Bernard Lievegoed’s impulse in the light of the old and ......

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Bernard'Lievegoed’s'impulse'in'the'light'of'the'old'and'the'new'mysteries''The'Association'for'Social'Development'takes'its'inspiration'from'the'work'of'Bernard'Lievegoed.'Looking'at'the'Association’s'development,'great'creative'force'must'be'at'work'within'this'impulse.'Where'does'it'come'from?'The'best'way'to'derive'an'answer'to'this'question'is'to'look'at'the'sources'from'which'this'impulse'takes'nourishment.''As'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'the'person'through'whom'the'impulse'reached'earth,'the'best'starting'point'for'our'investigation'is'to'look'at'Lievegoed'himself'and'his'biography,'and'to'ask'ourselves:'“What'did'he'have'to'offer'the'impulse'that'enabled'it'to'find'an'earthly'incarnation,'an'earthly'sheath?”''1. Lievegoed*the*healer''Bernard'Lievegoed'studied'medicine'and'became'a'doctor.'A'desire'to'heal'was'deeply'rooted'within'him.'For'him,'healing'was'not'about'repairing'a'disturbance'in'a'biochemical'system;'for'Lievegoed,'it'had'a'deeply'Christian'meaning.'Disease'results'if'organs'lose'their'connection'with'the'greater'whole,'shut'themselves'off,'become'separate,'when'they'are'no'longer'embedded'in'and'supported'by'their'environment.'The'archetypal'image'of'this'separation'is'the'Fall,'where'Lucifer’s'intervention'caused'man'to'be'driven'from'paradise.'Through'this'separation,'this'original'sin,'human'beings'were'able'to'assert'their'individuality.'All'further'development'must'now'aim'–'in'a'state'of'freedom'–'at'reKintegration,'reKjoining,'merging'into'the'mainstream'of'development,'becoming'whole'–'away'from'death’s'domain'(the'realm'of'matter'in'which'everything'is'driven'by'differentiation)'into'a'new,'spiritual'realm'of'life.''Bernard'Lievegoed’s'desire'to'heal'was'at'work'in'this'perspective.'He'knew'the'secret'of'the'rhythm,'of'activating'life'processes'within'the'framework'of'a'healthy'polarity;'his'thinking'revolved'around'movement,'development,'and'he'considered'a'hardening'of'viewpoints,'fixed'procedures'and'structures'as'obstacles'to'development.'At'a'time'when'hardly'anyone'spoke'of'process'organisation,'he'chose'the'clover'leaf'–'a'fourKfold,'healing'etheric'structure'–'as'the'symbol'for'his'book'on'organisational'development'(in'itself'a'new'term'at'the'time!).'His'concept'of'the'integration'phase'was'a'“situation'in'which'people'act'autonomously'and'intelligently'for'the'benefit'of'the'whole”.'Freely'connecting'oneself'with'the'greater'whole.'But'if'that'is'to'be'the'case,'the'whole'must'also'hold'meaning.'Thus'healing'takes'on'a'moral'dimension'whose'longKterm'aim'is'healing'in'the'sense'of'the'saviour.''2. Lievegoed*the*educator**Having'completed'his'medical'studies,'Lievegoed'specialised'in'psychiatry.'Throughout'his'life'he'worked'as'a'psychiatrist'for'adults,'especially'for'students,'and'

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during'his'time'at'Zonnehuis'he'focused'on'working'with'children'with'physical'and'mental'disabilities.'A'number'of'questions'occupied'him'during'his'lifetime:'How'does'the'soul'live'within'the'body'and'which'spiritual'forces'are'at'work'within'the'soul?'How'can'the'soul’s'different'faculties'support'and'strengthen'one'another,'but'also'paralyse'and'extinguish'one'another?'How'do'the'soul'faculties'develop'during'the'course'of'life,'how'are'Ahriman'and'Lucifer'at'work'within'the'soul,'how'does'the'double'come'into'being?''Within'the'context'of'his'social'impulse,'he'wondered'about'the'connection'between'social'problems'on'the'one'hand'and'insufficiently'developed'faculties'of'the'soul'on'the'other.'Thus,'he'became'increasingly'interested'in'adult'education,'management'training,'social'skill'seminars,'in'group'dynamics'and'sensitivity'training.'He'looked'for'appropriate'forms'of'soul'development'that'are'compatible'with'the'consciousness'soul.'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'pioneering'work'in'the'field'of'biographical'work'also'needs'to'be'seen'against'this'background.'The'biography'seminars'that'are'widely'available'today'are'based'on'Lievegoed’s'books'on'the'developmental'phases'of'children'and'on'people’s'life'stories,1'2'which'were'bestsellers'in'the'Netherlands'for'several'years'running.''3. Lievegoed*the*entrepreneur''Lievegoed'was'not'only'a'healer'and'an'educator,'he'was'also'an'entrepreneur.'In'this'guise'he'successfully'set'up'three'different'organisations,'each'very'important'and'influential:'the'Zonnehuis'(an'institution'for'children'with'special'needs)'the'NPI'(Institute'for'Organisational'Development)'and'the'Vrije'Hogeschool'(Free'College,'a'cultural'centre'for'adult'education'and'social'development).''Bernard'Lievegoed'was'a'man'of'many'initiatives.'Apart'from'the'aboveKmentioned'projects,'he'wrote'books,'chaired'the'Anthroposophical'Society,'led'a'number'of'committees,'and'as'an'extraordinary'professor'at'the'University'of'Rotterdam'he'developed'a'new'faculty.''As'a'leader,'he'always'based'his'activities'on'personal'responsibility,'he'made'room'for'initiatives,'encouraged'innovation.'I'remember'an'occasion'when'he'returned'from'Germany'with'a'book'by'Mechler,'entitled'“1000'Workers,'1000'Entrepreneurs”'He'said:'“This'is'the'future!'No'more'employees'awaiting'instructions'from'their'superiors.'This'employee'attitude'only'contributes'to'maintaining'traditional'hierarchical'structures'on'the'one'hand,'and'to'creating'bureaucracy'on'the'other.'Instead,'we'need'to'build'on'individual'entrepreneurial'responsibility.”''Bernard'Lievegoed'placed'great'importance'on'entrepreneurship'as'a'basic'attitude,'a'view'that'was'ultimately'rooted'in'his'understanding'of'the'human'ego:'the'ego'is'characterised'by'spiritual'endeavour,'it'lends'strength'to'the'soul'and'shape'to'a'person’s'life;'it'is'the'source'of'morality'and,'finally,'it'is'the'only'foundation'on'which'healthy'social'relationships'can'be'built.''

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For'Bernard'Lievegoed'entrepreneurship'was'the'way'towards'strong'moral'and'social'egoKforces.''4. Lievegoed*the*builder**In'some'respects'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'a'craftsman.'I'don’t'mean'this'literally,'although'he'was'very'interested'in'technology'and'always'wanted'to'know'exactly'how'machines'work,'but'rather'in'a'social'context.'He'succeeded'at'realising'his'initiatives,'putting'in'place'organisational'structures'and'legal'frameworks.'He'excelled'at'fundraising,'in'finding'financial'resources'in'order'to'implement'his'plans.'He'knew'how'to'engage'and'motivate'people.'And'last,'but'not'least:'he'was'able'to'find'buildings'in'which'his'initiatives'could'be'realised.'Whole'novels'could'be'written'about'the'way'in'which'Bernard'Lievegoed'managed'to'acquire'the'august'mayor’s'house'in'Zeist'–'which'houses'the'Zonnehuis'to'this'day;'how'he'found'the'four'buildings'which'became'successive'homes'of'the'NPI;'and'how'he'chanced'on'the'country'estate'De'Reehorst'which'was'to'be'the'abode'of'the'Vrije'Hogeschool.''Bernard'Lievegoed'was'a'builder,'not'of'social'empires'but'of'new'social'landscapes.'It'is'no'accident'that'he'wanted'to'name'the'faculty'which'was'offered'to'him'at'Rotterdam'“Social'Ecology”.'Social'ecologists'are'social'artists,'designers'of'social'landscapes.'In'the'same'way'that'natural'landscapes'are'formed'through'the'interplay'of'the'three'natural'realms'(minerals,'plants,'animals),'social'landscapes'are'shaped'by'the'interplay'of'the'cultural,'the'social'and'the'legal/political,'and'the'economic'life.''The'committee'in'Rotterdam'rejected'the'name'because'nobody'would'be'able'to'understand'it'–'it'did'not'exist'at'that'time.'So'it'became'the'Faculty'for'Social'Education.'But'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'original'choice'of'name'for'the'faculty'bears'witness'to'his'impulse'as'a'social'architect,'as'a'builder.''In'summary,'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'biography'clearly'shows'him'as'a'healer,'educator,'entrepreneur'and'builder.'Taking'this,'as'it'were,'as'the'shell,'the'instrument'which'Bernard'Lievegoed'offers'to'the'impulse,'does'the'fourfold'nature'of'his'activities'point'to'an'“entity”'from'which'the'impulse'draws'nourishment?''The*four*mystery*streams*in*the*light*of*evolution*'In'1977'Bernard'Lievegoed'published'a'booklet3'which'for'me'holds'the'key'to'answering'the'question'I'have'just'posed.'The'booklet'is'entitled'“Mystery'Streams'in'Europe'and'the'New'Mysteries”.'Its'complex'content'cannot'easily'be'summarised,'and'I'would'recommend'that'you'read'it'for'yourself.'However,'I'will'briefly'set'out'its'main'points,'so'that'I'can'then'make'the'connection'with'Lievegoed’s'impulse.''It'starts'with'the'evolutionary'perspective'that'is'presented'to'us'in'Rudolf'Steiner’s'spiritual'science:4'hierarchical'entities'lend'their'essence'to'form'the'basis'for'the'vital'elements,'the'shells,'of'human'beings.'This'process'takes'place'in'four'major'

