Journals
Submitted by Tom Last on Tue, 02/26/2013 - 11:56am.
Submitted by Dan1879 on Sun, 01/13/2013 - 8:48pm.
steiner on the subject, in a letter to john henry mackay
Dear Herr Mackay!
Submitted by Hypokaimenon on Sat, 01/12/2013 - 1:08pm.
In addition to the constant reading of Steiner's
Submitted by AndreiP on Thu, 01/03/2013 - 9:52am.
The naive conception of reality says that something exists only if it is perceivable.
Submitted by AndreiP on Tue, 12/25/2012 - 12:07pm.
Submitted by AndreiP on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 7:01am.
I was thinking...if one only perceives something, she's not grasping reality yet...but if her thinking intuits the notion that corresponds to what she perceives, then she is grasping the reality of that something.
That's how human beings map reality. But is something less real, if it hasn't been mapped like this by a human being? (that's a strange thought that passed through my mind).
R.S already points to this when he speaks about the rose which is met by a human consciousness, and in that consciousness the perception unites with the concept of a rose. But he emphasizes the idea that something is added to the rose that belongs to it, when a thinking consciousness meets it - something no less valuable then its stem or leaves.
(this idea I found in the chapter called "Knowledge of the world" - and it surprised me from the first time as I found it very strange)
Submitted by AndreiP on Tue, 12/11/2012 - 12:15pm.
Submitted by Joel on Sun, 12/09/2012 - 9:48pm.
I have read that Rudolf Steiner wanted his book, which we here are calling The Philosophy of Freedom (PoF), to actually be rendered in English as: The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity (PoSA). Apparently the German word Freiheit, as in "Die Philosophie der Freiheit" does not translate easily into English. I recall someone saying a more accurate rendering would be "Freehood", not Freedom.
Submitted by Tom Last on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 3:21pm.
Submitted by AndreiP on Sun, 11/18/2012 - 2:44am.
In order to advance through the book, I need to have confirmed myself that I thoroughly understood the paragraph I've read. So I put the book aside and rethink with other words what I read.
Submitted by AndreiP on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 1:46pm.
I feel the need of more examples.
Human limitations: We're spatially limited and time limited. Cognitive limitations: We can't know everything (at once! or?)
Submitted by Tom Last on Tue, 09/25/2012 - 2:47pm.
Submitted by Tom Last on Fri, 09/21/2012 - 1:21pm.
Submitted by Tom Last on Thu, 09/20/2012 - 12:15pm.
Submitted by Tom Last on Wed, 09/19/2012 - 10:37pm.
Submitted by Tom Last on Sun, 09/16/2012 - 11:14am.
Submitted by Tom Last on Sat, 09/15/2012 - 3:31pm.
Submitted by phantom on Tue, 08/28/2012 - 1:53am.
Do you know 'sands of time' that means the history that we read of our forefathers is not a thing of the past but its of the present day as well. Like i had a wonderful dream yesterday.
Submitted by Caryn Louise on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 11:37am.
We go about our daily lives and experiences that happen in the day; physically, mentally and emotionally. At the end of the day when we reflect back on the day we are left with feeling.
Submitted by Dan1879 on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 12:41am.
Submitted by Hypokaimenon on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 7:07pm.
I believe that this distinction and the associated logical cons
Submitted by jono on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 7:40pm.
Submitted by EdE on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 10:03pm.
1.5 "understanding may depend no longer on [my] compulsion, but on [my] will." | 1.7 "soaring into the ethereal realm of abstraction, [for my] experience..to penetrate life in all di
Submitted by EdE on Sun, 12/11/2011 - 10:34pm.
“Each one of us must choose his hero in whose footsteps he toils up to Olympus” no longer holds for us." | "...if only we probe deep enough into the very heart of our being, there dwells something noble, something worthy of development." | "our contribution to the development of the world, however trifling, must be something which, by reason of the uniqueness of our nature, we [I] alone can offer." | "a vital interest of our individuality." | Shiller: "The healthy heart is but the glass which gives creation back."
