Painting : Zan Newstrom
Planting the Seeds of Threefolding III
The Mind of the Gardener
We've spoken of mindsets that can can lose their way terribly, leading us - self and society - small steps into a true abyss. There is, however, also an ascending path to be won, by similar small increments.
Both processes, descending and upgoing, affect and involve our human faculties of thinking, feeling and willing (doing and action). These unfold first of all in our own inner world ; but also in our interaction with the external, physical world, and in our social world and relationships. The drama of our lives, how we find or lose our way, lies in how we learn to use these tools, and find our way in these three worlds. We've considered the downward path previously, and can now look at the ascending.
Once grasped, the concepts of the threefold idea first become inwardly active in us - differently in each person. They encounter, clash with or confirm our own past thinking in various ways. They bring our thought processes into new and dynamic movement. Into this lively ferment there arise inklings, unexpected, that our concepts need not be fixed, as we may have come to feel, but can change. We learn we can see things in new ways, if we look - that this is possible.
This influx of new thoughts in our inner landscape also triggers feelings. Noticing that more freedom is possible, among other emotions we feel hope, and want more. Exploring inwardly, we have new insights, and find we like this exploration and discovery. It dawns on us that if we dare embark on it and work for it, we can know more, do more, be more. Not least, we glimpse ways out of a world direction that is in so many ways dark, even threatening. Eager or tentative, we feel the potential to unfold ourselves, and emotions from relief, to gratitude and joy.
Before the Garden, The Plan
During nursing school, a friend and I had a small gardening and landscaping business. He once said to me that the most beautiful gardens are planned from above. Modest as our business was, we always gave customers a sketch or simple blueprint, and the good sense of this has stayed with me.
For the sake of overview, these articles have explored the threefold social idea only in its most basic features : the nature and functions of the economic, rights and spiritual cultural spheres, the characteristic needs of each, factors that help each thrive and ones that make them unhealthy. In this regard we've looked especially at relationships among them - some mutually supportive, others undermining. These are patterns to be found in social life, but the threefold idea is no mechanical model. It describes organs, functions and structural features in a living social organism - a new way to see social phenomena, and step beyond mere intellectual formulations. The threefold idea shows promise even as a diagnostic tool for social situations, both healthy and disturbed. Not something to be "believed" or "applied", it can be tested through observation, and confirmed in the real circumstances of life. Actions that spring from such processes will be both rational, and grounded in the realities of life.
Preparing the Soil of HUMANITY
Among the most cherished ideals of organic and biodynamic farming today is regeneration of the soil itself. In society, the corresponding hope might be for a new and transformed image of man : a renewed conception of humanity altogether - as individual, in community and as whole society.
This needed "image of man" is not in the first place something physical, but a matter of envisioning ourselves, spiritually and psychologically. It is cognitive, rigorous and crucial for the way ahead.
At the heart of the threefold idea, particularly, are insights concerning the core needs of the three realms of life : namely, the need of the spiritual cultural sphere for freedom ; of the rights sphere for equality ; and of the economic sphere for fraternity - the will to work together collaboratively, rather than competitively, to meet the physical needs of life common to all people. Hidden in these already is a certain picture of what a human being is, as a whole being and in health.
As we've seen, the frustration of these needs baffles initiative in even the most gifted of us, stokes anger, cynicism, despair ; and tempts the lower aspects of our human nature constantly. Awareness of these needs, and commitment to their realization, however, can work differently - as ideals and reminder of the possibilities in the human being. Once grasped, these insights lend structure to thinking, and clarity in the most diverse circumstances. They focus our attention, and in all three realms of life, can lend us the needed courage to act :
Rakes and Shovels, Pails and Hoes ......
Our tools for "planting" the threefold idea in our social world are as many as there are tools for farming in the external one ; they're just not physical tools, but spiritual ones, forged in our own being as we go. This said though, certain of these tools are representative :
Such at first glance humble tools should not be "dropped in the field", left in the rain of mundane daily life : they would rather even be meditated, kept in constant best repair. From these few could in fact come all our other tools for change, for all our endless, changing circumstances of life.