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evolutionary'phases.'The'sacrifice'of'the'Thrones'(spirits'of'will)'represents'the'seed'for'the'physical'body,'basis'for'the'soul'force'of'the'will;'the'sacrifice'of'the'Kyriotetes'(spirits'of'wisdom)'represents'the'seed'for'the'etheric'body,'basis'for'the'soul'force'of'feeling;'the'sacrifice'of'the'Dynameis'(spirits'of'movement)'represents'the'seed'for'the'astral'body,'basis'for'thinking'consciousness;'the'sacrifice'of'the'Exusiai'(spirits'of'form)'presents'the'possibility'to'become'a'selfKaware'entity,'representing'freedom.''From'the'moment'the'ego'enters'into'these'prepared'members,'all'of'evolution'represents'one'large'transformation'process.'First'the'self'will'use'the'powers'of'the'astral'body,'the'etheric'body'and'the'physical'body'to'create'a'sentient'soul,'a'mind'soul,'and'a'consciousness'soul'–'sheaths'of'the'soul'in'which'the'ego'can'live'on'earth'as'a'spiritual'entity.'Later'the'ego'will'transform'these'sheaths'further'still,'shaping'them'into'organs'which'enable'it'to'live'in'the'spiritual'realm'as'an'equal'amongst'hierarchical'entities'–'organs'for'truth,'beauty'and'goodness,'the'three'provinces'of'the'spiritual'realm.'Steiner'speaks'of'these'organs'as'the'spiritKself'(the'transformed'astral'body),'the'life'spirit'(the'transformed'etheric'body)'and'the'spirit'man'(the'transformed'physical'body).'In'order'to'make'possible'this'transforming'work,'the'spiritual'realm'has'established'mystery'centres'on'earth,5'where'particularly'suited'people,'having'undergone'a'long'period'of'preparation'during'which'they'are'subjected'to'severe'tests,'are'initiated'into'certain'secrets'of'the'human'being'and'the'cosmos.'Thus'they'are'receptive'to'inspiration'from'the'spiritual'realm'and'can'take'on'a'leading'role'in'the'cultural'sphere.''These'mysteries'have'long'been'differentiated'depending'on'their'position'on'earth.'Before'the'Atlantean'catastrophe'these'mysteries'were'distinguished'according'to'the'planetary'qualities'they'represent'(soKcalled'Saturn'oracles,'Jupiter'oracles'and'so'on).'After'the'catastrophe'the'cultureKinspiring'mysteries'were'distinguished'by'the'four'points'of'the'compass.''The'force'fields,'or'streams,'which'emanate'from'these'mystery'centres'eventually'flow'into'the'European'region.'They'were'given'as'their'impulse'the'seed'of'the'most'closely'shrouded'mystery'that'took'place'at'the'turning'point'of'time:'the'Mystery'of'Golgotha.'It'is'located'in'the'northernmost'part'of'the'southern'stream'and'the'westernmost'part'of'the'eastern'stream.''In'the'European'region'the'mystery'streams'fall'prey'to'the'counterforces'of'Lucifer,'Ahriman'and'the'Azuras.'In'this'area'there'will'also'be'a'need'for,'and'the'possibility'of,'a'fundamental'renewal'through'the'soKcalled'Christmas'Conference.'But'before'we'go'on'to'this,'I'first'want'to'outline'the'specific'tasks'of'the'four'mystery'streams.''The*southern*stream6*'The'mystery'task'of'the'southern'stream'lies'in'fathoming'the'secrets'of'the'physical'body'and'in'preparing'its'transformation'into'spirit'man.'It'has'its'source'in'old'Lemuria,'had'a'pervasive'influence'on'Egyptian'culture'and'reached'the'European'region'via'the'Roman'Empire.'The'mystery'of'the'physical'body'is'closely'related'to'

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the'mystery'of'matter,'of'space'and'of'death.'Egyptian'culture'provides'an'impressive'illustration'of'a'people'seeking'to'deal'with'the'tensions'which'arise'in'this'stream.'This'culture'was'confined'to'a'narrow'strip'of'land'either'side'of'the'Nile,'which'flows'from'south'to'north.'The'annual'floods'ensured'the'fertility'of'the'soil,'but'immediately'adjacent'were'huge'deserts.'A'narrow'strip'of'life'in'the'realm'of'death.''Egyptian'culture'was'characterised'by'a'widely'practised'death'cult:'the'dead'were'mummified'and'their'sarcophagi'buried'in'graves'which'grew'into'whole'cities'of'the'dead'(necropolis).'Sun'worship,'too,'stood'under'the'sign'of'death'and'reKbirth:'every'day'the'sun'was'reKborn'in'the'east'as'Horus,'rose'as'Re'to'its'midday'peak'and'died'as'Osiris'in'the'west.'During'the'sun’s'nightly'passage'underneath'the'earth'–'which'only'initiated'priests'were'aware'of'–'Osiris'mated'with'Isis,'and'the'new'Horus'was'born.'An'east–west'movement'of'the'sun'over'a'south–north'movement'of'the'Nile:'in'this'way'the'Egyptians'were'constantly'aware'of'the'four'spatial'directions.''The'Mystery'of'Space'becomes'visible'in'the'image'of'the'pyramid.'Starting'from'a'spiritual'centre,'the'spirit'moves'in'trinity'(triangles!)'towards'earth.'In'fourfold'arrangement'it'flows'downwards,'where'it'forms'a'mathematical'rectangle.'Every'day'the'Egyptians'saw'this'secret'of'incarnation.''By'building'the'pyramids,'this'culture'also'placed'unimaginable'demands'on'itself'in'terms'of'handling'physical'matter.'Gigantic'stone'masses'were'hewn'from'quarries,'transported'to'the'building'sites'and'erected'to'towering'heights.'The'mystery'of'how'this'was'achieved'remains'unsolved'today.''The'Egyptians'did'pioneering'work'in'the'design'of'social'spaces.'Immense'organisational'problems'had'to'be'solved'to'build'a'pyramid'(a'20Kyear'project):'accommodation'and'food'for'tens'of'thousands'of'workers'who'came'flooding'in'from'all'areas'of'the'country'(peasants'who'could'not'work'their'land'during'the'annual'floods),'logistical'problems'in'terms'of'transporting'the'building'material'from'farKdistant'quarries,'organising'the'building'process'on'site.''But'the'Egyptians'were'also'builders'in'political'terms.'They'unified'Upper'and'Lower'Egypt'into'a%single%state'and'built'an'extensive'empire'reaching'as'far'as'Babylonia,'Assyria,'Mesopotamia'and'Chaldaea.''The'continuation'of'the'southern'stream'in'the'Roman'Empire'also'shows'this'ability'to'build'empires,'the'creation'of'Roman'jurisprudence'forming'an'important'prerequisite.''The'southern'stream'holds'the'seeds'of'today’s'materialism.'But'it'also'holds'alchemists'and'Rosicrucians'–'at'work'much'more'in'the'hidden'esoteric'sphere.'When'preparing'for'the'new'mysteries,'they'orient'themselves'towards'the'transKsubstantiation'of'matter,'the'transformation'of'the'earth.'From'this'perspective'the'

