The Age of Michael has dawned.
Hearts are beginning to have thoughts.
     ~ Rudolf Steiner

 

This course is comprised of eight video recordings that ​explore a variety of themes and perspectives arising out of Anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner’s remarkable gift to all human beings.  Brian Gray shares leading thoughts that pertain to issues of our time.  Alice Stamm enlivens our understanding through the meaningful movements and art of eurythmy.  Together they kindle new insights within us that may be particularly potent during the autumnal season leading from Michaelmas and Martinmas to Christmas and the Holy Nights.  The focus is upon our spiritual mission to awaken to the inner birth awaiting each human being as we strive to become Spirits of Freedom and Love.

 

These videos are offered for those ready to explore the interconnectedness between the living cosmos and the mysteries of what it means to become human, viewed from many perspectives.  Please be aware that the topics we will be exploring are not introductory in nature.  It will be assumed that participants have at least a preparatory understanding of Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy or equivalent background.  Rudolf Steiner described Anthroposophy as “. . . a path of knowledge that aims to guide the spiritual element in the human being to the spiritual in the universe.  It arises as a need of the heart.” 

 

Session 01 - Archangel Michael's Role in Human Evolution
How do we know anything with certainty?  How can we actively enliven and spiritualize our thinking?  Who is the Archangel Michael, and what is Michael’s role in human evolution?  An overview of Rudolf Steiner’s The Philosophy of Freedom.

 

Session 02 - The Age of Michael Has Dawned
Excerpts from Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts and The Philosophy of Freedom will guide our continuing exploration of the spiritual nature of human thinking, how we know with certainty, and the nature of freedom . Who is the Archangel Michael, and what is his mission?  How has human thinking evolved, and how can we enliven it to meet the needs of our present Age?

 

Session 03 - Awakening the True Human Within Our Lives
From Michaelmas to Christmas, how can we confront the Dragon and awaken the birth of the true Human Being within our lives?  Excerpts from Michaelmas and the Human Soul Forces.  The nature of the human being, from Rudolf Steiner’s Theosophy and Occult Science: An Outline.  Themes from Rudolf Steiner’s Lord’s Prayer lectures.

 

Session 04 - Mysteries of the Kindling of the Human 'I' by Christ
How can one move through lawful obedience to the Will of the Father into the realm of human freedom and love for active deeds, creating the new?  Thoughts from Rudolf Steiner’s lecture series, Necessity and Freedom.

 

Session 05 - Cultivating Our Picture of the Threefold Human Being
Cultivating our picture of the threefold human being in the soul activities of thinking, feeling, and willing in relation to our human organism.  Thoughts arising from Rudolf Steiner’s The Foundation Stone Meditation and Foundations of Human Experience (formerly titled Study of Man).

 

Session 06 - The Mission of Christ and Our Human Mission  
Preparing for the Advent season.  Seeking insights into the Mission of Christ and our human mission from Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on Pre-Earthly Deeds of Christ, The Four Sacrifices of Christ, and The Mission of the Archangel Michael.

 

Session 07 - Mysteries of the Birth of Jesus
Celebrating the Advent season.  Mysteries of the birth of Jesus, from Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on The Gospel of St. Matthew, The Gospel of St. Luke, and The Fifth Gospel.  The profound conversation between Jesus and his mother just prior to the Baptism, and an overview of Christ’s deeds during the Three Years between baptism and crucifixion/resurrection.

 

Session 08 - Mysteries of Christmas
The first and second coming of Christ to humanity and the Earth.  Seeking ways to become Spirits of Freedom and Love through the gifts of Anthroposophy.  The Holy Nights festival in relationship to the twelve months of the coming year.  Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on Festivals.

PRESENTERS

 

Brian Gray teaches, lectures, and writes on topics drawn from the Anthroposophy developed by Rudolf Steiner.  Brian loves to share research from realms that include Star Wisdom, Biography, Cosmology, Waldorf Education, Sacred Architecture, and Esoteric Christianity.  Brian was core faculty at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California for 35 years, from 1981-2016.  He served as RSC’s Director of the Foundation Program in Anthroposophy for 17 years, from 1991-1998 and from 2006-2016.  Brian helped lead tours through Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land, exploring sacred architecture, mystery sites, and Parzival’s quest for the Holy Grail.  He earned a B.A. in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1967, and an M.L.Arch. (Landscape Architecture) from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972.  Inspired in 1979 by René Querido – one of his master teachers at RSC - Brian completed a certificate in Waldorf Teacher Education in 1981.  Brian feels that “it is truly a blessing to be able to do the things that I love, and to share many interests with my brothers and sisters through our work together in Anthroposophy.”  He is founding member and the board president of Wise Cosmos Educational Initiative.

 

Alice Stamm has been teaching eurythmy since 1975.  She began her eurythmy training in Eckwalden, Germany and completed it with Else Klink in Stuttgart.  She also trained in therapeutic eurythmy, receiving a diploma from the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland.  Moving back to the States in 1978, she has taught in eurythmy training programs and Waldorf schools, plus has been a performer in Spring Valley, Kimberton, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Fair Oaks.  During the 12 years prior to retirement, Alice built up both pedagogical eurythmy and remedial work at a Waldorf school in Los Angeles.  Alice and six colleagues were the founders of the Eurythmy Association of North America, and was president for a number of years.  Alice helped to form the Section Collegium for the Performing Arts in North America in 1988.  Her quiet passion is to help continue and strengthen eurythmy work everywhere she has the chance.