..... And Chores Aplenty
Much remains to be done on the way ahead, with challenges both exciting and complex. The way holds many questions not quickly or easily answerable. How, for instance, in the time to come can it best be accomplished, and with least disruption
- Consumer needs, wishes and preferences for goods and services
- Ways to determine the fair and appropriate price of goods and services
- Matters of rights (dangerous or harmful products and practices)
What thought and questions do you have ? What aspects of the threefold social idea light up for you, and would you like to direct your attention to especially, going forward ? Please give this your best further thought and if you'd like, share your thoughts in the contact form below. Not least if you feel this threefold idea should be better known in the world, please share links to this article
Article series by Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
Learn More !
Living Waters Wellness Resources : Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea
The Mind of the Gardener
We've spoken of mindsets that can can lose their way terribly, leading us - self and society - small steps into a true abyss. There is, however, also an ascending path to be won, by similar small increments.
Both processes, descending and upgoing, affect and involve our human faculties of thinking, feeling and willing (doing and action). These unfold first of all in our own inner world ; but also in our interaction with the external, physical world, and in our social world and relationships. The drama of our lives, how we find or lose our way, lies in how we learn to use these tools, and find our way in these three worlds. We've considered the downward path previously, and can now look at the ascending.
Once grasped, the concepts of the threefold idea first become inwardly active in us - differently in each person. They encounter, clash with or confirm our own past thinking in various ways. They bring our thought processes into new and dynamic movement. Into this lively ferment there arise inklings, unexpected, that our concepts need not be fixed, as we may have come to feel, but can change. We learn we can see things in new ways, if we look - that this is possible.
This influx of new thoughts in our inner landscape also triggers feelings. Noticing that more freedom is possible, among other emotions we feel hope, and want more. Exploring inwardly, we have new insights, and find we like this exploration and discovery. It dawns on us that if we dare embark on it and work for it, we can know more, do more, be more. Not least, we glimpse ways out of a world direction that is in so many ways dark, even threatening. Eager or tentative, we feel the potential to unfold ourselves, and emotions from relief, to gratitude and joy.
Before the Garden, The Plan
During nursing school, a friend and I had a small gardening and landscaping business. He once said to me that the most beautiful gardens are planned from above. Modest as our business was, we always gave customers a sketch or simple blueprint, and the good sense of this has stayed with me.
For the sake of overview, these articles have explored the threefold social idea only in its most basic features : the nature and functions of the economic, rights and spiritual cultural spheres, the characteristic needs of each, factors that help each thrive and ones that make them unhealthy. In this regard we've looked especially at relationships among them - some mutually supportive, others undermining. These are patterns to be found in social life, but the threefold idea is no mechanical model. It describes organs, functions and structural features in a living social organism - a new way to see social phenomena, and step beyond mere intellectual formulations. The threefold idea shows promise even as a diagnostic tool for social situations, both healthy and disturbed. Not something to be "believed" or "applied", it can be tested through observation, and confirmed in the real circumstances of life. Actions that spring from such processes will be both rational, and grounded in the realities of life.
Preparing the Soil of HUMANITY
Among the most cherished ideals of organic and biodynamic farming today is regeneration of the soil itself. In society, the corresponding hope might be for a new and transformed image of man : a renewed conception of humanity altogether - as individual, in community and as whole society.
This needed "image of man" is not in the first place something physical, but a matter of envisioning ourselves, spiritually and psychologically. It is cognitive, rigorous and crucial for the way ahead.
At the heart of the threefold idea, particularly, are insights concerning the core needs of the three realms of life : namely, the need of the spiritual cultural sphere for freedom ; of the rights sphere for equality ; and of the economic sphere for fraternity - the will to work together collaboratively, rather than competitively, to meet the physical needs of life common to all people. Hidden in these already is a certain picture of what a human being is, as a whole being and in health.
As we've seen, the frustration of these needs baffles initiative in even the most gifted of us, stokes anger, cynicism, despair ; and tempts the lower aspects of our human nature constantly. Awareness of these needs, and commitment to their realization, however, can work differently - as ideals and reminder of the possibilities in the human being. Once grasped, these insights lend structure to thinking, and clarity in the most diverse circumstances. They focus our attention, and in all three realms of life, can lend us the needed courage to act :
- The concept of freedom in cultural life confirms the pressing need and rightness that we develop our gifts and abilities, as far as we can ever take them ; and in turn kindles a will to contribute what we create, for the benefit of society. To actively own and embrace our freedom builds resilience against self doubt, and if censorship is imposed, conviction that it's wrong. Freedom is of course not yet established in spiritual cultural life today - it's in fact in jeopardy everywhere. But to value and cherish it is itself a seed, and first step in the fight.
