General Anthroposophical Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 12/11
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General Anthroposophical Section: Christmas Conference 2011 Esoteric -Social Impulse for the Future A conference at the Goetheanum with the title ‹Transformation Impulses through Rudolf Steiner and Christian Rosenkreutz› may not be understood by everyone at first December 2011 glance. Old fashioned?Highly esoteric?Only for older members? Why not a conference No 12 with a contemporary contents?
Anthroposophical Society he Christmas Conference at the ing about Christian Rosenkreutz at 1 Christmas Conference 2011 T Goetheanum deals with a very topical greater length». Already in 1904 Rudolf 3 Christmas Appeall subject which up to now has hardly been Steiner had confirmed that Christian 4 General Secretaries' Conference touched upon within the wider circle of Rosenkreutz had lived in the 18th century 11 Our Dead the anthroposophical m ovement. The as the individuality the Count Saint Ger- conference title could have been ‹An Eso- main. Therefore we have invited the School of Spiritual Science teric-Social Impulse for the Future›. In De- Phoenix Ensemble to this conference to 2 Natural Science Section: Integra- cember of 1911 Rudolf Steiner attempted play the music of the Count Saint Ger- tion of the School of Nature the founding of a Society for Theosophical main. 5 General Section: Further Develop- Art and Way of Life. The The «Attempt ment for Class Readers and Anthroposophical So- to Found a Society International Class Readers' ciety had not been for Theosophical Meeting founded yet and Art and Way of 10 General Section: Germany: Rudolf Steiner's work Life» is a rosicru- Class Conference took place within the cian impulse out of framework of the whichRudolf Stein- Anthroposophy in the World Theosophical Society, er attempted to 5 Japan: After the Tsunami and although, as we know, create a communi- Fukushima Rudolf Steiner always ty, not founded but 8 Europe: Review of the Campaign offered Anthroposophy. given. But what is it that is being given? A 150 years Rudolf Steiner way of working! And who is to take on this 10 Peru: 150 years of Rudolf Steiner Giving a Way of Working way of working? «Those human beings in Lima When on 27th October 1911 a branch who will find each other accordingly». 11 International: Meeting of Farm- with the name ‹Christian Rosenkreutz› Thus we invite you cordially to the ing Women 2011 was founded in Neuchâtel, Rudolf Steiner Christmas Conference 2011 at the took this opportunity to speak about Goetheanum, where questions on this Feature Christian Rosenkreutz in his inaugural subject can be deepened with lectures re- 12 Germany: First Symposium for speech, true to the principle that esoteric lating to the future and in shared work in Communication ‹public acitivity has to proceed from questions or thematic working groups. engagement› from already existing movements. Eurythmy performances, evening con- He begins to make the great individu- certs, artistic readings and a special exhi- ality Christian Rosenkreutz, the great bition will add to the festive mood of the le ader of the fifth post-atlantic epoche conference. | Virginia Sease, Margrethe (1413–3573 A.D.), accessible to the mem- Solstad, Paul Mackay, Goetheanum bers of the then German Section of the Theosophical Society. «It gives me great joy to be here for the first time in this new- Christmas Conference ‹Transformation Im- pulses through Rudolf Steiner and Christian ly founded group bearing the great name Rosenkreutz›, 26th to 31st December 2011, of ‹Christian Rosenkreutz›, which gives me Goetheanum. the opportunity for the first time of speak- Info: www.goetheanum.org/4564.html 2 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11
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Natural Science Section: Integration of the School of Nature Dear Readers Brotherhood in Different Approaches nthroposophy Worldwide› can ap- Since November 1st, 2011 the initiative The School of Nature works as part of the A pear only thanks to the contributions Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum. Hans-Christian Zehnter will take on of our reporters and translators. Douglas co-ordination of the self-financed initiat ive with the support of the Section's Miller and Peggy Elliott have been sharing infrastructure located in the Glashouse. the burden of translating ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide› since 2008. Their work is of- ten unnoticed and sometimes criticized. It earning to appreciate nature in its in- sensible and supersensible as well as to is not easy, for instance, to bridge the dif- L trinsic beingness is a central task set by create an international exchange forum ference between British and U.S. language the initiative The School of Nature. The within which «different approaches can norms. This issue of ‹Anthroposophy fact that nature is not just a given but be accompanied in brotherhood», as Worldwide› is the last to fall under the re- something that changes and develops Hans-Christian Zehnter explains. In addi- sponsibility of Peggy Elliott. She deserves through nurture lies at the core of the ini- tion publications such as magazine arti- our warm thanks for her uncomplicated tiative's intentions. Thus it fits implicitly cles and books are planned. and quiet work. | Sebastian Jüngel into what is one of the Natural Science Section's central concerns. Hans-Christian Methodology of Spiritual Experience Zehnter summed it up with the term The projects announced by Hans- «Christian Nature Observation». Christian Zehnter are diverse. They reach from cognitive methodical questions to Qualification Courses precise int entions. Thus he will work with The idea of a School of Nature originat- Wolter Bos (NL) on a bird book in which ed in Norway. In 2002 Hannes Weigert different bird species will be discussed presented the initiative to the Council of similar to child observation in Waldorf the Anthroposophical Society in Norway pedagogy. It is based on may years of Corrigendum which took it to the meeting of the Gener- teamwork with a broad circle of ornitho- Correct E-Mail-Address al Sec retaries' of the General Anthropo- logical interested people. sophical Society. The School of Nature Together with the physicist Dietrich In
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General Anthroposophical Society and come predominantly from anthropo- sophical charities, institutions and Sec- Christmas Appeal tion co-workers from all over the world. This budget has been met.
