Only
the lonely
are led
to the threshold
of sight.
Only
the dead
can tread
the ocean
of light.
Only
the living
are fed
the bread
of the night.
Only
the fallen
can lift
their head
and heart
to the height.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thomas H. Meyer
In preparation for his upcoming 2009 Canadian tour, Thomas H. Meyer was asked a few questions, to acquaint his anthroposophical audience with some of his lines of thought.
Question: Which current events will you be speaking about with connection to Anthroposophy?
Meyer: I would like to speak about China in particular with relation to the incarnation of Ahriman in the west. Of course the Iran problem may be much more current in 2009 than in 2008. The wars against Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the ‘threat’ from Iran are of course a product of U.S. foreign policy and are consequences of 9/11 and its aftermath. But one cannot really speak about these things without recognizing that real spiritual beings stand behind these events and developments. I can also touch on global warning and the environment but my real goal is to speak on how all these current events are coming towards us as spiritual questions and cannot be solved until there is an acceptance of real concrete spiritual forces and beings standing behind the phenomena.
Question: How does D.N. Dunlop relate to the future?
Meyer: (Laughs) What a question!! D.N. Dunlop is a powerful spirit, who with others may have the task of safeguarding the future evolution of humanity and of the planet. This may be done in a quiet and inconspicuous way - in the way of a real occultist like Christian Rosenkreuz. He may inspire striving souls from the spiritual world, and when in incarnation, he and the other pupils and helpers around Steiner will rather work, so to say, behind the scenes giving invisible help. These individualities, and of course Steiner himself, will not be so easily recognized in their present or future incarnations. Rudolf Steiner pointed out very clearly in one of his lectures that in former times people did not remember past incarnations, but because of the working of the true ego with spiritual thoughts, these individuals will no doubt remember who they were, as their past and present lives will be linked by a continuous thread. The individuality of D.N. Dunlop will know whom he himself was when he/she incarnates. But I would say it is better to think of these individuals by taking a loving interest in their lives around Steiner and in their present tasks for humanity than by looking for them, as some do. If we read about them we can send them understanding, loving, strong forces in our thoughts that can help them in their tasks. Perhaps, if we truly think of them with objective interest we may be gifted in meeting them on our own life path, by the grace of the Lord of Destiny, so to speak.
Question: What is the significance of Helmuth von Moltke?
Meyer: Helmuth von Moltke relates to the true German Folk Spirit. The true, but lost, German Folk Spirit. There has been an absence of the true folk spirit of the German people since about 1879. Karl Heyer put it like this: in 1879 Michael, who was before that the German Folk Spirit, ascended to the rank of Time Spirit. Then a younger folk spirit took on this task. A Michaelic spirit, but inexperienced, which is why it is still in spiritual battle with Lucifer or Ahriman sometimes. This being was the guardian angel of Buddha and that is why reincarnation is such a core element in Anthroposophy unfolding within the German cultural sphere, because of this folk spirit’s ability to comprehend reincarnation. Helmuth von Moltke is to this being what Rudolf Steiner is to Michael. But this being has been lost by the German people. What you see in Germany’s history (e.g. the holocaust) is due to the absence of the true folk spirit, not its presence and activity.
It is the real loss by the German nation of its guiding folk spirit. It is a truly Michaelic being, but it has to be found again.
Question: The title “Light for the New Millennium”(ed.). What is this light that von Moltke talked about to Rudolf Steiner when he was in the spiritual world after death?
Meyer: The Light that the spirit of von Moltke saw, burning brilliantly at the end of the 20th century, is there shining from the spiritual worlds for humankind. It is not so easy to see it because of the unspiritual thought forms, and the electric and magnetic forces that surround us now ‑ but it may shine there in the striving of our study groups or in the inner striving of each individual, if this striving is true, heartfelt and energetic enough.
Books by Thomas Meyer:
- Clairvoyance and Consciousness
- Light for the New Millennium (ed.)
- D. N. Dunlop, a Man of our Time
- The Bodhisattva Question
- Reality, Truth and Evil - Facts about 9/11
- The Death of Merlin (ed.)
For more information see www.perseus.ch /English Section
- Submitted by Ann Watson
Question: Which current events will you be speaking about with connection to Anthroposophy?
