{"id":53627,"date":"2021-06-11T23:34:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T21:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/?p=53627"},"modified":"2022-01-25T16:58:43","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T15:58:43","slug":"a-spiritual-perspective-to-face-the-challenges-of-the-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/a-spiritual-perspective-to-face-the-challenges-of-the-present\/","title":{"rendered":"A\u00a0Spiritual\u00a0Perspective to\u00a0Face the\u00a0Challenges of the\u00a0Present\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than four decades after the physical death\u00a0<\/span>of Massimo Scaligero<\/span><\/b> (1980)<\/em> and more than thirty years after that of <\/span>Bianca Maria Scabelloni <\/span><\/b>(1990)<\/em>, <\/span><\/b>known to everyone as\u00a0<\/span>Mimma – two masters of spiritual science in Italy – <\/span><\/b>I think it is fair to ask\u00a0<\/span>what the visible fruits of their\u00a0teachings\u00a0are today.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Massimo Scaligero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>invisible\u00a0fruits\u00a0<\/span><\/b>are of course not included in this issue since identifying them would obviously require spiritual vision, which is not accessible to everyone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If we want to identify two peculiar characteristics of <\/span>Massimo<\/b> <\/span>and<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Mimma’s <\/span><\/b>work, we can find them in the elements of <\/span>freedom<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and <\/span>brotherhood.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

F<\/strong>reedom<\/span><\/b> because these two extraordinary figures not only refused to found any external organizations of any kind but they took into account the\u00a0<\/span>freedom<\/span><\/b> of every person who turned to them, respecting their thoughts and convictions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brotherhood\u00a0<\/span><\/b>because they \u2013 avoiding all outwardness\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 always defined themselves as <\/span>“friends”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0never\u00a0<\/span>“teachers”<\/span><\/i> \u2013 despite having had spiritual experiences of the highest level \u2013 and having dedicated their lives to the service of others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Day after day, year after year, without stopping or\u00a0ever holding back.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With my memory and heart turned to the memory of what they have conveyed to us \u2013 and above all what they were as human beings and as Masters \u2013 I must say that it is increasingly\u00a0<\/span>painful and disheartening to contemplate the spectacle these days<\/span><\/b> of many of the circles and groups inspired by them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From those who proclaim the exclusivity of their interpretation \u2013 of course\u00a0<\/span>the only ‘true’\u00a0one\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u2013 of the Masters’ thoughts, to those who use every kind of spiritual community \u2013 real or virtual \u2013 purely in order to launch themselves into invective \u2013 and so on up to those who these spiritual communities underestimate \u2013 even though they were tirelessly recommended by <\/span>Massimo<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Mimma <\/span><\/b>\u2013\u00a0and who\u00a0prefer to remain in the comfort of their own\u00a0self-referencing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Bianca Maria Scabelloni (Mimma)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We see, in fact, circles of disciples \u2013 of the Same Masters \u2013 pitting themselves against ‘factions’, as if armed against each other.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even particular aspects such as, for example, the precedence or otherwise of thinking over feeling and willing (or vice versa) become reasons for criticism, discord, and confrontation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even the way in which group work is done, or how to do exercises, sometimes turns into an opportunity for quarrelling and condemnation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And everyone is invariably convinced that they are right; even, that\u00a0 <\/span>one’s position is the only legitimate one,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0while the others\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span>traitors,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>or, at best, <\/span>opponents<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to be\u00a0silenced.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This ignores the fundamental fact that not only are others not adversaries, but, if they work in the same direction as me, whilst seeing some things differently from me, they should not be criticized <\/span>but be listened to and understood<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A companion on the\u00a0path can certainly have a different opinion from mine because we are human beings with different talents and temperaments, but basically,\u00a0we belong to the same family, because the other<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

… is the left leg and I\u00a0am the right…<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

