Heartbeet Youth Conference, Rachel Schwartz (Oct 2008)

by Rachel Schwartz

with contributions from Judith Brockway, Bernie Wolf, and Per Eisenmann

The thirteenth Heartbeet Youth Conference took place on the weekend of October 11–12, 2008, at Heartbeet Lifesharing in Hardwick, Vermont. Approximately fifty people gathered to explore the theme of “The Whole Human Being In Relation to Karma”. The weather was glorious and the meals, cooked by Heartbeet volunteers, were delicious. Of special note was the presence of Heartbeet’s newly built third house. Last May, conference participants dug into the earth and called to the elements in preparation for the building. Conference participants this October got to see the newly built home and help with clean-up and care around the work site— we were so grateful!

Thirteen is a curious number and many of us felt the significance of the moment for these gatherings. Bernie Wolf pointed out that on the one hand thirteen can be an unlucky number (no thirteenth floor in hotels), but on the other hand it is also twelve plus one. I wondered going into this conference if it would feel like an ending. What I did feel was a sense of culmination. I also experienced the power of the relationships that have been building, the wealth of the content that has been worked through, and the image of a seed came and a sense of potential. The last thirteen gatherings have laid a foundation for a new level of work together. The enthusiasm and need for these conferences remains strong and there is space now for new directions and impulses.

My sense is that the realm of the arts will begin to play a more significant role. I’d like to see the conversations become more prepared and consciously held. I think we will get more hands-on and experiential. The realm of nature (plant observation!) may take on a more central role. There are infinite possibilities, and all of us involved in the planning are excited to step ahead into this new phase.

Judith Brockway opened this last conference with a talk in which she gave a foundation for an understanding of the fourfold human being and the four evolutionary embodiments of the Earth. It can be a challenge to some to admit the fact that Rudolf Steiner had perceptions that enabled him to see behind the manifestation of the senses, could then research them and put his results in such a form that we with our ordinary consciousness can understand them. This requires openness on our parts and an active study life. Because of the Christ Deed on Golgotha we have capacities that have ripened, enabling us to understand the wisdom of spiritual science, but we must activate ourselves.

The fourfold human being consists of the physical body, etheric body, astral body, and the “I”. These members came into manifestation gradually over the course of the unfolding of the four evolutions of Saturn, Sun, Moon, and Earth. We are truly a gift of high spiritual beings, and the contemplation of this can cultivate a deep feeling of gratefulness and a growing sense for wanting to contribute our part to the future positive unfolding of evolution.

Don Jamison led everyone in singing on Saturday morning and again on Saturday evening. The music created a beautiful sense of harmony and joy for our work together. Strains of the songs he taught were heard at Heartbeet and elsewhere long after the conference ended!

Hannah Schwartz and Per Eisenmann presented on Saturday afternoon. Hannah spoke of “The Four Temperaments.” Per began by reminding us that everyone is in constant communication with the dead. After death, people are connected with those they have known in life. When we think of them and infuse ourselves with spiritual content, we nourish them. Communicating with those who have died is experienced as a reversal: what we wish to say comes from them, and what they say comes from inside ourselves. This reversal is part of the reason we do not notice our constant contact with them. They work with us, and we can help them by working with them more consciously.

On Sunday morning almost everyone gathered for the Festival of Offering Service. Immediately following, in the space made sacred by the service, Glen Williamson and Laurie Portocarrero performed Aeschylus Unbound, a new play about the ancient Greek Mysteries and the “Father of Tragedy,” co-written by Mala Powers and Glen Williamson. Through the characters of Aeschylus and the Priestess, Dona, the dying of the ancient Mysteries, the awakening to a new consciousness and the foreshadowing of the coming of the Christ are all vividly portrayed. The acting was outstanding and the experience touched everyone present profoundly. The Heartbeet conferences have been blessed by the faithful participation and contributions of Glen and Laurie, and this play was a blessing on us all, truly a gift that spoke directly to each one of us, to our theme of karma, and to our work together both in the past and the future. I highly recommend this drama to any branch or community.

On Sunday afternoon Bernie Wolf from Camphill Special Schools Beaver Run gave a talk entitled “From Cosmic Evolution to Working with Destiny.” From its beginnings, Bernie has supported Heartbeet with much needed practical advice and encouragement. We always knew that he was meant to come for one of the conferences, so his presence was a joyous occasion and the beginning of a trend, we hope! Bernie began by invoking the anthroposophical view of the human being, connecting to Judith’s talk, and reminding us that the human being is in a process of becoming. The ideas of karma and reincarnation can deepen our sense of morality for what we do or do not do. It expresses itself in two directions, first in regard to our body (constitution and temperament) and second in regard to the world—the circumstances and environment we find ourselves in.

With characteristic humor Bernie told a story of a young knight in the service of St. Michael that spoke of the need to face unpleasant experiences, and the value and importance of looking for the positive aspect within our experiences. The Wise Being in each of us leads us to experiences that are painful or challenging, by which we can actually overcome our limitations and grow and develop. He went on to say that unlike many of the painful experiences in our lives (which are often chosen by the Wise Being in us), experiences which bring us joy and happiness are bestowed upon us by grace and the divine powers who wish to embed us in their being.

If we meet all our life experiences with thankfulness, we will be led through love to the invisible spiritual Bestowers of Life and spiritual powers permeating all existence. Our karma, our work to overcome our limitations, can be brought to the service of others. For instance, a need to develop patience can be met by caring for and educating children with special needs. Working with anthroposophical ideas helps us connect with the human being we will become in the future, a cosmic being expanded to the universe. The verse by Rudolf Steiner both sums this up and also helps us grow towards it: In thy thinking cosmic thoughts are living: Lose thyself in cosmic thoughts.

In thy feeling cosmic forces are weaving: Feel thyself through cosmic forces.

In thy willing cosmic beings are working: Create thyself through beings of will.

In May 2009 we will continue on with the theme of karma and reincarnation: “Learning the Signs of Destiny through Thinking and Artistic Experience.” Stephen Usher, Nathaniel Williams, Steve Brannon, Don Jamison, Glen Williamson, and Laurie Portocarrero will all be presenting ideas and leading us through artistic experiences, hopefully a first step towards cultivating this new way of working together for future gatherings. For more information, please contact Rachel Schwartz at raugustina@hotmail.com.