alone provide a the societies in the various countries, with Conference, which encompasses the AGM, rich stream of experiences and reflections. people who are interested, with the public. is also an aspect of the Goetheanum in This is mainly about being active, about The third target image aims at viability, Development initiative. | Constanza Kaliks, what one represents authentically – out of in general as well as financial terms. One Executive Council at the Goetheanum and one’s involvement with a practical task. But project related to this sphere looks at the Leader of the Youth Section there is also the «undercurrent» that goes Goetheanum as a place, a campus: the through the night: we do our inner work, Goetheanum park as well as the Docu- then we let go of that and focus on our mentation department, the Archives and Goetheanum in Entwicklung daily outer work. The inner work streams the works of art. A second project aims at into this outer work. And the outer work, forming a World Goetheanum Association, Inner work and in turn, affects our inner work, helping us, which will provide a network for enterpris- vocation for instance, to deal with crisis situations. es, institutions and self-employed individu- We have heard from Ueli Hurter, one of als and the School of Spiritual Science and When we saw the eurythmy, we experi- the leaders of the Section for Agriculture, facilitate partnership and mutual support. enced in the fourth verse of the Foundation about the challenges small farmers in India A World Goetheanum Forum, open to ev- Stone Meditation how two groups come are struggling with because of the power eryone interested, will be held from 28 to together, striving to look toward a com- wielded by large-scale enterprises and be- 30 September 2018. mon goal. This has something to do with cause of the danger of accumulating debts. the work in the School of Spiritual Science What lives in the various groups? I would like to tell you about. Spiritual questions from everyday life A further aspect of the Goetheanum in De- The Christmas Conference of 1923–24 After the Christmas Conference of 1923-24 velopment initiative is the increasing active saw the foundation of the General An- Rudolf Steiner said again and again that cooperation with the general secretaries throposophical Society with the School of anthroposophy meant more than carry- and representatives of the various coun- Spiritual Science at its heart. This school ing the word into the world: it also meant tries. In their meeting last week, as well as strives to conduct active research. In the putting the word into action. How does in their meeting with the Executive Coun- Goetheanum Leadership we are concerned one deal with a situation where one has cil and the treasurers before the Annual with the overall cohesion of the School, many professed anthroposophists in a col- Conference it became clear that we wish with the inner work on the mantras on lege of teachers and others who like work- to work towards a Michael Festival, possi- the one hand, and with the work of the ing in a Waldorf School but who have no bly in combination with the celebration of Sections and in the spheres of life on the direct connection with anthroposophy? the Anthroposophical Society’s centenary. other. There would be many experiences They are also immersed in the spiritual- In this respect we can build on the broad to report about! The question as to how ity of this work when they meet, every experience of the schools and special needs the whole is held together remains open: day, that which strives to develop within institutions: the Anthroposophical Society how is it possible to feel that one is a part the young people. How can a conversa- also works towards this now. of a whole and to experience both areas? It tion, an experience, between these two We would like to see the annual theme would mean bringing the inner and outer streams be initiated? These are the kinds transformed into an impulse, born from life into harmony. of space we seek to establish. the wish to focus on a particular content Again and again I notice on conferences together. We are particularly interested in Connecting with the spheres of life or when I meet people that spiritual ques- the diverse ways of working and the ques- The relationship between the inner work tions arise in them on the basis of their tions that arise from the reality of the in- on the contents of the Class Lessons and experiences: what are dead concepts? dividual groups. the spheres of life is beginning to change. Where do things begin to be alive? What I am pleased that the cooperation with We notice this in the conversations with conditions do young children find today the general secretaries, representatives Class holders, and we also see it in the for a healthy incarnation? What can we and Council members (Alma Humana! - Hu- institutions, schools and farms. It