My ideal for health appears beyond the years remaining is the truth, but this heart concept is not an experience - though it beats, though I breath, somehow the rhythms do not reveal nobility nor anything to contribute.
" understanding may depend ...on his will." Here then is the weak link. --> "to withdraw oneself awhile from the immediate impressions of life, and to betake oneself into the realm of pure thought."
"In the act of composing, the rules of theory become the servants of life, of reality" | In the act of composing, the rules of theory become the servants of life, of reality" | Here, now, approaching the end, I aim - as usual - for this unique contribution, even just a little.
Submitted by WaverlyAspen on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 4:26pm.
I have used technology for many reasons since the birth of Windows... Twitter is a scary place, yet I have finally used it for intuitive purpose.... I tweeted freely how much I appreciate my own personal judgement and I had a heartfelt feeling of Freedom just at that.
"Within me I find the strength to face challenge that is unethical. My mind guides my actions, not others' perception of truth #anthroposophy"....
With this I say that I'm a continuous learner of self. I make no sense to you, yet I understand myself, which enables me to participate in society as a whole. I have been a part of the Anthroposophical community for ages of existence, yet hold no membership because my being comprehends freethinking I have yet to learn from that being and work arduously to do so!
As a first Journal entry, I'm very proud of myself, as understanding develops, thoughts may seem more comprehensible to the external human eye.... & we shall learn from one another, hence the purpose of Community!
Submitted by rcmcm on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 10:32am.
Piero Cammerinesi renders contemporary students of Anthroposophy great service with his essay “Preconceptions and Free Thought: Reflections on Judith von Halle.” I appreciated hearing about his meeting with Judith von Halle and the content of her lecture on the Karma of the Anthroposophical Society. I assume she is the woman in the photo by the blackboard. More important to me, however, was that Cammerinesi brought a new voice that invigorated me to keep on grappling with the spiritual scientific juggernaut of overcoming ones’ habitual sensing and thinking
He recounts personal observations of pre-conceptions and prejudices in the Anthroposophical circles he has known. He is not the first to note that this “pre-packaged” habit of thinking contradicts the intrinsic tenets of free thought. In short, The Philosophy of Freedom has not been put into practice. And time is running out for this to happen. The success or failure of the Michaelic mission is at stake. Rudolf Steiner stated in London on August 27, 1924 (GA 240):
‘I am preparing for the new Age leading from the 20th into the 21st century!’…it is thus that a true Anthroposophist speaks. Many forces of destruction are at work upon the earth! All culture, all civilized life shall fall into decadence if the Michael Impulse’s spirituality does not take hold of men that they are capable of elevating civilisation, which is hurrying downhill…
His careful rhetoric and clear language evidence Cammerinesi’s scholarly background in philosophy. This alone is refreshing today, when “the social network” vitiates against making the necessary time and effort. However, he has none of that overbearing aura many scholars convey. He presents three essentials for those of us seeking spiritual wisdom and the power to act in accordance with it.
First, humans must learn how to live with the necessity of endlessly restructuring their conceptions as they seek truth. “Truth will never be conclusive or fixed, and this can only lead us towards a profound respect for the other’s truth (p 2).”
Second, the Golgotha event “must be central in our lives” with the Resurrection as “the climax of Christ’s mission (p 5).” Although Cammerinesi says this in the context of Judith von Halle’s works and experience, I note his use of the plural pronoun. I also happen to believe this. But he adds that “we must be able to overcome and set aside dogmatism of all kinds.”
Third, vigilant exactitude is required in discerning what is going on in the world and the [General Anthroposophical] Society (p 9).