Undesignated Donations for our Central Tasks We hope to reach 2 million Francs of undesignated donations. The Christmas Appeal particularly addresses this. Such donations take a special and important place in the Goetheanum budget as they enable us to undertake central anthropo- sophical tasks. These include Anthropo- sophical Studies at the Goetheanum in English and German, the development of the Goetheanum Eurythmy Stage Group and the underpinning of the work of the Sections. Like membership contributions, undesignated donations are a living ex- pression of the connection between indi- Connecting through undesignated donations: Paul Mackay viduals and groups throughout the world with the Goetheanum without which it Dear Members The work of the Sections, mainly con- could not exist. cerned with research, is an important part I am especially asking for your help in The 150th anniversary year of Rudolf of the work at the Goetheanum. We want this difficult financial year. Please consid- Steiner's birthday is drawing to a close this to increase in the future. Continuing er making a generous donation to The and much has happened. I feel that Rudolf research in the School of Spiritual Science Christmas Appeal so we can raise the Steiner has been re-discovered by a wider throughout the world should ideally find amount we need. The General Anthropo- public as an important and central figure its counterpart at the Goetheanum in an sophical Society and the Goetheanum can and that we will see the interest in his active participative role as well as a coor- then reach its budgeted income for 2011 work grow. dinating one. This has already begun with- and realise its tasks and finish the year This will have its consequences for the in individual Sections. with a positive financial result. General Anthroposophical Society and the Income generated by services and per- In gratitud e for your contribution and Goetheanum. What exactly that will be is formances at the Goetheanum accounts with best wishes for Advent and Christ- difficult yet to say, but 2011 saw the for about a quarter of our total income. mas | Paul Mackay, Executive Council at Goetheanum receiving much more public For the rest needed to finance all this ac- the Goetheanum attention. This and other developments tivity, we have four important additional need a deepening of Anthroposophy as sources: Donations to the Christmas Appeal can Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum and 1. Membership Contributions be made to the following accounts: within the anthroposophical movement. 2. Contributions from Institutions From within Switzerland and Countries This, of course, requires a firm financial 3. Designated Donations without Euro currency: Allgemeine foundation. 4. Undesignated Donations Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, Dornach IBAN: CH36 8093 9000 0010 0607 1 Unfortunately, this year, membership BIC: RAIFCH22, Raiffeisenbank Dornach Own Research contributions from outside Switzerland Postkonto der Raiffeisenbank: 40-9606-4 In 2011, we had to manage on a drasti- resulted in lower income than budgeted Donations from Euro countries: Allgemeine cally reduced budget compared with 2010. due to the strength of the Swiss Franc. We Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, Dornach But thanks to the commitment of our co- are most grateful for the additional con- IBAN: DE53 4306 0967 0000 9881 00 workers, this had no major bearing on the tributions made by many members from BIC/Swift: GENODEM1GLS GLS Gemeinschaftsbank eG, 44708 Bochum, activities at the Goetheanum. We were different national societies which helped Deutschland able to take on and complete the tasks we reduce this shortfall. Even so, we are un- had set for ourselves within the reduced likely to achieve the budgeted figure of Donations in USD: Allgemeine Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, Dornach budget. This included three cycles of 4.6 million Francs. IBAN: CH48 8093 9000 0010 0604 9 Rudolf Steiner's Mystery Dramas, a new Contributions from institutions were BIC: RAIFCH22, Raiffeisenbank Dornach Eurythmy Group starting in September, budgeted at 1.9 million Francs. They come Donations in Pound Sterling: Allgemeine several large Section conferences and the from anthroposophical institutions like Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, Dornach celebration of the 150th anniversary of Weleda or GLS Bank. Designated dona- IBAN: CH77 8093 9000 0010 0601 2 Rudolf Steiner's birth. tions were budgeted at 2.4 million Francs BIC: RAIFCH22, Raiffeisenbank Dornach 4 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11
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General Secretaries' Conference: Outlook for 2012 and beyond anum. This has been problemat ic within the collegium of the School of Spiritual Worldwide Collaboration Science over the past years. Hartwig The General Secretaries' Conference from 8 to 11 November at the Goetheanum work Schiller emphasised that because every- on the way forward for the Anthroposophical Society over the coming years. Binding one openly expressed their point of view collaboration between Executive Council and General Secretaries, nurture of Rudolf rather than an uniform picture, trust de- Steiner's work and strengthening of anthroposophical content including at Annual veloped amongst the General Secretaries General Meetings. especially as the votes were rather varied, yet expressed a will to unity. he format ‹Extended Council Meet- Exqually controversial was the ques- T ings› with the members of the Execu- tion in one working group regarding the tive Council at the Goetheanum and the overlap of Executive Council and Section General Secretaries Hartwig Schiller (DE), Leadership responsibilities which were Ron Dunselman (NL) and Marc Desaules set up by Rudolf Steiner during the Found- (CH) is taking shape. Basically this type of ing of the Society and School, but which is working has been confirmed by the Gen- no longer practiced today. Is that due to eral Secretaries' Conference and it shows, today's complexity of the individual task says Sue Simpson (NZ), that the Executive or does a member of the Executive have to Council is active ly opening ‹doors›. De- have sole responsibility for his area of saules felt that the General Secretaries are work in order to be effective within the So- increasingly becoming part of the leader- ciety's remit? Helmut Goldmann (AT): ship of the General Anthroposophical So- «T his, for me, is a decision which has to be ciety without, as Helmut Goldmann (AT) made by those who today carry the re- emphasised, diminishing the Executive sponsibility.». And he further makes clear Council's realisation of its responsibilities. where an area of conflict arises: «With the The next step now is to decide how non- founding of the Society and School Rudolf Nominated as Treasurer in the Executive Council participating General Secretaries will be at the Goetheanum: Justus Wittich Steiner shared and delegated responsibil- kept informed of these discussions, and ity. Because he did not give any further in- possibly, be included. structions prior to his death he made it The principle of collaboration should as new member of the Executive Council clear that those who carry responsibility also develop in other areas of the Anthro- in the capacity of treasurer of the General have to decide, according to their era and posophical Society. The Annual General Anthroposophical Society at the next An- the conditions they face, what is sensible Meetings of the General