|
|
Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > General
Rudolf Steiner's inspiring words provide rich and nourishing
thoughts and ideas for self-development and spiritual
enlightenment. Daily Contemplations offers a separate passage from
Steiner's lectures - a special gift upon which to reflect - to
accompany each day of the year. Carefully selected by Jean-Claude
Lin, the quotations are sourced from lectures and addresses that
Steiner gave on the specific day in question. Thus, the ordering is
not arbitrary but arises from the historical fact of the lectures
themselves. This unique volume gives us a new way of working with
Steiner's research on a daily basis. The short passages encourage
us to ponder and delve further in order to make our own creative
discoveries. 'Wisdom is the premise, the foundation of love; love
is the fruit of wisdom reborn in the I.' These words from Rudolf
Steiner are the founding motifs of his immense lecturing activity -
to which this book gives manifold entry points. As Lin notes in his
introduction, 'wisdom and love are the alpha and omega of the human
being who strives for truth and freedom'.
'This book describes an essential insight, namely that the core or
the individual "I" of those with a mental health issue or a
learning disability is always healthy.' --- This ground-breaking
study describes six constitution types or syndromes that occur in
children and adults with learning disabilities and behavioural
disorders such as autism, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD), as well as neurological conditions such as epilepsy. The
descriptions of these constitution pictures are the result of
complementary scientific research based on the insights of Rudolf
Steiner. In contemporary medicine, the source of behavioural
problems and learning disabilities is believed to derive from
genetic and environmental factors affecting the brain. The author
expands on this knowledge, asking the vital question of what
actually underlies these disorders at a deeper level. The answer
leads to better understanding, fresh perspectives and new
methodologies for therapeutic support. The author gives a
comprehensive description of each constitution, including symptoms,
causes, interpretations, treatments, approaches and therapy. These
aspects are described in accessible, practical and concrete
language with examples and illustrations, including analysis of
patients' colour drawings. In addition, attention is paid to
diagnostic methods and to the relationship of the six constitution
types with conventionally-defined syndromes. A number of training
exercises for educators and support workers provide further insight
into the constitution images described. Written by a
highly-experienced educator of children with special needs, this
book is intended for teachers and counsellors at all levels.
What is truly real? Rudolf Steiner sheds light on everyday reality
through spiritual knowledge, repeatedly urging us to bring
anthroposophy into daily human existence. We might consciously
experience the difference between consuming a potato as compared to
cereals such as rye, for example - or we could grasp ordinary
phenomena, such as sleepwalking, through an understanding of the
threefold human being. Likewise, we might strive to comprehend how
our head is the transformed organism of our previous life.
Throughout, Steiner emphasizes that we can achieve spirituality on
earth if only we make anthroposophy real. The twelve lectures here
were delivered during the portentous year of 1923, in the context
of increasing attacks from Steiner's opponents. His architectural
masterpiece, the first Goetheanum, had already been destroyed by
fire, but he was yet to refound the Anthroposophical Society at the
Christmas Conference. In these uncertain times, Steiner speaks of
the decline of European culture and the development of materialism
as a philosophy, leaving anthroposophy with no exoteric foundation
on which to build. But Rudolf Steiner strikes a positive note with
an exciting and constructive way forward, providing us with the
tools to see the world through three key perspectives of
anthroposophy: the physical, the soul and the spiritual dimensions
of reality. This previously-unpublished volume is translated by
Elizabeth Marshall and includes an introduction, notes and index.
'He [Harwood] is the sole Horatio known to me in this age of
Hamlets...' - C. S. Lewis, from Surprised by Joy --- Cecil Harwood
(1898-1975) - lecturer, Waldorf teacher, writer, editor and
anthroposophist - pioneered and developed the first Rudolf Steiner
(Waldorf) school in the United Kingdom (the New School in London,
now Michael Hall School in Sussex). He also led the
Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain for some 37 years. In
1922, at the age of 24, Harwood attended a festival of English folk
song and dance in Cornwall, alongside his life-long friend Owen
Barfield. It was here - and not in the academic citadel of Oxford
University, where they were both part of the literary circle known
as the Inklings - that Harwood and Barfield were to encounter the
work of Rudolf Steiner through meeting Daphne Olivier. Sun King's
Counsellor provides an intricate picture of the human connections,
cultural movements and spiritual background that contributed to
what came together in Cornwall in 1922, leading to Harwood's life's
work. Featuring a colour plate section and full index, it documents
Harwood's early years and antecedents, marriages to Daphne Olivier
and Margaret Lundgren, friendships with Barfield and C.S. Lewis,
his life-changing meeting with anthroposophy and Rudolf Steiner,
teaching and educational work, and Harwood's critical role in
healing divisions within the Anthroposophical Society. Based on
extensive research of primary sources, Blaxland-de Lange's
biography reveals the multi-faceted, flexible and sacrificial
nature of this unique personality. Alfred Cecil Harwood - he
preferred 'Cecil' instead of Alfred, with its meaning of 'wise
counsellor' - began his career with the hope of becoming a writer,
and had neither the intention nor ambition to become a teacher or
the head of a national organization. Yet he became both an
exemplary teacher and leader, as well as a celebrated author,
editor, translator and lecturer.
In the popular imagination, the Holy Grail - part of the legendary
romance of King Arthur - belongs to the realm of myth. The Knights
Templar also have a legendary, enigmatic aspect. Despite the
immense volume of historical research available, plausible
explanations to the 'mystery' at the core of their practices have
yet to be revealed. By studying these two themes side-by-side and
showing their inner relationship, Veltman reveals valuable new
perspectives. On the one hand he demonstrates that the 'poetic
imagination' of the Grail mystery has its origin in concrete
historical events; and on the other hand, that the true history of
the Knights Templar is, essentially, esoteric. Combining historical
research with insights gained from the work of Rudolf Steiner,
Veltman presents an impressive survey of the subject, beginning
with the pre-Christian Mysteries and ending with a vision of
Michaelic Christianity. He analyses the significance of the holy
city of Jerusalem, the Temple of Solomon, the Temple Legend, the
Grail Temple, the Rosicrucians, the Templars' gold, and the fraught
question of evil. In addition, he sketches the continuation or
metamorphosis of the Grail and Temple impulses into the future,
including the critical 'balancing' role of Europe between East and
West. To become effective, this important European task - which, he
says, is continually being thwarted - must be properly understood
within the realm of human consciousness.
|
|