“The solution is not a ‘general caring for each other’ but an acute awareness of the opposing forces, given that they do not sleep. We must remain acutely aware as we view things, both in the world and in Society, adopting a standard. This is in fact the motto of tripartite division.” Judith von Halle: “We must wonder what forces are showing themselves in the initiatives undertaken within Society. We must wonder if they are forces acting towards the Threefolding, i.e. freedom on the spiritual level, equality under the law and brotherhood in economic life. If this is the case, we are talking about Christian initiatives. If not, then certainly not. We have the means to discriminate, although this is certainly difficult (p 9).”
The difficulties in achieving discrimination, perseverance, equanimity as we engage in truth-seeking and truth-finding are intrinsic to the process. The effort is essential, as Steiner and others have pointed out, including Massimo Scaligero, revered mentor of Piero Cammerinesi.
“The spiritual path is not the number of books we have read, the ‘revelations’ that inflame our hearts, or wise discussions with friends, but the impervious and lonely transformation of our thinking, feeling and will. In other words, of our whole earthly being (p 2).” Cammerinesi does not point out in this essay what Judith von Halle does tell readers: one’s relationship with the Christ increasingly brings joy, light and strength to bear the difficulties. This gradual transformation and the growing relationship with the Christ have also been my experience.
Thank you, Piero Cammerinesi, another clear, present, personable and illuminating Italian Michaelite.
Submitted by Olga on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 2:42am.
Submitted by Beginner on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 12:43pm.
Submitted by carpediem on Wed, 07/06/2011 - 2:16pm.
PRECONCEPTION AND FREE THOUGHT
Reflections on Judith von Halle (Read inside or Download PDF)
Pre-conception is one of the most insidious enemies on the path of thought.
Judith von Halle
|
It deprives thinking from doing its work thoroughly, giving it an a-priori pre-packaged
'truth', ready-made but because of this, untrue.
Yet it would be enough to follow the intrinsic tenet of truth by which in order to judge
it is first indispensable to know!
It seems a self-evident concept, but it is not so obvious if it’s still the case that the so called
Anthroposophists, or 'Scaligeriani', or students of esotericism afford to deliver
tranchant judgments on personalities deserving of consideration and respect.
A few names among many: Brian Weiss and Judith von Halle. Very different personalities,
different as their areas of expertise and their mission on earth.
Yet they have something in common: the virulence of pre-conception and pre-judgment they
brought upon themselves. The first by scientists (as well as by Anthroposophists)
the second by Anthroposophists (and by scientists too).
So I told myself: if so much acrimony and prejudice exists against them, well, maybe it's time
to get acquainted with them. I researched as much as I could what has been said and
written about them; then I read all or most of their works, until an image of these
personalities emerged in my soul. Please note, an image, not an opinion, least of all
a pre-conception.
Our soul, when properly used, has the ‘sense organs’ which often enable us to discern
the truth as well as ordinary thinking.
But even that was not enough. It is necessary to turn to the observation of external
reality to correct our judgments if we make some mistake in the exploration of the physical
world, so I needed to have a further response to my images.
In that regard, forgive me if I say something personal.
Living in America, I am often surprised by how many people – even favourably
inclined natures, tending towards objectiveness – lunge in rebukes on the American world –
according to them, Ahriman tout-court - without really knowing it I would remind
these people that if they aren't familiar with the language, culture and unless they have
lived in a certain country, each judgment can’t be but a prejudice. And if it is not ours,
but ‘suggested’ by others – even by the person we value the most - then it's even worse.
That's why I wanted to get to know my two subjects in person, to listen to them live, to see
the light in their eyes, feel the harmony of their word, ask them questions.
During these two meetings, both of which occurred in October of last year, the first one
in Los Angeles and the second in Berlin, I confirmed not only the substance of the inner
images born in me, but also how indispensable it is to know in person those we
afford to judge.
This paper is a result of those two meetings.
* * *
Submitted by manselton on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 8:53am.
Suppose we assume that the root law of the physical universe is a law of the conservation of angular momentum - that the total angular momentum in the cosmos, both orbital and spin, is constant. Orbital angular momentum is mass x velocity x radius, assuming ideal circular motion.
L=m*v*r
|
|
