reclaiming the heart of anthroposophy - Anthroposophical Society in ...
reclaiming the heart of anthroposophy - Anthroposophical Society in ...
reclaiming the heart of anthroposophy - Anthroposophical Society in ...
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Ste<strong>in</strong>erBooks<br />
610 Ma<strong>in</strong> Street<br />
Great Barr<strong>in</strong>gton, MA 01230<br />
Nonpr<strong>of</strong>it Org.<br />
U.S. Postage<br />
PAID<br />
HMS Pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Partnership<br />
RECLAIMING THE HEART OF ANTHROPOSOPHY<br />
Despite <strong>the</strong> <strong>Anthroposophical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> hav<strong>in</strong>g been <strong>in</strong> existence <strong>in</strong> its renewed form for more than eighty years, a level <strong>of</strong><br />
mystery and uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty still surrounds it, as well as Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er, his teachers, and collaborators; <strong>the</strong> mean<strong>in</strong>g, mission,<br />
and function <strong>of</strong> Anthroposophy; and <strong>the</strong> forms created to br<strong>in</strong>g Anthroposophy <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> world: <strong>the</strong> <strong>Anthroposophical</strong><br />
<strong>Society</strong> itself, and with<strong>in</strong> it, as its esoteric <strong>heart</strong>, <strong>the</strong> First Class <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science.<br />
In this sem<strong>in</strong>ar, through lectures and discussions, Ste<strong>in</strong>erBooks author Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Peter Selg, by a consideration <strong>of</strong> some<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> spiritual history and biography, will seek to cast a new light on questions that live with<strong>in</strong> anyone <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong><br />
Anthroposophy: What is <strong>the</strong> esoteric <strong>heart</strong> <strong>of</strong> Anthroposophy? What are its spiritual and social tasks? How can we f<strong>in</strong>d<br />
our way to spiritual practice and spiritual research today?<br />
Whe<strong>the</strong>r you have recently become <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er and Anthroposophy and would like to know more, or you<br />
have been a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong> for many years, this sem<strong>in</strong>ar will be an <strong>in</strong>formative, <strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g, and deeply mov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
experience.<br />
Note: The sem<strong>in</strong>ar lectures will be repeated at <strong>the</strong> Sacramento<br />
Faust Branch <strong>in</strong> Sacramento, CA, on <strong>the</strong> weekend <strong>of</strong><br />
August 31, September 1 and 2.<br />
Please refer to <strong>the</strong>ir website at www.faustbranch.org.<br />
Monument Mounta<strong>in</strong> High School<br />
600 Stockbridge Road<br />
Great Barr<strong>in</strong>gton MA 01230<br />
www.ste<strong>in</strong>erbooks.org<br />
AUGUST 24-25, 2012<br />
Ste<strong>in</strong>erBooks Research Sem<strong>in</strong>ar<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Berkshires<br />
with Peter Selg<br />
RECLAIMING<br />
THE HEART OF ANTHROPOSOPHY<br />
Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er’s Esoteric Legacy after 100 Years<br />
PETER SELG was born <strong>in</strong> 1963 <strong>in</strong> Stuttgart and studied medic<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> Witten-Herdecke, Zurich, and Berl<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Until 2000, he worked as <strong>the</strong> head physician <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> juvenile psychiatry department <strong>of</strong> Herdecke hospital<br />
<strong>in</strong> Germany. Dr. Selg is now director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ita Wegman Institute for Basic Research <strong>in</strong>to Anthro posophy<br />
(Arlesheim, Switzerland) and pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> medic<strong>in</strong>e at <strong>the</strong> Alanus University <strong>of</strong> Arts and Social Sciences<br />
(Germany). He lectures extensively and is <strong>the</strong> author <strong>of</strong> numerous books, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g The Fundamental<br />
Social Law, Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er’s Intentions for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Anthroposophical</strong> <strong>Society</strong>, The Mystery <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Heart, Rudolf<br />
Ste<strong>in</strong>er and Christian Rosenkreutz, and I Am For Go<strong>in</strong>g Ahead. He is mar ried with five children.<br />
GUEST ARTISTS<br />
Rachel Ross holds a diploma <strong>in</strong> artistic and pedagogical<br />
