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The Riddle of Destiny: A Study of the Biographies of Key Characters in Rudolf Steiner’s Mystery Dramas with Marke Levene at Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, New Hampshire (USA). Rudolf Steiner has given us remarkable inner guidance by which to explore the nature of our relationships in this lifetime and to gain a clearer understanding of how these relationships evolve over multiple lifetimes. The first artistic exploration of these ideas came during annual summer festivals in Munich, Germany between 1910 and 1913 in the form of plays arising from spiritual ideas, among them the work of Edouard Schure. Rudolf Steiner wrote four Mystery Dramas for these festivals: The Portal of Initiation, The Soul’s Probation, The Guardian of the Threshold, and The Soul’s Awakening. In later years he further elaborated on the themes depicted in these dramas through lectures on “Karmic Relationships.” In our workshop we will explore the mystery plays by looking at the biographies of some of the key characters. Our tools will be a combination of Speech Formation exercises, Eurythmy, and basic principles of theater. We will plan at the end of the conference to present some portions of scenes from the plays. Previous experience or skill in theater production will not be expected. We will work in a genuine community way to bring out aspects of what lives in these dramas. Marke Levene, orphaned at birth, was adopted by parents who worked in Hollywood; from age 5 to 19 he was a leading child and teenage character actor. Marke found anthroposophy in his early 20s, became a eurythmist, and created the company Portal Productions, which toured the mystery dramas in the 1980s and 1990s. The New World Symphony Eurythmy tour was his initiative. He founded the children's products company Enchantmints. He has been a member of the Council of Anthroposophical Organizations (CAO) for the past 12 years. More ...
Learn-Work-Share Youth Conference and Medical Service Project at Rudolf Steiner Health Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA). Learn about the basics of Anthroposophic medicine, nursing, therapies, nutrition, and biodynamics, work with low-income patients and share healthy nutrition and lifestyle approaches with pre-teen girls in an Anthroposophic setting. This is an ideal program for Waldorf juniors, seniors, and graduates who would like to know more about the Anthroposophic approach to health and medicine. The program begins Wednesday, June 25 at 1pm and ends June 28 or later depending on which programs you attend. Housing and meals are included in the program, which has no cost other than a $50 registration commitment. Apply online at www.steinerhealth.org/events/youthconference. For more information call 734-663-4365 or email learn-work-share@steinerhealth.org.
Grail Window. A stained glass window by Johannes Steuck Johannes Steuck was born in Stockholm on 8th.March 1956. At the age of 3 months the family moved to Hannover in Northern Germany where his father got work as a Waldorf teacher. Johannes spent his first six years in Hanover and attended the Waldorf kindergarten. The family then emigrated to Great Britain where his parents reaffirmed their strong links with the Camphill movement joining the community in Thornbury. He grew up in the community sharing some of his early schooling with special needs children. At 10 he joined Wynstones School becoming a weekly boarder at Easter Park Farm and Ruskin Mill with the Gordon family. Johannes left Wynstones at the end of class 12, going on to do the Arts Foundation Course in Cheltenham College of Art and was awarded an upper second. After college Johannes travelled extensively, visiting the cultural centers of Europe and the Middle East, hitchhiking across America and spending some months in India. His commissioned art work of this period 1980 to 1984 includes a series of book illustrations for Peter Patterson’s book Fal, the Grail Fountain at the Rowan Tree in Bristol and three large mosaics based on the life of King Arthur at the Sheiling Schools, Thornbury. Johannes moved back to the Cotswolds in 1984 and became a gardener at Cotswold Chine Home School. This work also included teaching gardening to groups of residents. At about this time Johannes was introduced to Mr.Edward Payne, a stained glass artist who lived in Box. Mr.Payne, then already 79, agreed to take him on as an informal “pupil”. Johannes attended weekly sessions over a period of about a year and assisted Mr.Payne in his last major commission, the windows in the chapel of Cirencester Hospital. In 1986 Johannes set up a stained glass and mosaic studio at Ruskin Mill. Commissioned art work of this period 1984 to 1992 includes an altar picture for Mourne Grange Community Chapel (Christian Community), an alcove mosaic and stone sculpture for Paradise House. Three stained glass windows for the chapel in Oaklands Camphill Community and a window for the Lindens Family Centre in Stroud. In the Spring of 1993, Johannes and his family moved to Paradise Community becoming house parents for young adults with learning difficulties. Johannes eventually became the gardener for the community and was responsible for the vegetable growing and soft fruit and orchard. Over the winter months he ran workshops for the residents in which they were encouraged to develop their skills and abilities. He also ran weekly seminars for the young volunteers who had joined the community from abroad. Since March 1996, Johannes and his family have been living on Painswick Beacon. He has set up a teaching studio in which he gives courses in stained glass, mosaic and sculpture. More ...
