come more interested in approaches that recognize soul and spirit in action. A good cognitive psychologist adapts to these differences in development of Spiritus. Over the millennia, levels of pathos have always ranged from little to large, though some say that times are getting harder. Anthroposophy asserts that Spiritus for the mass of humanity moves upward over the centuries. Though there have always been those advanced in spiritual development, as well as those very little developed, anthroposophy posits that the bulk of humanity is slowly advancing in spiritual development. This has great importance for a counselor’s task in relating to a person in need. Perhaps the most important revelation of this picture is this: Anthroposophic psychology does not measure success as how far a client moves to the left—diminishing pathos, solving problems, reducing suffering, finding more happiness, adapting more readily to the client’s surroundings. Rather, progress is seen when one lifts in the dimension of Spiritus, the strengthening and realization of soul and spirit, moving upward in this diagram. The world is seen as a school for soul growth, rather than as a vehicle for pleasure. Each moves toward the realization that life is not only about individual happiness, but about a task for each and all (more in chapter 6). Progress is thus seen when soul/spirit realities are integrated into awareness, in this picture when one moves vertically. Horizontal movement becomes less important. Of course, crippling pathos has to be dealt with, in service of the increasing ability to develop oneself through stages of sophistication of soul and spirit. The counselor helps the client draw nearer the purpose of a single human life, and all human life—and one finds this through the warmth and interaction of love.
Being Human and the Life Cycle of the Plant by Tom Altgelt There are numerous ways to approach the mysteries of life and of who and what we are as human beings. Out of my work with Rudolf Steiner’s remarkable plethora of practical indications and spiritual teachings, I have evolved a useful analogy that offers a lucid map to effectively aid us on our quest for inner development. It utilizes the age-old universal symbol of the lemniscate to illustrate the close relationship between the stages of the life cycle of a plant and our own spiritual growth. My opening into ever deepening clarity began when I came in contact with Steiner’s foundational book, How to Know Higher Worlds. Steiner’s teachings regarding the
David Tresemer, Ph.D., teaches in the certificate program in Anthroposophic Counseling Psychology, and with his wife Lila via the IlluminatedRelationships.com initiative.
The Counselor …. As If Soul and Spirit Matter can be ordered from SteinerBooks or Amazon. There is more about anthroposophic psychology programs at AnthroposophicPsychology.org.
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