eurythmy from <strong>the</strong> London School <strong>of</strong> Eurythmy and a diploma<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapeutic eurythmy from <strong>the</strong> Medical Section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Goe<strong>the</strong>anum, Switzerland. She is a faculty member and codirector<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational Waldorf Resource/Remedial Teacher<br />
Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Programs. She ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s a practice <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapeutic<br />
eurythmy and remedial movement <strong>the</strong>rapy, and is a consultant to Waldorf and<br />
private schools nationwide.<br />
Christ<strong>in</strong>e Pierce holds a diploma <strong>in</strong> artistic and pedagogical<br />
eurythmy from <strong>the</strong> London School <strong>of</strong> Eurythmy and a diploma<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapeutic eurythmy from <strong>the</strong> Medical Section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Goe<strong>the</strong>anum, Switzerland. She is a co-founder <strong>of</strong> Prairie Hill<br />
Waldorf School, and has taught k<strong>in</strong>dergarten and eurythmy<br />
for over 25 years. Christi ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s a practice <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapeutic<br />
eurythmy and serves as vice-president on <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong> ATHENA (Association<br />
for Therapeutic Eurythmy <strong>in</strong> North America).<br />
John McManus an Australian, began his career study<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er’s Creative Speech and <strong>the</strong> Michael Chekhov<br />
Act<strong>in</strong>g Technique. John was a found<strong>in</strong>g member <strong>of</strong> Walk<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
Dog Theater and Shakespeare Alive! He directed many plays <strong>in</strong><br />
Australia and <strong>the</strong> United States and received Best Play <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Year for Hamlet (2007) <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Berkshires and Cymbel<strong>in</strong>e (2008)<br />
<strong>in</strong> Melbourne. He gives workshops at <strong>the</strong> Michael Chekhov Association and<br />
teaches speech and drama at HB Studios <strong>in</strong> New York City.<br />
STEINERBOOKS RESEARCH SEMINAR * SUMMER 2012<br />
REGISTRATION<br />
SEMINAR COST: $150<br />
(<strong>in</strong>cludes a bag lunch on Saturday).<br />
PLEASE CHECK IN STARTING AT 6:30 P.M.<br />
ON FRIDAY EVENING.<br />
h<br />
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Great Barr<strong>in</strong>gton area contact:<br />
TRIP ADVISOR: www.tripadvisor.com<br />
SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE CHAMBER<br />
OF COMMERCE:<br />
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To register, or for fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>formation, call<br />
Marsha Post at 413-528-8233 or email:<br />
www.sem<strong>in</strong>ar@ste<strong>in</strong>erbooks.org<br />
visit our website at<br />
www.ste<strong>in</strong>erbooks.org<br />
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Friday Even<strong>in</strong>g, August 24<br />
7:30 PM LECTURE AND DISCUSSION<br />
Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er and Christian Rosenkreutz<br />
“To speak <strong>of</strong> Christian Rosenkreutz presumes a pr<strong>of</strong>ound trust <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mysteries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> spirit—a trust or faith not <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> person <strong>of</strong><br />
Christian Rosenkreutz, but <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mysteries <strong>of</strong> spiritual life.” (Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er)<br />
For Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er, Christian Rosenkreutz was active as a teacher and close collaborator <strong>in</strong> at least three<br />
ways. First, as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “great leaders <strong>of</strong> humanity,” he worked to br<strong>in</strong>g esoteric spirituality <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong><br />
modern world and to lead it <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> future. Second, as “<strong>the</strong> greatest teacher <strong>of</strong> Christianity,” he worked<br />
to br<strong>in</strong>g to humanity true “<strong>heart</strong> knowledge” <strong>of</strong> Christ through <strong>the</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ued unveil<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mystery<br />
<strong>of</strong> Golgotha <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>ric. Third, as a concrete, particular <strong>in</strong>dividual be<strong>in</strong>g, Ste<strong>in</strong>er had a liv<strong>in</strong>g, actual,<br />
