Welcome to A Little Garden Flower & Waldorf Essentials

Education as Art, Conversations with Lauri pt. 4

Another segment :)

CLICK HERE part 4

Do I really have to read Steiner? Finding balance.

I get this question a lot.  My answer is yes and no.  You don't HAVE to read Steiner in order to have a Waldorf inspired homeschooling experience. BUT, to begin to really understand the work of Waldorf from a spiritual aspect and even from a practical aspect after the first few years, you will need to begin to delve into some of his actual writings. They aren't scary - I promise!  One of the things I get very troubled about is those who tend to take Steiner out of context or even take things a bit too far.  I know Waldorf appeals to many faith bases, from a very loose base of those who do not walk a structured religious path, to those who have a pretty rigid path.  Interestingly, both extreme ends have trouble with a lot of Steiner's work.  As we learn to walk with an open heart though, we can begin to see his truths within our own lives and children.  In order to do this we must be open to hearing and seeking to understand a message that we may not agree with - you don't have to agree!  I don't agree with every morsel of Steiner that I read and the more I give myself to being open, the more I realize that Steiner wasn't after disciples, he was only giving what he felt inspired to give.  He was human.  I am also human - I am not perfect - it is from this standpoint that I can read his work, take it to God/Source and use my own gifts of discernment to decide what is right for me. 

I had a friend mention to me the other day that she had to walk away from the Waldorf online community because she worried that there was a wave of "cookie cutter" Waldorf families that made her very uncomfortable.  I can see just how that could be the case, especially with so many beautiful blogs that make Waldorf life seem so easy, fun and sort of skim over the vast life experiences we all go through each day.  This friend and I have had many discussions about how our lives don't fit that stereo typical mold. I honestly don't think many of us fit that mold.  We are all free spirits - learning - finding our path - some Christian - some Jewish - some Pagan - some Buddhist - some Muslim - and... well I know I left out many, but we are all walking this path.

So what do we do about this vast ocean that is Steiner?  Do we read him or not?  I think about movements that I have been a part of in my life - breastfeeding - midwifery rights - autism support - even my own faith journey... Steiner is no different.  Would I be a supporter of any of the movements I mentioned without first understanding the basis behind it?  Would I really be selling myself short if I just supported midwifery and didn't understand the ins and outs of the political workings of the bills I was for or against?  What about my faith - would I have joined without understanding the founder and having a true testimony of its truthfulness? I wouldn't have.  I am a research nerd by nature.  I know that no everyone is this way - some people can jump on a band wagon and ride for a bit and then get off when the work gets hard or we encounter something we didn't expect.  So for this, I do encourage you to read Steiner - remember that you won't agree with it all.  My guess is that some nonChristians will have trouble with his representation of the Christ Impulse - some Christians will have trouble with his esoteric nature of some things.  Do these things make everything else wrong that he said?  Of course not - it may simply be that once you've taken something to meditation and gotten a "no" answer that while this specific part isn't right for you, right now, in your current state of understanding, something else might be.  I try to be very specific when I pray and meditate - I imagine it to be a bit like talking to my son about an activity that he wants to do but he isn't giving me all the information - then I am likely to say no because I don't really know all of what he is asking! lol. I do believe that God/Source as our parent works the same way - while understanding our heart, Source is busy!  Think of all the souls asking questions - be specific! I have prayed and meditated over specifics of Steiner before and gotten a "no" only to pray and meditate later on the same subject and get a "yes" - what is that all about?  When I examine my pondering, I generally find that it was a "no" for the specific instance or child I was praying for - but now I am praying about something else and this resource/suggestion/course of action is indeed what needs to happen.  Keeping a good connection with the Spirit can hep us to use our discernment to understand when these times are coming our way. It does take connecting though - regularly.

Many times, I have gotten an email from a new Waldorf mom who may have been doing some Waldorf research online and come across some of those anti-Waldorf groups. So sad.  I honestly do pray for them.  I believe that whenever you take up being against something that you then in turn cut off your own power to discern and understand what really needs focus in your life.  Pushing negativity will never bring you the peace that serving in love and charity will.  That doesn't mean that things won't make us bristle, want to throw up or give us sleepless nights.  I encourage anyone who is troubled by any of those "anti" site to stand back and think of motive.  I encourage you to find someone that you know who knows more about Steiner/Waldorf than you do and ASK questions.  I also encourage you to read Steiner's words from Steiner - not filtered through a hate group.  Isn't there enough hate?  Isn't there enough intolerance?  Sure as a Christian, I have my own beliefs about things - but I also know that I am commanded to love my neighbor and be charitable. Charity isn't taking a casserole to someone who just had a baby - charity is loving someone who you don't want to love.  Charity is practicing unconditional love - understanding the Christ Impulse.  Understanding that it isn't about religion - it is about love.  This is a hot button for me! lol.  It doesn't have to be yours :)

So hopefully you are thinking "ok, I will commit to reading Steiner" - what next?  Well, decide where your interests lie... if you are into this for education and the long haul with your children then maybe a resource like "Rhythms of Learning" might be a good place - what I like about this book, is that we are given the references for the lectures, we can then go to the lectures using a resource like Rudolf Steiner Archive. Maybe you are interested in his work on gardening and farming?  The Steiner Archive would be a good place to start for that too.  Or maybe you have read a lot about education, your interest is peaked and you want to think about some Anthroposophy and some of his spiritual teachings?  The Archive is a great place and then I also love Rudolf Steiner Audio too.  The audio archives has educational works as well as some of his biodynamic work and works on spiritual teachings.