Anthroposophi- nual General meeting, was welcomed and within the remit of the Society. He certain- cal Society will in future be organised by supported. ly did not intend that after 100 years it the Executive Council in conjunction with would still be the same as in his day». Pres- the General Secretaries. And a decisive Controversial Subjects ent members of the Executive Council aim is to make the Annual General Meet- Controversal subjects too,were dis- have no firm opinions on this matter. ings more «anthroposophical». What this cusssed at the conference. Members of means?Hartwig Schiller: «Rudolf Steiner the Excutive Council and Section Leaders Forms of Membership for Institutions emphasised that every members' meet- reported about their experiences of the The conference discussed in detail how ing should be an anthroposophical com- work with Friedrich Glasl which looks at a closer connection could be established ing together also in its contents» and varied conceptions of competencies and between institutions and the Anthropo- pointed to the experiences of the Anthro- performance structures at the Goethe - sophical Society. It is within the nature posophical Society in Germany. and remit of this Society that only individ- Bidding Farewell uals(natural persons) can beocme mem- Justus Wittich Nominated as Treasuer General Secretaries' Conference bers because they make the aims of the Torin Finser (US) identified the quality Norma Blackwood (AU), Gudrun Cron Society their own and decide its destiny. (FR), Esther Gerster (CH) and Marie Jones of listening as an important condition for (US). On this basis, the confernce discussed var- a culture of collaboration. The General Collegium of the School of Spiritual Science: ious models of sponsor membership for Secretaries will do everything to under- Martina Maria Sam (Humanities Section) coporate bodies which would allow a clear stand the si tuation at the Goetheanum as and Elisabeth Wirsching (Youth Section) commitment and sustainable support of it is openly presented by the Executive Welcomed the Society's aims but without voting Council and the Section Leaders, and the Arie van Ameringen (CA), Mario Dahmen rights. A subject which will be discussed members of the Executive Council, equal- (BE) and Marc Desaules (CH). further within the conference. ly attentive, take note of what the Gener- In all this, Hartwig Schiller experienced First time participation from the Collegium al Secretaries are contributing. On this ba- of the School of Spiritual Science: Constanza a morning mood: fresh, still a little cool, sis the Executive Council's suggestion to Kaliks (Youth Section). but open to what is to come. He is think- nominate Justus Wittich for affirmation ing of the Executive Council's initiatives Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11 | 5
ó School of Spiritual Science which strengthen the Goetheanum's field General Section: Further Development for Class Readers and International Class of activity. One of those is the Goethe - Readers' Meeting anum-Meditation-Initiative Worldwide which is to be developed and financially Class Readers' Meeting Report strengthened through integration into Virginia Sease and Heinz Zimmermann have organised an annual class readers meet- National Anthroposophical Societies. ing in conjunction with further development for class readers, who have been in that Another example is the planned fond position for less than seven years, since 2007. This year's training took place from 2 to 4 for Rudolf Steiner's work. The General Sec- November and 230 par ticipants from 26 countries came to the class readers' meeting retaries support the initiative by the Soci- which followed from 4 to 6 November. ety to actively pursue preservation and development of Rudolf Steiner's written and artistic works. Historically, so far, this ollowing Heinz Zimmermann's death, Barkved spoke about how mankind today has been the sole task of the Rudolf-Stein- F Seija Zimmermann, member of the Ex- faces shocks, anxieties and the abyss, and er-Nachlassverwaltung. For financial rea- ecutive Council at the Goetheanum, and how out of the ashes new life can arise. sons, however, it is becoming increasingly Johannes Kühl, Leader of the Natural Sci- Oliver Conradt made clear in his contri- difficult to maintain the Rudolf-Steiner- ences Section at the Goetheanum and bution how a fight for humanity is taking Archive with its three areas of work, Class Reader since 1990, were asked by place in the world,and he described the archives, publishing and exhibitions. Virginia Sease to become part of this Michaelic motifs of freedom which also Thus the initiative also considers the work. At the further development ses- live in the School. possibility of a closer co-operation be- sions with the title ‹The Christian Aspects Christian Hitsch demonstrated in his tween the Rudolf-Steiner-Archive and the of the Michael School›, discussions follow contribution how the word can become a Documentation at the Goetheanum. the reflections. One of the subjects was picture. | Leena Westergrén, Class Reader Marc Desaules describes this plan as a the Universal Christian. Virginia Sease and General Secretary Anthroposophical gesture which may be realised by the end outlined the Christian Mysteries as a Society in Finland of the 150th anniversary year. thread in Rudolf Steiner's work. Johannes Kühl spoke about the Christian function Communication Between Cultures of the School of Spiritual Science at a time Further Development for Class Readers: The Anthroposophical Society, of when man has to find his own tasks and 31st October to 2nd November 2012. course, also has its place at the confer- when the goals of this quest arise out of International Class Readers' Conference: 2nd November to 14th November 2012. ence. This includes «World Communica- working together. tion» with impressions especially of civil Following the Christmas Conference and natural disasters in individual coun- 1923/24, Ru dolf Steiner described the ma- tries, but also pragmatic questions on the terialism of the future. It is noteworthy development of the Society's communi- that Rudolf Steiner gave a meditation to cation material like the weekly publica- some professions to strengthen their tion ‹Das Goetheanum› and the Annual work. Report. The Annual Report is published in six languages at the moment and thus The Year 1911 does not reach all members in their na- The discussions during the class read- tive tongue. However, this would be de- ers' conference were based on ‹Rosicru- sirable for this annual publication of a cian Motifs and the Present Day of the World Society, even if it means consider- School of Spiritual Science› from the lec- able organsational and financial de- tures given in Neuchâtel in 1911 about mands. Torin Finser broadenend this as- Christian Rosenkreutz and the attempt by pect further by pointing to the task of Rudolf Steiner to give a society for Theo- shaping communication between cul- sophical Art and Way of Life towards the tures with different languages. «It is end of the same year .Marc Desaules and about collaboration between people of Johannes Kühl spoke about the Rosicru- different countries worldwide which cian Stream, Virginia Sease and Bodo von makes the Anthroposophical Society into Plato gave perspectives of the 1911 Foun- what it is». Thus there are a number of dation and its meaning today. Rudolf plans for the coming years and much Steiner had been very reserved in his re- work. | Sebastian Jüngel marks about Christian Rosenkreutz and his own relationship to him.