personal relationship with Christian Rosenkreutz. Out <strong>of</strong> this, Anthroposophy received its form<br />
and mission. In this lecture Peter Selg will describe Ste<strong>in</strong>er’s portrayal and experiences <strong>of</strong> Christian<br />
Rosenkreutz. He will show how Ste<strong>in</strong>er had essentially two teachers—<strong>the</strong> Master Jesus (Zoroaster) and<br />
Christian Rosenkreutz—how <strong>the</strong>se two, toge<strong>the</strong>r with Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er, unfolded Spiritual Science for<br />
our time, lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> end to <strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Michael School as it is manifested <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> First Class.<br />
Saturday Morn<strong>in</strong>g, August 25<br />
9:00 AM LECTURE<br />
The Spiritual Task <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Anthroposophical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> & <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science<br />
From <strong>the</strong> beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> his public work as a spiritual teacher <strong>in</strong> 1902, Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er sought to “build upon <strong>the</strong> power that makes<br />
it possible for me to br<strong>in</strong>g spiritual students onto <strong>the</strong> path <strong>of</strong> development.” As he wrote,“Without a body <strong>of</strong> true Theosophists to<br />
improve <strong>the</strong> karma <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present by hard-work<strong>in</strong>g meditation, <strong>the</strong>osophical teach<strong>in</strong>gs would be expounded merely to half-deaf ears.”<br />
Thus, work<strong>in</strong>g at first through <strong>the</strong> Esoteric School, and <strong>the</strong>n through <strong>the</strong> Cognitive Ritual Section, he sought to make <strong>the</strong> reality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
spiritual world a liv<strong>in</strong>g experience for his students through meditation and ritual work. Interrupted by World War I and fac<strong>in</strong>g radically<br />
changed conditions, he came to understand, through his ever-evolv<strong>in</strong>g relationship with <strong>the</strong> Christ, Christian Rosenkreutz, and <strong>the</strong><br />
Archangel Michael, <strong>the</strong> need for a new form, both for <strong>the</strong> Mystery Center that was <strong>the</strong> Goe<strong>the</strong>anum as a center for <strong>the</strong> newly formed<br />
<strong>Anthroposophical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> for spiritual research and for <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science, which would be its <strong>heart</strong>.<br />
Today, <strong>the</strong>re is still much confusion as to Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er’s <strong>in</strong>tentions both for <strong>the</strong> Goe<strong>the</strong>anum itself and for <strong>the</strong> way <strong>in</strong> which he<br />
set up <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong> with <strong>the</strong> Executive Council, <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science, and <strong>the</strong> Sections. In this lecture, Peter Selg will<br />
explore through biographical and documentary evidence how Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er understood <strong>the</strong> mission — “<strong>the</strong> Spiritual Task”— <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Anthroposophical</strong> <strong>Society</strong>, as well as <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science and <strong>the</strong> Sections, and relate this to <strong>the</strong> central role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
First Class.<br />
10:00 – 10:45 AM BREAK<br />
10:45-11:15 AM DISCUSSION<br />
11:15-11:30 AM BREAK<br />
11:30 AM<br />
EURYTHMY with Christ<strong>in</strong>e Pierce and Rachel Ross / SPEECH with John McManus<br />
12:30 PM LUNCH<br />
Saturday Afternoon, August 25<br />
2:30 PM LECTURE<br />
Ita Wegman’s Social Impulse for Anthroposophy<br />
“I do not want to <strong>in</strong>terfere <strong>in</strong> any way with anyone’s freedom ....”<br />
“That is my only strength: when I can give someth<strong>in</strong>g, when I can make a connection with <strong>in</strong>dividual human be<strong>in</strong>gs….” (Ita Wegman)<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> last years <strong>of</strong> Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er’s life, Ita Wegman was his closest student, coworker, and collaborator. A doctor, dedicated to<br />
<strong>the</strong> sacred art <strong>of</strong> heal<strong>in</strong>g, Ita Wegman founded <strong>the</strong> first anthroposophical cl<strong>in</strong>ic, <strong>in</strong>itiated anthroposophical Curative Education, led<br />
