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cantsleepawink ago

A few years ago I did some background research into Rudolf Steiner. I don't have my notes with me or the time to get them but I'll briefly point out a couple of points about the man from memory, and explain why it is a mistake to lump him with the Blavatsky Luciferian crowd,

While it is true he was originally a member of the Theosophical Society, he eventually broke away from them due to differences in philosohpical approaches. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Steiner_and_the_Theosophical_Society

The relationship between Rudolf Steiner and the Theosophical Society, co-founded in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky with Henry Steel Olcott and others, was a complex and changing one.

Steiner continued speaking regularly to the members of the Theosophical Society, becoming the head of its newly constituted German section in 1902. The German Section of the Theosophical Society grew rapidly under Steiner's leadership as he lectured throughout much of Europe on his spiritual science.[4] Through his lecturing to Theosophists, Steiner met Marie von Sievers, owner of the Theosophical headquarters in Berlin, who was to become his spiritual partner and second wife. From the end of 1903 Steiner and von Sievers became the inseparable centre of Berlin Theosophy.[5] By 1904, Steiner was appointed by Annie Besant to be leader of an Esoteric School for Germany and Austria. Steiner made it clear that this school would teach a Western spiritual path harmonious with, but differing fundamentally in approach from, other Theosophical paths. These and other differences with Besant became particularly pronounced at the Theosophical Congress in Munich in 1907—organized by Steiner—its focus on artistic expression was a sharp departure from the Blavatsky tradition.

Steiner's popularity as a lecturer spread far beyond the borders of Germany: he was active in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria and other countries. Besant tried to restrict him to lecturing in Germany itself,[7] but this contravened both Theosophical Society statutes as well as a statement of Besant's greeting this broadening lecture activity, issued some months before.

As a result of the conflict, two steps followed in rapid succession:

  • The overwhelming majority of German-speaking theosophists followed Steiner into the new Anthroposophical Society, founded between August and December 1912. In a telegram sent to the Theosophical Society they justified this step by stating it was: "based upon the recognition that the President [Besant] has continually and even systematically violated this highest principle of the Theosophical Society, 'No religion higher than the truth', and has abused the presidential power in arbitrary ways, thus hindering positive work."[1]

  • Steiner's exclusion of Star in the East followers was a direct contravention of Theosophical Society statutes, and duly led to the charter of the German Section being revoked.

Steiner later claimed that he never had considered himself to be part of the Theosophical movement.[8][9] Even while the leader of the German section of the movement, he made a great point of his complete independence of philosophical thought and esoteric teachings from the Theosophical Society's esoteric path.[10] His reaction to the above events was: "I myself experience what has happened — apart from what has been sobering and painful — as a great liberation from the oppressive narrowness that has characterized the life of the Theosophical Society for years."

He was a very spiritual and erudite man. The great Albert Einstein was a follower of his teachings on Geometry (which I think today would be called Sacred Geometry), attending his lectures and became great friends. https://anthropopper.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/franz-kafka-meets-rudolf-steiner/

Einstein was a believer in the holistic education movement as he himself had had this type of education. His saying that 'Imagination is more important than knowledge' came about because he did not believe in a utilitarian type of education system but believed that 'play' was an important aspect of one's intellectual, emotional and spiritual development. These men were progressives for their time, as the political class was just beginning to interfere with education and were beginning to prepare their populations for war. They had no time for a holisitc approach which fostered the more humanitarian aspects of development within an individual. So, to decry Waldorf Schools because some perverted CIA operative went to one, is to do them a disservice. You might even be playing into the hands of those who seek to continue to suppress and control humanity.

leahxpearl ago

In this support group for former Waldorf school parents, I have so far only seen posts regretting the financial and confidentiality practices of the schools, as well as poor leadership/decision-making and little room for discussion regarding policy changes. One poster said this after listing her complaints, "I should also say that I think Waldorf education is beautiful and there is so much that I believe in and love about it...I just think that the individual schools can become like huge, dysfunctional families and each should be judged on a case by case basis...I do think that the way they are structured, there is much room for dysfunction (for lack of a better word)." (I should also say that I think Waldorf education is beautiful and there is so much that I believe in and love about it...I just think that the individual schools can become like huge, dysfunctional families and each should be judged on a case by case basis...I do think that the way they are structured, there is much room for dysfunction (for lack of a better word) )

cantsleepawink ago

If you are on a support forum for parents with grievances then that will be why most of the posts will be about grievances. Apart from that, there seems to be a mixture of experiences there which seems like a more realistic picture of education. I'm just here to help foster a balanced approach to this research. Witch hunts don't serve anyone.

leahxpearl ago

Yes, I agree, that's why I posted what that parent said, that each individual school should be judged on a case-by-case basis.