Meyer: I would like to speak about China in particular with relation to the incarnation of Ahriman in the west. Of course the Iran problem may be much more current in 2009 than in 2008. The wars against Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the ‘threat’ from Iran are of course a product of U.S. foreign policy and are consequences of 9/11 and its aftermath. But one cannot really speak about these things without recognizing that real spiritual beings stand behind these events and developments. I can also touch on global warning and the environment but my real goal is to speak on how all these current events are coming towards us as spiritual questions and cannot be solved until there is an acceptance of real concrete spiritual forces and beings standing behind the phenomena.
Question: How does D.N. Dunlop relate to the future?
Meyer: (Laughs) What a question!! D.N. Dunlop is a powerful spirit, who with others may have the task of safeguarding the future evolution of humanity and of the planet. This may be done in a quiet and inconspicuous way - in the way of a real occultist like Christian Rosenkreuz. He may inspire striving souls from the spiritual world, and when in incarnation, he and the other pupils and helpers around Steiner will rather work, so to say, behind the scenes giving invisible help. These individualities, and of course Steiner himself, will not be so easily recognized in their present or future incarnations. Rudolf Steiner pointed out very clearly in one of his lectures that in former times people did not remember past incarnations, but because of the working of the true ego with spiritual thoughts, these individuals will no doubt remember who they were, as their past and present lives will be linked by a continuous thread. The individuality of D.N. Dunlop will know whom he himself was when he/she incarnates. But I would say it is better to think of these individuals by taking a loving interest in their lives around Steiner and in their present tasks for humanity than by looking for them, as some do. If we read about them we can send them understanding, loving, strong forces in our thoughts that can help them in their tasks. Perhaps, if we truly think of them with objective interest we may be gifted in meeting them on our own life path, by the grace of the Lord of Destiny, so to speak.
Question: What is the significance of Helmuth von Moltke?
Meyer: Helmuth von Moltke relates to the true German Folk Spirit. The true, but lost, German Folk Spirit. There has been an absence of the true folk spirit of the German people since about 1879. Karl Heyer put it like this: in 1879 Michael, who was before that the German Folk Spirit, ascended to the rank of Time Spirit. Then a younger folk spirit took on this task. A Michaelic spirit, but inexperienced, which is why it is still in spiritual battle with Lucifer or Ahriman sometimes. This being was the guardian angel of Buddha and that is why reincarnation is such a core element in Anthroposophy unfolding within the German cultural sphere, because of this folk spirit’s ability to comprehend reincarnation. Helmuth von Moltke is to this being what Rudolf Steiner is to Michael. But this being has been lost by the German people. What you see in Germany’s history (e.g. the holocaust) is due to the absence of the true folk spirit, not its presence and activity.
It is the real loss by the German nation of its guiding folk spirit. It is a truly Michaelic being, but it has to be found again.
Question: The title “Light for the New Millennium”(ed.). What is this light that von Moltke talked about to Rudolf Steiner when he was in the spiritual world after death?
Meyer: The Light that the spirit of von Moltke saw, burning brilliantly at the end of the 20th century, is there shining from the spiritual worlds for humankind. It is not so easy to see it because of the unspiritual thought forms, and the electric and magnetic forces that surround us now ‑ but it may shine there in the striving of our study groups or in the inner striving of each individual, if this striving is true, heartfelt and energetic enough.
Books by Thomas Meyer:
- Clairvoyance and Consciousness
- Light for the New Millennium (ed.)
- D. N. Dunlop, a Man of our Time
- The Bodhisattva Question
- Reality, Truth and Evil - Facts about 9/11
- The Death of Merlin (ed.)
For more information see www.perseus.ch /English Section
- Submitted by Ann Watson
What Comes?
What comes to us from the widths of worlds
Weaving the light through rays of space?
Lifting the spirits, warming the heart,
Bringing renewed courage for life?
This is the gift of the second hierarchy
High and lofty beings who bestow
Substance of love in tending devotion.
That we may seize this life on earth
In all its problems, challenges and opportunities ‑
Work on ourselves to transform the world
And reach our goal of creation.
Brenda Hammond
Weaving the light through rays of space?
Lifting the spirits, warming the heart,
Bringing renewed courage for life?
This is the gift of the second hierarchy
High and lofty beings who bestow
Substance of love in tending devotion.
That we may seize this life on earth
In all its problems, challenges and opportunities ‑
Work on ourselves to transform the world
And reach our goal of creation.
Brenda Hammond
Sandra
Is this it?
a labyrinth
of many mansions
mostly dark
hulking in the twilight?
There are
lights
few
and
twisting passages between
You navigate
shining
now and then
here a bat
there a cloud of moths
entering a lighted room
you shine, so clear
the scales fall
from eyes that show
naked truth
for a moment.
