In The Artificial Anthroposophical Society I describe the current situation of the problematic General Anthropsophical Society, without recommending a possible solution. Why not? Because I knew of none. Now, however, after some further study, certain concepts which I would like to share with you have fallen into my lap, so to speak.
In February 1935 Ita Wegman wrote to Maria Röschl:
“All the old forms, also the very last one for Anthroposophy (the Christmas Meeting Society 1923) have been basically broken, and it seems to me now that one should no longer seek a form for the life of Anthroposophy, but that every individual is the form with whom Anthroposophy wants unite. Where this is the case, others will find it and join to become members of the true spiritual association. The Anthroposophical Society is no longer necessary because Anthroposophy is already on the earth. It depends now on the individuals and they must together form a higher association, by means of their own development, that has its roots in the spiritual world…”
In March 1935 she wrote in a letter to Herbert Hahn:
“With the Christmas Meeting Dr. Steiner anticipated an organization
that was not possible to implement because the old forces did not yet
permit it … Perhaps a future form can be possible once some people free
themselves from the Society.”
From Peter Selg “Geistiger Widerstand und Überwindung” Ita Wegman
1925-1933, Dornach 2005
From Gerhard von Beckerath in his book “Rudolf Steiners Leidensweg” 2011:
“Today as Rudolf Steiner’s student I must call to all, not just a few of Rudolf Steiner’s students: Yes, it has now become certain that in 1935 Ita Wegman correctly assessed what the possible form the anthroposophical movement on earth should take today. In my opinion, we must have the courage to truly perceive the realities that are becoming ever more apparent and to act accordingly, so that not only a few but all of Rudolf Steiner’s students sooner or later become free of the Society – instead of continuing being driven!
Or do we, by the persistence of outdated but ingrained habits of thought, continue to believe that Rudolf Steiner’s “shattered” social experiment of 1923 with the Christmas Conference can still be practiced by us today – even without Rudolf Steiner? ……. Have we not learned from painful experience to recognize the best possible form for the anthroposophical movement on earth to take today without Rudolf Steiner? With truthfulness, honesty, modesty and patience individually achieved. Instead of simply maintaining the current form of the Society after Rudolf Steiner’s death, with its many demands and centrally oriented structure, a social confederative organism (1) could be formed on the basis of autonomous local associations of people striving for anthroposophy. This would no longer demand more than what we can achieve in the foreseeable future….The local associations could then join together into Country-Associations. (Country Societies already exist.) Together these would form a World-Association that has its active center in the Goetheanum in Dornach, without attempting to implement the Christmas Meeting structure. The various Country-Associations would have the duty to maintain the Goetheanum, which would continue to house the Free University for Spiritual Science…”
I will now speak for myself: In English and in most other languages beyond the Germanic ones, the name “Free School for Spiritual Science” is used, although the original German reads Freie Hochschule für Gesteswissenschaft – “Hochschule” means “University”. Perhaps we say “School” because it would be embarrassing to call something a university which is not one at all. A solution to this mis-translation would be to make it correct: turn the Hochschule into a real university, with a curriculum of subjects of study resulting in various degrees: literary, scientific, professional, etc. and, of course, spiritual science/Anthroposophy. Courses could be in various languages, depending on the Professors’ ability and wishes, with emphasis on English to make the university accessible to students of many nationalities.
(1) A confederation is a union of independent associations that work together for a common purpose.
Victorious spirit
Consume the powerlessness
Of timid souls.
Burn away selfishness,
Ignite compassion,
So that selflessness
May flow through humanity’s life
As the source
Of spiritual rebirth.
Sieghafter Geist
Durchflamme die Ohnmacht
Zaghafter Seelen.
Verbrenne die Ichsucht,
Entzünde das Mitleid,
Dass Selbstlosigkeit
Das Lebensstrom der Menschheit
Wallt als Quelle
Der gistigen Wiedergeburt.
Rudolf Steiner (GA 268)