is im- do to help and support young people in man Soul!) has led to a first conference of portant that we are interested in one their development? In these conversational Romance-speaking countries being orga- another. Leena Westergrén related how spaces questions emerge that relate to the nized in July at the Goetheanum. the Anthroposophical Society in Finland School of Spiritual Science and therefore to In the Goetheanum Leadership we have has approached the school movement the Anthroposophical Society. Life in itself looked at the achievements of the School of there suggesting that they organize is esoteric. We see this particularly in young Spiritual Science in its 90-year history. The an event together. people working in the various spheres of results of this study have been published Jörgen Smit, Heinz Zimmermann and life: they are seeking human encounters in a book: Goetheanum – Freie Hochschule others have cultivated new forms of talk- with human beings. | Claus-Peter Röh, für Geisteswissenschaft. Geschichte und ing about the contents of the Class Lessons. co-leader of the Education Section 10 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18

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Address before the ballot Address before the ballot were looking for ways in which the Paul Mackay Goetheanum can reach out to the Bodo von Plato world. The sections have developed well; a next step would be to develop We are on a journey of de- the School of Spiritual Science as a Anthroposophy has evolved velopment. In 1988 many whole. Before this conference we asked considerably in the last hun- of my friends came to the ourselves: who are the people who rep- dred years. To start with, one Goetheanum: Rolf Kerler, Heinz resent anthroposophy, consciously or un- single person acquired the faculty Zimmermann, Michaela Glöckler, Georg consciously, in enterprises, institutions, in to facilitate its arrival on earth: Rudolf Göckler, Manfred Klett, Christian Hitsch. the world? For us this was not a question of Steiner. He called it «awareness of our When I was asked to join I said yes because membership, of a pink or blue membership humanity». Wherever people perceive I wanted to be an active part of this jour- card, but we wanted to start from the fac- with lively interest and with love, where ney of development. The section work was tual, from what is visible: People see people. they think with love and take responsibil- strengthened and as one example of this I would like to see the forthcoming ity for the consequences, awareness of is that we have this auditorium now. In centenary of the Christmas Conference our humanity grows – and in this sense it 1996 Johannes Kühl joined us, in 2001 Ser- of 1923–24 not so much as a looking has become part of today’s culture. This gei Prokofieff and Bodo von Plato, and in back but as a reviving of its original im- awareness has grown considerably in the 2002 Cornelius Pietzner. The collaboration pulse. This includes enhanced coopera- last hundred years; it has been tested and between the Executive Council members tion between the School of Spiritual Sci- questioned; and the dignity of human and the section leaders then led to the for- ence, the Society and the spheres of life/ beings was never as much under threat mation of the School of Spiritual Science or of the sections, so that this impulse as it is today; and it has never lived as Collegium, also in 2002 – with the shared can become more effective in the world. strongly as a yearning. wish to develop the School further. Now I am – with Christiane Haid, Mat- The more this awareness of our human- In 2011 a motion of no confidence was thias Girke and Ueli Hurter – part of the ity grows, the more necessary it will be to tabled against the Executive Council. At group that works on the Goetheanum in have a place, a School, which is devoted to the AGM in that year we introduced the Development process. The Goetheanum its practice and development: The School rule that Executive Council members Leadership has set itself several tasks. I of Spiritual Science is destined to be this have to be reaffirmed every seven years. would like to mention the two I am in- place – wherever in the world people are In 2012 we formed the Goetheanum volved in: one of them is the Class work. inspired to work out of spiritual science. Leadership to which tasks were allocated As Virginia Sease’s successor I am the con- The School of Spiritual Science is both a that used to be reserved for the Execu- tact person for the Class holders and for public and an esoteric institution; it is as tive Council. The Goetheanum Leader- questions regarding the School of Spiritual practice-oriented as it is inward-looking. ship decides to whom it grants mandates, Science. The special mantras of the First The rich experiences of years and decades here and across the world. Forming the Class of the