Patrick Jackson
a labyrinth
of many mansions
mostly dark
hulking in the twilight?
There are
lights
few
and
twisting passages between
You navigate
shining
now and then
here a bat
there a cloud of moths
entering a lighted room
you shine, so clear
the scales fall
from eyes that show
naked truth
for a moment.
Patrick Jackson
Fever
Full moon on my right
angel on my left ‑
myself, throbbing
in between.
Hot mask looks around
seeks meaning
sounds return shadows
seeking company.
A fevered translation
twixt echo and cliff
hangs breathless
unruffled.
this land
of the hooked beak
and amber eye ‑
shows watchful, symmetry
full silver, soft wings
enchanting presences.
Gold roosts in my eye ‑
the eagle in my heart.
- Patrick Jackson
angel on my left ‑
myself, throbbing
in between.
Hot mask looks around
seeks meaning
sounds return shadows
seeking company.
A fevered translation
twixt echo and cliff
hangs breathless
unruffled.
this land
of the hooked beak
and amber eye ‑
shows watchful, symmetry
full silver, soft wings
enchanting presences.
Gold roosts in my eye ‑
the eagle in my heart.
- Patrick Jackson
About Elana Wolff
Elana Wolff has published four books of poetry with Guernica: Birdheart (2001), Mask (2003), You Speak to Me in Trees (2006), a portion of which was short listed for the 2004 CBC Literary Award, also a finalist for the 2007 Acorn‑Plantos Award for People's Poetry, and Slow Dancing: Creativity and Illness (Duologue and Rengas) with the late poet, Malca Litovitz. Elana's forthcoming book is Implicate Me: Short Essays on Reading Contemporary Poems.
Berth Of Blue
Sun the husband. August, strong.
All Leo long he's shone this way. Consequently
Earth is thirsty‑ arid, unattractive. In‑
side another wife is standing, mulling at the sink.
She turns the water on whenever she wants.
Wash, to rinse, and drink. Her neck and temples
dewy where the seeds of sweat collect.
She lets her memory loose, and pool,
go simple as a fish‑ whose days abate
in monosyllables: swim,
feed,
hide. The kitchen window wall‑eyed.
She views her duplicate visage in the green
beyond the glass, framed by arborvitae,
apple, sumach.
Birds there know a few new tunes
they learned from flying skyward,
where hierarchies
sing in berths of blue.
Elana Wolff
All Leo long he's shone this way. Consequently
Earth is thirsty‑ arid, unattractive. In‑
side another wife is standing, mulling at the sink.
She turns the water on whenever she wants.
Wash, to rinse, and drink. Her neck and temples
dewy where the seeds of sweat collect.
She lets her memory loose, and pool,
go simple as a fish‑ whose days abate
in monosyllables: swim,
feed,
hide. The kitchen window wall‑eyed.
She views her duplicate visage in the green
beyond the glass, framed by arborvitae,
apple, sumach.
Birds there know a few new tunes
they learned from flying skyward,
where hierarchies
sing in berths of blue.
Elana Wolff
Hammered Frames
Night‑sky lidded, sleep about to buzz with what will be
in the dream: Leigh's long lanky legs
sawn off at the shins like Ezekiel's angels', her deep‑set eyes‑
blue beryl wheels‑ and human mutable beauty‑
spark and tenor of electrum.
I was shy the day in group we hammered frames for stretching
paper‑ lay the wood across the table, sopped the Fabriano
with water, drew it taut and fastened it with tacks. Leigh
showed us how to close the corners flat as origami, and after
checking mine, smiled, "You must be good at wrapping."
I watch her in the dream, deplete‑ force fire from her beryl
eyes, drain white through hollow feet.
Long ago, in front of the class, I read a story containing her
name, enunciating it clearly to rhyme with sleigh. Our dour
fourth grade teacher corrected my error, the children sniggered.
She asked me to say it again and I parroted, Leigh.
Elana Wolff
in the dream: Leigh's long lanky legs
sawn off at the shins like Ezekiel's angels', her deep‑set eyes‑
blue beryl wheels‑ and human mutable beauty‑
spark and tenor of electrum.
I was shy the day in group we hammered frames for stretching
paper‑ lay the wood across the table, sopped the Fabriano
with water, drew it taut and fastened it with tacks. Leigh
showed us how to close the corners flat as origami, and after
checking mine, smiled, "You must be good at wrapping."
I watch her in the dream, deplete‑ force fire from her beryl
eyes, drain white through hollow feet.
