Finding the Spirit

The Spirit is all around us, 24 hours a day – but how do we become more aware of it and work with it to enhance our life, our social situation and the world? In this series of lectures we will look at ways of doing this.

7.30pm - 9pm

£3.50 (£1 concs, students and under 25's)

No bookings required - just turn up.

10th January – Nick Thomas - Spirit Nature of the Human Being

Since time immemorial there have been paths of training leading into the Spiritual World. They are based on the spiritual nature of the human being, which is subtle and evolving, but can be experienced. Humanity has changed vastly in recent centuries so Rudolf Steiner's spiritual path is designed for modern busy people with common sense.

Nick Thomas was trained as an electrical engineer in the RAF. He has been interested in Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophy since his teens and lectures widely on many themes. Currently he is engaged in research to develop a new spiritually-based scientific paradigm.

17th January – Sylvia Francke - Approaching the Spirit through Adversity

On 17th January approximately (it may vary slightly from year to year) the Sun enters the sidereal constellation (i.e. the actual stars) of Capricorn. In earlier times this constellation was known as The Gate of Death. 17th January has been referred to as a significant date related to The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau, which may have involved certain groups who Rudolf Steiner described in a lecture, given a few days after 17th January 1917, as ‘attempting to achieve Ahrimanic (an illicit form) of immortality’. Tonight Sylvia Francke will investigate how, by overcoming our attitude to the tragedy of death, we may find a legitimate route to the Spirit.

Sylvia is author of 'The Tree of Life and the Holy Grail' (Temple Lodge) which investigates 'The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau' from the point of view of Rudolf Steiner's Spiritual Science.

24th January – Judith Byford - Human and Cosmic Principles of Nutrition

What are the cosmic principles in food and do we even think or consider such a thought? What are the cosmic principles of movement and do we ever think about these?

Judith Byford is a Eurythmy teacher at the South Devon Steiner School. She has had an interest in food from the age of four and also has done Eurythmy from the age of four.

31st January – Philip Martyn - The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer is the comprehensive prayer for the human being.
Rudolf Steiner explained its esoteric meaning and origin and we will look at these in this lecture.

Philip Martyn worked in the City and is Joint General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain.

7th February – David Lowe - Twelve Senses

Rudolf Steiner talked about twelve senses not the more familiar five. He characterises them as outer and inner sense. He also spoke of them with regard to the path of spiritual development suitable for the present day through the development of Imagination, Inspiration and Intuition. His challenging exposition leads us into a new way of thinking about the world and about ourselves.

David Lowe lectures in the UK and the USA and also hosts study groups at Rudolf Steiner House. With the artist Simon Sharp he followed Goethe's Italian Journey. They are co-authors of ‘Goethe, Palladio and the Discovery of Metamorphosis’.

14th February – Russell Evans - Weaving the Wonderful World Wide Web of Human Relationships

Looking at the mystery of human meeting and hopefully seeing I to I.

Present social life is under stress as people rightly develop stronger forms of individuality. At the same time social cohesion is vital for our future. How can we develop a strong sense of community while at the same time supporting the development of individuality. Finding the spirit in ourselves and in others is an important objective for us, and depends on finding what it means to be truly human.

Russell Evans, once a professional engineer, continues his life-long aim towards becoming a professional Human being!

21st February – Robert Lord - Journey into the Afterlife

Robert will talk about the significance of neardeath experiences and other related phenomena for an understanding of the event of death and the afterlife.

Robert Lord is an artist, colour consultant and lecturer at Emerson College, Sussex.

28th February – Michael Kientzler - The Guardian Angel

The ancient Greeks called him ‘Daimonion’, the Romans ‘Genius’, in Christianity he is called the ‘Guardian Angel’: the spiritual guide of the individual human being. Is there an understanding beyond tradition appropriate to our time?

Michael Kientzler has a background in Biology and Theology. He has been a priest for 40 years and has worked in Germany, Canada, the USA and in the UK.

6th March – Patrick Dixon - Human and Cosmic Rhythms

There are moving cycles within us, and we live within cycles and rhythms. They are not merely circular but move upon a Spiral of Evolution that recapitulates, upon higher turn and level, our ever deepening relationship to the Universal Human.

Patrick Dixon is a performer, writer and lecturer, mainly interested in countering the limits of materialistic reductionism and opening our thinking to a wider more inclusive picture of the human condition.

13th March – Angela Lord - The Spirit in Art

In this lecture Angela will look at a new approach to Art and its relationship to the Spirit.

Angela Lord is a painter and author. Her latest publication is 'Easter: Rudolf Steiner's Watercolour Paintings'.

20th March – Carol Barker-Lister - Spiritual Purpose through Karma

This talk will look at how we find our spiritual purpose in everyday events and our meetings with people.

Carol is a practising homeopath with a nursing background, who has been a member of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain for 23 years.

27th March – Michaela Wijnberg - The Meaning of Life

In this lecture Michaela will look at the individual destiny in relationship to Karma and the evolution of the Earth.