May/June 2009 What joy to see..., Deborah Ravetz The third stage of encounter, the stage of transformation or transubstantia-tion, is the moment of truth. A meeting, a human connection, becomes something else. It receives a new dimension. In order to work through this stage, we must truly transform ourselves so as to achieve a true relationship with another human being. If we do not succeed, if we stop short at one of the preceding stages, no further progress is possible, and the crises which follow bring about not metamorphoses but repeated misunderstandings, painful struggles, and insoluble problems between the people in question. To conceal this tragedy of evolution, this failure to become aware of the profundity of an encounter, we cover up our inability with words like “That’s life”, or “That’s karma”, phrases – unfortunately all too common – in which an undertone of negative fatalism and resignation may be heard. If, on the other hand, we accept our own freedom, if we recognize the immense, sacred task of liberating religion, of sanctifying human encounters and feeling responsible for the course of a relationship, then this decision will give us courage and strength, and our meetings with others will become divine service, for ‘every meeting of person with person will be from the beginning a religious act, a sacrament’. Human Encounters and Karma, Athys Floride Keeping in touch Writing for Camphill Correspondence: omehow we neglected to mention Adola McWilliam’s frequently asked questions S75th birthday which was on September 1, 008. Apolo- Peter Howe, Stourbridge, England gies to Adola who lives in Glenora Farm Community, British Q: I’m not good at writing. Columbia, Canada. A: That’s not a question. I have recently realised that I’ve been looking after the Cor- Q: Sorry, I’m not good at asking questions. So, who can write respondence subscriptions since about 1989 – that’s twenty for Camphill Correspondence? years! It has been a lovely way to keep in touch with people, A: Anyone who is interested. It is a ’correspondence’, an and I am one of those rare types who actually enjoys filing exchange of ideas, experiences and information between things, and keeping things organised. So the subscriptions have friends, colleagues and fellow-sufferers. been much more often a joy than a chore for me. Q: Does it matter if I can’t spell? However...all good things must come to an end! Since I A: You know, Shakespeare often spelt the same word in sev- moved to Stourbridge I find myself becoming more and more eral ways. He once spelt the word ‘sheriff’ in five different involved in the myriad of community activities here, and I ways on one page. Mind you, we never got him to write just don’t have time to do both the editing and the subscrip- for Camphill Correspondence. tions any more. So with the invaluable help of the Camphill Q: Do you think I’ve got anything to say? Correspondence Support Group, we have found the perfect A: Well you never stop talking. person who is looking forward to taking the subscriptions on. Q: But do you think I’ve got anything worth saying? Bianca Hügel also lives in Stourbridge. She is organised and A: Give it a try. Our editor is happy to look at what you’ve ordered. She is a warm, interested person who is clear-think- done and give advice. We like to say yes to material ing and has many gifts and talents! She will start taking on the but sometimes also need to protect our writers and our subscriptions soon, although an exact ‘hand-over’ date hasn’t readers. been set yet. So don’t be too surprised when your emails or Q: Do I have to use a computer? letters start to be answered by Bianca instead of myself, and A: We accept articles and letters that are handwritten, typed, soon you will see her name and number on the back cover or by email (preferably by email!). Our only limitation is we’re not clairvoyant and can’t do automatic writing. Nor under ‘Subscriptions’. can we read the Akashic Birthday Chronicle. I feel there are so many of you who have been sending your Q: Do you accept articles from people not living in renewal payments in for so long, you have become friends Camphill? even though I might pass you on the street and never recognise A: Actually, only people not living in Camphill have time to you! But your names are etched in my consciousness as part write. We love pieces from everyone, no matter where of my wider Camphill family. So I thank you for your years of they are or what their connection to Camphill. support and interest, and look forward to the Correspondence Q: When’s the deadline? continuing to go from strength to strength. A: It’s always last week. Just send it as soon as you can. (For Warm wishes, Maria actual dates see back cover.) Q: What sort of subjects do you take? Artist’s note: The paintings on the front and back cover are A: Whatever you’re enthusiastic about. We love to hear about