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Templars7,'too,'are'part'of'the'southern'stream:'they'were'searching'for'the'building'principles'for'a'Christian'community.''**The*western*stream8''The'mystery'task'of'the'western'stream'lies'in'fathoming'the'secrets'of'the'etheric'body'and'in'preparing'it'for'the'transformation'into'the'life'spirit.'We'direct'our'attention'to'Ireland,'the'old'Hibernia.'This'land'was'the'last,'northKeasterly'region'of'the'sunken'land'of'Atlantis.'Atlantean'culture'was'etheric'in'nature.9'It'perished'when'these'etheric'forces'became'corrupted'as'a'result'of'immoral'and'egotistical'abuse.'Hibernia'was'tasked'with'preserving'the'Atlantean'heritage.'It'was'therefore'given'the'task'to'learn'to'deal'selflessly'with'the'powers'of'the'etheric'body'and'the'etheric'realm.'The'pupils'of'the'Hibernian'Mysteries'trained'their'etheric'bodies,'and'this'enabled'them'to'use'their'imaginative'powers'to'look'into'the'mysteries'of'the'elemental'realm.'In'the'elemental'realm'everything'moves,'develops,'constantly'changes'form;'everything'dynamically'interacts'with'everything'else.'To'use'a'modern'term,'only'a'holistic'approach'can'perceive'this'reality.'All'gravity'is'defeated'in'this'etheric'realm.'The'geocentric'gives'way'to'the'heliocentric,'the'periphery'becomes'the'centre.''For'many'centuries'King'Arthur'–'there'were'many'of'them'–'and'his'Round'Table'carried'the'western'stream.'His'castle'stood'on'the'coast'of'Cornwall,'near'Tintagel.'I'have'camped'several'times'near'its'remains.'Sitting'on'a'rock,'surrounded'by'the'spray'of'the'ocean'and'the'air'clouded'by'foam'in'which'the'sun'creates'magical'rainbows,'I'have'felt'the'seeing'awareness'of'these'IrishKCeltic'initiates.''Eventually,'around'the'time'of'the'Mystery'of'Golgotha,'their'awareness'showed'them'that'an'entity'of'the'sun'had'entered'the'earthly'realm;'this'became'apparent'from'the'elemental'realm.'From'this'moment'on,'the'preKChristian'mysteryKculture'seamlessly'transformed'itself'into'a'living'Christendom.'When'Christian'missionaries'from'Rome'reached'these'western'lands'several'centuries'later,'to'bring'the'“glad'tidings”'of'the'Gospel,'they'were'amazed'to'find'Christianity'already'thriving'here.'However,'the'representatives'of'the'southern'stream'considered'this'an'unworthy'Christendom:'lacking'hierarchical'structure'(small'“communities”'connected'in'a'sort'of'horizontal'network),'not'based'on'ecclesiastical'dogma'and'–'worst'of'all'–'connected'with'nature'in'a'pagan'manner.'So'measures'had'to'be'taken'against'it.'And'since'Irish,'Scottish'and'Celtic'Christianity'had'spread'throughout'Europe,'a'comprehensive,'lengthy'battle'ensued.'It'took'at'least'until'the'10th'century'AD'until'the'Roman'Church'had'eradicated'the'last'remains'of'Celtic'Christianity.''The*eastern*stream*'Unlike'the'southern'and'western'stream,'which'stem'from'Lemuria'and'Atlantis'respectively,'the'eastern'stream'does'not'originate'from'older'developmental'phases'of'the'earth.'Its'effect'emanates'from'the'Far'East,'as'a'postKAtlantean'

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cultureKcreating'impulse.'The'divine'Manu'left'the'sinking'lands'of'Atlantis'with'a'small'band'of'others'and'created'a'spiritual'centre'in'the'Gobi'Desert,'from'where'the'first'postKAtlantean'cultures'were'created.'The'mystery'task'of'this'eastern'stream'was'the'cleansing'and'ennobling'of'the'astral'body.'The'soul'had'been'corrupted'by'Lucifer’s'intervention'and'had'to'be'shaped'into'a'worthy'soul'shell'for'the'human'spiritual'entity'–'the'ego.'At'a'later'stage'this'astral'body'would'need'to'be'transformed'into'the'spiritKself.''The'eastern'stream'spread'from'the'ancient'Indian'to'the'ancient'Persian'culture,'and'met'the'southern'stream'at'its'Middle'Eastern'edges,'before'flowing'into'the'European'region'via'the'Greek'culture.''This'stream'had'three'instruments'for'ennobling'of'the'soul'forces'of'thinking,'feeling'and'will:'science,'art'and'religion.'It'trains'thinking'capacity,'first'imaginatively'through'mythology,'then'via'the'religious'ideas'of'theology,'and'finally'in'the'abstract'concepts'of'philosophy.'It'trains'feeling'capacity'through'art:'architecture,'sculpture,'painting,'music,'poetry'and'dance.'And'it'trains'the'will'through'the'many'ritual'actions'that'have'to'be'performed'and'the'many'religious'rules'which'have'to'be'observed'in'the'context'of'culture,'everyday'life'and'work.''No'other'mystery'stream'has'come'near'the'eastern'stream'in'its'flourishing'and'refinement'of'science,'culture'and'religion.''There'is'a'wonderful'story'in'Greek'mythology'which'demonstrates'the'essential'characteristics'of'this'eastern'stream.'It'is'the'story'of'Jason,'who'sets'out'with'a'select'group'of'heroes'(the'Argonauts)'to'find'the'Golden'Fleece.'This'Golden'Fleece'symbolises'the'pure'astral'body.'They'march'eastwards'–'to'Kolchis'on'the'banks'of'the'Black'Sea'–'because'they'know'that'this'is'where'the'source'is.'The'name'of'Jason’s'ship'–'the'Argo'–'shows'that'they'are'searching'for'the'way'back'to'the'origin''K'to'the'astral'body'before'the'Fall.''The*northern*stream10*'The'northern'stream'is'the'most'closely'shrouded.'It'runs'through'the'GermanicK'Nordic'regions,'in'the'area'of'the'Hyperborea'of'ancient'times'and'where'the'sun'left'the'earth.'The'mystery'impulse'of'the'northern'stream'is'tasked'with'attending'to'the'birth'of'the'ego''in'such'a'way'that'it'does'not'lose'its'connection'with'the'spiritual'world,'and'to'ensure'that'it'develops'the'power'to'transform'the'three'elements'of'its'being,'first'into'a'soul'garment'and'then'into'a'spiritual'organ.''GermanicKNordic'mythology'(the'Edda)'holds'important'evidence'of'this'mystery'impulse.'At'the'centre'of'the'divine'stands'the'world'tree,'the'sun'tree'known'as'Yggdrasil,'meaning'carrier'of'the'ego.'Its'roots'find'their'way'to'the'sources'of'truth,'beauty'and'goodness.''The'central'figure'in'the'NordicKGermanic'pantheon'is'Odin'(Woden),'the'deity'who'lives'in'wind'and'breath'and'whose'gift'to'humanity'is'the'power'of'speech.'Because'

