“When a multi-sensory personality looks inside itself, it finds a multitude of different currents. It learns to distinguish between these currents and to identify the emotional, psychological, and physical effects of each. It learns which currents produce love, healing thoughts, and constructive actions.” --Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul Studying Steiner during Waldorf teacher training was very much a process that, up to this day, even after training was complete, and after teaching in a classroom, remains pretty mysterious. I rather like that about Waldorf. If Steiner's teachings were stated and static, then it would be awfully stale! The nature of his work is dynamic and delightfully alive, meaning, Steiner wants us to receive his work the way artists and authors receive the perceived world - self expression through inspiration. A caveat to this is that, through the process of using our imagination, inspiration, and intuition, leading to innovation - each individual, even though expressing the SELF, discovers that we are pulling from a shared truth. This idea of a shared truth could perhaps be evidenced by the human being's experience of the world through the availability of the TWELVE SENSES. According to Steiner in Study of Man, we are aware of only a few senses in "ordinary science" because those senses like hearing, seeing, smelling are obvious, but the others that complete the twelve are "less conspicuous". I created the mandala of the twelve senses above to help me organize them. Steiner categorizes them in thinking, feeling, and willing. As sensory mechanisms, I grouped them as COMMUNICATION (thinking), COMFORT (feeling), and COORDINATION (willing). It makes sense to me. To the organizing into the three bodies, Steiner says: "Neither pure thinking-cognition, nor pure feeling, nor pure willing is ever present alone: the three always work together, weave together into a unity. And this is true of the whole human being even in the physical body." Chapter 8 of Study of Man offers a good description of the twelve senses that is digestible. I will briefly say that "other's ego" is like an awareness of another person (I am considering the using empathy) and "homeostasis" is what I call Steiner's "sense of life". Your own research may give you a different picture, so I won't expand on the twelve senses here - you are your own artist and author. On this day, we have to consider ourselves fortunate to receive a rose, or a treat, or a hug, a smile, a kind word, phone call, text, a hand to hold your hand, a shoulder to lean on; to have someone make breakfast for you this morning, someone to put away your laundry, someone to draw you a picture; to have a person who catches you when you fall, a person who cheers you on, a person who cares for you. On this day, we have to consider ourselves fortunate to give a rose, or a treat, or a hug, a smile, a kind word, phone call, text, be the hand to hold another's hand, be the shoulder to lean on; to make breakfast for someone this morning, to put away someone's laundry, to draw someone a picture; to catch someone when they fall, to cheer for someone, to care for someone. Receiving and giving. We have to consider ourselves fortunate to love and be loved. Pictographs, cave drawings, hierolyphs, logos, brands, avatars, icons, and symbols. These communicate concepts that we have attached some kind of meaning to. I designed these three mandalas to represent the three-fold human being, first as an individual, then in a partnership, and third, as a community. First, the one above is the individual, diagrammed as three CIRCLES. Take a bird's eye view. The smallest circle is the HEAD. The second circle is the HEART (think chest). The largest circle represents the HANDS (think arms outstretched as if in an embrace). In Waldorf-speak, they are also referenced as THINKING, FEELING, and DOING. This second mandala below represents the CONNECTION between partners in a loving relationship. This mandala shows that in partnership, intellect and thoughts (the THINKING) remain the individual's own and are nurtured by the other, love (the FEELING) is exchanged, and the tasks of love (the DOING) are equally shared. This third mandala below represents COMMUNITY. Here, thoughts and ideas (the THINKING) are balanced, and empathy and compassion (the FEELING) fuel the collaborative tasks of community (the DOING). This shows that individuals make their own contributions in THINKING, FEELING, and DOING toward common goals. "Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow." - William Pollard (1911-1989), priest and physicist We live in an exciting time where we have an opportunity to spark a modern Renaissance. In many fields - education, engineering, philosophy, medicine, religion, politics to name a few, we want to effect change that improves and enhances our global community. We are poised for cultural renewal, one that is dynamic yet sustainable, and we