I agree that a focus point for devotion is very helpful, RS seemed to name this "the path of reverance" which is appropriate when taken in context with "Our civilizationis more inclined to criticize,judge, condemn than to feel devotion and selfless veneration." So I have began a conscious effort  (inner) to leave out thoughts and feelings of criticizm of myself and others. stopping the thought or feeling as soon as I have it and replacing it with a more noble thought or feeling

very difficult for me to be sure,but great effort brings great rewards

Hi doubtingneil,

Welcome, look forward to sharing this journey with you in "Knowledge of Higher Worlds."  I agree with you about our civilization being more inclined to criticize, judge and condemn than to feel devotion and selfless veneration.  Usually I'm pretty good at holding the other in respect and trying not to judge, but lately I have been involved in a lot of criticism on my part towards others (well one person specifically) so thank you for bringing this to our attention, it is so easy to get off the path if we are not careful.  I'm trying to learn how to handle, what I call, my "righteous anger" in a better way.

I have a place where I do meditation, but, as yourself, I am also going to follow jennyren's advice about a little sacred space in the bedroom.

Cheers and best regards,
patri

Welcome doubtingneil. I am also new to anthroposophy and am happy to be able to share this journey with you. Your comments strike an important area for me too. I find it a challenge to lay anger and negativity aside in lieu of positive feelings and veneration. Seeing the good in all people, for example, is a challenge for me. I find strength in this effort reading this book and these posts.

Dave, Neil and you too Patri and all the rest of you folks,

Welcome to a wonderful journey shared by so many. I appreciate what you say about devotion and also about anger. There is a tremendous amount of rage and tempest in the world. I have found myself angry at my own anger, and in contrast laughing at my own pain, and folly. I have accrued a great deal of folly. I have attached a few quotes on the  'similar theme of stepping onto a path'  The first by W.H. Murray is one of my favourites. Shortly after which I came to anthroposophy.and the second quote from  Rudolf Steiner, the third Goethe. All have given me strength to carry on and the last bit of Canadian Haiku is from a dear friend William Metke, who handed me my first copy of a Steiner book the "Outline of Occult Sciences" which traveled with me thru the Amazon jungles of Peru, where I met an architect who had read a great deal of Steiner. A very wonderful karmic meeeting that was. Metke's quote is one of my favourites because it comes thru a shared personal interest in alchemy and reminds me that humour lies above it all and also that we had done some travelleing by that time. The first one is a truth which I have witnessed personally even in moments of doubt and temptation.

"Concerning all acts of initiative and creation there is One elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise not have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way".- W.H. Murray

Rudolf Steiner:
 
When you undertake a single step forward in the knowledge of spiritual realities, take at the same time three steps forward in the development of your character toward the good.

And Goethe:, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, do it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin  it Now!”

and from the Biodynamic  William Metke,

• "Know Thyself.........

• No Die Self............

• No Dice Elf!!"     

That about says it for me.

Much grace and love on your journeys,

Cisco

Thanks very much for the kind thoughtful words Patri, I love the quote too. I don't know where I am going a great deal of the time but I do know that most of the time the path of  anthroposophy makes the journey oh so, wonderful. There is an element of synergy here at this site, that seems to help in the guidance. I think one of the main attractions to anthrooposophical thought for me is that I was not required to divorce myself from much art. literature, music, religion and anything else in life that I felf comfortable pursuing. It added a mulit-dimensional soul quality to much that was and is part of me already. I appreciate some of my favourite things in a much deeper way and seem to see the enlightenment in others. I like Bob Dylan, Dylan Thomas, Samuel Talyor Coleridge, Owen Barfield, JRR Tolkien, Charlie Chaplin, Clint Eastwood,  even Quentin Tarantino and many other gifted people who are very alive during their incarnation here. We are very fortunate to live in this time of human evolution.

While it  currently can appear to be very dark times, all while the light is shining brightly in a great deal of humanity. It is difficult to not notice the anger, negativity and hatred all around us. It is difficutl to  not be swept up in that as well. In taking a step on a spiritual path we allow ourselves to see the light and goodness even though at times it appears translucently as hope or potential, it is worth it to work on ourselves and not be afraid to falter. Thanks for allowing me to stumble along side this caravan of human endeavour.

Have you ever wondered what that is when you are watching a movie and something good happens to someone and it brings a tear to your eyes. when a quality in someone is recognized by others and it brings a tear to your eyes, when a person gets something they truly deserved,  thru hard effort often without any recognition, and finally they arrive at a place that is recognsable to them and you and it brings a tear to your eye. I still wonder what that is .. and still wondering......it's magical

One of my favourite post titles this last week was "Jeff's on fire..."

Love,

Cisco

Hi Cisco,

Yes, Jeff was on fire then, but he has calmed down now (is he looking for a guru?).   I was trying to put some of my favorite poetry on the Anthroposophy page and I could not get it to copy over.  It is poetry that I think is akin to anthroposophy.  Too tired now.  Will try again tomorrow.

T.S. Elitot is one of my favorites.  After I wrote the last message to you, I got his poetry off the bookshelf, found the place where the quote came from, and then just read the whole book out loud.  I love reading poetry out loud.

The movie experience you described is universal I imagine.   If we allow the newspapers and media to dictate our thoughts, we would think the whole world was one big cesspool.  But, there is such incredible beauty everywhere if one takes the time to really look.

Cheers and wishing you the very best,
patri