To the Anthroposophical Society’s future theme in Anthroposophy Worldwide 10/2019
Anthroposophy Worldwide 10/2019 had many hopeful and encouraging reports from all over the world that seemed to me like a refreshing breeze. I warmly thank the writers of these impressive accounts which were gratefully received.
The editorial, too, conveyed important messages. Here are a few short quotations to remind us: «The history of the Anthroposophical Society has been written, one could say, since Rudolf Steiner’s death […]. It is what we are building on.» Followed by, «But the future is open and depends on our present actions […]» and finally, «we can overcome our fear […] with images of a future we want.» That’s it!
Understanding destiny
What do we want? What do we strive for? For instance: building what needs to be created on what has evolved in such a way that it sits on top like a new level (the architectural version). Or, out of a different mood altogether: «Just leave the ballast of the past behind! Our motto is «Full speed ahead» (the sporty version). And so on, at pleasure. …
What seems to be missing is a much more inconvenient version that we, because it’s more comfortable to do so, avoid like a cold shower. This inconvenient version would require us to get a clear view of the Anthroposophical Society’s «childhood» which was in fact burdened by the deepest sorrow. This trauma does indeed need urgent therapy or a thorough history-taking of its deformed «root sprouts», so that the original ground can be uncovered and become visible, in which the seed of the future being Anthroposophy can be newly found again and again through free deeds of knowledge. New original sprouts can then spring up and grow through the phase that has been written into ever new metamorphoses of anthroposophy. This «trauma therapy» can be helped by the rigorous basic research that is and has been carried out quietly and freely by a number of people.
Studying both the sources and the future
Initial meetings are now being planned in which a research synthesis could be achieved. This would bring new wind to the open-future direction without being one-sidedly ‹sporty› or otherwise. The successful studying of both the sources and the future depends, as we all know, on a genuine scientific attitude and the genuine wish to work together, and on word and deed becoming one. Only where the word becomes deed can it be heard and can it be true on earth. Paying lip service alone, as we see it daily in politics, creates frustration and a sense of powerlessness.
With warm and hopeful greetings and wishes to those who are directly involved in setting the course for the future.