Anthroposophical Society
in America

San Diego San Miguel Branch

About the Society:
The Anthroposophical Society in America is a non-sectarian, non-political
“association of people who would foster the life of the soul,
both in the individual and in human society,
on the basis of a true knowledge of the spiritual world.”
The Anthroposophical Society in America is one of more than seventy autonomous national societies.  These support the General Anthroposophical Society founded by Rudolf Steiner in Dornach, Switzerland.   The Society is a non-profit, non-sectarian association which accepts members without regard to religious, political, national, financial or other personal affiliations.  

Upcoming Events



Wednesday, March 27th
Festival of Easter Study

We will be reading four lectures from Rudolf Steiner's book:
FESTIVAL of EASTER, GA 233a, given in Dornach in 1924.

Rudolf Steiner leads us to an understanding of the true meaning of Easter by tracing its history from the pre-Christian era to our time. He shows it is ultimately through knowing the true significance of Easter that we come to understand our relationship to spiritual reality.

Lectures 1, 2, and 4 will be read individually at home, one each on:

3/27 WednesdayLecture 1
3/28 ThursdayLecture 2
3/29 Friday, 7PMLecture 3*
3/30 SaturdayLecture 4

* On Good Friday, March 29th, we will gather at the home of Elizabeth Olley to read Lecture 3 together. Gathering at 7PM; Reading at 7:30PM.

These lectures can be found in the Rudolf Steiner Archive at:
https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA233a/English/RSPC1935/FesEas_index.html

Please see the attached flyer for details.

Saturday, January 6th
100th Anniversary of the Society / Foundation Stone Challenge

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the General Anthroposophical Society and the "laying of the Foundation Stone" on December 25th, 1923.

To commemorate, reflect upon, and pour renewed efforts into this momentous event, we would like to propose a challenge and invitation to members and those interested in exploring anthroposophy further, of working with the Foundation Stone meditation daily during this December of 2023.

The founding of the Society in 1923, called the "Christmas Conference", was sealed with a meditative verse from Rudolf Steiner called "The Foundation Stone Meditation". This profound verse is a concise panorama of anthroposophy.

The words: verse, poem, prayer, and mantra are different words to describe what is essentially the same: a tool we can use in our spiritual practice for the purpose of going inward; for the mind: as concentration and meditation; for feeling: as art, beauty, devotion and whatever may awaken; and for will: in how our personal resolve can be strengthened in practice.

Mantra (devanāgarī: मन्त्र) is a Sanskrit word coming from the > root man- (manas, "to think" or "mind") and the suffix -> tra, ("tool" or "instrument"), meaning the "instrument of > thought".

From the Anthroposophy Wiki: ..the mantras given by Rudolf Steiner are primarily thought mantras, which can also have an effect when translated into other languages ​​in meditation, as is also the case with the Lord's Prayer:

“The Lord's Prayer is a prayer that is not a mantram as such. It will still have its meaning after thousands and thousands of years have passed because it is a thought mantram. The effect of the Lord's Prayer was poured into the thoughts, and just as true as it is that people can digest quite well without having to ask a physiologist to tell them what the effect of the digestive process consists of, it is just as true that the person who prays the Lord's Prayer feels the effect of the Lord's Prayer, even if he does not allow it to be said to him. The effect of the Lord's Prayer is there because it lies in the power of the thoughts themselves." --GA 96

In addition to how the Foundation Stone can be used for individual practice, it goes without saying, in and of itself it is connected in a practical way with the impulse and outpouring of anthroposophy in the world.

We would like to invite/challenge you to spend a short time with this verse daily
during this Advent season

Ideas for practice:

  • You can recite the verse aloud or silently
  • You can focus on one specific portion at a time or do the whole thing each day
  • It may be more effective if you pick a specific time of day to do this
  • You can keep a journal for what stands out to you or comes up each day
  • You can go up until Christmas (the 25th), or Epiphany (Jan 6th).

During our holy nights studies, which will last from 12/26 to 1/6, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences with the verse, as well as continue the practice with the group.

