RENEWAL “There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.” — Gandhi »» How is the experience structured? Participants sign up for one Sunday evening through Friday lunchtime course, and therefore have an in-depth experience of their chosen subject. Some of our courses help teachers prepare and others are more philosophical, but all have a strong artistic component. Our veteran instructors try to foster both expertise and joy in learning. The schedule allows for time to rest or walk in the gardens or fields, take in the mountain vista, or swim in the pool. Our kitchen is excellent and serves bountiful organic meals, both vegetarian and not.
“Renewal” is a powerful idea that occurs frequently in anthroposophical contexts. Social and cultural and educational and ecological renewal are urgent concerns, and anthroposophical initiatives are filled with extraordinarily committed people who work long hours and strive to be highly conscious, responsible and creative in their contributions. So “renewal” takes on another character when turned toward the individual. Personal renewal can be health and emotional balancing, it can be reinspiration or new perspectives, it can come from relief felt when finding a community and knowing that one’s challenges and frustrations are shared by others. For the past ten years the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, New Hampshire, has offered “renewal courses” in the summer. We asked Karine Munk Finser (left), coordinator of the center’s renewal courses, to share her thoughts on the significance of such programs as well as specific plans for next year. There is a clear urgency for people to come together, to nurture the powers of the spirit over the gravity pull of the external forces of our lives. We offer a place where individuals can find teachers, colleagues, and friends in a beautiful, rejuvenating community setting for adults—a place for the strengthening of courage in life.
»» What inspired you most about these programs? What lights me up about the Center for Anthroposophy are the dedicated long-term core faculty and staff. The Center attracts some of the very best teachers in their fields, who are schooled in the art of adult education. We have proven that yes, we can create a vibrant minicommunity in a limited period of time. People come, and transformation and growth happens. Many return, year after year, for the teacher training summer session or for our annual renewal. Both groups become a family. These people are our inspiration. Spring 2010
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