School of Spiritual Science of anthroposophical work in all spheres of Goetheanum Leadership became pos- are associated with the decision of Class life need to be processed and they need sible thanks to the help – for which I am members to be representatives of the an- to receive new impulses in the sections very grateful – of Friedrich Glasl and the throposophical cause in the world. These of the School of Spiritual Science; the Executive Council’s spokespersons at the mantras enable us to be representatives. inner, spiritual path of experience gains time, Seija Zimmermann und Ueli Hurter. Promoting this work is important for me. orientation and deepening on the path of At the beginning of 2012 I was asked by The second task is the creating of a World initiation of the First Class of the School the Executive Council to join the board Goetheanum Association for people who of Spiritual Science. The more public the of directors at Weleda. Weleda was in fi- work out of anthroposophy in the world, in work of the Sections is the more important nancial difficulties at the time, today it is enterprises, institutions or as self-employed is the individual’s free decision and com- healthy again. persons, and who seek others who think mitment to the mantric path of initiation. In the last seven years the Goetheanum’s similarly. I expect that this could lead to a The School of Spiritual Science, which façade and roof were renovated and the lively exchange and to new support for the combines the fullest exotericism with stage updated. The next step was the re- School of Spiritual Science. This is necessary the deepest esotericism, becomes the structuring of the ground floor which con- because we cannot leave the responsibil- Michael School. siders the building’s east-west-orientation. ity for the School to the Societies of the Since its inception in 1923–24 the An- In this context I would like to mention the various countries alone and ask them for throposophical Society’s aim has been to immense commitment of Martin Zweifel, new members. Membership is more than facilitate the existence and freedom of Susanne Böttge and Marianne Schubert. anything a question of destiny. «the Goetheanum as a School of Spiritual Together with Christiane Haid, Constanza With the centenary of the Christmas Con- Science» – and it seeks to realize this task Kaliks and Ueli Hurter I was strongly in- ference approaching, I find it important to in an ever more enlivened way. volved in conceiving and organizing the strengthen the ties between the School of The more effective and recognizable 2016 Goetheanum World Conference. This Spiritual Science, the Society and the work the fruits of the anthroposophical work was very important for me because we of the sections. become, the more urgent will it be to Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18 | 11

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make their origin in Rudolf Steiner’s Spontaneous response life and work accessible. A place is determines people’s actions. People who after the non-confirmation needed where this historical legacy take action face two big and ever-present can be adequately seen and expe- Constanza Kaliks challenges: the deed cannot be taken back rienced, and where it can be exam- and what will be is unforeseeable. Han- ined – this should become possible at nah Arendt proposes a remedy for each of the Goetheanum in Dornach, where In September we started discussing the these challenges. The remedy for the irre- at present it is hardly possible to question of Paul Mackay’s and Bodo von vocability of deeds, for that which weaves maintain our art collection, let alone Plato’s reaffirmation, in the Executive itself into the deeds and remains there, present or expand it. Council, in the Goetheanum Leadership, causing consequences in the world for de- Looking back and ahead on my among the General Secretaries. «What cades to come, is forgiveness. When we work I feel I am deeply connected does the Anthroposophical Society aspire forgive we can continue to act. The remedy with these visions. I would like to to be for the world?» is the question that for the unpredictability of what lies ahead thank my colleagues on the Executive formed the background to these conver- is the ability to make promises and agree- Council, in the Goetheanum Leader- sations: an enhancement of the question ments, and abide by them. It is what gives ship and in the Conference of General that is always with us: How can we make certainty to our actions in the face of an Secretaries for the opportunity to anthroposophy so visible in the world ever uncertain future. critically reflect on these tasks and that those seeking it can find it? From We had made an agreement: in the Exec- on my ability, or lack thereof, to deal the many conversations and contempla- utive Council, in the Goetheanum Leader- with them. I regret that the greater tions an image arose which was not merely ship, with the general secretaries and repre- part of the global Society is not able an idea, but a resolution. What we con- sentatives. A different agreement has now to participate in the decision on sulted on and proposed is not to happen. been made. That is a fact. On the basis of whether or not I should continue my I would like to share a thought by Han- the responsibility we have taken on we will work as a member of the Executive nah Arendt. Because of her experiences in discuss, develop and take the next steps. Council at the Goetheanum. the twentieth century and the pain they | Constanza Kaliks, Executive Council at the caused her, she tried to understand what Goetheanum

