
About Anthroposophy
The word ‘Anthroposophy’ comes from the Greek (anthropos meaning ‘human’ and sophia meaning ‘wisdom’). Translated it means ‘wisdom of the human being’. It can be understood in contemporary terms as ‘an awareness of one’s humanity’.
There are two threads working together within Anthroposophy: an expansion of perception and knowledge (spiritual realism); and, the development of individual responsibility for actions (ethical individualism).
Anthroposophy provides an individual path of spiritual development, visible in the arts, in social forms and practical initiatives.
Globally there are thousands of institutions and initiatives that were inspired and founded out of Anthroposophy: colleges, schools, curative education, social therapy, residential homes and workshops; health clinics, medical practices and pharmaceutical companies; biodynamic farms and training; banks; businesses; art schools, drama and movement groups; and countless other projects, programmes and groups of people working together. They are all connected by their endeavours to apply spiritual knowledge to the work they do, and their will for that knowledge to bear fruit.
There are two excellent texts available on the subject of Anthroposophy in New Zealand, they are Anthroposophy in the Antipodes – A lived spirituality in New Zealand 1902-1960s by Garth John Turbott, 2013 and Outline of the History of the Anthroposophical Society/Movement in New Zealand 1900-1992 compiled by Geoffrey Townsend.