Waldorf Publications has a new store that is now available on both the Why Waldorf Works and the Research Bulletin web site for easiest access when you are hunting down all things Waldorf! To celebrate the new store opening, there's a SALE, of course. Everything from Waldorf Publications is 40% off until the end of April! So stock up while this deep discount is available. We will be introducing, through this blog, insights from recent research on reading, retention and comprehension, books that address different aspects of Waldorf curriculum, parenting tips, and ideas for childhood in the mood of Waldorf Education! Also, we will soon introduce our friend, the LIBRARY LADY, who will direct us all to great books to solve different problems. She'll also point out current trends in book sales and good readers for learning and experienced readers! We want to hear from you about what you think about all things Waldorf and all things about reading. So stay tuned and sharpen your virtual pencils! We'll be writing, reading and listening as will our LIBRARY LADY! Take a look at all that can be gotten at 40% off right now. Know that some of the newer books are definitely worth having for your classroom or at home. If you are a recorder player, Steve Bernstien's Recorder Ensemble, is a treat. It's always easy to tell when the writer is an experienced teacher! Many details are solved. You can play beautiful tunes, some original compositions, with your child or with your students and get two or more at these prices! Also, the Alpha Beta Book is a lot of fun. It gives insight into how the Greek language sounds and how our own language is built on it. Keith McCrary, also a teacher, tickles your funny bone along with your linguistics bone. The CD gives your ears a treat so it isn't only reading. But it serves well also as a fifth grade reader, Like At the Hot Gates, of Donald Samson Dragon Boy fame! That's only two or three of over 350 titles on sale right now. We want you, our loyal customers, to get the most out of this new adventure on our ALL NEW online store!! Go check it out and check out! More ...
As Waldorf early childhood educators, one of our primary goals is to teach by example. Through our work, the children learn important lessons to prepare them for the academics they will begin in grade one. This teaching method is quite different from the trend in mainstream education today, where out-of-context abstract concepts provide the basis for all learning, and opportunities for shared work activity with adults are not available. There is much work to be done in a Waldorf kindergarten. As the calm and steady focal point, the teacher places herself in the center of all the activity, projecting an attitude of purpose and enthusiasm for her work. Preparing the food, dusting, polishing, repairing toys, folding the laundry, washing the dishes, sewing, and mending are all jobs the children can learn to accomplish. In all aspects, an important requirement of a Waldorf teacher is that her actions be worthy of imitation and filled with purposeful joy. The care with which an item is placed on a shelf, a door closed, or a chair moved is noticed and replicated by our young students. We must be consciously aware of the quality of our movements, for whether we like it or not, we will see the children mirror for us what we have presented to them as it emerges in their actions and play. ‘The joy of the child in and with his environment must be reckoned among the forces that build and mold the physical organs. He needs people around him with happy looks and manner and, above all, with an honest unaffected love. (The Role of Purposeful Work in a Waldorf Kindergarten by KAREN SMITH. Karen Smith’s article is available at the Online Waldorf Library. The OWL is a great resource for parents and teachers and has an extensive selection of articles, books and journals about Waldorf Education.)