Long ago, in front of the class, I read a story containing her
name, enunciating it clearly to rhyme with sleigh. Our dour
fourth grade teacher corrected my error, the children sniggered.
She asked me to say it again and I parroted, Leigh.
Elana Wolff
The Fall Of Babylon
When Babylon’s false edifice truly falls,
And its rampart of broken words collapse.
We will not grieve for its tumbling walls,
Or mourn that its reign of division has lapsed.
For words will no longer enclose and divide,
Their meaning deception and separation.
Speech will no longer merely ornament and hide
In foreign parsing and blinding partitions.
Every word and thing truly speak,
Sounding forth to name itself.
Its articulation no longer irresolute or weak:
All will then be known like tolling bells.
Michael Ferrel
And its rampart of broken words collapse.
We will not grieve for its tumbling walls,
Or mourn that its reign of division has lapsed.
For words will no longer enclose and divide,
Their meaning deception and separation.
Speech will no longer merely ornament and hide
In foreign parsing and blinding partitions.
Every word and thing truly speak,
Sounding forth to name itself.
Its articulation no longer irresolute or weak:
All will then be known like tolling bells.
Michael Ferrel
As You Build Your House
Build your house threefold,
As your body, threefold too,
As your body’s music.
Feel how legs hold you,
Upright, firm, strong-
As the soles of your feet-
Sounding boards for
Earth’s thrust and pull-
Anchoring, resonating.
Feel through them
The throb of earth’s basses.
Feel this as you lay the foundation.
Feel the airy light-filled
Chambers of your chest-
Windows, doors where
Life mingling with life-
Weaves in crescendo, diminuendo.
Feel your own melody weaving-
Feel it in the doors and windows,
In the listening walls of your house.
Feel the closed, round dome
High above the rest- your head,
Mirror of the starry cosmos,
Where thoughts sparkle
And, comet-like, trumpet calls pierce,
Till melody and bass respond.
Feel this as you form the roof,Where elements pound, permeate,
Even as it embraces and protects.
Build your house thus-
Craft lovingly this sound box,
Where your life’s orchestra
Can play its great symphony.
But be prepared to leave in mid-melody.
A greater master revises all,
Fine-tunes the instruments,
Finds another stage in another place,
Again and again,
From life to life.
Feel this, too,
As you build your house.
Alexandra B. Günther
As your body, threefold too,
As your body’s music.
Feel how legs hold you,
Upright, firm, strong-
As the soles of your feet-
Sounding boards for
Earth’s thrust and pull-
Anchoring, resonating.
Feel through them
The throb of earth’s basses.
Feel this as you lay the foundation.
Feel the airy light-filled
Chambers of your chest-
Windows, doors where
Life mingling with life-
Weaves in crescendo, diminuendo.
Feel your own melody weaving-
Feel it in the doors and windows,
In the listening walls of your house.
Feel the closed, round dome
High above the rest- your head,
Mirror of the starry cosmos,
Where thoughts sparkle
And, comet-like, trumpet calls pierce,
Till melody and bass respond.
Feel this as you form the roof,Where elements pound, permeate,
Even as it embraces and protects.
Build your house thus-
Craft lovingly this sound box,
Where your life’s orchestra
Can play its great symphony.
But be prepared to leave in mid-melody.
A greater master revises all,
Fine-tunes the instruments,
Finds another stage in another place,
Again and again,
From life to life.
Feel this, too,
As you build your house.
Alexandra B. Günther
Sekem - A Book Review
One day when the true story of the achievements of the twentieth century are written, alongside other innovators who have contributed to positive change in the world the name Ibrahim Abouleish will surely stand. Ibrahim Abouleish, born in Egypt and completing his university education in Austria, had a vision that he began to realize in 1977: to create an oasis in the middle of the desert where people of all nations and cultures could live and work. He called this initiative‑‑ this “miracle in the desert” ‑‑ SEKEM, a name which means “living power of the sun.”