as\u00a0<\/span>Judith<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>von Halle\u00a0<\/span><\/b>correctly\u00a0stigmatizes<\/span>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Judith von Halle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In fact, others, through their differences, must be enriching for me as they give me an opportunity to understand ways of thinking\/feeling\/willing, and give me the opportunity to welcome thoughts, considerations, judgments that \u2013 because of my specific nature \u2013 I am not able to arrive at.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a colossal mistake to believe that someone who has a different point of view from our own is an opponent.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Rudolf Steiner<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listening to another person with open-mindedness and trust should arise as a necessary effect from my spiritual pathway; connecting with him or her and acting \u2013 inwardly and outwardly \u2013 with them should not arise from personal interest or from any common denominator of belonging to a party, religion etc. but lay the basis for founding an authentic community (G.A. 127).<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Additionally,\u00a0what is particularly striking today in our circles is the\u00a0<\/span>lack of empathy and balance<\/span><\/b> between fellow companions on the path.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is enough to reread the contents\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0“So\u00a0a\u00a0Spiritual\u00a0Association<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>Can\u00a0Live<\/span><\/i>” by\u00a0<\/span>Massimo Scaligero<\/span><\/b> \u00a0to understand how empathy and balance are irreplaceable components of any association with spiritual purposes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And associating today itself has a fundamental importance based on everyone\u2019s shared responsibility, with regard to the <\/span>particular historical events we are experiencing<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0and the enormous\u00a0accountability\u00a0<\/span>of spiritual communities.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The resulting picture is\u00a0<\/span>depressing\u00a0<\/span><\/b>and we cannot \u2013 particularly at a time like this of dramatic gravity for the whole of mankind \u2013 fail to ask ourselves questions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why have we reached this point?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What went wrong? What have we overlooked\u00a0along\u00a0the way?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first thing I would like to\u00a0dwell\u00a0upon is that while the exercises given\u00a0<\/span>by Rudolf Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0as the basis for balanced inner growth \u2013 concentration, meditation, pure contemplation and\u00a0pure action \u2013 have been carried out by many in a constant and rigorous manner,\u00a0<\/span>the three exercises of feeling have been dramatically<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>neglected: equanimity, positivity,\u00a0and open-mindedness.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Concentration and meditation, willpower\u00a0(pure action), equanimity, positivity,\u00a0open-mindedness are inner operations that flow into the so-called\u00a0<\/span>magical balance.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Rudolf Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0says, and I quote,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>that nobody\u00a0can think of progress unless\u00a0they\u00a0fulfil these conditions.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: have we\u00a0made\u00a0progress then?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Rudolf Steiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0also adds that all exercises\u00a0of\u00a0meditation, concentration and more are\u00a0<\/span>worthless and also somewhat harmful if life does not stick to the meaning of these requirements<\/span><\/b>, that is, the meaning of the <\/span>five exercises\u00a0as a whole.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point I think it is important to\u00a0<\/span>note that Rudolf Steiner<\/span><\/b> indicated as necessary for undertaking the scientific-spiritual path,<\/span>\u00a0one\u00a0<\/span><\/b>exercise on thinking, <\/span>one\u00a0<\/span><\/b>on willing,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0and three\u00a0<\/span><\/b>on\u00a0feeling.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This cannot\u00a0be by chance.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The balanced development of the soul requires<\/span> one step forward in knowledge and three steps in morality<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because\u00a0<\/span>it is in the soul that we are weaker,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>in our feelings, in our ability to bring spiritual science into life, into our encounters, into our relationships with others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet there is no shortage of examples \u2013 for example in the book<\/span>\u00a0Knowledge of Higher Worlds and How to Obtain it (<\/span><\/i>or\u00a0<\/span>Initiation)<\/span><\/i> \u2013 in which the disciple is warned against the predominance of one of the three forces of the soul \u2013 thinking, feeling, or willing \u2013 over the others. From this may arise\u00a0 <\/span>imbalances<\/span><\/b> \u00a0whose gravity is directly proportional to the path travelled and thus to the level of evolution reached.