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of'this,'man'can'become'a'speaking,'thinking'being,'and'this'forms'the'basis'of'his'freedom.'Odin’s'son'Thor'(Donar)'lives'in'thunder'and'lightning'and'in'human'blood.'His'gift'is'the'ego.'The'ego'resides'in'the'blood’s'iron,'which'flows'towards'the'outermost'periphery'but'always'returns'to'the'heart.'Thor'has'a'hammer'of'iron,'and'its'hammering'is'like'the'beat'of'the'heart.'However'far'he'flings'the'hammer,'it'always'returns'to'him.''Through'the'twilight'of'the'gods,'the'death'of'Baldur,'the'god'of'light,'and'in'his'return,'the'Edda'showed'the'cosmic'evolutionary'drama'of'the'birth'of'free'man,'the'fragmentation'of'the'old'mystery'streams'and'their'resurrection'in'a'new'Christian'culture.''The'initiation'into'the'GermanicKNordic'mysteries'involved'tests'of'courage,'which'strengthened'and'cleansed'the'ego.'The'battlefield'was'an'important'arena'for'tests'of'courage.'The'Germanic'culture'was'centred'around'heroes,'and'there'were'plenty'of'opportunities'to'prove'oneself'a'hero,'as'fighting'between'clans,'between'blood'communities,'was'an'integral'part'of'life.'The'ego'was'still'very'much'connected'with'bonds'of'blood,'and'this'led'to'fighting.'Those'who'died'in'battle'were'taken'by'their'Valkyry'(higher'self'or'angel):'an'egoKinitiation.''The'test'of'courage'also'took'place'within'one’s'own'soul.'In'the'Germanic,'northern'regions'the'self'descended'into'unprepared,'uncultivated'sheaths.'In'the'eastern'stream'in'particular,'the'vital'elements'were'carefully'prepared'through'science,'art'and'religion,'so'that'the'self,'as'it'were,'could'settle'into'a'“madeKup'bed”.'This'was'not'the'case'in'the'north,'which'paid'little'heed'to'science,'art'and'religion'as'soulKforming'cultural'elements.'In'the'astral'body'the'self'encountered'the'“savagery'of'the'Nibelungs”,'in'the'etheric'body'it'met'with'the'rampant'life'forces,'represented'in'the'Edda'by'the'symbol'of'the'giants,'and'in'the'physical'body'it'was'confronted'with'the'forces'of'death,'as'symbolised'by'the'Edda’s'Fenris'wolf.'Consciously'to'descend'into'these'worlds'demanded'great'powers'of'courage.''There'were'also'tests'of'courage'staged'in'the'mysteries:'walking'over'a'swaying'chain'bridge'from'one'rock'to'another,'25'metres'above'ground'(the'Extern'Stones'near'Paderborn'in'Germany'still'bear'witness'to'this),'or'entering'Fingal's'Cave'in'the'Outer'Hebrides'(off'the'Scottish'coast).'The'cave'had'to'be'entered'at'low'tide'–'it'was'not'accessible'at'high'tide.'Then'it'became'dark'and'the'thundering'roll'of'the'waves'rebounded'from'all'the'walls.'The'boat'violently'rolled'from'side'to'side.'It'was'a'test'of'courage'in'the'elementary'world:'six'hours'before'the'low'tide'once'again'permitted'exit'from'the'cave…''Europe*as*a*“waiting*room”.*The*decadence*of*the*mystery*streams*and*their*renewal*through*the*Christmas*Conference*'So'far'we'have'described'how'the'impulses'of'mystery'streams'enter'Europe'from'the'four'wind'directions.'Rudolf'Steiner'spoke'of'the'European'region'as'a'“waiting'room”.'What'might'he'have'meant?''

9

For'thousands'of'years'cultures'flourished'around'Europe,'particularly'to'the'south'and'east,'in'which'Europe'had'no'part.'Europe'was'covered'by'woodland'and'sparsely'inhabited.'It'was'waiting'for'an'important'task.'In'this'waiting'room'the'consciousness'soul'was'born.'In'this'room'a'totally'new'sense'of'self'and'an'experience'of'freedom'would'enable'humanity'to'liberate'itself'from'all'old'spiritual'bonds,'all'traditional'social'structures'and'from'nature.'In'this'room'the'consciousness'soul'would'also'show'its'dark'side:'materialism'and'egotism.'Evil'would'roam'freely.'But'in'this'very'conflict'with'the'counterforces,'freedom'would'be'realised'–'i.e.'in'a'freely'made'decision'to'choose'what'is'good.'In'this'room'important'events'would'occur'in'quick'succession,'enabling'the'culture'to'take'on'a'truly'new'impulse'and'a'new'orientation.''K In'1879'Michael'became'the'TimeKspirit.'After'the'Mystery'of'Golgotha'this'

archangel'of'the'Sun'became'the'spirit'of'the'age'for'the'first'time.'K In'1899,'5000'years'of'Kali'Yuga'came'to'an'end.'This'was'the'dark'period'in'

which'the'spirit'consciousness'on'earth'was'darkened'in'order'to'facilitate'freedom.''

K In'1910'increasing'materialism'led'to'a'second'death'and'resurrection'of'Christ.'He'can'now'be'experienced'directly'as'a'spirit'entity'of'the'sun'in'the'etheric'world.'

'As'a'result'of'these'developments'the'conditions'were'in'place'for'a'renewal'of'the'mysteries'on'earth.'Rudolf'Steiner'brought'anthroposophy'as'a'new'spiritual'science,'as'the'Michael'Mystery,'giving'modern'consciousness'a'path'towards'awakening'on'a'higher'plane'of'reality'and'opening'the'door'to'a'new'esoteric'Christianity.'He'spent'the'first'42'years'of'his'life'laying'the'philosophical'and'epistemological'foundations'for'all'this.'Subsequently,'in'three'sevenKyear'periods,'he'developed'anthroposophy'as'a'spiritual'science,'an'art'form'and'Christian'doctrine,'and'as'an'impulse'for'renewal'in'all'spheres'of'work.''The'Christmas'Conference'of'1923'added'a'new'social'dimension'to'all'this,'in'the'shape'of'a'human'community,'built'on'a'foundation'stone'placed'in'people’s'hearts.'This'Foundation'Stone'verse'encompasses'all'of'anthroposophy,'as'well'as'the'Mystery'of'Christ.'The'same'source'gives'an'adequate'legal'form'to'this'community,'the'soKcalled'15'principles.'The'Free'High'School'of'Spiritual'Science'is'placed'at'its'centre'as'its'esoteric'core.'It'is'tasked'with'looking'after'spiritual'research.'All'of'this'has'to'be'considered'the'seed'for'a'new'mystery'culture,'a'culture'in'which'all'areas'of'life'are'inspired'by'a'new'spirituality,'a'new'“sociality”'and'a'new'morality.11''The'European'“waiting'room”'did'not'remain'empty'while'it'was'awaiting'fulfilment;'rather,'it'filled'with'everything'the'mystery'streams'brought'from'the'four'points'of'the'compass.'Over'time,'these'streams'became'decadent.'They'lost'their'spiritual'inspiration,'no'longer'had'a'centre,'were'overpowered'by'the'counterforces'or'were'enslaved'by'decadent'occult'streams.'Esoteric'undercurrents'retained'only'precarious'footholds'on'which'the'Christmas'Conference'could'build:'the'Rosicrucian'stream'from'the'south,'the'Grail'stream'from'the'east,'the'Arthurian'stream'from'the'west'and'the'Widar'stream'from'the'north.'

10

'How'do'the'counterforces'manifest'themselves'in'the'four'streams?'It'is'pointless'and'unrealistic'to'“divide”'these'forces'between'the'four'directions.'They'do'not'adhere'to'such'categories.'It'is'likely'that'all'of'them'are'perceptible'everywhere.'In'his'lectures'on'the'background'to'the'mysteries,'Steiner'establishes'a'relationship'with'the'threefold'social'order12.'In'his'book,'Bernard'Lievegoed'provides'an'analysis'from'a'different'perspective.'How'this'question'can'be'approached'in'the'context'of'this'article'is'best'demonstrated'in'relation'to'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'impulse.''The*four*mystery*streams*and*Lievegoed’s*impulse**Based'on'the'detailed'–'although'naturally'still'extremely'condensed'–'description'of'the'four'mystery'streams,'it'is'not'difficult'to'make'the'connection'between'the'four'aspects'of'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'impulse,'and'his'personal'qualities,'as'outlined'at'the'beginning'of'this'article,'and'the'four'streams.'We'characterised'him'as'a'healer,'an'educator,'and'entrepreneur'and'a'builder.'His'impulse'is'related'to'the'western,'eastern,'northern'and'southern'streams'in'that'same'sequence.'We'will'now'describe'this'a'little'more'fully,'also'taking'into'account'the'counterforces.''The%western%stream%–%Bernard%Lievegoed%the%healer%%The'western'stream'is'the'etheric'world:'movement,'process,'transformation,'wholeness.'This'was'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'world'as'a'healer.'Rigid'attitudes,'polarisation'or'stagnation'caused'him'pain.'He'approached'every'phenomenon'and'every'problem'from'the'process'perspective:'the'development'of'children,'adults,'groups'and'organisations.'When'his'first'book'on'organisational'development'was'published,13'he'not'only'described'the'organisation'from'the'viewpoint'of'its'development,'he'penetrated'as'far'as'the'essential'character'of'the'organisation'as'an'etheric'entity.'The'clover'leaf'was'the'symbol'of'the'etheric'organisation:'life'ether'(resource'organisation),'chemical'ether'(production'organisation),'light'ether'(information'organisation)'and'warmth'ether'(relationship'organisation)'jointly'form'the'living'body'of'the'organisation.''Bernard'Lievegoed'introduced'the'healing'concept'of'the'etheric'organism'of'an'organisation'at'a'time'when'the'literature'hardly'spoke'of'the'term'process'organisation.''The'counterforce'which'primarily'manifests'itself'in'the'realm'of'the'living'forces'is'Ahriman.'When'the'sacrifice'of'the'spirits'of'wisdom'gave'rise'to'the'appearance'of'the'etheric'on'the'old'sun,'Ahriman'took'on'his'role'as'the'“adversary”.'He'harbours'a'profound'aversion'to'everything'that'has'process'character'and'manifests'itself'as'autonomous'life.'He'wants'plans'and'programmes.'He'wants'to'control'and'dominate.'He'is'the'cold,'intelligent'technocrat.'When'an'awareness'of'the'reality'of'life'as'a'process,'of'the'idea'of'holism,'emerged'in'the'1960s,'Ahriman'was'ready'to'“intercept”'this'breakthrough'with'linear,'mechanistic'ideas14.'He'introduced'the'concept'of'“process'design”,'model'theories'and'system'thinking.'With'the'help'of'computers,'complex'processes'could'be'simulated,'complicated'models'built'and'