Emerita status van Emmichoven’s book Strengthening us. You have cast a scientific, medical, the Heart, the question arose: what spiri- academic eye on our work, and you did Seija Zimmermann tual space was created by this meditative all this with warm-heartedness and a path, shared by the spiritual scientist sense of humour. We will miss you Twelve years ago I was asked to join the and the natural scientist, for the birth very much. We wish you all the best Executive Council and I was confirmed in and development of the School of Spiri- for your further work in Finland. Thank this task by you. Because of the situation tual Science? As personal and unique you for everything. of Anthroposophic Medicine in my coun- as this path of the two individualities Constanza Kaliks: There are many try, Finland, I will withdraw from this task appears to be at first glance – is there things one can learn from Seija Zimmer- today. The reasons for my decision were a level that transcends this, opening up mann, I would like to point out one of described in detail in Anthroposophy new dimensions of which the School of them: her orientation in reality – wheth- Worldwide 1–2/2017. Biographically, I look Spiritual Science is only the very begin- er it concerns everyday situations or areas back on a period of twenty years, during ning? I would like to encourage you to that require the greatest sensitivity and which I was able to combine my work continue working on this question. inner awareness. Thanks to her we could for the Anthroposophical Society with In practical terms, you will see me now address central questions, like those we my work as a physician. In 1998 I was and again in Dornach and Arlesheim in dealt with recently in the Goetheanum asked to join the Council of the Society the future. I will continue to be a mem- Leadership, where a very fruitful coop- in Finland, shortly after that I became ber of the board of directors at Klinik Ar- eration arose regarding the senses as a general secretary and then I joined the lesheim and I represent the Finnish physi- possibility of connecting with the world Executive Council at the Goetheanum. cians’ association in the Medical Section. and developing our humanity. Seija is Today I would like to share with you an Joan Sleigh: I arrived at the Goethea- very good at differentiating, a strength inner question I have lived with for many num just as Seija Zimmermann was reaf- that is sometimes just silently present years. From my daily occupation with firmed as an Executive Council member. while at others it is resolutely expressed. the meditative path which was shared The three qualities I appreciate most in We are deeply grateful to her and wish by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman, and you are that you have always brought her all the best for the tasks awaiting which is described in Emanuel Zeylmans the dimension of the big wide world to her in Finland. 12 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 4/18

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Elisabeth Vreede Ita Wegman The inner essence Medicine as of the outer world living practice

At the beginning of his biographical Peter Selg was asked by Matthias Girke outline, Frans Lutters reminds us of to speak on the topic of «Anthroposo- Rudolf Steiner’s indication that Elisa- phy as a medicine for the world – Ita beth Vreede incarnated earlier than Wegman». He wove a complex picture foreseen by her destiny – because of based on the «Goetheanum’s medicine Rudolf Steiner. Thanks to Frans Lutters’ in practice», contemplations on therapy warm interest in what lights up in a person and how relationships and Ita Wegman’s contribution – a picture that was at the same emerge, I formed an image of a harmonious, clearly thinking, self- time an answer to the question as to how one needs to prepare less and kind person. oneself for the task of being a healer in the twentieth century, a Elisabeth Vreede was born in The Hague on 16 July 1879. Even therapist of individuals, of social communities, for and with them, as a child she lived in her thinking: a bright pupil with amazing and also for and with the Anthroposophical Society. Ita