Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 10/07
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Position: linke obere Papierkante, Größe 100 General Anthroposophical Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 10/07 ■ Anthroposophical Society Anthroposophical Spiritual Science A New Feature of Civilization What challenges does the Anthroposophical Society face today? This question seems pressing in the face of a culture permeated by scientific thinking that seems to be reaching the limits of what it can do. Monika Clément spoke about this with Paul Mac- December 2007 kay as an anthroposophist and a contemporary. No. 10 e are a little like Goethe's sorcer- Anthroposophical Society er's apprentice. We have cast our 1 Anthroposophical Spiritual Science W lot with natural science, and it has led us 2 General Secretaries' Conference down paths we never expected. Now we 3 America: Torin Finser New Gen- stand there, surrounded by technical ac- eral Secretary complishments, emancipated from our 4 Meeting of Those Carrying Re- spiritual and natural surroundings—and sponsibility for the Society we find ourselves to be clumsy in making 5 General Anthroposophical Soci- use of the freedom we have gained thus ety: Heinz Zimmermann to far. The results of our deeds are catching Step Back in March 2008 up with us more and more, and it is be- 10 Interest Groups coming increasingly important to find a 11 2007 Christmas Appeal more conscious approach to handling the Goetheanum resources and realms with which we live. 2 New: Anne Flöter and Andreas The question of how to proceed becomes Humanity has lost its way in the labyrinth of Werries in the Agriculture ever more urgent. " In this situation I see science. Now how can we find our way out again? Section a great task for anthroposophical spiri- 6 Bodo von Plato and Wolfgang tual science," says Paul Mackay. "After Held on the Public Face of the the natural sciences have accomplished aware of anthroposophical spiritual sci- Goetheanum their mission of leading humanity to in- ence as such and recognizes it. It ought dependent thought, spiritual science can to become a new feature of civilization, School for Spiritual Science lead to a new understanding of the world so to speak." 4 Class Holders' Meeting based on our ability to have independent 5 Meeting of Biodynamic and thoughts." Co-Responsibility in Freedom Demeter Leadership Commit- Rudolf Steiner already pointed to this Human freedom can also find a new tees development in article 3 of the Society's dimension within this development when statutes: "These results [of spiritual sci- it is transformed from a freedom through Anthroposophy in the World entific schooling and research] are in emancipation to a co-responsibility in 8 Austria: University Program in their own way as exact as the results freedom, a freedom of initiative that is Waldorf Pedagogy of genuine natural science. When the deeply Christian at the same time—no 8 Canada: School of Nature Course former attain general recognition in the longer "free from" but "free to." And in 9 Japan: Ministerial Recognition for same way as the latter, they will bring regard to karma, Paul Mackay adds: "Af- Morgenland School Initiative about comparable progress in all spheres ter all, destiny is not something that is 9 Italy: La Monda Farm of life, not only in the spiritual but also in fully predetermined, but something that Feature the practical realm." arises, something I participate in. The 12 New Auditorium for the For Paul Mackay, this is a significant way I handle it can lead to a dialogue, a Schopfheim Waldorf School step along the path of development: living interchange through which com- "That is the great turning point I coming pletely new possibilities are opened up: I along. We have an enormous task to ac- can begin to live spirit presence with real complish in this area: we must make an effect in the world." | Monika Clément, effort to ensure that the public becomes Goetheanum 2 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 10/07 ■ New at the Goetheanum ■ Anthroposophical Society Agricultural Section General Secretaries" Conference Anne Flöter and Testing Our Own Identity Andreas Werrie Anthroposophy is a source of strength in the world with its wide array of activities. Times of joy also bring times of doubt—even for anthroposophists. Where can we find Two co-workers in the Agricultural Sec- our identity? How is it changing, and how do we express it? These were questions for tion took up their jobs on November 1. the General Secretaries' conference on November 6–9 at the Goetheanum. They are working on projects concerning animal husbandry and hygiene. ow do we describe our identity at Flexibility: a young Japanese woman is nn Flöter will look into the question Hthe moment we are being attacked? anxious to collect experiences in