11

comprehensive'systems'designed.'But'the'thought'processes'themselves'remained'locked'in'mechanistic'structures.'The'healing'powers'of'the'etheric'could'not'gain'access.''In'the'western'stream,'Bernard'Lievegoed'the'healer'fights'to'be'able'to'work'with'the'reality'of'the'etheric'in'the'social'realm.''The%eastern%stream%–%Bernard%Lievegoed%the%educator%'The'eastern'stream'is'focused'on'the'cleansing'and'development'of'the'soul'forces.'The'mysteries'in'the'eastern'stream'took'care'of'this'through'science,'art'and'religion.'The'more'these'mysteries'faded'and'lost'their'power,'the'more'man'had'to'take'responsibility'for'the'development'of'his'own'soul.'What'does'education'do'to'man?'What'do'we'know'about'the'human'soul?'Do'we'know'that'it'provides'a'home'for'a'spiritual'entity?'How'do'the'soul'forces'develop'and'how'do'they'become'blocked?'Which'soul'forces'make'possible'a'healthy,'dignified'way'of'living'together?'What'is'the'role'of'the'double'in'the'soul,'how'does'it'arise'and'how'can'man'release'it?'These'were'the'questions'Bernard'Lievegoed'sought'to'answer'in'his'work'as'a'psychiatrist,'special'needs'teacher'and'management'trainer.'He'searched'for'forms'and'ways'of'learning'which'were'appropriate'for'the'consciousness'soul'of'this'time:'they'needed'to'address'all'the'soul'faculties'in'their'context,'the'teacher’s'authority'had'to'be'minimal,'people'had'to'take'charge'of'their'own'learning'process.'In'this'respect'the'NPI'was'far'ahead'of'its'time.'We'discussed'communication'training'at'an'early'stage,'organised'“social'skill'seminars”'and'spoke'about'“action'learning”.'We'talked'about'the'learning'organisation'(in'addition'to'the'living'and'acting'organisation)'when'Peter'Senge'was'still'a'small'boy.''In'this'work'Bernard'Lievegoed'also'took'inspiration'from'others.'I'remember'him'enthusiastically'telling'us'about'sensitivity'training'and'TKgroup'sessions'after'he'had'visited'the'Laboratory'for'Group'Dynamics'in'Bethel'(Lee'Bradford).'But'he'quickly'reKfashioned'it'into'a'worthy'form'of'learning'for'the'consciousness'soul,'adding'an'element'of'will'and'consciousness'to'the'monoculture'of'feeling'and'experience.'The'group'first'agrees'objectives'and'a'procedure'for'the'discussion'in'a'planning'meeting;'this'is'followed'by'the'group'discussion'itself'and'finally'a'critical'review'to'learn'from'the'experience.'Then'there'is'further'planning.'For'many'years'this'learning'spiral'formed'the'basic'structure'for'our'social'skill'courses.''Lucifer'is'the'dominant'counterforce'in'the'realm'of'the'soul.'When,'at'the'beginning'of'the'old'moon'phase,'the'sacrifice'of'the'spirits'of'movement'creates'the'possibility'of'an'astral'body'as'the'carrier'of'soul'functions,'Lucifer'takes'on'the'role'of'adversary.'He'hates'the'selfless'soul'forces'which'form'a'worthy'sheath'for'an'ego'that'turns'towards'the'spirit'in'freedom.'He'corrupts'the'astral'body'and'penetrates'all'the'soul'forces'with'a'powerful'egotism.'This'creates'especially'fertile'ground'for'illusion,'vanity'and'arrogance.''When'Ahriman’s'technocratic'bid'for'the'social'sphere'led'to'a'strong'counterKreaction'in'the'1960s,'Lucifer'was'at'the'ready'with'open'arms'to'lend'support'to'

12

this'opposition.'The'fact'that'he'took'hold'in'the'eastern'stream'also'explains'why'this'reaction'manifested'itself'in'a'search'for'eastern'spirituality'and'eastern'mysticism.15'In'the'human'relations'movement'of'the'1930s'and'1940s'(a'reaction'against'Taylor’s'scientific'management),'this'eastern'orientation'was'as'yet'of'little'importance;'it'was'already'present'in'the'group'dynamics'approach'mentioned'above,'but'only'burst'through'fully'in'the'Flower'Power'and'New'Age'movements,'in'the'search'for'new'forms'of'community'(communes)'and'similar'approaches.'''In'the'eastern'stream'Bernard'Lievegoed'the'educator'fought'to'awaken'selfless'soul'forces'as'a'basis'for'a'healthy'social'life.''The%northern%stream%–%Bernard%Lievegoed%the%entrepreneur%%The'mystery'stream'from'the'north'is'focused'on'the'ego.'The'ego'is'a'gift'from'the'spirits'of'form'at'the'beginning'of'the'earth'phase.'In'our'time,'the'area'in'which'the'ego'is'primarily'able'to'manifest'and'prove'itself'is'the'entrepreneurial'realm'of'work.'This'is'where'initiative,'strength,'creativity'and'staying'power'are'in'demand,'and'where'our'powers'of'courage'are'called'for:'being'entrepreneurial'always'goes'hand'in'hand'with'taking'risks'–'it'is'a'step'into'a'dark,'uncertain'future.'Entrepreneurship'necessitates'intuition'and'selfKconfidence,'or'better'still:'trust'in'the'idea'we'want'to'bring'to'the'earth'through'our'initiative.'We'recognise'Bernard'Lievegoed'in'qualities'of'this'kind.'When'he'spoke'about'organisations,'it'was'clear'that'he'was'thinking'of'a'model'of'coKoperation'consisting'not'of'oppressed'employees'or'obedient'bureaucrats'but'of'free,'enterprising'human'beings.'Of'people'who'stand'by'what'they'do'and'who'do'what'they'say.'People'who,'in'freedom,'form'groups'to'take'on'responsibility,'in'which'they'trust'each'other'–'people'who'need'one'another'and'provide'protection'for'each'other.'The'term'“intraKpreneur”'had'not'been'invented,'but'it'lived'in'the'NPI'from'an'early'stage.''If'the'ego'finds'its'connection'with'its'higher'self'(its'valkyry)'in'the'northern'stream,'it'can'also'become'aware'of'the'karma'the'self'carries,'and'of'the'karmic'network'in'which'this'ego'is'integrated.'In'future,'karma'will'increasingly'become'a'force'for'social'order.'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'very'interested'in'questions'around'karma'and'often'spoke'about'it.'He'considered'the'awakening'of'a'new'karmic'consciousness'to'be'at'the'core'of'the'new'mysteries.''If'we'look'for'the'counterforces'which'are'active'in'this'northern'stream,'the'Azuras'spring'to'mind.'They'are'entities'which'appeared'as'adversaries'as'far'back'as'the'beginnings'of'the'old'Saturn,'when'the'sacrifice'of'the'spirits'of'will'formed'the'basis'for'the'physical'body.'This'physical'body'will'later'form'the'shell'for'the'human'self.'From'the'very'beginning,'the'Azuras'are'not'interested'in'development'of'any'kind.'Their'essence'is'the'negation'of'the'human'entity'and'of'karma.'They'live'on'destruction.'The'ego'must'engage'itself'in'the'battle'against'this'accumulation'of'evil.'Azuras'take'hold'both'in'the'northern'and'in'the'southern'stream.'In'the'northern'stream'–'which'focuses'on'economic'life,'or'in'Steiner’s'words'“the'Mysteries'of'the'Earth”16'–'they'are'manifested'in'a'ruthless,'shameless'predominance'of'economic'life.'We'get'a'taste'of'this'when'we'look'at'

