Challenging Modern Education: Steiner’s Radical Take on Consciousness, Energy, and Human Dignity- pt 4

In this post, I have summarised this section of the book. I have significantly condensed most of the pages and focused on the ideas that resonated with me. Towards the end, I discuss how this could play a part in our education system... but I still don’t have the answers. Maybe you do?

Steiner begins this section by acknowledging that the student will most likely have many doubts about their journey. He observes that man carries within him his body, soul, and spirit, but his consciousness only senses his body. Learning how to be conscious of your thoughts and feelings gives you a direct link to your soul and spirit.

This next part is quite profound...

Steiner explains that while our soul and spirit are invisible, they still exist. If a student observes a seed, aside from its physical appearance, it is just a seed. BUT, there is an invisible energy inside the seed that makes it grow. (Referring back to the previous blog, Steiner says that an enlightened student will be able to detect energetic colours emanating from the seed.)

I think this is an incredible thing to ponder: that physical objects have within them a life force that we cannot see.

This is the tricky part:
‘Thus there is something in the plant which my eyes cannot see. If I let this thought live within me, and if the corresponding feelings are coupled with it, then, in due time, there will develop in my soul a force which will ripen into a new perspective.’

Parallel Learning with Yourself

‘For every one step that you take in the pursuit of higher knowledge, take three steps in the perfection of your own character.’

I find this a fascinating idea. I interpret it as meaning that for everything you learn, you should try and learn more about yourself. Steiner is talking about spiritual knowledge, not cognitive knowledge, but wouldn’t it be fascinating to incorporate this idea into our classrooms?

Sharing Knowledge

Once the student has acquired the skill of observing inner experiences, he might want to share them with others. However, Steiner gives us a warning!

‘Direct your attention in the same way upon a person to whom the fulfilment of some wish, the gratification of some desire, has been granted.’

The warning (This part I find fascinating):

‘He will then no longer allow himself to think of his fellow men in a way that is incompatible with the highest reverence for human dignity and human liberty. The thought that a human being could be merely an object of observation must never, for a moment, be entertained. Self-education must ensure that this insight into human nature goes hand in hand with an unlimited respect for the personal privilege of each individual and the recognition of the sacred and inviolable nature of what dwells within each human being.’

When I read this section, the first things that came to my mind were human rights, objectification of women and the pitfalls of human nature.  In the news today we hear of a woman being raped 51 times, bombings against different cultures/religions and a deep sense of triablism.   However, if we teach a child that there is a sacred and unbreakable respect we must give to our fellow humans, developed through self-education, what might the world look like today?

Summary

I want to highlight a few key points here. First, Steiner suggests that there is an energy in us and in all things that cannot be physically seen. When you learn to perceive this energy, it changes your perception of everything. In the process of this learning, you also learn about yourself and strive to improve your own character. After this, you might feel inclined to share your knowledge with others, but you must do so with humility. Finally, Steiner emphasises that all humans must be treated with unlimited respect.

Linking this to education: I don’t know how many times I have taught the life cycle of a plant, but never have I dwelt on the wonder of the energetic force inside the seed. How can learning about a seed and character development go hand in hand? I don’t have the answer, but the idea of learning something and then reflecting on your own character is fascinating.