The Signature of Our Time
We are presently faced with big medical and social challenges, with often existential needs and dangers. They call for a deeper understanding and consideration of the consequences of our actions.
The Goetheanum Leadership has therefore initiated a series of lectures that address questions of our time, in particular the situation arising as a result of the Corona epidemic (Modes of working in Corona times and From ‘It’ to ‘You’). The lectures are held weekly in the Schreinerei at the Goetheanum and published subsequently on video, both in German and with English interpretation. With this series we hope to make spiritual-scientific aspects regarding the ‘signature of our time’ visible to a wider audience.
Dealing with virtual events
Due to isolation and social distancing, the Covid-19 pandemic leads to ever more virtual events, conferences and seminars and the lecture series made available by the Goetheanum Leadership is no exception. Questions arise as a result of this that will occupy us intensively now and in the future: what do virtual ‘encounters’ make possible, what do they prevent? Virtuality cannot replace reality. And yet, many people are extremely grateful now for the numerous virtual or live-streamed events they can attend. We experienced this, too, recently with our major conference celebrating the centenary of Anthroposophic Medicine which was attended by around 800 people and was streamed globally (World Conference).
During virtual events our perception of others is often reduced to a thumbnail image accompanied by ‘sound’. Our eyes cannot meet, nor are ‘real’ human interactions possible. The difference to real encounters is evident. And yet, elements of human encounters are possible and are gratefully received.
Connecting in spirit
What kind of activities and exercises do we need in order to enter – despite the limited quality of the virtual encounter – into a space of soul and spirit that can connect us around the world? Rudolf Steiner describes how even a book can become a conversation with its author. The challenges we are facing today call on us to be wakeful, to strengthen our judgment and act creatively.