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>prevalence of willing\u00a0over\u00a0thinking\u00a0and feeling\u00a0can lead to hyperactivity and even violence;<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0prevalence of feeling\u00a0over\u00a0thinking and willing can lead to mysticism and inner\u00a0weakness;<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>prevalence\u00a0of thinking over the other two risks enveloping the disciple in\u00a0a\u00a0cold contemplative force unable to transform into moral feelings and actions towards others.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scaligero<\/span><\/b>\u00a0writes in\u00a0The\u00a0<\/span>Logos and the New Mysteries<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0that:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Way of Thinking\u00a0itself risks becoming\u00a0<\/span><\/i>a way of pride or superlative\u00a0selfishness,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>if it does not lead to<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>self-consecration to the Divine and unlimited love for others: the discovery\u00a0itself\u00a0of Isis-Sophia.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That is why, the three exercises \u2013 those that are sometimes called almost carelessly the<\/span>\u00a0“other exercises”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0almost\u00a0as if they\u00a0were\u00a0of\u00a0B\u00a0grade\u00a0\u2013 have, especially today, enormous importance\u00a0that is\u00a0often not understood or\u00a0is\u00a0underestimated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In them are summarized all the exercises of the book<\/span> Knowledge of Higher Worlds and How to Obtain it (<\/span><\/i>or\u00a0<\/span>Initiation); \u202f\u202f<\/span><\/i>because equanimity, positivity and\u00a0open-mindedness\u00a0in reality\u00a0include\u00a0all the\u00a0teachings of the\u00a0Gospels.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, perhaps\u00a0we need to better understand what the real\u00a0<\/span>implications and applications\u00a0<\/span><\/b>of these<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>exercises are.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Michaeli, an unpublished drawing by Rudolf Steiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

EQUANIMITY\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Equanimity<\/span><\/b>\u00a0is, as we\u00a0know,\u00a0learning\u00a0not to let\u00a0ourselves\u00a0go\u00a0during\u00a0the\u00a0oscillations between pleasure and pain, joy and suffering,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026so that no suffering crushes us, that no experience lived drags us towards excessive excitement or anger, that no expectation fills us with fear and anguish, that no situation causes us to lose our balance.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>The disciple –\u00a0<\/span><\/i>writes\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Rudolf Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0in Theosophy\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>must develop in himself the faculty of behaving with regard to\u00a0all\u00a0things and men according to<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>their character, respecting the value, the importance of each one.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That seems to me to be a fundamental point. <\/span><\/p>\n

“…\u00a0<\/span>behaving with regard to all things and men according to their character, respecting the value,\u00a0 he importance of each one.”<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Regardless of sympathy and\u00a0antipathy, it is necessary to develop the faculty of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>not immediately following any feeling of sympathy or antipathy with a judgment or action” <\/span><\/b>(Theosophy).<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And this attitude of the soul, as it is easy to guess, has a virtually unlimited applicability to our life; in\u00a0<\/span>social relations, in the family, in\u00a0our\u00a0spiritual community, in\u00a0every\u00a0couple.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If this work on the soul is to lead us to a balance of feeling \u2013 normally inclined to move seamlessly from joy to pain, from enthusiasm to depression, it immediately\u00a0stands out\u00a0that in the great test\u00a0of\u00a0humanity that we are\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>experiencing\u00a0<\/span><\/b>today\u00a0\u2013\u00a0the\u00a0application of\u00a0<\/span>equanimity<\/span><\/b>\u00a0should help\u00a0us\u00a0to overcome the fear that\u00a0paralyzes\u00a0our feelings\u00a0by raising in us\u00a0<\/span>that Michael-like\u00a0courage<\/span><\/b>\u00a0that is the goal of mankind\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0age.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is no coincidence that fear\u00a0has spread in this\u00a0age of courage.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

