Anthroposophy in the Bay Area & Beyond
Connecting Seekers across Northern California
Santa Cruz Affiliate, The Christian Community San Francisco
The Act of Consecration for the Dead
for
Daniel Bittleston
Saturday March 9th
10:30am
Paloma Hall
4096 Fairway Drive
Soquel, CA 95073
| Robert McDermott On his forthcoming book:Writing about Dying and Returning Tuesday February 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM Resource Center for Nonviolence |
Several months after the start of my retirement from the California Institute of Integral Studies in June 2022, and the simultaneous death of five of my closest friends,* all deep anthroposophists, I began research for a book tentatively entitled Dying and Returning.
Early chapters will cover karma, the evolution of consciousness, Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, and Amerindian contributions, followed by two chapters on Christian teachings on the afterlife. The entire book will be based on the research of Rudolf Steiner concerning the process of death of the physical, etheric, and astral bodies, and the journey of the “I” toward rebirth. Using Christopher Bamford’s book, Staying Connected, the concluding chapter will summarize Steiner’s teachings and practices.
*Patti Smith, Gertrude Hughes, Gene Golligly, Christopher Bamford, and David Gershan, M.D.
Please join us for the unusual opportunity in hearing Tomas Zdrazil present from his original research into the beginnings of Waldorf education. He is currently on the faculty of the College for Waldorf Teacher Training in Stuttgart. Mr. Zdražil has published several books and his most recent one is based on findings of undiscovered archives in the basement of the first Waldorf School. He will introduce and guide us toward an understanding of Rudolf Steiner’s work and relationship to the teachers and students at the school.
The talk will be presented in German and translated into english by Dorit Winter.
Sunday March 24, 3 pm @ 470 West Portal Ave. San Francisco Waldorf High School Eurythmy Room
Donations are gratefully accepted at the door.
Paloma Hall
| Daniel John Bittleston passed away in the early morning of February 2nd at the age of 85. Many know that he had a series of cardiac problems since the Fall but had remained active until the very end. Daniel was a beloved member of the branch, serving for many years as a member of our core group. He also served for some years as a class holder of the First Class. Before locating in Santa Cruz, he was a Waldorf teacher for many years, both in his native UK and here in America. His home on Moore Street in Santa Cruz was, for many years, a veritable salon of artists and anthroposophists as well as tenant students. He was an amazing storyteller, who taught workshops on storytelling and on understanding Shakespeare. Daniel could bring people to tears and to laughter across the span of just a few minutes. He created and edited the Imagination Troubadour publication, and loved to encourage creativity and imagination in others. His craftsmanship in installing and refinishing hardwood floors is reflected all around the area in the homes of many of us and locations such as Paloma Hall. Daniel was father to 6 children, from 3 marriages: Mathew, Misha, and Mia with Su, Evamarie and Leonora with Reirin, and Elijah with Deborah. He also had two stepchildren, Megan and Brian, and 4 grandchildren: Leunamme, Cypress, Julien, and Zaiya. He was so proud of all his children and loved to discuss their accomplishments. Two very dear elements of anthroposophy were the Foundation Stone meditation, which was never far from his heart, and his beloved Oberufer Play, which he participated in from his earliest childhood through a dozen years here in Santa Cruz as actor, producer, and director. His many warm social connections run through the branch like a finely woven thread. His body is being watched over in vigil by many friends until this Monday. Friends and family can share a song, poem or short story. We hope to honor his love of people sharing their creativity in community with others. Please note that in consideration of the 6PM branch event (see below), we will begin to clear the hall at 5:50PM. |
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| Kolisko Institute Webinar: February 17, 1 – 2 PM CT Free Are we, as individual anthroposophists, part of the anthroposophical movement?When he laid the Foundation Stone at the Christmas Conference (1923/24) R. Steiner stated that with that Mystery Act the Anthroposophical Movement and the Anthroposophical Society became one. What did he mean by these intrinsically complicated concepts? These questions may seem theoretical but, in actuality they address the very identity of each one of us. How did he expect us to conduct our lives in view of these statements? 100 years later can we develop fresh new insights based on R. Steiner’s work – and perhaps aided by the inspirations of the Michael students that have passed the threshold. The webinar will show practical (and practicable) steps forward. Please join us for the free live presentation-later online availability for a fee. Your presence will be essential! |
| Please log into the waiting room in advance. Entry after start time will not be allowed.For the Kolisko Team,Ross Rentea MD |
The Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Branch is pleased to present:
Mary Stewart Adams
General Secretary and President
Anthroposophical Society in America
Christine Burke
Western Regional Council, ASA
A Festival of Unbornness:The Journey Toward Birth
Sunday February 4, 2024 at 6PM
Paloma Hall, 4096 Fairway Drive, Soquel, CA
Join us at a special branch meeting on Sunday, February 4 where we host two key members of our national society, Mary Stewart Adams and Christine Burke. Together, they will weave a tapestry of spiritual research, story and poetry out of the ancient understanding of the human pre-birth experience.
