Seelenpflege 2016-3-4 Spezial

Beiträge | Contributions
more. Forming groups and communities is important
for mutual support and the balancing out of weaknesses
and strengths.
Brazil’s task
Like any other country, Brazil has its own folk soul,
which is often described by referring to qualities such
as tolerance, multiculturalism and a joy of life. But
there are also darker sides – the folk karma, as it were.
To put it briefly one could say this still has to do with
coming to terms with the past: with slavery and the
murder of the native Indians. On the other hand there
is the promising potential of the mix of multiple ethnicities
and cultures and the ensuing openness to spirituality
in its diverse manifestations. According to the
anthroposophic physician Dr Wesely Aragão Moraes
‹the way diversity can intermingle and create harmony›
is the greatest gift Brazil has to offer to the world.
(W. A. de Moraes 2014)
The chances of renewal through anthroposophy
This difficult historic heritage makes itself felt, most
pronouncedly in the favelas and the rural areas: poverty,
discrimination and exclusion are the key factors.
They affect each individual life: talents that cannot unfold,
the high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition,
people fleeing from the politically neglected
rural areas to the crowded cities, the ensuing deracination
etc. What is the task of anthroposophy here? From
my experience I can say that all this misery and suffering
also holds out opportunities: deracination makes it
possible for something new to grow within the Brazilian
culture – a culture that has evolved over five centuries
from Indian, African, European and, most recently,
also oriental influences. But we need to support this
development.
Anthroposophy can support this process of new creation
and it can make sure that the natural creativity
and openness do not lead to too much superficiality.
Anthroposophy can make people aware that the ever
increasing use of TV and media can be counteracted
with creativity and that a balance can be provided to
the overpowering western influences:
Eurythmy performances in public schools, anthroposophically
extended medicine in the public healthcare
system, curative education in day-clinics, Waldorf
education and curative education for favela children,
teacher training for the educators at public day-care
centres, organic food in mainstream schools, study
groups on life questions for people with limited education,
and much more. A wonderful beginning has already
been made!
I would like to end with an image from a legend of the
Guarani people: the image of the four races that have
emerged in the course of world creation and that will,
according to prophesy, become the fifth people:
‹You are all seeds from the same trees, which are rooted
in the same soil and nurtured by the same breath
and the same heavenly light. You have not met in
order to fight, but so you can love each other, so you
can share your experiences, your lives’ paths and your
wisdom. And once you have shared the wisdom of the
red, yellow, black and white seeds, a new people can be
born: the golden people. The golden people will arise
from the union of the four kinds of seed. Let us plant
this dream into the earth so that it may blossom.› (Cf.
www.pindorama.art.br)
Anthroposophy can do much for this dream to become
true.
Work in the favelas in Brazil.
Ute Craemer is the founder oft he worldrenowned
social work in The Monte Azul
favela in São Paolo and the founder oft
he Aliança pela Infanciã (Alliance for
Childhood), an international network for
improving the quality of life of children
and youth.
Translation from German: Margot Saar
Bibliography
W. A. de Moraes (2014): Alma Brasileira: Alma Sul Americana.
Antropogeografia oculta. Barany Novo Seculo, São Paulo.
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