<strong>the</strong> Medical Section, co-authored a book with Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er, and helped him <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> unfold<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> First Class. Her reward for this<br />
dedication and devoted service was an extremely difficult life, which she bore with great courage, sacrifice, and heal<strong>in</strong>g love. Michaela<br />
Glöckler writes <strong>of</strong> Wegman: “She is a role model for those who seek to develop heal<strong>in</strong>g powers for <strong>in</strong>dividuals and social groups,<br />
especially where <strong>the</strong>y are confronted with lack <strong>of</strong> understand<strong>in</strong>g, defamation, rejection, and even open hostility. When young people, <strong>in</strong><br />
particular, ask for moral values that have been lived and not just thought out and preached, a spiritual encounter with Ita Wegman can<br />
call forth powers and streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> will, where o<strong>the</strong>rwise resignation and lack <strong>of</strong> understand<strong>in</strong>g would become too paralyz<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
face <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> hardship human be<strong>in</strong>gs have to endure. She always looked to <strong>the</strong> future, full <strong>of</strong> expectation and hope, to <strong>the</strong> great tasks<br />
and developments that await humank<strong>in</strong>d. At <strong>the</strong> same time she clearly perceived <strong>the</strong> clefts that opened <strong>in</strong> and between human be<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
The manifold dangers and potential demonic distortions <strong>of</strong> human nature did not make her fl<strong>in</strong>ch, but encouraged her to call on <strong>the</strong><br />
powers <strong>of</strong> heal<strong>in</strong>g and transformation <strong>in</strong>herent <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> human be<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />
Peter Selg will focus on Ita Wegman’s understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “social impulse <strong>of</strong> Anthroposophy” and how she embodied it <strong>in</strong> her work<br />
<strong>in</strong> Curative Education, as well as with <strong>the</strong> physician members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Medical Section, her patients, and fellow Anthroposophists.<br />
4:00-4:15 PM BREAK<br />
4:15-5:00 PM DISCUSSION<br />
5:00-7:00 PM DINNER BREAK (on one’s own)<br />
Saturday Even<strong>in</strong>g, August 25<br />
7:15 PM LECTURE<br />
Ita Wegman’s Task <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science<br />
“I am for go<strong>in</strong>g ahead”<br />
Much confusion still surrounds <strong>the</strong> mean<strong>in</strong>g and task <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> School for Spiritual Science established by<br />
Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er <strong>in</strong> 1924, follow<strong>in</strong>g conversations with Ita Wegman, as a “Hochschule” (a College or<br />
University) for teach<strong>in</strong>g and research<strong>in</strong>g Spiritual Science. Ste<strong>in</strong>er organized <strong>the</strong> School <strong>in</strong>to<br />
“sections” or discipl<strong>in</strong>es—medic<strong>in</strong>e, pedagogy, social sciences, humanities, musical arts, ma<strong>the</strong>matics and astronomy, and<br />
so on—and was <strong>the</strong> first director, work<strong>in</strong>g through <strong>the</strong> various section leaders, but he named no successor. To Ita Wegman,<br />
Ste<strong>in</strong>er gave <strong>the</strong> “management” <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> First Class, and he appo<strong>in</strong>ted her to led <strong>the</strong> Medical Section. However, because <strong>of</strong> her<br />
unique relationship with Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er, her own esoteric authority—confirmed by Rudolf Ste<strong>in</strong>er—and her own character,<br />
Ita Wegman experienced great difficulties and met with much opposition <strong>in</strong> seek<strong>in</strong>g to fulfill <strong>the</strong>se tasks. In this lecture, Peter<br />
Selg will tell <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> Ita Wegman’s mission and task <strong>in</strong> relation to <strong>the</strong> First Class and discuss <strong>the</strong>ir implications for today.<br />
8:30-8:45 PM BREAK<br />
8:45-9:30 PM DISCUSSION<br />
9:30 PM END OF SEMINAR<br />
Sunday Morn<strong>in</strong>g, August 26<br />
Session is for First Class Members ONLY who have attended <strong>the</strong> whole Sem<strong>in</strong>ar (Blue Cards required)<br />
8:30 AM CLASS LESSON<br />
10:00 AM BREAK<br />
10:30 AM DISCUSSION On <strong>the</strong> Themes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sem<strong>in</strong>ar with Peter Selg<br />
12 NOON CLASS ENDS