The timing closely coincides with the Winter Cross Quarter, traditionally celebrated as the 40th day after Christmas (February 2). The Winter Cross Quarter marks the halfway point in the winter season and is variously celebrated as Ground Hog’s Day, Candlemas, and Imbolc. Each of these celebrations is related to inner light and inner purification, in preparation for the year’s mystery.
In the work of Rudolf Steiner, this time of year is also delightfully described as the season when all the souls that will come to birth in the year are gathered into the Moon sphere.
Mary Stewart Adams will also share a short perspective from her new role as General Secretary.
We hope you will join us.
For over twenty years, under the title of Star Lore Historian, Mary Stewart Adams has worked as a dark skies advocate, to raise awareness about the effects of light pollution and to make known the mysteries of the starry skies from environmental, cultural, and anthroposophical perspectives.
Mary first encountered the work of Rudolf Steiner at age 18 in 1981 and met Hazel Straker, a pioneer in Astrosophy, in 1996. These two destiny moments have shaped much of her life path, which, together with her education in literary arts, continue to inspire her work and research. She joined the School for Spiritual Science in 2000.
Mary has four children, and since accepting the position of General Secretary for the Anthroposophical Society in America, she makes her home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Christine Burke sits on the Western Regional Council of the Society. She is a Logodynamics Practitioner / Speech Artist, Community Gatherer, Communication Professor.
The Western Regional Council’s (WRC) primary task is to connect people and to encourage the circulation of anthroposophical ideas and initiatives in the American West. The WRC seeks to deepen esoteric and community life through visits with groups and branches, meeting with local members in person or online.
We request our usual donation of $20
or $10 for current paid branch members.
Visiting Days – Online, January 24 (6:30-8:30pm) & In-person, January 27 (10am-1pm) – Interested in learning more about becoming a Waldorf teacher? Join the BACWTT faculty for an introduction to our Teacher Training and Foundation Studies Programs. This is a free, in-person event but registration is required. Click this link to learn more and to register.
“Reimagining the Future of Waldorf Education”, A Diversity Training Course – Introduction to the program, January 31, 2024 (6-7:30pm) – Encounter an Indigenous wisdom that can support Waldorf education in its search for a new, life-centered future. Discover the breadth of change needed to truly move into a more inclusive non-Western viewpoint and deepen your understanding of the depth of harm perpetuated by colonialism. After ten years of collaboration and exchange with BACWTT, Roman Vizcarra is prepared to offer a deeper training for Waldorf teachers, to guide them into Andean culture and to show how ancient wisdom can guide us into better ways of teaching and working. Click this link to learn more and to register.
“The Role of Waldorf Education in Navigating the 21st Century”, the Northern CA Waldorf Teachers Conference – February 21-23, 2024 (2/21 & 2/22, 9am-3pm | 2/23, 9am-1:45pm) – with keynote speaker Ben Klocek. How do we find a contemporary and healthy relationship to being the “doorkeepers” of technology’s effects on children? We need to be both better informed and more proactive in rediscovering appropriate new thresholds that are true to the underlying intentions of Waldorf education and also true to the realities of our time.
Waldorf graduate and teacher Ben Klocek will lead us in re-finding our feet, walking our talk, and sharing an inspiring vision for a healthy relationship to technology as we navigate these developments of our time. Click this link to learn more and to register.