POSITIVITY<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Positivity,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>then, is not\u00a0just\u00a0trying\u00a0to find in all beings, in all things, in all experiences, what is good,\u00a0and\u00a0beautiful\u00a0contained in\u00a0them, but also\u00a0<\/span>“refraining from criticism”<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This exercise must teach us to listen to others when they speak.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0disciple –\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Steiner\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>writes<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0Knowledge of Higher Worlds and How to Obtain it (<\/span><\/i>or\u00a0<\/span>Initiation)\u00a0<\/span><\/i>–\u00a0<\/span>must get<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>used, when listening, to completely silence his\/her own inner world. The disciple must silence any approval or opposition.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>In parallel with every occult observation about human nature,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0self-education must lead<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>to unconditional appreciation of the full value of each individual<\/span><\/i><\/b>;\u00a0<\/span>what resides in every human must be considered by us \u2013 even in our thoughts and feelings \u2013 as sacred and untouchable.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>Everything that is human, even if we think of it as a memory, must fill us with a sense of deep veneration.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is\u00a0<\/span>therefore an exercise in trust in\u00a0another human\u00a0<\/span><\/b>being , the will to believe that the other, who may have made a mistake \u2013 as we continually make mistakes \u2013 can always notice\u00a0the\u00a0mistake and redeem\u00a0him- or herself.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is therefore an attitude\u00a0<\/span>that implies acceptance,\u00a0an absence\u00a0of judgment,\u00a0and\u00a0forgiveness.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If we want to apply it\u00a0to\u00a0the present time,\u00a0our\u00a0task should be not\u00a0just\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>listen deeply to others by looking at their portion of light<\/span><\/b>\u00a0but\u00a0also seeking\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>spiritual element that underpins\u00a0external events,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>however painful they may be and that concern us as stages in our own evolution. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a\u00a0task that cannot be avoided by spiritual communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeking out\u00a0the spiritual meaning of the present\u00a0monstrous Agenda.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OPEN-MINDEDNESS<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Arild Rosenkrantz, Ahriman and Lucifer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally,\u00a0<\/span>we have\u00a0open-mindedness<\/span><\/b>, that is, the ability of <\/span><\/p>\n

“cultivating in itself the feeling of unprejudiced openness when facing every new experience”.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Being\u00a0ready at all times to agree to have a new experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0fundamental application of this exercise\u00a0<\/span>is refraining from any pre-judgment on the people around us and also on the events that fate brings to meet us.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Whoever wants to undertake<\/span><\/i>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0writes in Theosophy –<\/span> the “path” of higher knowledge must practice the power<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>at any time to switch oneself out with all our prejudices.<\/span><\/i><\/b> To the extent we switch ourselves out, things can pour into us.”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Applied at the present time this attitude should lead us\u00a0<\/span>not to exclude any possible<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>interpretation of what is happening<\/span><\/b>\u00a0in the world\u00a0pushing us to deepen our knowledge of events\u00a0using\u00a0what\u00a0<\/span>Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0called\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“the enthusiasm of attention”.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, to sum up, we have:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0<\/span>Equanimity:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>behaving\u00a0with regard to things and\u00a0people\u00a0according to their characters,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>respecting the value, and the importance of each one. Developing courage.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 Positivity:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>“refraining from criticism” and\u00a0<\/span>learning to truly\u00a0listen to<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>others,\u00a0seeking<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>the spiritual-evolutionary meaning of events.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0<\/span>Open-mindedness: refraining\u00a0from<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>any pre-judgment on the people around us\u00a0<\/span><\/b>and not stopping at the first interpretation of external events but <\/span>delving into\u00a0facts and seeking\u00a0their\u00a0true meaning.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now it is clear that these indications\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 if applied \u2013\u00a0<\/span>would be able to completely transform our lives<\/span><\/b>\u00a0starting with\u00a0the people closest to us,\u00a0our so-called\u00a0“<\/span>neighbours<\/span><\/b>”\u00a0, which is something that, if we look\u00a0around\u00a0us, is far from being realized.