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Our Life as a Journey January 2015
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
For the first time, our seedling seminar was held in Randburg from 15th-18th January 2015 with all in all eight young people. The Theme for this first seminar in 2015 was Our Life as a Journey -- is there a map for it? The focus was on transition points and what happens there, and how thresholds in life offer opportunities to grow and expand in consciousness. While as a child this seems to happen 'by itself', we realise that as adults maturing only happens if we participate and in fact, take charge of our further development.
Karin von Schilling and David Wertheim Aymes thankfully made time to come and share their knowledge and experience of living life from the source of Anthroposophy, both personally and professionally. Karin in particular let Rudolf Steiner come alive as a seeking, striving human being who also had to wrestle with himself and find his way through hard inner work.
The next seminar will be in Cape Town from 1st - 3rd May, interwoven with the Wellspring Uncapped - Receiving Light from the Future conference, but also with certain activities independent of it. The guiding theme will be: Forming Community and Standing as an Individual - what is preventing us from moving forward?
The next seminar will consider the theme: Commitment and Purpose in Life, Finding Direction.
For the first time, our seedling seminar was held in Randburg from 15th-18th January 2015 with all in all eight young people. The Theme for this first seminar in 2015 was Our Life as a Journey -- is there a map for it? The focus was on transition points and what happens there, and how thresholds in life offer opportunities to grow and expand in consciousness. While as a child this seems to happen 'by itself', we realise that as adults maturing only happens if we participate and in fact, take charge of our further development.
Karin von Schilling and David Wertheim Aymes thankfully made time to come and share their knowledge and experience of living life from the source of Anthroposophy, both personally and professionally. Karin in particular let Rudolf Steiner come alive as a seeking, striving human being who also had to wrestle with himself and find his way through hard inner work.
The next seminar will be in Cape Town from 1st - 3rd May, interwoven with the Wellspring Uncapped - Receiving Light from the Future conference, but also with certain activities independent of it. The guiding theme will be: Forming Community and Standing as an Individual - what is preventing us from moving forward?
The next seminar will consider the theme: Commitment and Purpose in Life, Finding Direction.
by Elisa Kirigin
The theme for this Africa Seminary was the journey of our life, and the willfulness to direct it with a focus in mind. Facilitated by Reingard, we began by reflecting on and creatively depicting the major thresholds in our lives up until the present moment, so as to explore our journey so far. The course of the life of a human being is made up of thresholds-events of preparation which are followed by moments of new awakenings. Up until a certain point, these thresholds have been influenced by and developed by guides, but at this stage we come to realise that we need to do the work to cross the present threshold to progress on our life journey. The question then arises: “do I want to work?” Through this we understand that inner work is challenging in that a spiritual journey has to be continuously and actively worked upon. The Act of Consecration of Man is an example of the progression of such a path.
The group was led into the main concept of thinking and the understanding of the “I” as the spiritual self. We also explored how feeling (soul) and willing (physical) form the innate foundations of man and how these aspects complement each other. Every physical manifestation, for example, is the result of ideas and thinking which are spiritual. Through Karen von Schilling’s sharing, our group was privileged to gain a deeper insight into the life and work of Rudolf Steiner, an initiate who overcame the struggle to bridge the gap between the spiritual world, which we access through thinking, and the material world, which we access through our senses. Through his various applications of Anthroposophy we learn that these principles are not merely abstract nor hidden ideas but heal both the inner and the outer selves. This idea was further reinforced by David Wertheim-Aymes’ discussion on how Steiner’s values have successfully developed his business, by altering the focus from material capitalistic gain to a directed attention on the proper completion of procedures. For these processes to occur, a fluctuating shift in inward and outer perception is required.
Over the four days, the discussions were accompanied by practical, calming and very enjoyable activities, such as wet on wet painting, crayon drawing, a representation of our life’s map and mirror writing exercises. These helped us to understand,and have a general feeling towards, the topics we covered.
Although I presently do not feel that I am fully ready to engage in such inner work, overall this was a beneficial experience, which I hope will serve in the future.
The theme for this Africa Seminary was the journey of our life, and the willfulness to direct it with a focus in mind. Facilitated by Reingard, we began by reflecting on and creatively depicting the major thresholds in our lives up until the present moment, so as to explore our journey so far. The course of the life of a human being is made up of thresholds-events of preparation which are followed by moments of new awakenings. Up until a certain point, these thresholds have been influenced by and developed by guides, but at this stage we come to realise that we need to do the work to cross the present threshold to progress on our life journey. The question then arises: “do I want to work?” Through this we understand that inner work is challenging in that a spiritual journey has to be continuously and actively worked upon. The Act of Consecration of Man is an example of the progression of such a path.
The group was led into the main concept of thinking and the understanding of the “I” as the spiritual self. We also explored how feeling (soul) and willing (physical) form the innate foundations of man and how these aspects complement each other. Every physical manifestation, for example, is the result of ideas and thinking which are spiritual. Through Karen von Schilling’s sharing, our group was privileged to gain a deeper insight into the life and work of Rudolf Steiner, an initiate who overcame the struggle to bridge the gap between the spiritual world, which we access through thinking, and the material world, which we access through our senses. Through his various applications of Anthroposophy we learn that these principles are not merely abstract nor hidden ideas but heal both the inner and the outer selves. This idea was further reinforced by David Wertheim-Aymes’ discussion on how Steiner’s values have successfully developed his business, by altering the focus from material capitalistic gain to a directed attention on the proper completion of procedures. For these processes to occur, a fluctuating shift in inward and outer perception is required.
Over the four days, the discussions were accompanied by practical, calming and very enjoyable activities, such as wet on wet painting, crayon drawing, a representation of our life’s map and mirror writing exercises. These helped us to understand,and have a general feeling towards, the topics we covered.
Although I presently do not feel that I am fully ready to engage in such inner work, overall this was a beneficial experience, which I hope will serve in the future.
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