Beholding the Heart of Nature
| Place: | Pishwanton, Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland |
| Start date: | Friday 30, September 2011 |
| End date: | Sunday 02, October 2011 |
| Times: | |
| Price: | £210 per weekend (Tuition, all materials, lunch and snack). Fully residential in our accommodation £315 (Concessions £290) |
This is a workshop that lends itself as an individual long-weekend course, but is also part of a full year's course. See details below.
The course 'Beholding the Heart of Nature’ is a schooling path based on Goethe’s work, developed by Rudolf Steiner, and carried forward in Dornach, Switzerland (in the Natural Science Section). While conventional scientific methods of objective observations and clear-thinking are an important part of the Goethean scientific methodology, the Goethean schooling in this course aims to develop in addition an enhanced attitude and orientation of soul which deepens conventional knowledge and can lead to a deeper understanding of nature and our relationship to it. This understanding has positive effects on both personal and professional development.
The course follows the year at Pishwanton through the cycle of the zodiac, through plant observation, landscape study, animal observation, art, movement, music and physical activity appropriate to the time of year. In this way we learn to listen to what the year of the earth as a great living being has to tell us, leading to a deeper understanding of nature and, through this, of self.
A one year intensive experience. Why one year?
• To experience the full zodiac, beginning with Aries
• To complete a personal research project interwoven with monthly exercises
• As a commitment to change yourself - to learn and use Goethean Science as a participative experience
There will be a weekly colloquium for students to share their experiences and research projects.
Who is the course for?
This course would benefit many people at different levels of participation! The full years course provides a good foundation year for students in any anthroposophical training. It offers a practical introduction to anthroposophy and thus is an excellent complement for students of anthroposophical medicine, Waldorf teaching, biodynamic agriculture, herbalism and social studies (linked or unlinked to anthroposophy). It would be excellent for already qualified scientists and teachers as career enhancement or continuing professional (or personal) development and would be an accessible route towards an understanding of anthroposophy for any interested person. This course could have a very important role to play in the upper school of Rudolf Steiner Schools - for example for specialist teachers who have no Waldorf training. The course would also be good for teachers from conventional schools and conventional scientists and social workers.
In summary—"Beholding the Heart of Nature"
• is a foundation year for people at a turning point in their lives or who want to bring something new into their life's work or deepen their profession.
• is a foundation for young adults who are seeking their life's task
• is a sabbatical for people in mid career
• is a reorientation for those seeking a new task / way of being in later life
• is a component of a biodynamic apprenticeship training
• is for anyone wanting to reconnect to nature in a deeply spiritual way
• is for people who want to enhance another training
• is a gap year for adults
The course is divided into self-contained modules each of which can be taken as one weekend workshop or three week-end blocks within a learning epoch. However, full immersion for each zodiac sign at monthly intervals over one year is highly beneficial and recommended for more serious students of Goetheanism.
There are four epochs of learning
- Aries to Gemini - Plant studies
- Cancer to Virgo - Landscape
- Libra to Sagittarius - Animals
- Capricorn to Pisces - Human Being
Each epoch is broken down into three sessions on a given topic.
Each long weekend will involve a meditative observation in Nature, followed by a group artistic exercise. There will be an introduction to Goethe’s work and to the topic being studied, individual research, artistic activities and some practical work on the land.
All courses begin on Friday afternoon and finish at the end of Sunday afternoon
For full details and registration see: http://pishwanton.org/beholding-the-heart-of-nature/
The Pishwanton Project
Life Science Trust
Old Bank Building,
1B High Street
Gifford, East Lothian
EH41 4QU
Scotland
Tel. +44 (0)1620 810259
Email: admin@pishwanton.com
Website: www.pishwanton.org