Wegman’s memory forces. She founded a rowing club and studied math- personality went through an extended period of preparation for ematics, astronomy and philosophy in Leiden. After graduating this work, through an extended destiny. Her’s is a strong soul. from university she taught Maths in a girls’ school. Her parents If one looks, in the world of the Father, at what has become, at had esoteric tendencies, lived close to a Freemason’s lodge with what has come from the past; if one is active, with the Son, in the Rosicrucian orientation, and were in contact with Henry Steel present, and if one receives good, world-appropriate ideas from Olcott. They read together with Elisabeth. From 1903 the healing spirit, the preconditions are met for the «strong heal- onwards Elisabeth Vreede experienced Rudolf Steiner several ing activity» that Ita Wegman fully embraced. She had courage times and became his esoteric pupil. She took part in the foun- for the truth; she tended to her patients with love, and she saw dation stone ceremony for the first Goetheanum. Later she was through the diagnosis, perceiving not only what was there but called to Dornach by Rudolf Steiner as a member of the Executive also what wanted to come. Ita Wegman had the strength for the Council at the Goetheanum and as the leader of the Section for future and she was prepared to deal with opposition. Mathematics and Astronomy in Dornach. Breathing in the needs of the world, Living in and with cosmic rhythms breathing out anthroposophy Elisabeth Vreede activities included the publishing of calen- Ita Wegman had the courage to heal: for therapists face powerful dars, astronomy newsletters and celestial maps. She saw stars forces that threaten the human being. Healing, in this context, also as spiritual beings. In the movement impulses of the planets means being prepared to deal with the forces of destruction and death. she recognized the movements of Thrones and an expression Ita Wegman was born on 22 February 1876. She first trained of Seraphim-love. Stars and human beings were one for her. as a Swedish massage therapist and studied medicine later. She She was interested in cosmic rhythms, in life between death and founded institutions of healing. Her active commitment for a a new birth, in astrosophy. Michaelic centre in Great Britain was misunderstood as being Elisabeth Vreede was a precise worker. People sought her advice in competition with the Goetheanum. She kept all the conflicts and help. After her exclusion in 1935, she remained in her house in within the Society away from her institutions. Peter Selg described Arlesheim, fostered contacts and travelled frequently, for instance this by saying that her Christian work led to an active community. to Ireland and through Turkey (the latter for the solar eclipse). She Ita Wegman was an active leader: she did what needed doing, was deeply affected by Ita Wegman’s death. She herself died on independently of personal interests. The weaving between one’s 31 August 1943. Elisabeth Vreede’s interests included not only own work and the work in the world is a breathing process. Rudolf mathematics and astronomy – through which she experienced Steiner said to Ita Wegman that he was able to breathe when he the cosmic rhythms – but also foreign languages, such as French, was close to her. Sergei Prokofieff created the image of inhaling Sanskrit and Bali. At the age of 16 she knew the entire Faust, parts the needs of the world and exhaling anthroposophy. 1 and 2, by heart. She had a deep connection with anthroposophy Confronted with the emerging crisis and the hatred that came and she sought, and lived, an active relationship with the spiritual towards her, Ita Wegman became seriously ill in 1934. A spiritual world. And yet, she saw herself as a student, for instance in her experience led her back to life. She travelled to Palestine and came relationship with Rudolf Steiner’s essays on the question of How back strengthened. She died on 4 March 1943. to attain knowledge of higher worlds? The image arising in me is that of a personality that was prepared Her work was often done quietly, and it persisted quietly. A fir to suffer so that the truth could shine through. Her relationship with tree can symbolize this: she took a fir tree home with her after the Rudolf Steiner was profound; their cooperation and the goal of their Christmas Conference and planted it close to her house (today it working together were not understood, however, and could not ful- stands in a neighbouring garden). As Oliver Conradt pointed out ly unfold. This tragic situation had come to an end in this life, he said earlier, her work has not been fully explored yet and her estate to her. Two free personalities were working together: they did not is spread across several locations. | Gabriela Jüngel, Dornach (CH) depend on but inspired each other.| Gabriela Jüngel, Dornach (CH)