image: Pillars of Creation, Hubble Space Telescope

Many of us feel a genuine need to find innovative ways of being, to cultivate courage and a deeper perception and understanding of the interconnectedness of life in all its visible and invisible forms.
With presentations born out of genuine insight, a wealth of practice-based knowledge and creative activities we will explore heart thinking and the development and evolution of the Etheric Heart. Our intention is to provide tools and practices that enable us all to find greater strength, clarity and humanity to meet these challenges. Using storytelling, shared research, visual and meditative exercises, and conversations we will deepen our appreciation and understanding of the transformative capacity of the heart as an instrument for spiritual perception and heightened social consciousness. We will offer our work in a process of Collaborative Knowledge Building, Creative Exercises, Contemplation and Conversation.

Presenters:

Iris is a storyteller and speech artist with 40 years of artistic experience. Her background includes studies in visual arts, speechformation & dramatic arts (Europe), BA & BA hon. (Creative Writing) and a PhD on Storytelling and Community Building [Australia]. Anthroposophy has been her source of inspiration for 50 years. 'I will use folktales and storytelling to create an experience of Heart Thinking as both the act of storytelling and the images and language of folktales offer immediate, imaginative spiritual perceptions accessed through 'liminal space'. To face growing social and ecological challenges, we need this pictorial, creative thinking. Rather than a disintegration of the world into intellectual fragments, we can uplift it through new human thinking and human acts.

Irmhild's background and work include Post Grad. Diplomas in Applied Science and Integrative Medicine, International Post Grad. Cert. Anthroposophic Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Health Consultant, Anthroposophic Naturopath endorsed by the Medical Section, Goetheanum, Lecturer, Tutor, and Mentor for International Post Graduate Training in Anthroposophic Medicine, Accredited Fellow of the Australian Natural Therapists Association and on-going research in global health issues. 'I will invite you to explore with me healing practices for the Etheric Heart, the separation of the physical and etheric heart; the effects of this separation and the distorted rhythms that arise as a consequence; we will imaginatively and actually perceive the heart as a pioneer in embryological development paralleled by the etheric and the astral heart as pioneers for human moral-ethical life, and uncover the impact illness and preventative interventions have on the development of the etheric heart.

Gillian holds a BA (hon English Lit.), Grad. Dip. Adult Ed., Post Grad. Cert (Professional Learning), MA (Steiner Education). She has worked in Steiner Education for over twenty-five years, most recently as a Steiner high school English teacher, Professional Learning coordinator and Head of Education. Her current interest lies in Community Development using place-based approaches centred on local collaboration and consultation, and on development of leadership attributes aligned to a 'Steiner context', but also inspired by Restorative Practices and Positive Psychology. 'In the Future Waiting to be Born sessions, I will inspire insights into the development of heart thinking, generate experiences through exercises and observations stemming from Steiner’s work, and use the growing body of research on the heart as an organ of perception as a reference point - all of which we will exploration through creative writing and poetry.