How the Word can Become a Picture With a reminder of the terrible events this summer on Utøya in Norway, Frode 6 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11
ó Anthroposophy in the World
Japan: After the Tsunami and Fukushima Faster Development On March 11th Japan was first afflicted by a Tsunami and then by a nuclear disaster. The eurythmist Emi Yoshida, born in Ishinomaki, Northern Japan, saw the results of the catastrophe in her homeland in August and is now planting cherry trees locally as a sign of hope. Following some insights.
apan is moving on», noted volunteer without the corps prior to the festival of J Shingo Horie from Western Japan. He the dead, so that the dead can receive a grew up near the largest Shintoist temple Buddhist name. in Japan, Ise, and just as this temple is be- Far away in Munich, in Germany, two ing re-constructed every 20 years as a rit- beneficiary concerts were held in aid of ual, the Japanese can rebuild the regions the victims, and from anhroposophical destroyed by the tsunami. circles came donations. I was able to take these, together with ‹Solum Oil›, Wala, di- Death and Remembrance rectly to Ookawa-Primary School in Ishi- One day after the earthquake and the nomaki, near my home town. In May the tsunami which followed on March 11th ‹Friends of Waldorf Education› emer- 2011, people in the affected areas waited gency team had visited the crèche in this Kesennuma/Miyagi calmly in front of the aid vehicles and school, from which 70 students died dur- tents for 2 litres of water and food, some- ing the tsunami. (‹Anthroposophy World- times up to six hours. This picture will be wide› No. June 2011). The school was tion from the company that runs the re- remembered in people's hearts all over housed in a primary school and on April actor, Tepco. The contaminated earth and the world. The earthquake and tsunami 21st a new term was started by the school the loss of cattle, however, cannot be re- devastated 500 kilometres of coastal re- leaders with a new collegium (teachers placed. Those people who love the earth gion in North-Eastern Japan, and moved and trained personnel) and 22 students. and nature and live on it are directly af- the Oshika-Peninsula by 5,3 and sea levels On the day I visited, the funerals of two fected by the disaster. The government by 24 metres. As if to regain order the students took place. Class 6 students decided that people who live near the earth has quaked more than 400 times were able to swim in the pool in the Fukushima-Daiichi-Reactor are allowed since. Everyday there are new earthquakes morning, one student asked me whether back home after ‹radiation clearance in different locations in Japan. students in Germany were allowed to measures›. Because of low measure- On August 7th, I landed at Sendai air- swim in the sea. The beautiful coast ments people are not directly aware of port which had re-opened ten days earlier. where she used to swim had been de- the danger of radioactivity. Research re- It had been heavily destroyed by the stroyed by the tsunami. Since then the sults have shown that the real affect Tsunami but with US-Army aid it was soon students and their teacher hold a month- only becomes clear three to five genera- re-constructed. Traces of the vast tsunami ly memorial service. This year, fireworks tions later. People are dealing differently were still visible from the air. Windbreak which created sparkling flowers of light with radiation. Some kindergardens and forest near the coast had been totally de- in the night sky gave special meaning to schools are exchanging sand in the stroyed. The ‹Rice-Gard en›, the Sendai- the traditional summer fêtes. In this way sandpits and on the sports fields so that Plain,was brown because salt-water an attempt is made to build a bridge be- the children can play outside again. The makes it impossible for the plants to grow. tween heaven and earth in memory of contaminated soil is being disposed of at Thus a rice crop is not possible this year. those that have died and to bring a depth of 30 centimetres. In order to Heaps of rubble sorted by waste material courage. lessen radiation, Professor Teruo Higa (metal, brick, wood, plastic) are visible scattered effective micro organisms everywhere. Radio Activity and Protection (EM) in North Eastern Japan. There was On August 11th the fifth memorial serv- The aftermath of radiation is becoming renewed concern over another contami- ice took place. In unusually high tempera- increasingly noticeable. Many people are nated rice harvest in August, and some tures for North-Eastern Japan of 35 De- aware of the readings. Even if the reading people bought up existing rice. One grees Celsius, relatives prayed and is only slightly above the acceptable norm, mother living near Tokyo, had all neces- brought flowers to the altar. At this point farmers are not allowed to sell beef. One sary food stuff delivered from Western about 19 000 dead had been identified farmer, and Southern Japan and will move to but 4000 people are still missing. Police Kenichi Miyazaki, lost his entire live- Western Japan with her family. And on were searching especially hard prior to the stock in the tsunami and now has no the most northerly Island, Hokkaido, annual time of mourning (14 to 16 Au- source of income. He wants to send his where the name of the pumpkins comes gust). Some relatives of those missing de- son to Brazil as international chicken from, a meeting of anthroposophically cided that a funeral should take place trader. The farmers demand compensa- minded people took place in August. The Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11 | 7
Volunteers future of the island and a new perspec- and when we met her the second time woman that the tsunami and the after- tive for Japan were discussed. she brought the first cake she had shock had destroyed the town of Ishino- baked for five months. She hopes that maki and with it all mementos, I had the Reconstruction and Aid her son will find work abroad as turbine idea to plant cherry trees in the affected The Miyag local government, an area technician. areas with the help of the people remain- heavily affected by the tsunami, come up ing, as comfort and as symbol of new with a proposal for reconstruction. Provi- Freedom and Existential Questions hope. On August 14th I read an article in sional accommodation has been put up Some women who were unable to ful- the paper about the cherry tree project of and people are starting to return to nor- fil their dreams and potential under the a Buddhist monk. During a telephone con- mality from the evacuation camps. The old traditional customs and rules, are now versation I noticed