The separation of thinking, feeling and willing and it's redemption “What the individual human being experiences consciously when he strives to attain clairvoyance in the spiritual world, namely, the crossing of the threshold, must be experienced unconsciously by the whole of mankind, during our fifth post-Atlantean epoch” Rudolf Steiner - GA 193 — The Crossing of the Threshold and the Social Organism Lecture given 12th September 1919, in Dornach Switzerland One of the outcomes of this crossing of the threshold of the whole of humanity (or an individual) is the separation of the three soul faculties of thinking, feeling and willing. These three faculties were, in the past, held together not only by higher spiritual beings but by culture itself. The communities families, traditions, and the daily and yearly rhythms within which we lived, kept our soul life safely within certain bounds. We now live in the “wild west” of the soul. Traditions have disappeared, communities and family groups fractured. This is a necessary step in our evolution as the “I” finds it’s tumultuous way into the world. As much as we sometimes yearn for traditions to cling to, they all too easily become dogma and thwart human freedom. With this in mind Steiner’s 6 fundamental exercises (sometimes referred to as subsidiary exercises) are more important than ever. They are essentially a practice of the “I” gaining control or “having a say” over what happens in our soul life. This is vital when it comes to spiritual experiences so that we don’t lose the ground under our feet and become the “play thing” of other spiritual beings. The time of human responsibility has arrived. But it’s becoming increasingly clear in the therapy room, at the bbq, in the class room, the board meeting, the dinner party…and in our own minds (or am I alone here?) and every other social gathering of 2 or more, that this is becoming vital in every day life. The “I” is the one to bring the 3 brothers back together and Steiner’s 6 exercises are beautifully designed to this. This could be explored in a much more esoteric way, looking at all the deeper benefits of these exercises. But for now, I just wanted to focus on the everyday aspects.

As someone who’s put themselves forward to teach Steiner’s 6 Fundamental Exercises (and other spiritual stuff) over the years, you’d think I would do them. And I do. Sometimes. And then life happens - either in my mind or in reality - and I fall off the horse (and land on a rodeo bull). I then end up being a bloke *thinking about* regularly practising Rudolf Steiner's Six Fundamental Exercises (while riding a bull) instead of ACTUALLY doing them. Can you relate or are you a very annoying perfect meditator? (If you are, do the right thing help the rest of us will ya??!!). Anyway, rather than waiting until I'm "back on top of everything" (which, like some self-created, well meant but illusory mental-state, never seems to occur for me), I've decided to begin again. But this time, if you’re up for it, I'd really like some company. So, over the course of five consecutive days (starting Sunday 5th July - ending Thurs 9th) we’ll explore these simple (and sometimes boring-yet-profound) exercises together. Not as perfect Steiner people with flowing garments and serious faces. Not as super-arch-angels. Just as ordinary, everyday spiritual losers (forgive me!) attempting to remember that we're actually capable of paying attention for more than 3 consecutive seconds (potentially, at least). In the past, I have actually had times where I’ve practiced these exercises “religiously” and they really did help me to: - Focus and have more sway over what I was thinking - Feel more emotionally balanced - Strengthen my will - See more of the good in every situation and person - Be more open-minded and less judgemental  …and that’s just the earth-bound effects. They are crucial to a healthy soul life, especially if/when we begin to have spiritual experiences which can really throw us off course. Who’s in? It’s free but it will (full disclosure) eventually be a (cheap) paid thing. We start this Sunday 5th July at 5pm (London time) Here's the link to join https://www.skool.com/live/pqrS4ws68dd