13

developments'towards'globalisation.'Companies'are'chased'from'one'merger'to'another,'and'then'from'one'megaKmerger'to'the'next.'In'the'interest'of'record'share'figures,'social'responsibility'is'pushed'aside'and'cultural'values'are'steamrollered.'A'caricature'of'entrepreneurship!'The'public'sector,'too,'is'dragged'into'this'general'commercialisation'of'life.'Administrative'and'financial'powerlessness'leads'to'privatisation:'the'market'is'seen'as'the'panacea'to'solve'all'problems.'This'is'a'paradox'of'epic'proportions:'global'economic'life,'built'on'the'division'of'labour,'should'be'a'training'ground'for'everyone'with'entrepreneurial'drive'and'initiative,'and'through'this'give'rise'to'a'totally'new'social'and'cultural'life.'Instead,'forces'are'at'work'in'the'economic'life'that'is'unfolding'today'which'make'entrepreneurship'the'prerogative'of'a'small'elite'of'top'executives'in'huge'companies,'and'which'subordinate'all'social'and'cultural'values'to'the'mechanisms'of'the'market.''In'the'northern'stream'Bernard'Lievegoed'represented'a'modest'example'for'the'social'significance'of'entrepreneurship'arising'from'the'powers'of'the'ego'and'spiritual'inspiration.''The%southern%stream%–%Bernard%Lievegoed%the%builder%'Bernard'Lievegoed'the'builder'felt'at'home'in'the'southern'stream.'He'was'able'to'engage'people'and'to'motivate'them,'to'free'resources'to'raise'money,'and'finally'to'find'the'buildings'which'became'home'to'his'initiatives.'Whilst'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'not'an'organiser'in'the'usual'sense,'and'he'certainly'was'not'an'administrator,'his'initiatives'were'nevertheless'“organised”.'The'original'name'for'his'faculty'–'Social'Ecology'–'points'to'the'fact'that'his'impulse'was'also'an'impulse'for'social'construction.'Later'he'spoke'of'creating'a'Christian'infrastructure.'This'type'of'image'also'comes'from'the'southern'stream.'Politically,'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'not'very'active'at'all.'He'was'not'really'connected'with'the'idea'of'the'threefold'social'order.'He'had'something'of'a'blind'spot'for'the'rights'and'political'life.'He'did'not'create'empires'that'had'to'be'organised'or'administered,'but'his'initiatives'gave'rise'to'movements'which'took'on'a'life'of'their'own:'the'Zonnehuis'became'a'movement'for'special'needs'education,'the'NPI'an'association'for'social'development,'and'the'Vrije'Hogeschool'an'impulse'for'adult'education'(including'the'biography'work'referred'to'earlier).''As'stated'above,'the'Azuras'are'also'active'as'counterforces'in'the'southern'stream.'Their'machinations'are'discernible'as'far'back'as'the'Egyptian'culture'–'building'an'empire,'governing'it'hierarchically'and'controlling'it'bureaucratically'–'although'at'that'time'they'were'still'spiritually'oriented.'Today'the'situation'is'different:'empires'are'built'wherever'quantity'means'power:'in'the'economic'life,'in'politics,'in'religious'movements'and'sects.'Hierarchy'means'that'people'are'tied'to'their'organisations'in'a'relationship'in'which'they'have'no'freedom.'The'more'refined'a'bureaucracy'becomes,'the'more'it'kills'off'all'personal'initiative.'Combining'these'factors,'the'Azuras'succeed'at'reducing'the'human'self'and'its'free'development'to'zero.'Their'efforts'are'further'assisted'by'the'fact'that'materialism'has'deeply'penetrated'our'culture'in'the'wake'of'the'southern'stream.''

14

In'the'southern'stream'Bernard'Lievegoed'strove'to'create'social'forms'and'shape'social'landscapes'on'a'human'scale'and'with'a'human'face.''The*relationship*between*the*four*streams*and*the*Christmas*Conference.*The*four*archangels**The'Foundation'Stone'meditation17'addresses'the'human'being'in'its'three'aspects,'on'a'microcosmic'and'a'macrocosmic'level.'And'each'verse'ends'with'“This'is'heard'by'the'spirits'in'east,'west,'north'and'south.'May'human'beings'hear'it”.''This'can'be'interpreted'as'follows:'The'spirit'impulses'from'the'four'streams'know'objectively'that'the'Christmas'Conference'has'given'a'fundamentally'new'orientation'to'their'respective'streams,'but'making'this'audible'to'the'human'beings'who'work'in'and'out'of'these'streams'remains'a'wish'for'the'time'being.'I'think'that'Bernard'Lievegoed'wanted'to'make'this'wish'come'true.'Leaving'aside'his'previous'incarnations,'it'can'be'said'that'he'was'able'to'move'in'all'four'streams.'He'was'deeply'convinced'that'the'streams'retained'their'identity'and'specific'task,'but'also'that'–'through'their'orientation'towards'the'ChristianKMichaelic'events'of'the'Christmas'Conference'–'they'have'to'sacrifice'themselves.'They'can'only'contribute'to'a'healthy'social'development'if'they'join'forces.''It'is'possible'to'think'oneself'into'the'streams'and'ask'oneself:'What'does'one'have'to'offer'to'the'other'three,'and'what'help'can'the'other'three'offer'to'the'first?'The'connecting'lines'always'run'through'the'centre,'the'quintessence'of'the'four'mystery'streams,'the'Mystery'of'Golgotha,'the'turning'point'of'the'transition'from'the'old'mysteries'to'the'new.''Although'the'streams,'because'of'their'names,'are'still'always'associated'with'their'location'on'earth,'I'still'think'that,'since'the'Christmas'Conference,'they'have'lost'their'geographical'centres'of'activity.'This'really'happened'long'before,'but'now'they'have'a'new'common'orientation,'and'this'enables'them'to'make'their'contribution,'irrespective'of'their'direction.'It'also'enables'them'to'act'together.'In'an'occult'sense,'this'joint'activity'goes'back'a'long'way.'In'his'book'Bernard'Lievegoed'gives'two'examples'of'this:'between'Celts'and'Germanic'peoples'(E–N),'and'between'Arthurian'knights'and'knights'of'the'Holy'Grail'(E–W).'But'since'the'Christmas'Conference,'it'has'been'possible'to'lend'conscious'shape'to'the'joint'activity'(of'all'four).''During'our'internal'work'sessions,'Bernard'Lievegoed'often'spoke'about'the'four'archangels:'Michael,'Raphael,'Gabriel'and'Uriel.'All'four'are'the'face'and'the'servants'of'the'sun'entity,'of'Christ.18'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'particularly'fascinated'with'the'tension'between'Michael'and'Raphael.'He'thought'of'this'in'terms'of'the'mystery'–'in'Steiner’s'words'–'that'exists'between'heart'and'lungs:'the'heart'as'the'sun'organ'(Michael),'the'lungs'as'the'mercury'organ'(Raphael).'He'was'also'interested'in'the'relationship'of'forces'between'Gabriel'and'Uriel.19'Although'the'four'archangels'constantly'move'around'the'earth'and'thus'their'position'relative'to'the'sun'changes'all'the'time,'it'is'still'likely'that'each'of'them'has'an'individual'relationship'with'one'of'the'four'streams.'Perhaps'not'only'the'elemental'beings'from'the'four'points'of'the'compass'hear'the'Foundation'Stone;'perhaps'the'four'archangels'hear'it'too…'

15

'K Raphael'in'the'west.'He'is'the'healer'amongst'the'archangels.'Every'doctor'takes'

his'orientation'from'him.'K Gabriel'in'the'south.'Through'the'portal'of'birth,'which'is'guarded'by'Gabriel,'we'

enter'the'earthly'realm'and'become'incarnate'in'a'physical'body.*K Michael'in'the'north.'Michael'focuses'on'will'and'courage.'He'is'the'patron'of'

entrepreneurs'who'look'towards'the'consequences'of'their'actions'rather'than'their'causes.'Michael'wants'to'see'the'moral'powers'directed'inwards'as'well,'in'battle'with'one’s'self.'If'we'lead'the'will'into'thinking,'our'thinking'becomes'spiritualised,'it'becomes'Michaelic.'*

K Uriel'in'the'east.'Uriel'keeps'a'strict'eye'on'the'actions'of'human'beings.'When'we'began'to'develop'action'learning'based'on'critical'selfKevaluation'as'a'learning'path'for'adults,'we'were'orienting'ourselves'towards'Uriel.*