need the tools to achieve it. Here is one viable formula: imagination + inspiration + intuition = INNOVATION. From a series of lectures delivered in Basel, Switzerland, in 1909, Rudolf Steiner connected imagination, inspiration, and intuition as a form of spiritual scaffolding. Imagination is the capacity for super-sensible cognition of the physical world as imbued with a living essence. Inspiration is the next level up that directs imagination towards a path or goal. Intuition is the highest form of cognition whereby the individual is the living essence. Translated and transcribed from Dr. Steiner's lecture, about intuition: "...there shall be in the human being that quality of universal love which causes him to make no distinction between himself and the other beings in his spiritual environment, but to pour forth his very self into the environment; thus he no longer remains outside but lives within the beings with whom he has spiritual communion." Dr. Steiner was cutting edge in his thinking, and in modern parlance, an innovator. What is innovation? It is derived from Latin innovare - to renew or make anew. It describes a transformative process that is meant to be a shared, communal experience. When Dr. Steiner spoke of imagination, inspiration, and intuition, he invited each of us to first look inward. Then, gradually, we develop a proficiency for converting individual thoughts (imagination) towards a directed path (inspiration) and finally, becoming one with the universal thought (intuition). The next step would be to transform enlightened thinking into empathetic doing. This is where innovation comes in. The spiritual world of the inspired, intuitive imagination leads to the practical world of innovation - of renewal and renaissance. This equation gives substance to the spirit, the tangible to the tantalizing, the work to the wonder. From J.K. Rowling, author: "Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared." Her Harry Potter books have certainly sparked renewal (in literary interest for the youngsters), and a renaissance in the wonder of wizarding magic! Innovation can be a scary prospect for some; people need time to cozy up to change. In some arenas, unfortunately, change from "the way things are done" is frowned upon. Perhaps, historically, change does not automatically mean improvement in the status quo. However, as a tool for the 21st century, equating intuition with innovation creates the formula for spirit-filled, purpose-driven transformation, and hence change that comes from a place of universally responsible intention. Neil de Grasse Tyson, the successor of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, puts it this way: "Once you have an innovation culture, even those who are not scientists or engineers - poets, actors, journalists - they, as communities, embrace the meaning of what it is to be scientifically literate. They embrace the concept of an innovation culture. They vote in ways that promote it." We are slowly recognizing the need for positive renewal. Dennis Klocek, Director of Consciousness Studies at Rudolf Steiner College, is a keynote speaker at an upcoming conference for Waldorf teachers. His lecture "Reigniting the Flame: Imagination, Inspiration, and Intuition" will bring Steiner's ideas to light for Waldorf educators. Combined with other presenters at the conference, such as Betty Staley, who encourages educators to "re-imagine the Waldorf curriculum", the message of innovation will be an important element to consider in the future of Waldorf, and education in general. In a comprehensive study conducted by the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education about Alice Birney, a Public Waldorf Charter School in the Sacramento City Unified School District, the program and faculty are applauded for their forward strides in education: "By serving as sites for innovation, district schools can learn much from their example about broader ways to conceptualize school and student development." Upload Growing a Waldorf-Inspired Approach to a Public School District here. In our work as a dynamic global community, in making decisions that affect all of us, our children, our resources, we need a purposeful, spirit-driven path of creativity and compassion. We are constantly learning, and if William Pollard is right in his thinking, we can't rely on what we knew yesterday to deal with tomorrow. Each present moment must therefore be an innovation, which is the sum of our imagination, inspiration, and intuition. Public Waldorf is building a momentum towards education renewal and it starts with a spark of light that is in each of us. In 2015, an agreement between AWSNA (the Association for Waldorf Schools of North America) and the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education was made that forged the way to "strengthen Waldorf Education and ensure its availability and accessibility to the next generation." The service mark of "Public