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But there\u00a0is more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Applying these exercises in life is\u00a0our\u00a0only\u00a0defence\u00a0against something\u00a0that is assaulting us on every side today:\u00a0<\/span>fear<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span>feeling of\u00a0losing ourselves.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0a few\u00a0conversations several decades ago\u00a0<\/span>Mimma<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0advanced some aspects of the future\u00a0which\u00a0have presented themselves today;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026the\u00a0exercises, our meetings and even\u00a0Eurhythmy, if\u00a0they\u00a0do not become\u00a0a practical\u00a0application as regards life, that is\u00a0always derived\u00a0from self-knowledge\u00a0but never\u00a0a law\u00a0\u2013\u00a0nowadays<\/span><\/i> become a destructive act towards the outside”.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>So, not only does\u00a0they\u00a0bring no use to anything and anyone, but\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>they begin to become harmful, <\/span><\/i><\/b>because the times\u00a0we are going through and those\u00a0you will go through\u00a0are\u00a0really<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>a new\u00a0age.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Here we encounter\u00a0our\u00a0hidden co-responsibility\u00a0for\u00a0what we have sown and\u00a0what\u00a0is happening in the\u00a0world.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We are therefore\u00a0confronted\u00a0with a fundamental\u00a0issue: the\u00a0<\/span>responsibility of spiritual communities\u00a0<\/span><\/b>for what we are going through in this historical\u00a0time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This involves\u00a0forced fragmentation,\u00a0to which we must respond with work\u00a0as a community\u00a0for the spirit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Only working\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Mimma\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>said<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0through<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>friendship\u00a0with the Logos\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>is<\/span><\/i>\u00a0what frees us from fear,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>because we are placed between two polarities, two trials:\u00a0<\/span><\/i>fear and a<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>sense of\u00a0losing\u00a0ourselves.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And never as in this historical moment has this\u00a0<\/span>caveat<\/span><\/i>\u00a0been more relevant, at least\u00a0in the context of\u00a0our lives.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u2013 conscious and unconscious\u00a0\u2013\u00a0comes\u00a0in three dimensions:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0physical\u00a0fear,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 psychic-soul\u00a0fear, and\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 spiritual fear<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical\u00a0Fear:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u00a0see\u00a0it on a daily basis. It is induced and amplified by the media<\/span>,<\/span><\/i> \u00a0and it holds almost all the world’s population in its grasp. It produces an out and out paralysis of our forces of reaction, making us more vulnerable to external pathogens. This is a condition of fear that not only grasps the physical, but from the body reverberates on into the soul and, thus interferes in our spiritual work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Psychic-soul\u00a0Fear<\/span><\/b>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We fear we\u00a0are\u00a0not be able to deal with the situations\u00a0we are facing, we\u00a0<\/span>distrust\u00a0ourselves.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We feel lost,\u00a0powerless,\u00a0and\u00a0we do not have the\u00a0<\/span>courage<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to\u00a0face events.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Depression and despair are spreading like wildfire around us.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, the paralysis that grips our soul weakens our ability to react, making us manipulable\u00a0and subjugated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Spiritual\u00a0Fear:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the\u00a0most serious\u00a0form:\u00a0<\/span>to be afraid to recognize the spiritual counterpart that\u00a0exists\u00a0in every event of our lives.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Not being able to recognize the meaning of the events that implicate\u00a0us while knowing that each of them has its roots\u00a0on the\u00a0spiritual\u00a0level\u00a0and impacts\u00a0us in terms of destiny.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u00a0destiny\u00a0is one\u00a0we have chosen at\u00a0an\u00a0individual level\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0also at the level of\u00a0mankind.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Untitled, an unpublished drawing by Rudolf Steiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CONCLUSION<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We can therefore conclude that\u00a0<\/span>the so-called “exercises of the soul”<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u2013 far from being\u00a0second-class exercises \u2013\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span>the test-bench for\u00a0our ability to transform our\u00a0life in its entirety in accordance with the\u00a0Spiritual\u00a0Science path.