The Foundation Stone Meditation: https://sandiegoanthroposophy.com/foundation_stone

You can also find various translations of the Foundation Stone (including the original german), here:
https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA260/English/Singles/

Printable PDF version we have created for the branch:
https://sandiegoanthroposophy.com/resources/2023_fs.pdf

There is also a printable version with some annotations for contemplation and room for you to make personal notes:
https://sandiegoanthroposophy.com/resources/2023_fs_notes.pdf

Spanish translation:
https://sandiegoanthroposophy.com/foundation_stone_es

Please join us in this effort for the Advent season of 2023!

Tuesday, December 26th
Celebration of the Holy Days and Nights

From Jesus to Christ

Ten lectures given in Karlsruhe
October 5-14, 1911
By Rudolf Steiner

In these lectures, Rudolf Steiner shows how the Mystery of Golgotha can be seen as the pivotal event of human history, and the Gospels as initiation documents that can help us on a path of spiritual development. He demonstrates how the religious streams of Zarathustra and Buddha helped prepare the way for the events of Palestine.

Rudolf Steiner's emphasis is on rediscovering the esoteric path to Christ and of awakening to the new revelation breaking through in our time: Christ as the Lord of Karma.

Daytime gatherings begin at 1:00 pm: Dec. 26-29, Jan. 1 & 6
Evening gatherings begin at 7:30 pm: Dec. 30, Jan. 2

Bring your Christmas caroling voices!

Please email contact@sandiegoanthroposophy.com if you need directions/contact information for any of the hosts/ study days.

Tues, December 26 Lecture 1 Elizabeth 1:00 pm San Marcos
Weds, December 27 Lecture 2 Blake 1:00 pm San Diego
Thurs, December 28 Lecture 3 Bruce/Johanna 1:00 pm San Diego
Fri, December 29 Lecture 4 Jacqueline/Soleil 1:00 pm Fallbrook
Sat, December 30 Lecture 5 Lori/Carlos 7:30 pm Escondido
Sun, December 31 Lecture 6 *Reading at home*
The Christmas Conference, GA 260 ‡
Mon, January 1 Lecture 6 Karen 1:00 pm Poway
Tues, January 2 Lecture 7 Joseph/Patricia 7:30 pm Oceanside
Weds, January 3 Lecture 8 Andrea/Scott 7:30 pm La Mesa
Thurs, January 4 Lecture 9 Karen 7:30 pm Poway
Fri, January 5 Lecture 10 Elizabeth 7:30 pm San Marcos
Sat, January 6 The Festivals and their Meaning † Mary 1:00pm San Diego

From Jesus to Christ: This cycle is available in the Rudolf Steiner Archive https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA131/

The Festivals and Their Meaning I: Christmas/Lecture VII The Revelation of the Cosmic Christ
https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/Christmas/19211226a01.html

The Christmas Conference, GA 260 https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA260/English/AP1990/19231224b01.html

Thursday, December 21st
Shepherds' Play Reading

Thursday, December 21, 7pm
At the Waldorf School of San Diego
3547 Altadena Avenue, SD.

One of the most beautiful and meaningful celebrations of the Christmas festival is the study, practice and performance of one or more of the Oberufer Plays. The Shepherds Play portrays the birth of Jesus in a stable, where he is sought out by a group of shepherds.

For hundreds of years, ordinary people in the small Austrian village of Oberufer on the Danube gathered in the local tavern at Christmastime to perform plays for their neighbors. With their roots lost in medieval times, the plays gradually evolved to incorporate a unique blend of folk humor and profound reverence in their celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Towards the end of the 19th century Professor Schröer spoke to Rudolf Steiner about these plays. His enthusiasm and concern about the possible loss of such precious folkways touched Steiner, who quickly realized their beauty and proceeded to bring order to the sketchy script and the music. In 1910 the first revived performance took place in Berlin, Germany.

From then on, these plays have become part of the Christmas time tradition for many Waldorf schools all over the world. They were first translated by Cecil Harwood, from England, who tried to keep intact the medieval way of speaking— the simple beauty of expression.

Sunday, November 19th
Celebration for the Dead

Sunday, November 19, 2023, 3:00 pm

Waldorf School of San Diego
3547 Altadena Drive
San Diego, CA 92105

As we gather in the candlelight to honor our friends and loved ones with readings and poetry, eurythmy and music we will enrich our sensing of our unseen companions.

You may bring a list of those you wish to remember and read their names aloud.