Waldorf" was granted to the Alliance. It is like a heraldic flag waving proudly and freely. With over 45 charter schools in membership thus far, the banner is a call to action. The momentum of this movement was evident in the massive attendance at the Alliance Conference, co-hosted by Rudolf Steiner College. It was wall-to-wall people in Stegmann Hall as key-note speaker Jack Petrash, Waldorf educator and founder of the Nova Institute, relayed moving stories that brought education to light. His messages were a crystal clear distillation of what everyone in the room suspected in their hearts: we need to enliven our children's education. The attendees were treated to in-depth, soul-searching, skill-building workshops and discussions that pointed in this direction. Alliance Conference facilitators included Bente Goldstein, Alice Stamm, Eva Cranstoun, Edmund Knighton, Jamie York, and Liz Beaven, along with Alliance leaders Victoria Temple and Marianne Kennedy. The Public Waldorf banner beckoned people from both Waldorf and public kingdoms! "Light in our thinking" meant art, symphonic thinking, and connectedness, according to Jack Petrash. Art encompasses the wonder and beauty of the fine arts, handwork, drama, and story-telling, which gives meaningfulness to learning. Symphonic thinking describes the inter-disciplinary and interwoven approach to learning. Connectedness means we together account for all educational systems, cultural, historical and social impulses to strive for wholeness of learning. Syrendell was happy to partake in the synergy of the Conference. Participants learned needle-felting and wet-on-wet watercolor painting techniques. But what seemed more important was the collective feeling that we were in it together, striving to discover our own capacities, pushing ourselves out of comfort zones to grow, finding inspiration to enliven education, and learning that we all hold the spark of light. Syrendell Summer Camp offers children a hands-on experience of nature's arts and crafts, music, and cooking that promotes creativity, gratitude, and graciousness. Syrendell Summer Camp has blossomed into a summer enrichment program that offers a high-quality, hands-on, holistic experience for children. The students receive guidance and instruction with handwork and woodwork projects, partake in the preparation of healthy snacks and lunches, and participate in music, movement, play, and art. A well-balanced and harmonious summer camp such as this could only be inspired by nature. It may have had its roots in the home school setting the Tan family created in lovely Fair Oaks, CA. Walking distance from Rudolf Steiner College and bike trails along the banks of the American River, a shingled two-story house stood among oak and fig trees, a biodynamic garden, and a creek. The Tans were fortunate to meet the owner Vicki Boyd, a Waldorf teacher and gardener. At the time, Rick and Jennifer, with Ricky, Joey, and Wilson (before Linden was born), were in search of a home. Vicki was renting the adjoining space in what was a duplex-style house, and the Tans quickly became her tenants! It was a sanctuary for the Tans - and the most amazing space for homeschool. A large set of glass double doors opened up from the dining room onto a small raised porch that looked out onto the garden and the trees. Homeschool often happened outside in the garden, in the gravel patio, on the lawn. There was an abundance of vegetables that the Tans harvested with Vicki - a kindred spirit. On the ground were fallen branches, pine cones, acorns, and ivy that provided the decor. Wool crafting happened under dappled shade. Wood working progressed in sunny spots. Watercolor painting was set up on a table in the patio without worry of occasional misplaced drops of paint. Guitars and singing were enjoyed on the porch. Playtime and imagination knew no limits. Academics, arts and crafts, and nature - harmoniously combined! It was a joyful homeschool experience for the Tan children. It was the kind of synergy in learning and teaching that Rick and Jennifer loved. Syrendell Summer Camp developed from these feelings and experiences. The program would foster an appreciation for nature's bounty, respect for each other, and the healthy development of our selves and our relationships with the world around us. It has been a few years since living in Fair Oaks, but we are grateful for the blessings of family, of having met our friend Vicki Boyd, and of our learning together. With this, in anticipation of the children and families who will join us at Syrendell Summer Camp, we look forward to an amazing, harmonious, nature-inspired summer camp in 2016! Click here for more information and to access our camp brochure. Click here to register! We built a tiny sandbox for play when Wilson was younger. The kids enjoyed building the sandbox together. Here in this post, it served as a lesson in discovering beauty in simplicity. Re-post from September 27, 2009: With