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.
¡Alma humana!
Tú vives en las extremidades
que por el mundo del espacio
al mar del ser espiritual te llevan:
Practica la recordación del espíritu
en lo profundo del alma,
donde, en el obrar
del ser creador de los mundos,
nace
el propio yo
en el yo de Dios;
y vivirás verdaderamente
en el ser cósmico del hombre.
Pues obra el Espíritu Padre de las alturas.
Generando ser en las profundidades del cosmos.
Serafines, Querubines, Tronos,
haced resonar desde las alturas
lo que eco encuentra en las profundidades.
Esto dice:
Ex Deo nascimur.
Oyen esto los espíritus elementales
al Este, Oeste, Norte, Sur:
que lo oigan los hombres.
¡Alma humana!
Tú vives en la pulsación del corazón y del pulmón,
que a través del ritmo del tiempo
al sentir del propio ser anímico te conduce:
Practica la contemplación del espíritu
en el equilibrio del alma,
donde las fluctuantes
acciones del devenir cósmico
unen
el propio yo
al yo cósmico;
y sentirás verdaderamente
en el actuar del alma humana.
Pues obra en derredor la voluntad de Cristo
confiriendo gracia a las almas en los ritmos cósmicos.
Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai,
haced que desde el oriente se encienda
lo que por el occidente se forma;
esto dice:
in Cristo morimur.
Oyen esto los espíritus elementales
al Este, Oeste, Norte, Sur;
que lo oigan los hombres.
¡Alma humana!
Tú vives en la calma de la cabeza,
que desde los fundamentos eternos
los pensamientos cósmicos te transmite:
Practica la visión del espíritu
en la calma del pensar
donde los eternos fines de los dioses
otorgan
luz del ser cósmico
al propio yo
para su libre voluntad:
y pensarás verdaderamente
en lo profundo del espíritu humano.
Pues los pensamientos cósmicos del espíritu,
implorando luz, obran en el ser cósmico.
Archai, Arcangeloi, Angeloi,
permitid que desde las profundidades los ruegos
en las alturas sean oídos.
Esto dice:
Per spiritum sanctum reviviscimus.
Oyen esto los espíritus elementales
al Este, Oeste, Norte, Sur;
que lo oigan los hombres.