that we had been at Red Cross donated the necessary electri- leaving their families. The are receiving ac- the same primary school and that we cal goods and the government looked af- commodation free of charge for two knew each other. Now we are doing this ter basic needs for four people. The mo- years. One woman, for example, wants to project together. We are planting 23000 torway can be used toll free for a year. A pay back her husband's debts. She is going cherry trees along the 500 kilometres long telecommunications company donated to move into town on her own where she coastal region, a figure reflecting the mobile phones free of charge for a will work until the debts are paid. When number of dead. month. But many people are concerned the infrastructure collapsed, a market or- Following the clear up outside, people because they can only claim two months ganiser learnt that money was no longer are beginning to ask after the meaning of unemployment benefit. The tsunami of value. People came on foot and brought life. Who am I? What is my purpose on completely swept away some compa- vegetables, water, clothes and more and earth? What do I want? A legal secretary nies. gave it away or swapped. This is how they told us that in North-Eastern Japan more The most affected town, Ishinomaki, helped each other. Already on the second people are getting married and separated has been lowered so much that it is be- day following the catastrophe, water following the events. During and after the ing flooded every day anew. This delays tankers came from Kobe which experi- events between life and death, people re-construction further. Yumiko Sasaki enced a huge earthquake in 1995. From all have experienced what is essential. Now lost his mother in law in the tsunami, over Japan and the whole world money they want to make real what is important her own house, and work. Every day she and goods were donated, for example to them and what they really want to do. and her husband looked for mother in buses, ships, cars and much more. The vic- This event has speeded up development law, wading breast deep in water, until tims help and cook for each other. New so- of the ego. Therefore the people need di- she was found two weeks later and who cial networks are being created. Every day rect and indirect help. Anthroposophical- was identified by her stockings. Within volunteers are arriving from all over Japan ly minded people can be the companions a month Yumiko Sasaki renovated an as well as students from Tokyo. Some of this path of ego-development.| Emi empty house and went back to work fol- young people, who are unemployed, are Yoshida, lowing a request by an entrepreneur. moving to Eastern Japan and help with re- Her hobby was making bread and cakes, construction. Following the story of a 8 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11 9
ó Anthroposophy in the World
Europe: Review of the Campaign 150 years Rudolf Steiner TToo our readers whow know Trained Vision German. One of the most remarkable campaigns outside anthroposophical institutions is the We invite you to subscribe work of the project group 150 years Rudolf Steiner. The campaigns with the special to the German-language train RS 150 Rudolf Steiner Express at the centre, the website and the personal com- anthroposophical weekly mitment from Vera Koppehel and Stephan Sieber gained much media interest.
fter more than 150 hours overtime I after the commencement of the event).
Das Goetheanum am sitting tired and yet wide awake International media response was unex- A in the ICE from Basel to Cologne. Whilst I pected in i ts quantity and quality with
ponder over how it all began, my mobile more than 250 newspaper articles, radio Newly redesigned starts to ring every 15 minutes. «We have programmes and tv contributions. Al- Anthroposophical authors to load the restaurant carriage but it has- though also recurrent and latently pene- imely themesT themes n't arrived!» «Did you know that the train trating as well as stereotypical critical
hasn't been cleaned?» «We want to mark comments were heard, in the main the
the carriages but they are in the wrong or- better quality media responded surpris-
der.» «The heating is not working and nei- ingly constuctive to the anniversary fes-
ther is the intercom ...» Anxiety levels tivities and honoured Steiner's impor-
ranging between confidence and nervous tance sophisticated and comprehensively.
breakdown will be tested further over the The ‹Süddeutsche Zeitung› for example,
next 19 hours (again no sleep). But then, carried the headline «Rudolf Steiner – the
the next morning at precisely 9.19 am, colourful genius» in its week-end issue on
shining, numbered and with the passen- his 150th birthday. ‹Die Zeit‹ honoured
gers's name labels in place it comes Steiner as the «only German idealist who
around the corner in the right carriage or- has stood the test of time» and called Wal-
der and perfectly marked «RS 150 Rudolf dorf Pedagogy the «most succesful peda-
Steiner Expre ss 2011». gogical reform initiative of the 20th cen-
tury». The New York ‹Times Magazine› re-
Presents from the Wayside ported already in the spring of 2010 on the
After one and a half years of prepara- two largest St einer-Exhibitions and in the
tion the journey passes by in a flash. The feature pages of the ‹Neue Zürcher w likI e tould o subscribe to outside world only exists at stations Zeitung› a well informed article on the Das Goetheanum where I can take a deep breath of air dur- subject was printed about Steiner as One year € 98 ing the massive campaign; inside the train «Stimulus for Contemporary Art». Ger-
it resembles a beehive. By now the tem- man language radio alone broadcasted a Name ...... peratures in the restaurant carriage are ei- total of 25 hours on Steiner, ending with a
ther like Greenland or the tropics, one three hour long ‹Long Night about Rudolf Address (Including postal code) compartment has been turned into a sick- Steiner› in the Deutschlandfunk (German
ro om, one passenger misses the train at 5 Radio). Whether in specific news reports ...... am in the morning, another has no pass- and cultural programmes by Austrian and
port at the border and instead of an inter- West German Broadcasting, the Bavarian ...... com three of us have to make our way and Southwestern tv or on 3sat and ATV,
through the carriages and explain the all renouned broadcasters took Steiner's ...... itinerary 199 times, individually. In brief 150th birthday as an opportunity to bring
team meetings, hemmed in between lug- an indepth coverage never seen before in ounC trryy ...... gage and advertising material, ‹normal› relation to Steiner and Anthroposophy.