three rocks from our collection of geological treasures and a piece of wood I cut teeth into, Joey discovered the art of the Zen garden in our own little sandbox! Traditional Japanese meditation gardens capture the essence of nature through minimalist use of the elements - stones, raked gravel, and a few carefully chosen plants. Joey placed the three rocks with a great eye for design! Upon completing the raking, Joey commented that it needed more. I said to her, "These days, we live in a world where we always seem to want more, but really what we need to do is learn to live with less." I introduced her to the thinking behind the Zen garden - simplicity and serenity. The minimalist approach encourages one to find the most beauty in an object, in the experience. The form and color of the earth elements, their arrangement, their relationship to each other, their connection to our own life experiences - from these are derived the beauty of nature. We learn to appreciate the smallest yet most meaningful moments of our everyday life. "You ask me why I dwell in the green mountain; I smile and make no reply for my heart is free of care. As the peach blossom which flows downstream and is gone into the unknown, I have a world apart that is not among men." -- Li Po To herald the Alliance Conference at Rudolf Steiner College, Syrendell is re-posting our fav posts from The Waldorf Way. This one was written after completing a summer of Waldorf teacher training. Re-post from August 8, 2010: With a five-week summer training program at Rudolf Steiner College completed, I am taking this Sunday morning to breathe, to fill a request for over easy eggs from my youngest son, and well, of course, to blog! I began my teacher training last year, and this summer was the second in a four-year summer program; my cup is half full. Oddly, it feels both too much and not enough. Steiner's work in anthroposophy and Waldorf education is monumental. His philosophical ideas and ideals are imbued with science and spirituality that reach out to the cosmos. His advice and teachings have an interdisciplinary range that is vast. His work is informed by multicultural forces of past, present, and future. In our training this summer, we are on our average day: giving quality to the consciousness soul, then telling a story about giants, fairies, and queens and how to present with reverence the pentatonic flute to a first grader, then doing a tinikling dance with bamboo, then singing in three part harmony in Hebrew, then doing free-hand geometry, then trying to delineate the four temperaments, then proving the Pythagorean theorem, then reciting Shakespearean sonnets, and finally, in a refreshing and joyful out of character experience with Antje Staub, ending the day with a rap song about antipathy and sympathy! And this is why processing is so important. The students of the program, teachers in training, have received a generous heap of metaphorical salad greens to digest, beautifully prepared and presented by our caring instructors. We ate up our plates, wishing for more time to enjoy it. But aside from the lingering flavors on our taste buds, all the goodness of the meal is inside us. We must now allow ourselves to process, to metabolize, to let the nutritive forces of the training to find their way into our muscles and nerves. In so doing, in entering into the digestive phase, we can hear the quiet murmuring of our bodies, and if you really listen, there is one truth, one maxim, one directive: KNOW ONESELF. In ancient Greek, this aphorism was inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. It has been the slogan of the enlightened for over 4000 years, most likely even further back when early humans, without speech or the written word, just knew. Floating in the ether between too much and not enough, it is best to land on the ground of the SELF. One classmate, Hillary, in a moment of clarity we all shared, said, "I am enough." But the feeling of not being prepared, which we also all shared, especially for those of us about to dive into teaching this Fall, makes one doubt oneself. It is not easy to hold back the tides of insecurity, which can rise and engulf the ground of the self. It is not enough to be barely holding one's head above the water. So how do we have the feeling of being enough? One must find calmness in simply being. To just be. To be in the realm of ONENESS, the core of the SELF. Connecting with the inner self, and being at peace with what is there will give us the freedom to be fully present and fully in the moment. Whether you are a teacher in a Waldorf classroom, a homeschooling parent, or are in a quest for inner enlightenment, it all begins with the self. It all begins now. Sipping coffee, listening to music, driving, cleaning the house - no matter how mundane, if it's centering, then you're meditating! Please enjoy this re-post from The Waldorf Way blog. Re-post from November 29, 2009:
