Anthroposophy in the Bay Area & Beyond

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Easter Sunrise Singing

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Easter Sunrise Singing!

You are warmly invited to join in Easter Sunrise singingEaster Sunday, March 31st
Meet in Capitola* at 6:30 AM; sun rises at 6:54 AM.
Armand Ruby will provide music for all and lead the singing. 
*Same location as in recent years, on the Capitola/Jewel Box bluff. That spot has a nice southeasterly view, so weather permitting we will be able to see the sunrise, and there is plenty of free parking.

Location: aim your GPS for 1375 Prospect Ave., Capitola, CA 95010
As with every site, although unlikely, there is always the possibility that we will encounter another group of Easter celebrants, so if that happens we will adjust accordingly.
Parking: there should be plenty of free, open parking on Prospect Ave. and adjoining streets; you will see signs prohibiting non-permit parking, but that only applies during May-September. There is also paid (metered) parking down below on Cliff Drive, but we shouldn’t need to use that.
Please join us in singing-in the Easter sunrise!
There will also be an Easter Festival Event organized by the Christian Community in connection with the Branch on 
Saturday April 13 at Paloma Hall.  More information to come!

Why Evil?

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Looking at the human being as the battlefield

for the future of humanity

Tuesday March 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM
 Resource Center for Nonviolence
612 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA



Please join us in a salon-style conversation led by Penelope Baring, Co-founder and Vice President of Camphill Academy
Penelope Baring was born in Nova Scotia and has spent most of her life involved with Camphill in Ireland, India, and the United States. She has served the Anthroposophical Society on both the Eastern Regional and National Councils, the Asia-Pacific Initiative Group, as well as the Collegium of the School for Spiritual Science in North America. Currently concentrating locally on teaching Anthroposophy at Camphill Academy, she has lectured and led workshops for the past forty years.
We request our usual donation of $20
or $10 for current paid branch members.

Writing About Dying and Returning

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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.

Lecture by Tomáš Zdražil

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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.

Memorial GatheringDaniel Bittleston

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Memorial Gathering
Daniel Bittleston
July 17,1938 -February 2, 2024
4PM – 6PM

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.