Riddle of America, The - Waldorf Research Institute

disturbed or destroyed.” One can introduce Faust through the understandingof the human blood and the function of the human immune system.I have, so far, mentioned the Ahrimanic attacks through alcohol,drugs, computers, and television. To Steiner, the Ahrimanic motif is “themotif of bewitchment, of being under a spell.” 10 It is our task to keep thechildren healthy and strong, so that their spiritual “immune” system canovercome the detrimental effects of these substances.How Should the Educator BeAs educators, we are often tempted to become moralists. In 1923 inDen Haag, Steiner warned teachers not to introduce “moral commandmentsin the form of ‘Thou shalt’ and ‘Thou shalt not’” to young children. Whynot? In the previous year at Oxford, Steiner answered this question. Anabstract idea as pre-digested thought is like waste material. We usually getrid of such waste material during the sleep. If this waste material is fed toomuch to others, it stimulates antipathy within the psyche. This becomes abig problem if this is done to young children through moral education. Themore one tries to implant abstract moral ideas (waste material) and rules,the more antipathy is created in a young child. Consequently such a childbecomes antipathetic to such abstract moral ideas. This child may becomerebellious. However, this child is only rebelling against the waste material;therefore, we as educators must know how to deal with such a child. Also,we must be careful not to introduce such abstract ideas to a young child.In 1955 Dr. Karl Konig gave the report of the Camphill Rudolf SteinerSchools about the education of the adolescents with learning or behavioraldifficulties.There is nothing greater, perhaps, but of greater importance to adolescentsis their teacher’s faith and self-control. Many of these boys andgirls are very observant of their surroundings: they know whether anadult is speaking the truth or not; whether or not he believes in whathe is saying; whether he is better able to control his emotions thanhis pupils. This is the main issue for the adolescent with behavioraldifficulties in the fight between good and evil. Is the teacher willingto devote himself totally? not ninety percent, nor ninety-eightpercent. If a teacher can do this without any trace of self-pity whilemaintaining his full self-respect, then the adolescent will respond.His disappointment will gradually be dissolved, and he will start tobelieve in the honesty of other people.295