The Breathing Process of the Earth: Karl König’s Healing Impulse

A TALK BY RICHARD STEEL

This talk will be presented via Zoom and viewed in-person at the Resource Center for Non-Violence
612 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Karl König discovered his will to heal at an early age against the backdrop of the darkest period of European history. The need to choose between a medical or musical career led in the end to him combining his artistic and healing abilities, giving many indications that are more than pertinent for today. His practical implications in the “social experiment” of the Camphill Movement were just a beginning – a seed, so he said. It seems important to let this seed grow now in a world that needs healing on so many levels – even more so than 100 years ago! This task the Karl König Institute has taken on.

Particularly two aspects to be explored will serve as examples of Karl König’s work. Firstly, the way festivals are celebrated was a deep concern for König and became a central part of life within the Camphill Movement. The festivals as columns of light within the breathing process of the Earth are much more strongly connected to the human being than we normally think. Secondly, a very special task that König took up was to show the importance of the rhythmic “architecture” of the Calendar of the Soul. In his introduction to the verses in 1918 (which was a very special printing!), Rudolf Steiner wrote: “The soul becomes fully aware of the delicate, yet vital threads that exist between itself and the world into which it has been born.”

Richard Steel was born 1952 in Oxford, England. After studying linguistics, he achieved the diploma for Curative Education at the Camphill Seminar, Lake Constance, Germany, and lived there in the children’s village Camphill Föhrenbühl with his family in a house community with children and youngsters in need of special care until 2008, spending one year in Camphill Village, Copake, NY. Amongst other activities, he taught in the high school and training workshops, lecturing at the Camphill Seminar and producing many of Karl König’s plays for the festivals. Since August 2008, he is co-responsible for the Literary Estate of Karl König, and he founded the Karl König Institute for Science, Art, and Social Life.

He writes, lectures, and gives seminars to a wide range of themes springing from his own experience and Karl König’s works. He has also published volumes of his own poetry. For some years, he has been assisting with development of a Camphill initiative for care of the elderly, Camphill Ghent, NY, USA. But his main office is in Berlin, Germany. He is responsible for the New Edition of Karl König’s works, being published successively in German and English. This event will be presented via Zoom while Richard is visiting in New York City.

However, local members are invited to meet and view this together at the Resource Center For Non-violence and continue our reacquaintance as a group that meets face to face.

The Zoom presentation will be presented on the available large screen display, and facilities for Q & A interaction with the speaker will be provided. It will also be possible to participate at home via Zoom.

Richard will NOT be present at RCNV. 

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Regarding masks, the current policy of County/State Health authorities is as follows: Effective March 1, 2022, the requirement for unvaccinated persons to mask in indoor public settings and businesses is being replaced by a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, continue to mask while in indoor public settings and businesses.

As such, it will be a matter of individual choice to wear a mask or not at this event if you attend in person.

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A donation is requested, both for in person attendees and for those participating via Zoom: $5 for current paid branch members, $10 otherwise. Payment is requested in advance of the event, paid online by clicking here.

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INFORMATION FOR ZOOM EVENT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT
https://www.anthroposophysantacruz.com/zoom ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT.