The Foundation Stone of Love

A CALL TO WORK WITH THE FOUNDATION STONE VERSE: A RETREAT FOR ADULTS

As we enter into the one hundredth year since the Foundation Stone of Love was placed at the center of our work, we may ask ourselves: How shall we bring this impulse into the next century? Through speech, eurythmy, and small group conversations, we will seek to deepen our experience of these verses, focusing especially on the first thirteen lines of each of the first three panels. As Rudolf Steiner made clear on that Christmas morning in 1923, the Foundation Stone asks us not only to bring it into our own meditative life, but also to place it at the core of our work together in groups.  

“The soil in which the Stone was laid could be no other than the hearts and souls of those united in the Society. And the Foundation Stone itself must be the attitude of mind which grows when Anthroposophy gives shape to life. This attitude in life, as it is required by the signs of the present time, lies in the will to find — by deepening the human soul — the path to an awakened vision of the Spirit and to a life proceeding from the Spirit.” ~ CW 26 13 January 1924

Our intention will be to approach the inner nature of the Foundation Stone of Love. As Ernst Katz has reminded us, this requires us to bring to these verses not only a mood of reverence and wonder, but also an ability to ask questions that spring from the heart. Only then can it come alive and grow, awakening life-sustaining forces. 

P.S.: A follow-up intensive is being planned for November 2023

Friday, February 17
7:30: Foundation Stone recited by speech chorus
“The Foundation Stone and the Spirit of the Goetheanum,” a talk by Karl Fredrickson
Foundation Stone recited by speech chorus

Saturday, February 18
9:00: Speech work with Jennifer Kleinbach
9:30: Introductory thoughts offered by Judith Aventuro
10:00: Small conversation groups
11-11:30: Coffee break
11:30-12:15: Eurythmy with Dorothea Mier
12:15 – 1:00: Conversation with entire conference group
1-3:00: Lunch and rest
3:00-3:30: Whole group Speech with Jennifer Kleinbach
3:30-4:00: Introductory thoughts offered by Gino Ver Eecke
4:00-5:00: Small groups conversation
5:00-6:00: Eurythmy
6-8: Supper and break
8:00: Festival for the Unborn. Festival Address, Eurythmy, Poetry, and Music to Celebrate Human Pre-existence and the Journey Toward Birth

Sunday, February 19
9-10:00: Thoughts on the Foundation Stone in relationship to the Class Mantras – Rudiger Janisch
(Blue Card Required)
10:00-10:30: Break
10:30-11:00: Introductory thoughts offered by Karl Fredrickson
11:00-11:45: Small groups conversation
11:45-12:00: Whole group conversation
12:30: Foundation Stone recited by speech chorus 

Program subject to change.

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Registration, Meals, and Housing
 
The conference fee is on a sliding scale ($25 – $150) and will help cover administrative and facility expenses.

A meal plan for Saturday lunch and supper at Threefold Café is being offered for $60.00. We hope everyone will be able to eat together at the Café! 

To register and for further information follow this link:
https://threefold.org/event/the-foundation-stone-of-love/
A link will be provided there for Holder House housing. 

A full refund will be given to anyone who needs to cancel their registration at any time. 

Sponsored by the Threefold Educational Foundation and the Threefold Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in America