work continues for the project office. The Date ...... large publishers Support
(normally rather reserved) are ringing We tried to be prepared as well as pos- turSigna e ...... us until we reach Slovakia for picturer sible for occasional interferences and in-
rights, interviews, press confernces, mati- tentionally defamatory obstacles and to Please send to: nee in the Hofburg … because it is Steiner's reply appropriately. Fo r example, with
Wochenschrifftt Das Goetheanum birthday weekend. And as we disembark anonymous postings to the online edi-
, CH– 4achostfP 143 Dornach, in Vienna the festive buffet is ready! How- tions of various newspapers which were
erlandwitzS erland ever, technology plays a trick on us despite even more defamatory when the discus-
1 61 7ax +4F 1 61 7ax 06 44 65 sound checks. sion of Steiner had been constructive, we
(Tip: Never allow a TV-team to connect felt the most effective reply was to ask the
Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11 | 9
online editiors to keep to their own rules ing of anniversary celebrations of impor- of conduct. This resulted tant personalities,the use of our own an- in the deletion of around 200 discredit- niversary webside,in conjunction with a Studying ing postings. distinctive coporate logo, proved to be an Anthroposophy In Vienna alone two press conferences effective recipe for success. This also be- were held during the Steiner anniversary came a major aspect for t he Steiner an- at the Goetheanum year which resulted in an impressive me- niversary and was further supported by dia response. Austrian tv as well as radio the multi lingual anniversary seal which stations and editors of the Austrian press was designed to enhance the common agency were present. Thanks to the well aim of the round 150 co-operation part- Anthroposophical struct ured text and photo material which ners in connection with worldwide events Studies in English we made available as press kits and digi- in the context of the anniversary year. tial, many components could be trans- The first year ferred directly and thus strategicly includ- Allowing the Creativity of the Other offers study of some of Rudolf Steiner‘s major works and artistic ed in the media coverage. Taking care and The fact that by 27 February 2011 an in- courses as well as practical appli- individually looking after press distribu- ternational, honourable committee could cations of anthroposophy.Visiting tors with local responsibility and main be found which took on the auspices for important places in Europe aug- ments this study at the Goetheanum. subject areas was of course also part of the anniversary year, was one of the nicest The second year the daily task of the project office which and most impressive moments of our proj- will focus more deeply on Ru- often lasted until 2am. Happily this loed t ect office times. This was mainly due to dolf Steiner‘s philosophical work a firm media anchorage. the initiave of my colleague Stephan Siber. and allows students to work intensively on a topic of their The list of 24 personalities from the sci- choice within anthroposophy. Groundwork – Preparations ences, art and economy as well as repre- Study periods One of the main aims in putting to- sentatives from public life reaches from I. 17.09. - 30.11.2012 gether the anniversary year was to present Jakob von Uexküll (Founder of the Alterna- II. 14.01. - 22.03.2013 to the public, through varied events with tive Nobel Prize) and Franz Welser-Möst III. 15.04. - 22.06.2013 worldwide combined efforts, how mani- (General Musical Director of the Vienna Tuition fees are CHF 3000 per year. fold Steiner's ideas live in the world today State Opera) via Education Minister Clau- For further information and what solutions for burning questions dia Schmied and the Indian Quanten please contact: of our time and the future can be derived Physicican Vandana Shiva to Olympic Win- Dr. Virginia Sease, Program Di- rector or Secretariat for Study from Steiner's approach. In the implemen- ner Franz Klammer and Christoph Badelt, and Further Education tation of this aim we worked on the as- Chancellor of the Vienna University of Eco- Goetheanum sumption that this required as much co- nomics. 4143 Dornach Switzerland operation as possible from renouned or- In the end,however, it is always the love Phone: 0041 61 706 42 20 ganisations like universities, ministeries for the deed and personal enthusiasm eMail: [email protected] and museums who would wish to openly that invites others to join in what is www.studies.goetheanum.org demonstrate their interest in Rudolf Stein- greater than the individual. It is of utmost Studies in German er and Anthroposophy and that these importance to involve the other right from www.studium.goetheanum.org events and co-operation should be consol- the start and to appeal to his/her creativi- idated under a common global ‹brand› ty. Not to talk too much and wanting to name. persuade. If the other then really joins in it This on the one hand presupposes opti- means to really practice trust and to let mal networking of our team members ones ego go. Within this space wonderful which is not something that can be things can happen and herein lies the arranged from one day to the next. This measure in how far this is artistic and so- demands many years of communicative cial. | Vera Koppehel, en route (World) preparation as well as so called ‹confi- dence building measures›, but on the oth- er hand it profits from the manifold sup- port from colleagues in the anthropo- sophical media meetings. The direct ap- proach of representatives of public institu- tions and potential co-operative partners from a v ariety of sectors and disciplines This contributions has been slightly edited. Extract from the accompanying conference demands the necessary instinct for the pamphlet ‹öffentlich wirken› 2011. right moment, the right set up and an ad- Info: www.rudolf-steiner-2011.com equate argument. Contact: In relation to market strategic position- [email protected], www.verakoppehel.eu 10 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11
ó School of Spiritual Science / Anthroposophy in the World
