General deutsch english Anthroposophical español Society français italiano 2009 / 2010 svenska Goetheanum Contents Editorial ........................................................................................3 General Anthroposophical Society USA ..........................................................................................4 Highlights .................................................................................6 Free School of Spiritual Science General Anthroposophical Section ......................................7 Youth Section ........................................................................9 Mathematical-Astronomical Section ..................................10 Art Section ...........................................................................10 Medical Section ...................................................................11 Natural Science Section .......................................................12 Pedagogical Section ............................................................13 Section for Agriculture .......................................................14 Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music ..15 Humanities Section .............................................................16 Section for the Social Sciences ............................................17 Goetheanum Goetheanum-Stage .............................................................18 The Year at the Goetheanum .............................................19 Finance Report ....................................................................20 Addresses .............................................................................24 Publisher: General Anthroposophical Society Editorial: Wolfgang Held, Bodo v. Plato Translation: Peggy Elliott Editorial assistance: Monika Clément Layout: Johannes Onneken Printing: Kooperative Dürnau (Germany) Editorial World and Soul Awakening Dear Members, Three approaches that may help to hold this bal- ance are: As if something is seriously amiss with the four elements–earth, water, air and fire: major 1) Steiner emphasised the spiritual scientific earthquakes, crushing tsunamis, and incessant methodology of anthroposophy, not as a fixed flooding, devastating hurricanes, and brush, world view, but as a systematic approach based bush and forest fires in many parts of the world on thinking and knowledge (England, 19 August have reached epidemic proportions. This com- 1923). bines with man-made problems such as climate 2) The openness and tolerance that the Anthro- change, disease and epidem- posophical Society seeks can be understood in ics, resource ownership and “‘Big world’ issues affect our the sense of “To love ones action and live in un- distribution such as water and personal soul life. World awak- derstanding of the other’s will, is the fundamen- food, population shifts to major ening means an awakening in tal maxim of a free human being” (Philosophy of urban centres, migration and individual souls.“ Freedom). This is also an incentive to become a population increases, and secu- learning organisation that attempts to bridge the Cornelius Pietzner rity and armed conflict issues. gap between the world and our own soul life. To These phenomena converge embrace this approach, in a heterogenous global into “tipping points” for soci- community, without losing specific spiritual iden- ety on a scale not seen before. They also seem tity, is a lofty aspiration for the Anthroposophical connected. The sense of being overwhelmed Society and unable to fully penetrate causes often leads to reactionary responses. 3) In January 23 1923 Steiner offered the chal- lenging statement that the Anthroposophical So- “Big world” issues affect our personal soul ciety itself “needs to cultivate these six virtues”, life. World awakening means an awakening in referring to the Basic Exercises. These practices, individual souls. This fundamental theme for transposed to the Society, help build a bridge be- Goethe: “Man knows himself only to the extent tween the individual soul and the world needs. that he knows the world, he becomes aware of himself only within the world and aware of the After 100 years, social spiritual impulses require world only within himself” was taken up and fundamental transformation. The General An- deepened by Steiner as a central theme of in- throposophical Society is facing this task. The ner development. The essential question is to 2011 jubilee is a milestone providing an opportu- identify, develop and, above all, practise the con- nity for thoughtful review, renewal and creation. nection between our individual soul life and de- Architecting and navigating the way forward, velopments in the world around us. To be able based on the accomplishments and foundation to do this in a relevant and meaningful way is of the past, but with a clear perspective for the Cornelius Pietzner to be a cosmopolitan citizen. Or in other words, future, will necessarily be a significant focus for has been a member of the it means to connect oneself to Michael, the the Goetheanum and the Society in the next Executive Council guiding Regent of our Time. In the 3rd Letter to years. since 2002 and is Members (3 February 1924) Rudolf Steiner says: For the Executive Council at the Goetheanum responsible for “In Anthroposophy it is the Truths it can reveal Finance. which matter: in the Anthroposophical Society it Cornelius M. Pietzner is the Life that is cultivated.” This places us into a sphere where “the Truths” can illuminate and provide understanding to life’s complexities and circumstances, and the diversity of life can aug- ment and contextualise these truths. Finding this balance is no easy task! 3 General Anthroposophical “Three Reasons for Optimism“ Society – Anthroposophical Society in the USA – Is seems that the American Society is being I agree with Joan. Fear is not a common feel- challenged on many levels. Is it? ing in the USA but rather courage or optimism; jumping in with both feet and asking questions Torin Finser: The United States are confronted later is what typifies the American soul. Worrying with a lot of problems, and it is obvious that the questions about the future are indeed new and old solutions are no longer sustainable. Much the promises that the economic situation will im- will depend on finding a new way of coopera- prove have not been fulfilled. On the contrary: tion within the American Society. That is what is unemployment is alarmingly on the increase. The demanded of us today, and I hope that we will government has fed the economy with “sugar”, be able to deal with it. but that has hardly improved the situation. It is You have written about cooperation? as if the problem has been passed from Peter to Paul. Everywhere credits are getting out of In my book “Organisational Integrity” I don’t out- hand. Private households are in too much debt, line today’s problem. Everywhere we hear what the banks have incalculable liabilities and now doesn’t work, what is lacking. I prefer to look at the government, too. That begs the question: what does work. In this respect the human body “If the measures so far have not been success- is worth looking at. It is a riddle, a mystery of ful – what is the alternative?” I hope very much cooperation between different organs and multi- that those who have studied Anthroposophy will ple functions. All the diverse or- have the courage to now discuss these economic „If there was such a thing as gans work together so success- questions. What Rudolf Steiner has developed in American Anthroposophy, it fully. This is a fascinating study relation to dealing with money and interest rates would be called „Anthroposo- for me; for example to under- might now be heard. phy at work´.“ stand the essence of the liver or the kidney. What do the organs How is Anthroposophy developing in the USA? Torin Finser tell us, how do they work? Here I am more optimistic than in the past. For If I understand the organs’ the first time in many years membership is on the collaboration, do I understand social processes increase. That is promising as is the fact that the better? Youth Section is extremely active. Many young people attended the Annual General Meeting For example: The liver is quite warm with 41°C. last October in Spring Valley. 40 young people in In a group of human beings this liver-energy can my working group had come to the conference also be found. It means warming to a theme, without being members. Then there was a meet- moving forward. The lungs, in contrast, a cold, Torin Finser is the ing in Harlemville with 60 participants. There earthy organ, form a balance. The wisdom of director of the is a generation of 20 to 30 years olds who ask the human body helps us to sharpen our diag- teacher seminary after Anthroposophy, but in a particular way. It Antioch/New nostic perception. For one, there are the appar- is a social, communal and practical approach to England and ent problems which are found on the surface, Anthroposophy. Finally, there is a third aspect of General Secretary for example distrust within a teaching collegium of the Anthro- my optimism. We had a considerable deficit in or difficulties with parents. But we have to look posophical Soci- our annual accounts. Only a few months before deeper and find the underlying problems and ety in the United his death, Ernst Catz and I started an initiative. States. work with them. Anthroposophical medicine has We founded a group for supporters who already developed fantastic therapies