many Aof why animal husbandry is neces- How should we react when we notice different countries, to build a founda- sary on Demeter farms. She comes from that voices from our own ranks demand tion for the rest of her life. Connections: the university community of Rostock (Ger- a leading figure, a guru, one to whom a Ukrainian woman seeking out contact many), and will be completing her disser- they can look up? What can we do when with participants who speak German or tation. Andreas Werries is developing a we notice that anthroposophy is becom- English. These encounters gave us hope concept for a new approach to hygiene; ing diffuse and unclear, is being mixed and trust in the future. after studying medicine in the agriculture with other streams that promise quicker program at Kassel (Germany), he did a results with less effort? And what points Western Forming Force, Eastern Fire doctorate on the comparative quality of need to be made in our response to the A lot of effort and courage went into the organic products. doubts being cast on the originality of work on Rudolf Steiner's Mystery dramas Rudolf Steiner's work? during the past year. There is still much to be done. The reactions to the first perfor- Arising from the Immediate Situation mances were quite varied. Here, too, is an Is anthroposophical spiritual science area where identity is being sought: How "scientific?" Our preference is to avoid must the Mystery word be spoken so that indulging in methodological definition. the spirit can work within it? We are more at home in dealing with ex- In the practical life of anthroposophy, istential ideas and existential concepts— a connection between the Society and Researchers: Andreas Werries & Anne Flöter ideas that need to be lived for a while, specialized areas of anthroposophy can The animal husbandry project will that can be cultivated and kept within only be forged where there is an active take place over two years. It is meant to the soul. After all, in anthroposophy we and conscious will to create the relation- research an increasingly pressing and are ultimately looking for situations that ship. There are many places in the world practical question; work on this sensitive will help us to develop our thinking of the where a successful effort is being made biodynamic topic may help in the further heart. to take up the relationship anew. development of a "biodynamic" research This thinking is not repetitive; it arises Finally, the following: The western im- methodology. The obvious reasons for an- from the immediate situation. Only later pulse, the forming force in anthroposo- imal husbandry like producing humus are can we make a judgment on our heart phy, has grown stronger. We could feel not the only forces underlying the interest thinking as we look back at it with the this clearly during the meeting of country shown by many farms. What are the other usual logic. There is still a lot of work to representatives. I am hoping the future factors? And how can they be dealt with be done if we are to translate these re- will also bring the enkindling impulse scientifically? sults into a materialistic-scientific lan- from the east. | Jan Borghs (Belgium) Recent years have produced two stud- guage peculiar to that discipline—into a ies on the hygiene issue—newly shared materialistic-scientific methodology. with the Brussels parliament—showing And an anthroposophical identity in From the translation of the Dutch into Ger- that hygiene understood in the sense of young people? We had a chance to expe- man by Claudia Rordorf. sterility (as stated in hygiene regulations) rience a sparkling surge of initiative dur- creates a problem for trade and agricul- ing a supper offered by the Youth Section. ture: it requires structural changes that intensify the hygiene problem and run Anthroposophy Worldwide is published ten times a year. It is distributed by the national Anthroposophical counter to the principles of consumer pro- Societies—in some cases augmented by independently edited news and articles. It also appears as a supple- tection. Preliminary studies (like the Parsi- ment to the weekly publication Das Goetheanum. • Publisher: General Anthroposophical Society, represented by Paul Mackay • Editors: Douglas Miller (responsible for the English edition), Sebastian Jüngel (content and production), fal study) show that children on farms and Axel Mannigel, Ursula Remund Fink and Michaela Spaar; associates: Dietrich Rapp, Hans-Christian Zehnter• Cor- children in an anthroposophical lifestyle respondents/ News Agency: Jürgen Vater (Sweden), News Network Anthroposophy (NNA). We expressly seek active have fewer allergies like hay fever and support and collaboration. To receive Anthroposophy Worldwide, apply to the Anthroposophical Society in your country. asthma. 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