grateful to the initiative of the Johannes kindergardens or mini schools, bio-dy- Germany: Class Conference branch in Öschelbronn, and in particular namic agriculture, groups for healthy food to Hans Broder von Laue and Elke Elisa- and Weleda. It includes the work of Pro Dynamic of the Class beth von Laue, who made this clear Humanus with children and teachers in Lessons overview of the lessons and the presenta- the mountainous areas and the Sierra. tion of their dynamic possible through And it is about those who take care of chil- From 21 to 23 October the Class Confer- these conferences. Elke Elisabeth von Laue dren with cancer in city hospitals, the in- ence ‹Man's Schooling Path on Either also led the eurythmy for participants. stitute for Waldorf Pedagogy, the Anthro- Side of the Threshold› took place in the posophical Study Course and much more. Johanneshaus in Öschelbronn. Following No Fear of Questions We are less familiar with each other and work with the first seven class lessons Around 50 people participated in the have never before met at a joint event. during 2010, complemented by an conference of the School of Spiritual Sci- On the occasion of marking 150 years of overview given by Sergei Prokofieff over ence. Around half came from further Rudolf Steiner, the Anthroposophical Soci- all nineteen lessons, the work continued afield, the others from the Johanneshaus. ety in Peru and the Johannes branch (in this year with lessons 7 to 11. The discussion groups, where one could existance since 1963) invited all to this cel- ask questions and talk without fear, at- ebration, together with older initiatives he conference began with a public lec- tributed to the success. Bodo von Plato like the curative pedagogical school San T ture given by Bodo von Plato entitled also told us that he, together with Christoferus (it celebrates its 21st birthday ‹Task and Aim of the School of Spiritual Christoph Wiechert, brings the contents this year), the Christian Community (it cel- Science›. At the centre stood the question of the School (without mantras) to people ebrated the 21st birthday since consecra- of how we are placed into a world today who work in initiatives founded by Rudolf tion of its church), the Waldor School in which will continue to change radically Steiner. Thus the Goetheanum comes to Lima (in its 30th year), the Waldorf school through us and at the same time indepen- people in an throposophiscal initiatives in- Cieneguilla (over 20 years old) and An- dantly from us. This is our time, we have stead of vice versa. throposophical Medicine. 19 initiatives incarnated at this moment and are asked It is also noteworthy with how much sent representatives (two initiat ives were to to partipate in it impartially. attention and perseverence the fairly missing). Even the Michael branch from Jean-Sébastien Catalan fro m Ulm (DE) aged, up to 100 years old, mostly female the Andes Highlands was represented. gave a personal overview of the path lead- residents of the Johanneshaus followed We invited a string quartet well know ing up to the seventh class lesson (the the performances and participated in the in Lima to provide music for the opening threashold into the spiritual world). Bodo conference more or less full time.| Elke ceremony. Then we heard a lecture about von Plato took this up with an account of Wiesner-Friedrichsen,Vaihingen (DE) Rudolf Steiner, more about his importance the first tasks following the theshold and than his biogtraphy, and the Christian the metamorphosis of soul forces and Conference: 21 to 23 September 2012 contents Community gave an excellent speech Hans Broder von Laue continued with the of the 11th to 16th Class Lesson; 20 to 22 Sep- choir recital with texts by Rudolf Steiner tasks in the elementary etheric world. tember 2013 lessons 17 to 19. and others. After a break all institutions and initia- Earthly and Cosmic Life tives were asked to give short reports how Bodo von Plato also clearely demon- Rudolf Steiner lives in their work. That was strated the path from earthly conscious- very interesting. The most varied aspects ness to that of the spiritual world beyond came to the fore (with a total of 100 par- the threashold. We experience how we ticipants) and one could feel how the rela- Peru: 150 years of Rudolf Steiner in Lima cross the threashold with the help of the tionship to Rudolf Steiner is respresented Guardian and recognise ourselves as spir- ‹Steiner› Refreshed in the most colourful way. itual beings. The review of our physical ex- After four hours, a lavish buffet re- istance shows us the forces which were The 150th anniversary of Rudolf Steiner freshed everyone who had already been active and which otherwise remain hid- offered an opportunity to come together ‹Steiner› refreshed. The organisers of this den. With the help of the Guardian man to the widely dispersed anthroposophi- event knew early on that something like begins to perceive that he is part of the liv- cal movement in Peru. 19 Initiatives re- this, maybe in a totally different format, ing ea rth environment that stretches into membered Rudolf Steiner on October would have to be repeated. | Roswitha the sphere of the stars. The recognition of 22nd at the centre of the Anthroposophi- Spittler, Lima (PE) how closely linked thinking and willing cal Society in Lima and shared their work. are is awe-inspiring and how they com- or some months we pondered the plement and enrich each other. Man is F question how we could best celebrate earth bound and at the same time a spiri- 150 years Rudolf Steiner. Then we came up tual being amongst the hierarchies. with the following idea. Again and again Normally one is so busy with studying new initiatives are born in Peru which individual lessons and their mantras that work on the basis of Anthroposophy. it is easy to miss such an overview. We are These may be smaller working groups, Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11 | 11
ó Members who have died
We have been notified of the deaths of the following members. International: Please find their names in memory below. Meeting of Farming Women 2011 Membership Secretariat at the Goetheanum Annual Source of Energy Dorothea Schubert München (DE) 28.6.2009 In 2011 the International Seminary for Marcelle Lhomme St André les Vergers (FR) 9.2.2011 Farming Women took place in Wilderswil Liisa Paunela Pori (FI) 13.4.2011 (CH) from 9th to 14th November with the Kristina Blomqvist Vasa (FI) 5.2011 theme ‹Social Co-existance›. 38 years ago Greta Otway Chatham (GB) 4.6.2011 this meeting of women was founded by Günter Steppuhn Engelsbrand (DE) 6.6.2011 Helen Fromm Weinheim (DE) 2.7.2011 Maria Thun on the Oswaldhof (CH) to cre- Tilla Kellner Kassel (DE) 5.8.2011 ate space for exchange and development Ulrike Wunsch Freiburg (DE) 5.8.2011 for women from bio-dynamic farms. Ingrid Gabriel Bielefeld (DE) 18.8.2011 Willem Thomas Haarlem (NL) 22.8.2011 Ruth Hütterott Hannover (DE) 25.8.2011 hat started with only a handfull of Sylvia Eglin Reinach (CH) 30.8.2011 W farming women who met in the Gijs de Bont Andelst (NL) 1.9.2011 middle of November has today grown into Katharine Gibbs Poole (GB) 1.9.2011 Ruth Meiss Kassel (DE) 2.9.2011 a group of 100 women of all ages and from Eleanor Youngman Kings Langley (GB) 5.9.2011 the most varied types of farms arriving Tobias Watermann Hildesheim (DE) 12.9.2011 from Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Elisabeth Reinhardt Frankfurt a. M. (DE) 15.9.2011 Italy and the USA. What is special about Hildegard Dittmar Lotte (DE) 25.9.2011 this conference is that it is completely or- Elisabeth Junker Borchen (DE) 26.9.2011 ganised by the women themselves. No Gerhart Wössner Gerabronn (DE) 29.9.2011 ‹outside speakers› are invited which has Theodóra Harnóczy Budapest (HU) 9.2011 Helmut Kersten Berlin (DE) 7.10.2011 led to great openness and connectedness Erika Bremser Syke (DE) 9.10.2011 between the women over the years. The Willy Schell Neubrandenburg (DE) 12.10.2011 group inviting deals with the organisa- Helga Schubert Borchen (DE) 12.10.2011 tional itinerary and the participants take Derek Forman Mayfield (GB) 14.10.2011 care of the theme. Tonny Bakhoven Driebergen (NL) 15.10.2011 The theme invited many reports of