'The*social*impulse*of*anthroposophy.*Steiner’s*path*along*the*four*beacons*of*the*mystery*streams**We'have'described'the'Christmas'Conference'as'an'eminently'social'impulse.'It'is'here'that'the'mystery'impulse'begins'to'work'towards'a'spiritKself'culture,'a'culture'in'which'community'emerges'out'of'the'powers'of'the'free'ego,'inspired'by'the'spirit.'It'is'a'culture'in'which'human'beings'become'interested'in'what'lives'in'the'other'and'what'could'arise'from'them.'In'a'meeting'between'two'people,'both'awaken'each'other,'and'become'aware'of'what'it'is'they'really'want.'The'social'question'becomes'increasingly'individual.'Each'person'takes'his'own'path'in'order'to'achieve'the'peak'of'his'potential,'but'he'needs'the'other'to'give'him'the'strength'to'achieve'what'otherwise'he'would'be'unable'to'achieve.'This'is'possible'only'with'surplus'forces,'born'from'spiritual'enthusiasm.'It'is'the'spiritKself'culture'to'which'the'Christmas'Conference'shows'the'way.'This'achievement'by'Rudolf'Steiner'can'be'seen'as'the'summit'of'a'process'which'runs'through'his'entire'biography.'During'the'1980s'I'spent'a'long'time'searching'for'it,'until'I'discovered'to'my'amazement'that'–'like'the'development'of'a'human'being'–'the'social'impulse'in'anthroposophy'follows'a'sevenKyear'rhythm.'There'are'four'major'milestones'along'this'development'path.''1898'In'an'essay20,'Steiner'wrote'about'the'soKcalled'“fundamental'sociological'law”:'

“At'the'beginning'of'cultural'evolution,'humanity'strives'towards'the'creation'of'social'groupings;'initially,'the'interests'of'the'individual'are'sacrificed'to'the'interests'of'these'groupings;'further'development'leads'to'a'liberation'of'the'individual'from'the'interests'of'the'group'and'to'a'free'unfolding'of'the'needs'and'faculties'of'the'individual.”'

'1905'In'the'last'of'his'three'essays'on'“Spiritual'Science'and'the'Social'Question”'21,'

Steiner'formulated'the'soKcalled'“main'social'law”:'“The'health'of'a'living'organism'of'people'working'together'is'the'greater,'the'less'each'individual'claims'the'outcomes'of'his'work'for'himself,'that'is,'the'more'of'these'outcomes'he'gives'over'to'his'colleagues'and'the'more'his'needs'are'satisfied'not'from'his'own'efforts'but'from'the'efforts'of'others.”'

16

'1912'In'a'series'of'lectures'in'different'towns,'culminating'in'the'Norköping'lectures'

on'“Theosophical'Morality”22,'Steiner'described'the'three'“virtues'of'the'sentient'soul,'the'intellectual/mind'soul'and'the'consciousness'soul”:'wonder,'compassion'and'conscience.'Within'the'soul'corrupted'by'Lucifer,'these'are'selfless'seeds'from'which'a'totally'new'social'life'can'emerge.23'They'are'also'linked'with'faith,'love'and'hope.'

'1919'In'“Towards'Social'Renewal”,24'Steiner'set'out'his'vision'of'the'threefold'social'

order:'a'social'order'which'belongs'to'the'selfKconscious,'selfKresponsible'human'beings'of'the'age'of'the'consciousness'soul.'

'1923'Christmas'Conference.25''It'is'not'difficult'to'see'that'on'this'path'Steiner'follows'the'flow'of'the'four'mystery'streams,'as'it'were'with'“sevenKleague'boots”.'It'seems'that'he'gathered'the'fruit'from'all'four'points'of'the'compass'in'order'to'sow'their'seeds'in'the'Christmas'Conference.''1898'Northern'stream.'The'fundamental'sociological'law'puts'the'ego'at'the'centre.'

Not'the'old'maxim,'caricatured'in'the'phrase'“You'are'nothing,'the'party'is'everything”,'but'the'social'in'the'service'of'the'individual'personality.''Only'then'can'the'expand'itself'to'the'We!'

'1905'Western'stream.'The'main'social'law'begins'with'“The'health…”.'We'hear'

Raphael'in'this.'It'goes'on'to'focus'on'the'development'of'a'peripheral'consciousness:'giving'up'one’s'own'efforts'to'the'periphery,'and'having'one’s'own'needs'met'by'what'comes'back'from'the'periphery.'This'takes'place'in'the'etheric'realm,'where'we'must'learn'to'think'from'the'periphery.'

'1912'Eastern'stream.'Within'the'soul,'powers'slumber'which'go'beyond'the'

limitations'of'the'self:'interest,'empathy'and'responsibility.'They'manifest'themselves'as'the'germinating'forces'for'the'free'spiritual'life,'the'democratic'rights'and'political'life'and'the'serviceKproviding'economic'life,'of'which'Steiner'would'speak'in'1919.'

'1919'Southern'stream.'In'reality'the'threefold'social'order'is'a'structural'concept.'It'

reveals'the'building'principles'of'the'social'temple.'It'is'no'coincidence'that'in'the'same'year'–'after'30'years’'research'–'Steiner'revealed'the'building'principles'of'man’s'physical'body.26'The'human'temple'is'an'“ecological'system”'in'which'the'nervous'system'of'the'senses,'the'respiratory'and'circulatory'system,'and'the'system'of'the'metabolism'and'limbs'are'interconnected,'while'each'still'retains'its'individuality.'

'1923'Christmas'Conference.'Here'we'are'in'the'centre'between'the'streams.'They'

are'present'as'seeds'in'the'Foundation'Stone'Meditation'and'the'statutes'(the'

17

soKcalled'principles),'and'from'there'all'four'can'flower'anew'in'a'ChristianKMichaelic'sense.'

'I'remember'that'when'I'presented'the'above'to'colleagues'in'Zeist,'Bernard'Lievegoed'was'deeply'satisfied,'saying:'“This'is'an'example'of'spiritual'research.”''Goethe’s*fairy*tale*and*the*Michael*School**One'question'that'remains'unanswered'is'where'this'development'path'is'rooted.'We'will'probably'find'an'answer'to'this'question'if'we'go'back'one'stage'further'in'the'sevenKyear'rhythm'described.'In'1891'Steiner'gave'an'exoteric'lecture'about'Goethe’s'fairy'tale'“The'Green'Snake'and'the'Beautiful'Lily”27'at'the'Goethe'Association'in'Vienna.'And'at'the'end'of'his'life'Steiner'described'in'an'esoteric'lecture'how,'in'the'images'of'his'fairy'tale,'Goethe'captured'something'of'the'supersensible'cult'which'Michael'celebrated'at'the'end'of'the'18th'and'beginning'of'the'19th'century.'In'a'sense'this'cult'was'the'conceptual'end'of'the'supersensible'school'Michael'had'established'for'the'beings'that'had'oriented'themselves'towards'him.28'The'school'“covered”'the'content'of'the'old'mysteries'and'prepared'the'arrival'of'the'new'mysteries'(of'anthroposophy)'on'earth.''Two'streams'emerge'from'this'fairy'tale:'one'exoteric,'the'other'esoteric.'We'have'already'described'the'exoteric'stream.'It'takes'place'in'sevenKyear'periods'from'1891'and'culminates'in'the'Christmas'Conference.'The'esoteric'stream'is'different.'In'1899'Steiner'revised'the'content'of'his'lecture'and'turned'it'into'a'“semiKesoteric”'article'for'the'“Magazine'for'Literature”'to'mark'Goethe’s'150th'birthday.'In'the'same'year,'but'in'the'presence'of'Count'and'Countess'Brockdorff'only,'and'without'holding'back'in'any'way,'he'gave'his'first'esoteric'lecture'about'Goethe’s'secret'revelation,'giving'a'spiritual'analysis'of'the'fairy'tale.'This'is'the'beginning'of'Steiner’s'occultist'activity.'''In'1910'Steiner'was'given'the'opportunity'to'distil'what'he'had'hitherto'published'under'the'banner'of'spiritual'science'in'artistic'form.'He'wrote'his'first'mystery'drama,'“The'Portal'of'Initiation.'A'Rosicrucian'Mystery”.'This'drama'is'a'metamorphosis'of'Goethe’s'fairy'tale'in'every'respect.'In'it'we'meet'again'all'the'characters'from'the'fairy'tale,'transformed.'He'would'write'three'further'mystery'dramas'(1911,'1912,'1913),'in'which'he'skilfully'shows'the'complicated'karmic'connections'between'the'characters'of'the'first'drama.29'Steiner'said'that'the'whole'of'anthroposophy'is'contained'within'the'four'dramas.''1913'saw'the'launch'of'an'initiative'to'build'a'worthy'environment'for'these'dramas.'In'September'1913'the'foundation'stone'was'laid'for'the'first'Goetheanum'in'Dornach.'It'was'built'between'1913'and'1922.30'Rudolf'Steiner'also'said'that'the'first'Goetheanum'contains'the'whole'of'anthroposophy'–'not'as'a'dramatic'act,'but'in'terms'of'sensory'perception.''The'Goetheanum'burned'down'during'New'Year’s'Night'1922/23.'A'year'later'Rudolf'Steiner'inspirationally'enshrined'the'conceptual'forms'of'the'burnedKdown'

18

Goetheanum'into'a'motto.'During'the'Christmas'Conference'he'laid'this'motto'into'the'hearts'of'those'present'as'a'foundation'stone'for'a'new'community.'In'the'hearts'of'the'new'community'he'planted'the'Free'High'School'for'Spiritual'Science'as'an'esoteric'centre'of'the'new'mysteries.'He'called'these'new'mysteries'the'Michael'Mysteries'because,'through'them,'the'message'of'the'Michael'School'and'the'cult'connected'with'it'can'come'alive'and'develop'further.'This'takes'us'back'to'Goethe’s'fairy'tale.''The'esoteric'and'the'exoteric'streams'which'emanate'from'this'fairy'tale'unite'in'the'Christmas'Conference.'The'esoteric'and'the'exoteric'must'permeate'each'other;'spiritual'content'can'only'live'within'an'adequate'social'form.''Bernard'Lievegoed'took'on'this'task.'What'I'have'described'here'can'be'summarised'graphically,'and'I'think'Bernard'would'have'recognised'himself'in'this'illustration.'