There is no shortage of places to find his work - make sure it is a good resource.  I would never base my breastfeeding career by reading a formula company's site or get my midwifery education from the AMA... there are obvious conflicts there.  Think about where your Steiner comes from.  Also... remember if you read something somewhere that doesn't sit right with you, ASK - ask before it becomes something you become ill about - ask before you make judgments - I have to ask questions all the time!  I ponder, discuss, ponder some more... we are human.  Once you ask and ponder - then you may decide there are some parts that you still don't understand or agree with - rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater, set it aside, focus on what you do understand and do agree with, the other may come back to your later, it may not - it may just be that those parts don't serve you in your quest to know your higher self better or to educate your children.  What one mom needs, another mom may not.  Take the time.  Be open.  Be love.

Love and blessings.

Education as Art, Conversations with Lauri pt. 3

I am so pleased with the emails we have gotten over the last week, lots of excited moms enjoying these conversations!  I am happy to bring you another segment.

Peace and Blessings.

Part 3 CLICK HERE

Restocked and more...

I just wanted to post a note saying that we have restocked our store for those looking for our grade one handwork kits. This kit is dedicated to grade one handwork or anyone learning to knit.  It comes with a DVD that has a dyeing tutorial and also a knitting tutorial - all for moms.  The DVD is also sold separately for those that just want to learn to knit without the other fun things.

For those of you who want some help with grade one but aren't wanting to purchase the full version, or maybe you purchased the ebook and now want the rest, our Grade One Companion DVD is also available for separate purchase.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Education as Art, Conversations with Lauri pt. 2

Here is another segment with Lauri, enjoy! 

PS - it might cut off at a weird sounding place at the end, lol... we tried to cut them in logical places but it wasn't always possible.  We felt like we needed to keep their size manageable.  More is coming!

Conversations with Lauri part 2, CLICK HERE

How do I meditate?

It seems that I am often saying "have you prayed?"  or "have you put this to meditation?"  Now and then, when chatting with a mom or with others on our yahoo group, I will get the answer back "But I don't know how!"  Here are some guidelines that have really worked well for me.  See if they speak to you.  Blessings.

"Meditation takes many forms. Most people believe that it is only an Eastern religion act but it is not. Meditation is one of those things that seem to have been lost after
early Biblical times when the Christian church was trying to standardize things and NOT have people with their own relationship with God - such a shame since part of Christ's mission was to liberate us from group thinking to an individual connection with Spirit/Source/God. When the Church was organized, many of the lessons Christ came to teach were lost. Meditation was one that I believe he picked up when he was likely studying with some Hindu monks during those years that we don't have a lot of information about. Meditation can be the act of working to empty your mind - this is a great will building activity. Meditation and pondering can also be an act of mulling something over - this pondering and meditation feels different though - one of the ways I practice is to first open the pondering up to Source/God through prayer. I practice order to my prayer, beginning with being thankful - really  truly thankful for what I have, for all my blessings. I work to make this a way to become very present by not naming the same things - while I will be thankful for the beautiful day, I am also thankful for everything in my life from Erik and my children to the birds that visit my bird feeder to my eyes that can read and my brain that usually works. Then once I have been thankful for all I have been given, I pose my question - my pondering to God/Source. It may be that I need help with something immediate, in this case I am often given a yes or no, an overwhelming burning in my chest or sometimes face that gives me the answer or confirmation. If it is something about my child or even something will require a longer pondering (sometimes I don't know the difference when I go ask!) these things I will ask for "Please give me guidance with_________" I will again be thankful and then close my prayer and open up my  pondering/meditation. Sometimes I will sit and ponder for a time and then go about my day. I may not have a full answer, but this is what I mean by having a prayer on your lips each day. It becomes the pondering for me until I begin to shift and open to see the answers that God has before me. Sometimes this comes within a day and I am excited at what lies before me, sometimes this takes days of unraveling the layers involved. Most times, it takes a humbling on my part, a time of me thinking about my part in it all and how I can change how I look at things. These become times of great change for me. Times when I realize how fluid life really is and how
limiting labels can be."

