Last December was the 100th anniversary of the founding of the General Anthroposophical Society and the "Laying of the Foundation Stone" on December 25th, 1923.
During that month, we invited folks to spend a short time daily with the Foundation Stone Meditation during the month of December. Although the centennial has passed, the questions of how to continue this work both personally and in community continue. With that in mind, and with the feedback of local members, we would like to renew this challenge again for 2024.
Whether you are new to anthroposophy, have been working with it for many years, or are simply curious about ways to practice meditation, the Foundation Stone Meditation is an excellent verse, available to all, for contemplation, and creating a sense of sacred inner rhythm to carry into the Christmas season.
This is an excellent way to engage the will and strengthen our intention as the year draws to a close.
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.
Ideas for practice:
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.
Human soul!
You live in the limbs;
Through the world of space they bear you
Into seas of spirit-being:
Practice spirit-recalling
In depths of soul,
Where in the wielding
World-creator-being
Your own “I”
Comes into being
Within the “I of God;”
And you will truly live
In human cosmic being.
For there reigns the Father-spirit of the heights
In cosmic depths creating existence
Ye Spirits of Strength,
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones,
Let from the heights ring forth
What in the depths finds its echo;
This speaks thus:
From the divine mankind takes being.
Thus hear it the elementary spirits
In the East, West, North, Sout
Human soul!
You live in the beat of heart and lungs;
Through the rhythm of time it leads you
Into the feeling of your own soul-being:
Practice Spirit-meditating
In equanimity of soul,
Where by the surging
Deeds of world-becoming
Your own “I”
Is united
With the “I of the cosmos”
And you will truly feel
In human weaving of souls.
For there reigns the will of Christ all around us
In cosmic rhythms bestowing grace onto souls.
Ye Spirits of Light,
Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai,
Let from the East be enkindled
What through the West takes on form;
This speaks thus:
In Christ death becomes life.
Thus hear it the elementary spirits
in the East, West, North, South:
May human beings hear it!
Human soul!
You live in the resting head;
From eternal grounds it discloses
The thoughts of the cosmos to you:
Practice Spirit-envisioning
In stillness of thought,
Where by the eternal aims of gods
Light of cosmic being
To your own “I”
Is granted
For your free willing;
And you will truly think
In human spirit grounds.
For there reign the cosmic thoughts of the Spirit
In cosmic being light imploring.
Ye Spirits of Soul,
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi,
Let from the depths be entreated
What in the heights will be answered;
This speaks thus:
In the Spirit’s cosmic thoughts the soul
awakens.
Thus hear it the elementary spirits
in the East, West, North, South:
May human beings hear it!