- The principle of equality in rights life affirms that our voice and participation are needed in the rights sphere, and have a place in it. Implicitly, this creates space for us to reflect on our needs for freedom, safety and dignity, to discover what they actually are. Conviction that our needs should, or even will be protected, builds courage to unfold ourselves as human beings overall ; and in turn, openness to the rights and needs of others.
Active exercise of our rights builds confidence both in ourselves, and in the rights themselves ; and when they're denied, the certainty this is wrong. Our growing recognition, in the meantime, that we share needs for freedoms and safety with all other people, builds interest and will to participate with them in the more general rights processes of society.
- A mood of gratefulness - and the potential for genuine co-work with others - opens doors of communication, replacing feelings of alienation and isolation, at least tentatively, with ones of community and solidarity. This budding sense of collaboration makes self-serving actions - not to mention, dishonest or predatory ones - stand out clearly, not just as a breach of common values, but sources of real harm. Clarity in this regard creates courage to speak up and speak out ; and if need be, work with others to remedy this harm through rights life.
Rakes and Shovels, Pails and Hoes ......
Our tools for "planting" the threefold idea in our social world are as many as there are tools for farming in the external one ; they're just not physical tools, but spiritual ones, forged in our own being as we go. This said though, certain of these tools are representative :
- Our shared language, terminology and concepts, as often mentioned, grasped precisely and held in common - exactly as would be technical terms and concepts in any field of work.
- Our actions, any and if ever taken, taken in full clarity of concepts, situations and facts ; and on no other grounds than pure love of the deed.
- Our interest in the thoughts and the being of others, as if in ourselves ; and except for our urgent and obvious safety, to hold equally sacred and inviolate the will of others.
Such at first glance humble tools should not be "dropped in the field", left in the rain of mundane daily life : they would rather even be meditated, kept in constant best repair. From these few could in fact come all our other tools for change, for all our endless, changing circumstances of life.
..... And Chores Aplenty
Much remains to be done on the way ahead, with challenges both exciting and complex. The way holds many questions not quickly or easily answerable. How, for instance, in the time to come can it best be accomplished, and with least disruption
- To disentangle ourselves from modes of social and political thinking not based in the realities of life, and that cannot possibly give us a viable future ?
- To disentangle economic, rights and cultural life, where they've become so disruptively mixed ?
- Most urgently in this realm of mixing and trespass today, to end trespass of government into spiritual cultural life, and of economic life into government ?
- To build consumer associations to work with producers and distributors concerning
- Consumer needs, wishes and preferences for goods and services
- Ways to determine the fair and appropriate price of goods and services
- Matters of rights (dangerous or harmful products and practices)
- For producers, distributors and consumers to collaborate to eliminate overproduction and waste, on the one hand ; and on the other, shortages and scarcity ?
- To curtail rampant and destructive speculation in economic life ?
- To build understanding of the threefold nature of society through appropriate adult education ? (this present article series is an impulse in that direction)
- To build understanding of the threefold idea in groups and communities ?
- To establish threefolding in practice in organizations and workplaces (organizational development - see resource and resource) ?
- To build understanding of the threefold nature of society, already in the education of children ?
- To guide capital, lands and resources into the hands of those most capable, to turn them to the needs and betterment of humanity ?
- To develop sustainable, socially non-divisive ways to provide for the economic needs of those unable to care for themselves ?
- To restore the dignity and appropriate valuing/self valuing of the human individual in society ?
- To wrestle science from the death grip of materialism (resource, end of article), and free it to the deeper and necessary study of the human soul and spirit ?
What thought and questions do you have ? What aspects of the threefold social idea light up for you, and would you like to direct your attention to especially, going forward ? Please give this your best further thought and if you'd like, share your thoughts in the contact form below. Not least if you feel this threefold idea should be better known in the world, please share links to this article
Article series by Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
Learn More !
Living Waters Wellness Resources : Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea
