Anthroposophical Therapeutic
Art
Human beings
unconsciously seek the healing of the universal artistic qualities.
Therein live the workings of the Creative Logos, which are the
helping forces. Thereby in therapeutic fields one can view a path
into the spiritual scientific healing arts. Anthroposophy is
usually understood to mean’knowledge of the human being’ or, in a
fuller sense, ‘consciousness of one’s humanity’. Whether or not the
individuals in need of healing can consciously glean a deeper
understanding of this is dependent on their readiness and the
interest involved as well as the therapist’s judgement and ability
‘to speak the language of each
individual’. That is an art in itself. It has
also to do with explaining therapies to parents in the Rudolf
Steiner Schools.
These
judgement and abilities sometimes have directly to do with
karmic connections between client and therapist, indeed a special
destinymeeting may occur. In most cases,
however there is an inspirational quality, which at the right time
can shed light on the frame of reference existing in the
temperament and character of the individual clients. One can
imagine what kind of experiences may exist in their daily
lives?
Of course,
healing is the essential objective. My work is in anthroposophical
therapeutic speech and painting. Above all, one must remember that
it is the colours and the sounds that ultimately carry the healing.
In art, intellectual involvement is to be kept at a minimum.
Usually, if a breakthrough has been accomplished for a client,
there is a moment of openness, or even a question from the client
as to how this has occurred. At that time, depending on the
individual, one might refer to the anthroposophical truth behind
the healing, always being careful to speak in the language of the
individual, when possible.
Especially
valuable are workshops with processes, such as the
ColourWheel with Vowels and
Rhythms, the Platonic
Solids, and
Fairy
Tales or my
Story in
Motion, where a progression of healing
experience can bring intimations concerning the process
of reincarnation, This can be experienced, for example, within the
growing and becoming from morning to night, through the seasons of
the year and from youth to old age. One can enliven and objectify
painting or mime for autistic or deaf clients, using the
universal overviews in Aristotle’s
Categories. The transformations of the death
experience can be conveyed in the telling and painting George
Macdonald’s stories, as well as in Aboriginal legends, etc. All of
this comes out of the wisdom of man, which does not belong only to
Anthroposophy. In these artistic experiences one can experience the
full
circle in all its healing
value.
Books such
as Sing me the
Creation by Paul Matthews (Hawthorn
Press,1994) open up creative talents objectively. Those who have
suffered and are open to the Christ can often benefit from poetry
out of anthroposophical wisdom such as the following poem by Albert
Steffen.
After autumn
wind and weather
have
destroyed your house and harvest,
sun yourself
in seven colours
In the
rainbow bridges brightness.
After storms
of age’s autumn
that have
torn your heart in two,
heal
yourself with seven tone-notes
on the harp
your angel holds.
After
hammerblows of demons
that have
broke your earth built body,
guide
yourself by seven roses
growing on
the cross to Christ.
My destiny
experience in the work removed from the protective atmosphere
enfolding anthroposophical institutions, began almost two decades
ago. Speech formation and painting out of the colour wisdom of
Rudolf Steiner’s Sketches has not yet been integrated into every
Steiner School, for example. It is still by and large a
pioneer
work. New faculties must be accepted,
understood and developed in order to fulfil this work. But those
who believe in the potential of the consciousness soul are not
hesitant to take on the challenge
Imagine a
public hospital, residential or aged-care centre, a day-care centre
for ‘challenged persons’, an International School, or an
alternative education department in a foreign university. At first
glance those working in a daily routine don’t really focus on the
new activity going on around them. People are varied in their
reactions as they are everywhere.
One nurse
may really care and endeavour to have the patient up and ready for
the session. Another may feel aggravated or even subliminally
jealous of the artistic activity, which may appear like play,
amidst the fuss and bustle of daily routines. In a day room there
may be a continual battle with televisions disturbing the therapy.
But consistent efforts eventually pay off, combined with a
concentrated positive and sympathetic approach. A breath of fresh
air is breathed into impersonal atmospheres where therapeutic art
is regularly practiced.
In my
observations the rapport between occupational therapists and the
artistic therapies has improved here in Melbourne in the past ten
years, as art therapy is more integrated into their programs
instead of being in competition with their work..
Yet,
sometimes, despite all trials and smiles, it is sometimes necessary
to seek the oasis
of civilisation, which sometimes alive in
anthroposophical communities. We all need the place where there
exists innate understanding from time to time, though the
feeling of
home is wherever one’s destiny may be
fulfilled.
In group
therapies with children, challenged people, and in aged care
facilities, there is often help from the staff members present.
They gain a glimpse into anthroposophical therapy, but when the
therapeutic specialist, who is perhaps not a permanent worker, goes
on to other situations, the untrained staff members may sometimes
attempt to carry on the work without the professional
qualifications. This can sometimes be detrimental for those
concerned. The skills of the specialists are
irreplaceable.
One only has
to remember the look of wonder when a child discovers colour
secrets, or the ensuing warmth of soul when a speech problem has
been overcome etc. to rekindle enthusiasm. Of course this
prevails no matter whether the setting be ‘anthroposophical’ or in
the so called ‘world-at-large’. The more that the inner feeling of
true earthly values lives in all work situations, the more in tune
one can become with the helping forces.
© Copyright 2010 Katherine Rudolph Exploring
The Word in Colour and Speech
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