painted by Deborah Ravetz. The starting point of her work is people’s lives, your experiences and those of your friends. often a response to words. She does not wish to illustrate the And about your efforts, however modest. words but to paint out of the feeling that the words evoke. A Q: How do you become a good writer? sentence in a verse by Rudolf Steiner was the starting point for A: Steiner said that to give a good lecture you have to first these paintings. The sentence was, ‘What joy to see the human give 0 bad ones. (Personally, I got to number 18 and my spirit shining even when at rest’. If you wish to see more of community stopped asking me.) Deborah’s work look at the following two websites: Q: Will we get paid? www.deborah.ravetz.org.uk www.becomingaself.org A: We’ll pay you back in kamaloka. Contents Celebratory Birthdays May–June 2009 Christian ideals in Camphill? Angelika Monteux .......1 A visit to Tomar in Portugal Vivian Griffiths ..............3 Becoming 85 The sin of pride and the sin of self hatred: Karin Herms – The Grange ............................May 14 the need to become bilingual in love and power Gunda Müller-Bay – Basel ...............................June 7 Deborah Ravetz ...................................................4 Becoming 80 Concerning the Our Father: The question Rita Weidmann – Milton Keynes ....................May 4 of form and content Andrew Hoy .......................7 Muriel Engel – Newton Dee .............................July Human death and nature’s response (IV) Friedwart Bock ....................................................8 Becoming 75 The stars: St Johns’ Tide 009 Hazel Straker .............9 Gerry Thomas – Hapstead Devon ..................May 4 Heidi Feucht – Dunshane ................................June 5 Obituaries: Elisabeth Schäfer – Föhrenbühl ......................June 17 Gisela Schlegel 10 / Julia Marshall 13 / Eva Goetz 13 Brigitte Greuter – Basel ..................................June 4 News from the Movement: The Karl König Archive: behind the scenes Becoming 70 Richard Steel 15 / Michaelmas Conference in Ursula Graupner – Lehenhof .........................May 1 Dornach 16 / CAHSC in the UK 16 / Tonalis Gese Ina von Storp – Lehenhof .................................June 6 Mücke 17 Gisela Klinge – Nuremberg ............................June 15 Book Reviews ........................................................17 Marga Schnell – Camphill School, Aberdeen .June 4 Letters ................................................................... 19 Kumar Mal – Copake ........................................July 9 Christian ideals in Camphill? Angelika Monteux, Camphill Rudolf Steiner Schools, Scotland he Mission Statement of Camphill Communities in posophy, even much of the language still used, is firmly Tthe UK states: rooted in some of these very old traditions... Camphill is inspired by Christian ideals as articulated This worry about ‘non-Christian’ influences is to my by Rudolf Steiner and is based on the acceptance of mind based on a very narrow understanding of the work the spiritual uniqueness of each human being, regard- of Rudolf Steiner and also Karl König. less of disability or religious or racial background. In 1965 Karl König wrote in a letter to the move- This clearly describes a particular threefold organism ment: in which Christianity, anthroposophy and Camphill in- Curative work wants to become a worldwide activity, terweave to give life and expression to the ideals of the so that the ‘threat to the person’ that is apparent Camphill movement and the Camphill community. This everywhere can be confronted in a helpful way. The has for many decades formed the basis and foundation ‘curative’ must find expression in any and every kind for our work, life and striving without being seriously of social work, in soul care, in the care for the aged, questioned. in the rehabilitation of those who are mentally ill, and There is, however, a growing interest in asking new those who are physically disabled, in the guidance questions, searching for new energies, new structures, of orphans and refugees, of suicide candidates, of new expressions of Camphill values and ideals. This has the despairing, but also in Developmental Aid, in the to do with many changes of attitudes and perceptions International Peace corps, and in similar attempts. within Camphill and in the social, spiritual and political And: environment it is part of, but is no doubt also coloured by Only the help from person to person – the encounter the fact that Camphill begins to move and expand from of ego with ego – the becoming aware of the other being anchored in and formed by western and middle person’s individuality without inquiring into their European traditions into parts of the world where other creed, world conception or political affiliations, but cultures, spiritual traditions and religions are alive.