Dear Friends,
This year’s Annual General Meeting
was held in Toronto on May 16, 2015. The AGM was attended by some sixty
participants and was followed by the annual conference. There were also a
number of Class Holders from across Canada present during this weekend event.
(See the articles by Dorothy LeBaron and Richard Chomko in this edition.)
Beginning on Sunday evening, May 17th, and
lasting all day Monday, the annual gathering of the Council of the
Anthroposophical Society in Canada with Canadian Class Holders took place.
Research themes have been taken on by this group every year since
2003, and this annual meeting is made possible thanks to a Society fund
earmarked specifically for the work of the School for Spiritual Science. This
allows the Council members to receive the support of the Class Holders for
their work and also gives the Class Holders time to meet among themselves to
discuss problems specific to their task.
The General
Anthroposophical Section
This year, we have deliberately
renamed this group the General
Anthroposophical Section in
order to acknowledge the presence of Monique Walsh, who represents this Section
for Canada in the Collegium of the School for Spiritual Science in North
America. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner had clearly stated that members of the School
for Spiritual Science, besides being connected to a Section related to their
profession, were all members of the is devoted to the “universally human” and
takes up questions concerning:the nature of the human being, reincarnation and
karma, meditation, Christ and the hierarchies, and community building. This
universally human aspect extends into all walks of life, and each member of the
School for Spiritual Science belongs to this Section by virtue of his or her
work with the lessons of the First Class. At the Goetheanum, emphasis has been
put on this Section by identifying the members of the Executive Committee as
representing this Section for the entire General Anthroposophical Society.
Meditation
For some time now meditation has
become a subject of widespread interest in the western world. In the 90’s the
hot topic was angels, and then karma and reincarnation (these terms are now
used rather frequently in everyday conversation), and now there are efforts
afoot to introduce meditative practices in the workplace, in schools and
universities – these practices often being influenced by Oriental traditions.
Now several anthroposophically inspired books on meditation have become
available in English and French. Heinz Zimmerman (former Vorstand member
deceased in 2011) and Robin Schmidt, who has taken on the responsibility for
the meditation initiative at the Goetheanum, published a book in German in 2010
in which they share their years’ of experience leading workshops on inner work.
Basing their writings on Rudolf Steiner’s indications, the authors offer
invaluable details on how to practice meditation using verses, symbols or
images. What is particular here is that the writers constantly refer to texts
by Rudolf Steiner and insist on the importance of returning to the source. This
book will be available shortly English and French thanks to support granted by
the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. The English translation of the German
original has been completed by Heidi Vukovich and Maria-Theresia Roemmelt, and
is currently being revised by Eric Philips-Oxford. The translation into French
from the German original has been done by Arie van Ameringen and Renée Cossette
and is being revised by Michel Dongois.
Conference 2016
Those of you who have a particular
research theme you would like to share during the research reports section of
the 2016 conference are requested to contact John Bach. He has written a brief
description to serve as a guide for those wishing to prepare a presentation on
their research.
This is designed to afford
individuals the opportunity of sharing their thoughts and questions on a research theme inspired by
anthroposophy. The research questions can be connected to the conference themes
and should originate with a question and be carried out using precise
methodology and appropriate tools. Several individuals have already stated
their wish to participate in this part of the conference, which will take place
in Ottawa. Would you perhaps like to join in on this venture?
The meeting of Class Holders
with the North American Collegium of the School for Spiritual
Science: An Appeal
In August of this year, a meeting of
Class Holders with the Collegium in North America will be held in Spring
Valley. This important event is being organized by Virginia Sease, Herbert
Hagens and Penelope Baring. This conference will focus on bringing clarity in
relation to the nature of the General Anthroposophical Section and the work of
the School for Spiritual Science.
Several Canadian Class Holders would
like to attend this event, and since travelling expenses for this conference
were not budgeted in this year’s financial forecast, we are appealing to the
generosity of our Society members. Any additional gift you may be able to make
will be greatly appreciated and would allow participants from Canada to make
the journey to attend the event. Contributions should be earmarked General
Anthroposophical Section and
sent to our head office.
We are grateful for your support in
any amount you may be able to give.
Wishing you a fine, sun-filled
summer,
Arie van Ameringen,
General Secretary.
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