For more help on prayer and meditation, inner work, etc. you may enjoy our
Beacon program. www.iamabeacon.com

Education as Art, Conversations with Lauri pt. 1

Several months back, I sat down with my dear friend and fellow Steiner enthusiast, Lauri Bolland. We sought bring some of the things we've learned on our journey to others. Some you'll love, some you might hate, lol... all in all, I do hope you enjoy it.  This is the first of a series we'll be releasing over the next two weeks, at the end we'll have a permanent download page for them all and our notes from the topics.

Part One, Education as Art  - CLICK to download

Willful six year olds and other changes

We come across this question a lot on our yahoo group: "My 6yr old is very willful, I am at my end - any ideas?"  These conversations usually center around frustrating behavior that includes children not listening or being outright defiant - it is often a bit different for every child, but the markers of the changes between age 6 and 7 are definitely present.  Here are some thoughts I shared recently on our list.

"One thing I really support is meditation for you. When I have a child that is really giving me fits - going through changes that I am not totally feeling ready for or that are frustrating me or even just because I feel like they need something... I pray about it and then put it to some good pondering and meditation. Once I have asked God/Source for help through prayer, I open that door way to get answers then through pondering and meditation. I am always amazed at what comes to me.

This age group is challenging... I remember with my daughter especially feeling challenged not just by her behavior, but also by her obvious disconnection. Steiner would say they are leaving Eden, moving on to this world of less security. They need us there. They need the authority from us, they need the love, cuddling,  understanding from us. They are feeling shut off - not because of something we have done, but because the veil is beginning to close. It is as if God has said "ok, you have been with this family now for several years, you love them, they love you, it is time that you fully live with them and work your life understanding how to get back to
me." WOW... that is HUGE. I remember my daughter, she was 5.5 yrs, Sammy was a tiny baby and she turned to him and said "Bubba, I hope you have fun with Heavenly Father, I don't get to go there very much anymore." I cried and cried for her. She was able to put into words just what this time period is all about.

When met with loving limits and loving support, they tend to settle in for a couple years until the 9 yr change begins to come about when now they are questioning us but in an entirely different way. This cycle continues as they grow and reach new developmental milestones.

A friend and I were talking about this a bit last night - the word "developmental" has lost so much meaning. Our society really has nothing anymore to base it on. Many of us grew up in churches that had milestones at certain ages - interestingly how they do coincide with Steiner's recommendations within a few years - but if we aren't active in an organization that recognizes those spiritual changes, then we may not be
really thinking about them. I grew up Catholic and we had First Communion and then Confirmation a few years later. Many other religions - Christian, Jewish and others have something. The faith that I am raising our children in now, has something at 8, 12, 14, 16, 18.... ALL very important developmental milestones. Even scouting... think about when those higher ranking changes happen or when boys (and girls) move from Brownies or Cub Scouts to full on Girl & Boy Scouts.

Developmental milestones, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual are all around us - as a society though we have stopped looking at them from a spiritual standpoint. I tend to think about life in terms of a rating system. I think of the experiences - TV shows, video games, books to be read, museum trips, experiences,etc. in terms of a rating system I have put together in my head based on developmental readiness. This rating system also gives me pause and reminds me when there are times that I just have to be the authority or give the hug."

I hope this is helpful!  Blessings to you all.

What does it mean?

Often when working with matters pertaining to the Spirit, there are things in our past that creep up and make us bristle.  Bristling is generally a knee jerk reaction to something that we have had a negative experience with.  In our Beacon program, we've been working to break down barriers between faiths so we can truly be One Blended Tree.  A friend of mine (I've got great friend! lol) sent me a great tidbit that I wanted to share with you all.  I think these are sage words for spiritual guidance, when reading Steiner, when talking with people of other faiths... how about life in general? 

"In approaching a text, one may first try to understand the plain meaning... of the text: What is the text trying to say in its original context? What do the individual words mean? Why are certain words and phrases used rather than others?One might then ask broader questions about the meaning of the text and about its relation to other texts: What are the hidden meanings of the text? Why does the text speak as it does? How do we relate to the text? In what ways does the text reflect or conflict with our own beliefs and values?  What about the text do we find problematic or challenging?  Asking these types of questions may rarely lead to a definitive resolution, but will certainly contribute to a deeper understanding of the texts at hand and of one’s companions in study"

These are great words!  I think it is so easy to find offense in something written or even spoken without first thinking of the intent of the author.  I find when I approach any kind of spiritual reading, that I do so with a prayer on my lips that I can understand the intent of the author.  It really opens my soul up to the kind of communication that we so often lack in today's world of texting and email.

Blessings!

Looking for great hand work holiday ideas?

I found one - a friend sent this along and I got to thinking about all the "grandma" gifts on my list this year plus all the friend exchanges that we like to do - not to mention SIL's new apartment!  These are now on our handwork list to stitch up.  I like that this is a knitting pattern - so many we see are crochet only and I like the variety. This is perfect for those working with double points in the 5th grade - mom too!

I hope you enjoy!  Blessings.

Knitted Fruity Trivets and Pot Holders