In his highly readable book “SEKEM, A Sustainable Community in the Egyptian Desert”, first published in German in 2004, Ibrahim Abouleish takes us on a journey from his childhood in Cairo, to his years as a student in Graz, Austria, to the founding and development of SEKEM in the desert north‑east of Cairo. He truly stands as a man with his feet planted both in the West and in the Middle East. He was clearly immersed in European cultural and economic life; he married his Austrian wife Gudrun, who became his greatest helpmeet and life companion; and he encountered the work of Rudolf Steiner which led to his subsequent involvement with anthroposophy. On the other hand, his deeply held faith as a Muslim and his cultural ties with the Arabic world remained constants in his life. When he describes the feast of sacrifice in Islam we are reminded of the fact that Judaism as well as Christianity share with Islam a common origin in recognition of Abraham as the Father of these faiths. Resistance to temptation, keeping from falling into darkness with its resultant lack of consciousness, also plays a role and is expressed in Islam as the stoning of the devil, depicted in Christian iconography as the motif of Michael’s struggle with the dragon.
Today we often read about Islam in negative and sensationalistic terms and so it is enlightening to follow Ibrahim Abouleish in his exposition of the 99 names of Allah and other aspects of his religion that have guided him in his life’s work. We can gain some understanding of the highly moral quality of this man and of how he was formed by his religion, and we can appreciate how it helped him to achieve what stands today as a model for the future.
The fundamental picture of SEKEM, now in its 31st year, is expressed in this declaration: “We want to live social forms with one another through which human beings see a reflection of their worth, and in its development strive constantly toward a higher ideal.” It is through science, art and religion that the working together of economic, social and cultural activities is fructified. In this book the author gives a detailed account of how this can be achieved in practice.
Although in some ways the change that has taken place in Egypt might seem far removed from challenges and developments in Canada and other western countries, there are important points in the history and working of SEKEM that could be contemplated here to good advantage. The dedication, commitment, sacrifice and plain hard work that made the success of SEKEM possible is material that can be very inspiring, and it is not for nothing that this initiative has received worldwide recognition and has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Alternative Nobel Prize. This book should not be missed for many reasons, not the least of which is to familiarize readers with a genuinely remarkable man and his work.
SEKEM: A Sustainable Community in the Egyptian Desert, published by Floris Books. 240 pages with 120 colour photographs. SEKEM: Une communauté durable dans le désert égyptien, published by Editions aethera, 238 pages with colour illustrations.
- Ingrid Belenson, Manitoulin Island
In his highly readable book “SEKEM, A Sustainable Community in the Egyptian Desert”, first published in German in 2004, Ibrahim Abouleish takes us on a journey from his childhood in Cairo, to his years as a student in Graz, Austria, to the founding and development of SEKEM in the desert north‑east of Cairo. He truly stands as a man with his feet planted both in the West and in the Middle East. He was clearly immersed in European cultural and economic life; he married his Austrian wife Gudrun, who became his greatest helpmeet and life companion; and he encountered the work of Rudolf Steiner which led to his subsequent involvement with anthroposophy. On the other hand, his deeply held faith as a Muslim and his cultural ties with the Arabic world remained constants in his life. When he describes the feast of sacrifice in Islam we are reminded of the fact that Judaism as well as Christianity share with Islam a common origin in recognition of Abraham as the Father of these faiths. Resistance to temptation, keeping from falling into darkness with its resultant lack of consciousness, also plays a role and is expressed in Islam as the stoning of the devil, depicted in Christian iconography as the motif of Michael’s struggle with the dragon.
Today we often read about Islam in negative and sensationalistic terms and so it is enlightening to follow Ibrahim Abouleish in his exposition of the 99 names of Allah and other aspects of his religion that have guided him in his life’s work. We can gain some understanding of the highly moral quality of this man and of how he was formed by his religion, and we can appreciate how it helped him to achieve what stands today as a model for the future.
The fundamental picture of SEKEM, now in its 31st year, is expressed in this declaration: “We want to live social forms with one another through which human beings see a reflection of their worth, and in its development strive constantly toward a higher ideal.” It is through science, art and religion that the working together of economic, social and cultural activities is fructified. In this book the author gives a detailed account of how this can be achieved in practice.
Although in some ways the change that has taken place in Egypt might seem far removed from challenges and developments in Canada and other western countries, there are important points in the history and working of SEKEM that could be contemplated here to good advantage. The dedication, commitment, sacrifice and plain hard work that made the success of SEKEM possible is material that can be very inspiring, and it is not for nothing that this initiative has received worldwide recognition and has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Alternative Nobel Prize. This book should not be missed for many reasons, not the least of which is to familiarize readers with a genuinely remarkable man and his work.
SEKEM: A Sustainable Community in the Egyptian Desert, published by Floris Books. 240 pages with 120 colour photographs. SEKEM: Une communauté durable dans le désert égyptien, published by Editions aethera, 238 pages with colour illustrations.
- Ingrid Belenson, Manitoulin Island
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