The Ultimate Meeting Notebook by Conrad Rehbach The Ultimate Meeting Notebook is a publication by Sophia Institute. This notebook features sections with plenty of room for taking notes and recording other essential data during meetings including name of meeting, attendance list, absentee list, date, to-do-list/action items section and date of next meeting. The Ultimate Meeting Notebook was designed and created by the director of the Sophia Institute, Conrad Rehbach. Copyright by Sophia Institute (Standard Copyright License). Publisher: Sophia Institute. Published April 21, 2014. Language: English. Pages: 200. Binding: Coil. Interior Ink: Black & white. Weight 1.38 lbs. Dimensions: 8.5" wide x 11" tall. More info ...
being human has entered its fourth year, and we are now planning to offer a webinar after each issue with a brief review of the contents and an interview with one of the authors. We've scheduled the first of these webinars for next Saturday, April 26th. It's at 4:30pm Eastern (3:30pm Central, 2:30pm Mountain, 1:30pm Pacific). Use the link below to sign up. There is no charge. Our spring issue included an article "a View from the Ceiling" by Walter Alexander. A former teacher, Walter is a professional writer specializing in medical developments. (You've also seen his work often in Lilipoh.) Here's a link to the article in PDF form: http://www.anthroposophy.org/fileadmin/being_human/webinars/bh11-FINAL-web-viewfromceiling.pdf In this article Walter reviews the medical side of near-death experiences (NDE's) and asks why anthroposophists are not part of the public conversation on a topic which leads naturally into a recognition of the body-free life of the human individuality. When that thought combines with a picture of human evolution, we find ourselves in the core territory of Rudolf Steiner's mission: a modern understanding of karma and reincarnation. That understanding, in turn, completely reframes our whole picture of the purpose of our lives and relationships. So join us if you can. We also plan to record the webinar and make it available for later viewing, but if you join "live" you can submit questions. Wishing you a beautiful and inspiring springtime! John Beck, editor, being human. being human: An Interview with John Beck and Walter Alexander. Join us for a webinar on Apr 26, 2014 at 4:30 PM EDT. Register now! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8609914175455355650 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. View System Requirements
Seeking experienced Waldorf teachers to join our team to open the next generation public charter school in the Sun Valley area in Idaho. Syringa Mountain School is slated to open August 2014, K-5 and growing to K-8 over time, providing a rigorous, arts integrated Waldorf curriculum in a public school setting and developing students who are compassionate, eco-literate, critical thinkers prepared to meet the demands of their world. Located 11 miles from the Sun Valley Ski Resort, we are seeking trained and certified Waldorf teachers who will commit to offer a true Waldorf experience within a public school setting. Starting teacher salary is $35,000 plus benefits. Requirements: Waldorf Grades training and teaching experience only apply. Contact: mgervase@syringamountainschool.org or call 208-720-6327 for more information. Application and specific requirements can be found at www.syringamountainschool.org. Dr. Mary Gervase Acting Director Syringa Mountain School 4021 Glenbrook Drive, P.O. Box 3531 Hailey, Idaho 83333 208-720-6327www.syringamountainschool.org Planet — Sun Metal — Gold Colors — White, red and black Life Process — Secretion The student’s increasing self-awareness enables him/her to make choices, to discriminate and select relevant activities and work. Vocational choices are made. The central window holds the balance, is a fulcrum between outer planets and inner planets; it is untouched, uncorrupted by the adversary powers. In this sense, it represents the Christ who truly addresses the human self and awakens to responsibility. Entering this gateway, the student awakens to his purpose, his sense of vocation. Guidance and skill has led to discrimination and discernment. As human beings we have freedom of choice and with choice comes responsibility. We might experience that ‘aha!’ moment, a flash in which we realise what we are here for, the purpose of our lives. On a slightly less profound level, we choose certain types of work over and against others. I would like to be a gardener, not a brain surgeon, etc.
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Sophia Institute offers a variety of programs, courses, publications and other resources to anyone interested in Anthroposophy and Waldorf/Steiner inspired education. Currently there are students from all over the world enrolled in the Sophia Institute online courses. Sophia Institute publications are available worldwide. The Sophia Institute newsletter and blog provide insights and information concerning the work of Anthroposophical initiatives, Waldorf/Steiner Schools, the Camphill Movement, and related endeavors. More ...
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