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course,\u00a0according to\u00a0the\u00a0critical directive of<\/span>\u00a0‘love thy neighbour\u00a0as\u00a0thyself’<\/span><\/i>\u00a0we must\u00a0begin\u00a0by<\/span>\u00a0loving\u00a0ourselves,\u00a0obviously not in\u00a0a selfish way but in recognition of our spiritual\u00a0being<\/span><\/b>, and then the\u00a0closest people \u2013\u00a0those\u00a0closer to us.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And who are the people closest to us?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course,<\/span>\u00a0those with whom the task is often most\u00a0difficult.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They are our relatives, our friends, our spiritual path companions,\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>our life partner,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0if\u00a0we have\u00a0one.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the most delicate\u00a0and\u00a0also the most important part, if we think that the work\u00a0<\/span>on the human couple<\/span><\/b>\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0deepest\u00a0meaning\u00a0of the work\u00a0by\u00a0Massimo\u00a0<\/span>Scaligero<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Mimma.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is so important and essential that if the dimension of Sacred Love were not realized in\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/b>future, if the dimension\u00a0of the vital Spirit \u2013 of\u00a0<\/span>Buddhi<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u2013 were not experienced\u00a0by\u00a0a\u00a0human couple, this would prevent the birth of a higher level of awareness and a direct relationship\u00a0to\u00a0the spiritual world\u00a0for\u00a0all\u00a0<\/span>mankind.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This would produce\u00a0<\/span>backwardness\u00a0in<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>the human evolutionary<\/span><\/b>\u00a0path as the spiritual forces that still act in this direction,\u00a0because of the\u00a0lack\u00a0of\u00a0human\u00a0awareness could even\u00a0turn into their\u00a0<\/span>opposite,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>becoming an instrument of an obstacle, <\/span>anti-love forces.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Forces therefore that, directed at conscious will, could well be taken into the hands in the future\u00a0<\/span>by\u00a0Asura\u00a0beings.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Ahriman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let\u00a0us\u00a0talk about<\/span>\u00a0“conscious evil.”<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To conclude, I would like\u00a0\u00a0to point out that in the last stanza of <\/span>Rudolf Steiner’s Foundation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Stone meditation <\/span><\/b>we can see that in the entreaty for the Christ\u2019s sun-action <\/span>action on the heart\u00a0is required before\u00a0even\u00a0on\u00a0the mind.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In those lines, thanks to the warmth given to the heart \u2013 even\u00a0\u00a0before enlightenment is given to the mind \u2013 it is possible to transform \u2013 so that it <\/span>becomes<\/span><\/b> good \u2013 what we found with our hearts and want to implement with our minds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With these words\u00a0<\/span>Rudolf Steiner<\/span><\/b>\u00a0sealed almost a\u00a0hundred years ago\u00a0the highest legacy of\u00a0<\/span>Anthropos-Sophia,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>a seed that, planted in the hearts of men, should have constituted the real continuation of his mission in the world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

O\u00a0Light\u00a0Divine\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

O Sun of\u00a0Christ<\/span>
\nWarm\u00a0thou<\/span><\/b>
\nOur hearts<\/span><\/b>
\nEnlighten<\/span>
\nOur heads<\/span>
\nThat good may become\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>What we\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>From hearts\u00a0we would\u00a0found\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>What we<\/span>
\nFrom\u00a0our\u00a0heads<\/span>
\nDirect\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>With single will.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Piero Cammerinesi<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Translation by Mark Willan\u00a0<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More than four decades after the physical death\u00a0of Massimo Scaligero (1980) and more than thirty years after that of Bianca Maria Scabelloni (1990), known to everyone as\u00a0Mimma – two masters of spiritual science in Italy – I think it is fair to ask\u00a0what the visible fruits of their\u00a0teachings\u00a0are today.\u00a0 The\u00a0invisible\u00a0fruits\u00a0are of course not included in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":53633,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[875,851,2112,70,62,87,63],"class_list":["post-53627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articoli-news","tag-bianca-maria-scabelloni","tag-evidenza","tag-fond","tag-judith-von-halle","tag-massimo-scaligero","tag-mimma","tag-rudolf-steiner"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53627\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberopensare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}