Reflections upon Man as Symphony of the Creative Word
by Nina Churchill, Class of 2005
In this twelve lecture cycle Rudolf Steiner proposes: “For, in very truth, every single thing in the universe is a written character if we could but read it. And especially when we can read their connection do we understand the riddle of the universe.” Steiner then goes on to develop this theme, that of the intrinsic relationships between all that is visible to us (the microcosm) and that which lies beyond what we see (the macrocosm). In these relationships one can begin to discover connections that enhance our understanding of the whole of nature. Steiner also relates this approach to what is truly artistic in our observation of the world and indicates how it can enliven our teaching.
A new way of observing is brought to our awareness in this lecture cycle. We are introduced to the human being in relation to the different realms of nature. In each realm we are asked to have a new appreciation of the word “artistic.” What Steiner introduces as “artistic” we may have previously believed to be “scientific.” Indeed, there is a clear lawfulness and orderliness in nature that we may not normally associate with the artistic. The artistic expression in nature is not random self-expression. In traditional art studies a student is often asked to copy the works of the masters in order to gain insight into the creative process. Similarly, close observation and artistic rendering of the kingdoms of nature allows one to gain greater understanding of the creative impulse behind what we may see at first glance. The whole of nature is the master artist we are penetrating with new eyes. Throughout the lectures we are invited to examine the phenomena of the world, whether it is of the human being, the animal or the plant world, and, through imagination, attempt to understand these in their most essential realities. We are asked to penetrate through to the essence, the “gesture,” of all that we observe. It is in relating these to one another that we begin to find keys to a new, more unified, understanding. Rudolf Steiner says in this work, that the cosmos is the great artist. We were asked in one assignment to explain what he meant by this. To me, he means, there exists deep wisdom, beauty and truth behind all that we see in this world, and that the basis for all that we see, all that lies beyond it, is actually that which we cannot see merely with our eyes. For everything that is physical, there is a hidden wisdom that is the actual basis for its physical manifestation.
This insightful foundation can bring much to our teaching. When we take the opportunity to experience nature in this new way and grasp fuller pictures of the natural world for ourselves, there emerges a new fluidity in our thinking. This kind of understanding invigorates our teaching as we guide children in discovering relationships between themselves and the natural world. As teachers, we hope to engage the feeling life of the children. This can happen in a real and meaningful way in part because of our own deepened understanding of a given phenomena and its essential realities. We need to be aware not to introduce material in a non-artistic, cold, purely scientific manner. When we as teachers develop our capacities to observe the natural world, we become more able to teach through living concepts – ones that are capable of growth. It is through this new kind of observation, which deepens and grows with life experience, that we can warm the material we are offering and encourage the same flexibility of thought in the children, kindling their ability to relate observation to their own imaginative life.