I was recently asked about what I do to meditate. I picture a moment of stillness, sitting perhaps in quietness and solitude, whereby I consciously look inward to tap into some peaceful place to bring clarity to my thoughts or to seek answers. However, perhaps like most people, rarely do I have time in my family life and work life to have the luxury to create the formal atmosphere for meditation. While I do occasionally make the effort to create a meditative moment, I realized that upon further reflection, meditative moments happen in the everyday activities of my life. What is the purpose of meditation? For me, it is to create harmony of spirit. By this, I mean, it could be the need to center oneself, to seek clarity, to open oneself up to a revelation, to deepen one's spirituality, or to tap into one's joyfulness and creativity. It dawned on me that aside from those times when I actually sit in a meditative manner, I create harmony of spirit - meditation - when I engage my emotional and will forces in an activity that is inherently peaceful, reflective, and rhythmic. Some of these meditative moments are: 1. When I watch our rabbit eat after I have given her some fresh vegetables, and she seems content as the sun bathes her in morning light. 2. When I slowly walk the garbage cans to the curb, and the sound of its wheels roll hollowly and deeply, and crunch leaves on the driveway. 3. When I sip a cup of coffee as I breathe in the cool morning dew. 4. When I write a verse from scratch, with pen in hand and paper on my lap, and I reach within for words that fit what I am feeling and express what I want to say. 5. When I play the harp and improvise the melodies. 6. When I sand a wooden snail or streamer wand and think about where it'll go and who'll play with it. 7. When I listen to my daughter play guitar. 8. When I hear the spinning wheel that my wife is using to spin some yarn. 9. When I look closely at leaves and branches and see that there is something so beautiful in the patterns of shapes, colors, and textures. 10. When I drive long distances. 11. When I wake up in the morning from a tent, unzip the door flap, and step out into the wooded setting to bear witness to the majesty of our world. 12. When I clean the house and everything is in order, each thing respectfully sitting in its rightful place. 13. When the kids are in bed and the house is breathing, relaxing, re-energizing. In each moment, it is a connection with the stillness of the world around us. Author's Note, January 9, 2016: Please feel free to share your meditation practices - formal and informal - with Syrendell! It might end up in a blog post down the road. To herald the upcoming Alliance Conference at Rudolf Steiner College next weekend, Syrendell is re-posting favorite RSC-inspired blog posts from The Waldorf Way. This one was from July 4, 2009. Our eurythmist instructor Ruth Bucklin gave us this poem "The Spirit Likes to Dress Up" by Mary Oliver from which she taught us the eurythmy movements that expressed its essence: The spirit likes to dress up like this: ten fingers ten toes shoulders, and all the rest at night in the black branches in the morning in the blue branches of the world. It could float of course but would rather plumb rough matter. Airy and shapeless thing it needs the metaphor of the body lime and appetite the oceanic fluids it needs the body's world instinct and imagination and the dark hug of time sweetness and tangibility to be understood to be more than pure light that burns where no one is so it enters us in the morning shines from brute comfort like a stitch of lightning and at night lights up the deep and wondrous drowning of the body like a star. Ruth had first met our class of Year One students on Monday of this week. There were thirteen of us in the spacious hall with wood floors and high clerestory windows. A Yamaha baby grand sat quietly in the corner. We waited just a bit, fiddling with our eurythmy shoes (mine are black and I referred to them as ninja shoes). Then Ruth burst into the room with copper rods, breaking the silence. With a swift fluid motion she placed the rods in a corner, said she needed to retrieve more items in her car, and just seconds later, as if she had never left, returned with a Longaberger basket with wooden balls nestled inside. Speaking in a hushed tone, she introduced herself, and making eye contact with each of us, asked us our names: Vittoria, Ashley, Lauren, Raymond, Elizabeth, Jo, Susan, Julie, Leslie, Rebecca, Erica, Rick, and Chelsey. She reflected on each name just for a moment and repeated each of our names again. From then on, even in the middle of explaining a complex movement, as she drifted in and out from her spirit zone to ours, she directed us, she called us, never not knowing who we were, as if she knew us like friends from childhood, or from a life previous. Ruth Bucklin currently teaches at Camellia Waldorf School, Sacramento, CA. Visit her faculty page here. |
Archives
June 2023
|