2018 Annual Conference

Here in Christchurch we are pleased to be hosting this year’s Anthroposophical Society Conference and look forward to seeing you there.

We are very excited to have Luigi Morelli as our speaker and anticipate a rich and enlivening few days. There is a brief biography in this issue of Scope but additional aspects we would like to mention are his work with the Foundation Stone Meditation and its daily rhythms, and the significance of the Aristotelean and Platonic streams for our time. These are anticipated to be part of his work with us.

We aim to have a broad range of workshops available with artistic, social and practical options; some more inwardly focused and others related to work in the world. There will be an Introduction to Anthroposophy workshop for those newcomers we hope will attend. We’ll advise you of the workshops available in plenty of time for you to make a choice!

Please be in touch if you have questions or need accommodation.

Warm greetings, on behalf of the Conference Group,

Robin Mackenzie-Suggate

anthropoophy_nz_conference@protonmail.ch

1 Whaka Tce, Huntsbury, Chch 8022

Conference theme: 

Falling Apart – Holding the Centre

How do we create our future?

4-7 October 2018

Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School

19 Ombersley Tce, Opawa, Christchurch 8023

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…“

“The Second Coming”. W.B. Yeats, 1865-1939.

In Christchurch, almost eight years ago now, a series of major earthquakes began. Everything fell apart – the ground itself split open, buildings collapsed, many lives were lost; many more were shattered.  Out of the physical and soul chaos, came tender growth. Initiatives to nurture, heal and beautify began the process of “greening the rubble”. 

On a geo-political scale the world has also been shaken as nations and alliances disintegrate. The divide between rich and poor widens. Displacement is huge and refugee crises give a painful other side to the term “global citizen”.

Old social forms have fallen apart.  Recent technologies purported to connect individuals can also bring loneliness.  Where we need and want to work with others conflicts can arise, often over the very things that bring us together and should unite us.

Over and against this backdrop we are witnessing new evolutionary trends. Groups, communities and organisations are learning to work in more holistic ways, which involve the whole human being (Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Will; and Presencing, in the terminology used by Otto Scharmer). Those that Steiner calls the “new group souls” — spiritual beings that inspire and support the endeavours of human groups — allow us to experience deeper dimensions of connection, while affirming true individuality. This amounts to listening to what the future wants of us and actively co-creating in collaboration with the spiritual world.

Workshops / Discussion Groups

The workshops will cover a wide range of topics and issues relevant to this theme. They will include Eurythmy, speech, Biodynamic farming, introduction to Anthroposophy, practical-based community initiatives …

Participants can choose their workshop later. There will be an email/mail-based signup process.

Discussion groups will offer an opportunity for all participants to contribute in deeper conversations about the theme during the afternoon sessions.

Those new to Anthroposophy are warmly welcome and may find the introduction to Anthroposophy workshop of particular interest.

The following workshop leaders are confirmed:

  • Herbert Wolpert
  • Ian Henderson
  • Dr René de Monchy
  • Robyn Hewetson
  • Simone Königsperger

Evenings

Thursday – the opening includes a welcome prior to a shared meal followed by a warming and enlivening evening.

Friday Evening is an opportunity for the presentation of initiatives from around NZ. Please contact the committee on the email address provided to arrange a time slot. 

There will be an artistic performance on Saturday evening.

TO REGISTER

Online
www.anthroposophy.org.nz/2018register

Email (for all questions, please use this address)
anthroposophy_nz_conference@protonmail.ch

Post the form below to István Martinka,
1 Whaka Tce, Huntsbury, Christchurch 8022