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Editorial

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the Easter issue of New View, Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, heading for autumn south of the equator.

Rudolf Steiner referred to the death and resurrection of Christ as a true mystical event, the meaning of which many people over the last two thousand years have tried to apprehend. On the surface it may appear a simply told story, but as soon as you go a little deeper a vista opens out beyond what one is able to readily understand. And yet that quest for understanding continues.

Steiner himself made it quite clear that humanity was only at the beginning of an understanding of the Christian mysteries. More and more would be revealed over time as people developed themselves further – the more you wake up, the more you experience. But what to make of what we experience? That is an act of contemplation and discernment.

I am writing this because there is so much to life and we are all on that journey of discovery, no matter what our circumstances. When Christ said “I am the Way”, perhaps one way to understand that would be to see a path opened out that could not exist before. To overcome death, to show that life is unquenchable. Only in the moment does it seem to disappear. And for many that is a real experience; hope can seem extinguished. How to find and rekindle it into new life? So many people, at the moment, especially young folk, suffer depression, even taking their own lives. How can we help and encourage one another through these trials that the soul goes through? What is referred to when Steiner used the word ‘etheric, again and again in his work – the life force that imbues all of us, also here on earth?

This issue of New View finds itself (because it has a listening ear in its preparation for each issue) sharing much that pertains to these questions. As its editor I have the privilege of reading many articles that often delve deeply into events and circumstances. It is always an education for me. I think this issue, whilst it has a number of long articles, will especially repay careful, considered, reading. There are so many treasures embedded within its pages. Please take your time, we are a quarterly publication; Summer is the next issue, three months away.

We begin this issue with A Brief History of Mystery Drama in the Light of the Union, Separation and then Re-Union of Science, Art And Religion the first of two pieces published in this issue by Richard Ramsbotham concerning Steiner’s Mystery Dramas and their significance for us today. He ‘bookends’ the article section, leading us in and leading us out.

Angela Findlay writes about her remarkable personal quest to uncover family trauma in Talking About It: Bringing the Heart into Dialogues and Conflicts.

Aaron Mirkin, a Christian Community priest, explores The Old and New Cain and Abel Streams in our Time and the Striving for a New Middle Stream. This is at the same time an historical document about the very origins of The Christian Community.

Next we look to the land and Biodynamics in a Regenerative Context by Richard Thornton Smith.

Then to finance with Christopher Houghton-Budd’s imaginal piece Back-to-Back: When Steiner met Keynes, a piece with much insight concerning modern economics.

Etheric Vision: Social Science to Social Art by Nigel Hoffmann, writing from Australia is followed by Rudolf Steiner’s Theory of Knowledge – An Introduction by Richard Bunzl, exploring the basis of understanding all that comes to meet us. The soul challenge to develop and overcome adversity is touched upon with an artwork by David Newbatt in The Guardian Angel.

Terry Boardman explores the phenomena and significance of The Number 23, a very personal journey with universal insights. Peter Taylor then considers some of the consequences of the frantic drive to net zero in Climate Watch: Net Zero Soul.

Writing from Spain, Michael Warden then tells us of a positive birthing in The Elephant in the Womb. Richard Ramsbotham concludes with an insight into The First Mystery Drama: The Doorway of Initiation, Steiner’s renewal of this dramatic form, for our times.

We are not out of the woods financially and still need to fund raise. To that end it may help those who can support us to have the following information. UK Tax payers can gain gift aid for us by sending any donation for New View to the following helpful organisation, care of Richard Masters: Hermes Trust, The Old Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud GL5 1QG. 0044 (0)1453 763900; hermes.trust@freeuk.com, www.hermes-trust.org.uk (Registered Charity 281749)

If you are not a UK taxpayer, then any donation can be sent direct to us, by cheque, online via our Donations option on our website, or by bank transfer. Our bank details are:

Account Name: New View Publications Limited Sort Code: 40-01-06 Account Number: 92183552; Name of Bank: HSBC IBAN: GB61HBUK40010692183552 BIC Code: HBUKGB4105F

Our sincere and grateful thanks for the generous, kind and encouraging donations that we have received so far; we are still here because of you all.

Finally, to you the reader, all my good wishes for what lies ahead, wherever you may be,

Tom Raines – Editor

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