per- Irmhild Rabben Duisburg (DE) 16.10.2011 sonal experiences and co-existance on Yvonne Heim Schaffhausen (CH) 17.10.2011 Lydia Brander Basel (CH) 18.10.2011 farms. Far from theory, the contributions Friedrich Platzer Wien (AT) 18.10.2011 were lively and demonstrated insights Cornelia Jonker Terschelling Midsland (NL) 19.10.2011 and laws of the social sphere. The artistic Helene Kühlwetter Hildesheim (DE) 19.10.2011 courses like Eurythmy (Helena Ellenberg- Jacques Destailleur Laboissière en Thelle (FR) 20.10.2011 er), Speech(Agnes Zehnter) and Singing Else Holzrichter Borchen (DE) 20.10.2011 (Sabine Lehmann) took hold of the whole Michael Friedjung Paris (FR) 22.10.2011 being and gave food for thought for every- Mathilde van Romunde Amerongen (NL) 24.10.2011 Eiso Bergsma Dornach (CH) 25.10.2011 day life. Renate Köhler Dornach (CH) 25.10.2011 Humurous feedback and the assimila- Muriel Pipe Arlesheim (CH) 25.10.2011 tion of experiences during a social Oskar Brekenfeld Eckernförde (DE) 26.10.2011 evening is always a special event where Klaus Georg Dönges Essen (DE) 27.10.2011 the creative and artistic ideas of the Betty Hotz Zürich (CH) 30.10.2011 women make a special impression. Ernst Betz Bremen (DE) 31.10.2011 Through the women's personal contribu- Ursula Schmoller Hannover (DE) 2.11.2011 Miriam Karnow Spring Valley/NY (US) 3.11.2011 tions and the work with spiritual con- Elisabeth Day Dornach (CH) 6.11.2011 tents, a special atmosphere develops at Roland Link Dornach (CH) 11.11.2011 the meeting place. From this the women Roy Bell Riverdale/GA (US) im Jahr 2011 return to their farms strengthened and Lyman Jackson Denver/CO (US) im Jahr 2011 with new impulses. For many it is a source of energy for the whole year. | Christina von Horsten, Handeloh-Wörme (DE) Last month 94 new members joined the Society; Next Conference: 14th to 19th November 2012, Ahlhorn near Oldenburg (DE). 62 resigned and 52 deceased (as per 14 November 2011). Contact and Information for all colleagues on bio-dynamic farms: www.demeter-im-norden.de 12 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 12/11
ó Feature
Germany: First Symposium for Communication ‹public engagement› tablishment's, organisation's or business' desire for change. Public relations means «Deciding on Change» to open up outwardly, to invite encounter On 4/5 November the first symposium for communication, ‹public engagement›, was and confrontation which produces held at the Waldorf school in Bochum-Langendreer. It offered an opportunity for near- warmth. Warmth means development, ly 180 participants to connect with the basics of public relations work and colleagues. change. Beckmann: «Public Relations are the decision to want to change (internal- ly) and to connect to the outside». And this takes place on a cont ested field. «The public is saturated, our faculty of percep- tion is exhausted», says Beckmann. Not least therefore the right timing to ap- proach the public is of the essence, as Dohmen emphasised. A good idea can fail if it misses the right moment in time.
Fourfold Courage Based on a study from 2006, Christoph Fasel made clear that Anthroposophists have a good foundation. They are regard- ed as harmless , involved and have a posi- tive image, even if little is known about them. A new professional branch: Public Relations Representatives at the symposium ‹public engagement› With their high degree of reflectivity they are an exception amongst the aver- edia work is based on practical abil- takes precedence. In an extreme case, says age population, they are not understood M ity. Media work requires knowledge Holger Wilms somewhat exagerating, the by everyone and thus form an elite group. of the media business. And media work editorial team of a scene magazine could Fasel proposed not to «praise,but to nar- presupposes a willingness to bring about consist of layout personnel only, who rate», so that the complex connection be- change. The conference ‹public engage- choose texts less according to contents comes visible through personal examples. ment› defined the basics for public rela- than according to length. This also ex- In addition, he brought to attention that tions work. It is an initiative of the working plains why customised texts have a good the lan guage of the media is laconic (and group of anthroposophical media repre- chance of being printed. not pathos or passion as with Rudolf sentatives within the German speaking re- Steiner). Dohmen pointed out that hard gions. Over the past 14 years it has grown Public Networking facts and figures are important factors of from about a dozen participants to now up The preparatory committee was able credibility. And more than once the appeal to 50 which means that a professional to provide a broad programme due to its was heard: «Don't explain everything at branch was formed where co-workers contacts. GLS bank, the weekly ‹Das once. Limit yourself to one core state- have a great demand for further develop- Goetheanum›, the Association for Anthro- ment. Work out what is your speciality». ment. Often they take on public relations posophical Curative Pedagogy, Social These appeals were formulised in four ex- work as a sideline or with little reimburse- Therapy and Social Work, Thon-Marketing clamations: ment, without being prepared for the task. and Weleda teamed up to include a public Courage of self experiences (Wolfgang view of anthroposophical activities and to H eld), courage of failure (Hardt), courage Making Use of Methods of Production get feedback from the professionals in re- of distinctness, no thinking within mass Thus it was not surprising that the con- spect of their needs and the reasons be- categories (Mika) and courage to uphold ference had a huge response. Together hind them. one's own original ideas with self confi- with lecturers and working group chair- Participating were Lukas Beckmann, dence (Dohmen). At the conference persons about 180 people met to work founding member and former managing fringes further aspects came up, like Ben- with (mainly practical) questions. How do director of the Green Party ‹Bündnis90 jamin Kolass' question how media work I make contact with an editorial office? /Die Grünen›, Bascha Mika, former chief looked like which is not based on the Preferably personally, but not during pro- editor of the aternative daily ‹taz›, journal- mechanisms of a majority society but on duction periods. How do I compose a me- ists like Caspar Dohmen and Holger Wilms individuality. dia message? Short, direct and objective. as well as Christoph Hardt, communica- Or Jens Heisterkamp's suggestion to The secret of using media is knowing its tions director from Siemens, and pay attention to the productive outcomes mechanisms. One of these is that editors Christoph Fasel, head of journalistic of all that which is perceived as odd in are working under de adline pressures, es- teaching establishments and communi- Rudolf Steiner and to link to already exist- pecially when there are few co-workers. cation advisor, a mongst other things. The ing, quotable remarks as for example Therefore everything that saves work initial point of public relations is the es- those of Peter Sloterdijk.| Sebastian Jüngel