19

Lecture about Goethe’s fairy tale

1891

North

West

East

South

The Michael School at work in social life

1899

1910

1925

1923

1919

1912

1905

1898

1891

1923

1922

1913

1912

1911

1925

Christmas Conference

Goethe’s fairy tale as a revelation from the Michael School

Esoteric stream Exoteric stream

Lecture about Goethe’s fairy tale

Fundamental sociological law

Main social law

Social virtues

Threefold social order

Christmas Conference

Rudolf Steiner dies

Magazine article Brockdorff lecture

Four mystery dramas

Foundation stone laid for first Goetheanum

First Goetheanum built

Goetheanum burns down

Christmas Conference

Rudolf Steiner dies

20

M

G Earth U

R

N M

W R U E

G S

Tasks*for*“mystagogues”''Educators'who'want'to'continue'in'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'footsteps'and'work'on'the'basis'of'the'new'mysteries'in'order'to'bring'the'old'mystery'streams'to'fruition'in'the'Christian'sense,'should'be'able'to'call'themselves'–'in'all'modesty'–'mysteryKagogues,'or'simply'mystagogues'for'short.'Unfortunately'that'term'has'already'been'taken,'by'Steiner'himself.'In'the'first'scene'of'the'third'mystery'drama,'Steiner'shows'a'mystic'association'emerging'from'hiding,'believing'that'it'is'time'that'the'uninitiated,'too,'become'aware'of'the'spiritual'knowledge'which'holds'it'together.'Ferdinand'Reinecke'is'amongst'the'people'the'association'turns'to.'He'is'highly'critical'and'suspicious,'and'he'warns'those'present'against'the'“temptation'emanating'from'the'temple'of'the'mystagogues”.''For'this'reason'I'will'simply'conclude'this'article'by'inviting'you'to'undertake'three'pieces'of'homework.''The'first'task'centres'on'“three'and'four”.'Bernard'Lievegoed'always'said'that'he'had'a'primary'connection'with'the'fourfold'entity'–'and'this'is'what'this'whole'article'is'about.'Yet'he'concluded'his'life'with'a'visionary'analysis'of'the'three'major'streams'of'humanity:'Rudolf'Steiner’s,'Manu’s'and'that'of'Christian'Rosenkreuz.31'The'important'question'is'how'these'three'streams'are'related'to'the'four'described'here.'

'The'second'task'is'about'the'four'archangels.'In'the'archangel'lectures,'the'four'move'in'a'fixed'constellation'around'earth.'In'their'relationship'to'the'four'mystery'streams'they'are'arranged'differently.'How'are'these'different'constellations'related?'How'can'we'regard'both'as'simultaneous'reality?''

The'third'task'is'about'the'search'for'four'key'questions,'or'perspectives,'which'will'help'us'to'recognise'the'qualities'of'the'four'streams'in'our'research'and'consultancy'work.''In'trying'to'apply'the'perspective'of'the'mystery'streams'in'my'practical'work,'I'have'often'asked'myself'the'following'questions'about'an'organisation'I'have'worked'with:'K The'northern'question:'For'whom'and'to'what'extent'does'it'offer'space'for'

personal'initiative'and'individual'responsibility?'K The'western'question:'Are'processes'able'to'unfold'freely,'and'to'what'extent'

are'they'controlled'from'the'periphery?'K The'eastern'question:'Is'there'a'conscious'effort'to'develop'the'soul'forces'which'

strengthen'and'enrich'the'relationships'between'people?'K The'southern'question:'Are'the'organisational'forms'and'the'rights'structure'

such'that'they'have'a'positive'influence'on'the'previous'questions?''

21

I'think'we'can'find'questions'that'are'better'still.'I'hope'you'will'take'up'the'challenge.''This'has'been'an'attempt'to'locate'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'impulse'in'the'broad'perspective'of'the'four'mystery'streams'and'the'new'mysteries.'Inevitably,'it'became'a'personal'account.'I'think'that'Bernard'Lievegoed’s'impulse'is'so'rich'that'it'lends'itself'to'completely'different'analyses'from'different'viewpoints.'I'hope'that,'in'time,'these'will'complement'this'essay.''

Lex'Bos'Summer'1999'

'' 1 Lievegoed, B. Phases of Childhood. Floris Books 1997 2 Lievegoed, B. Phases. Rudolf Steiner Press 1993 3 Lievegoed, B. Mystery Streams in Europe and the New Mysteries. Anthroposophic Press 1982 4 Steiner, R. An Outline of Esoteric Science. Anthroposophic Press 1997 5 Steiner, R. Mystery Knowledge and Mystery Centres. GA 232 – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1997 Rosicrucianism and Modern Initiation. GA 233a – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1965 6 Teichmann, F. Die Kultur der Empfindungsseele. Verlag Freies Geistesleben (not translated) 7 Bos, L. Die Templer. Verlag Urachhaus (not translated) 8 Streit, J. Sun and Cross. Floris, Edinburgh 1984 9 Steiner, R. Cosmic Memory. Garber Publications, Blauvelt 1987 10 Steiner, R. The Mission of the Individual Folksouls in relation to Teutonic Mythology. GA 121 – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1970 11 Prokofieff, S. Rudolf Steiner and the Founding of the New Mysteries. Temple Lodge, London 1994 12 Steiner, R. Ideas for a New Europe. GA 194 – Rudlof Steiner Press, 1992 13 Lievegoed, B. Managing the Developing Organisation. B. Blackwell 1991 14 Bos, L. Anthroposophie, Mystik und New Age. Verlag am Goetheanum (not translated) 15 Bos, L. See 14 16 Steiner, R. See 12 17 Zeylmans von Emmichoven, W. The Foundation Stone. Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1963 18 Steiner, R. The Four Seasons and the Archangels. GA 229 – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1996 19 Lievegoed, B. Der geistige Strom der heilpädagogischen Bewegung. In: Lievegoed, B. und Rascher, I. Geistquellen der Heilpädagogik. Verlag am Goetheanum (not translated) 20 Steiner, R. Das soziologische Grundgesetz, in “Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Kulturgeschichte 1887-1901”. GA 31 (not translated) 21 Steiner, R. Anthroposophy and the Social Question. 3 Essays from “Lucifer-Gnosis”, 1905-06, Mercury Press, Spring Valley, 1982 (from GA 34) 22 Steiner, R. Spiritual Foundations of Morality. GA 155 – Anthroposophic Press 1995 23 Bos, L. Christus-Wirken im Sozialen. Verlag am Goetheanum (not translated) 24 Steiner, R. Towards Social Renewal. GA 23 – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1999 25 Steiner, R. The Christmas Conference for the Foundation of the General Anthroposophical Society 1923/24. GA 260 – Anthroposophic Press, Hudson 1990 26 Steiner, R. The Case for Anthroposophy. GA 21- Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1970 27 Goethe, W. v. The Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily. Hawthorn Press 1998 Steiner, R. Goethe’s Secret Revelation. GA 30 – Typescript Z92 28 Steiner, R. Karmic Relationships, Vol. VI. GA 240 – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1989 29 Steiner, R. Four Mystery Dramas. GA 14 – Rudolf Steiner Press, London 1989 30 Steiner, R. The Architectural Conception of the Goetheanum. GA 290 – Rudolf Steiner Publishing Co., London 1938. 31 Lievegoed, B. The Battle for the Soul. Hawthorn Press 1994