Anthroposophy & Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner believed that through observation, study, and meditation, we human beings can awaken to our own inner nature, to the spiritual realities of the world around us, and to an understanding of our place in the cosmos. This awakening and awareness brings with it a great reverence for all of life. Steiner termed this process “Anthropo-sophia” or “wisdom of man.” He once said that Anthroposophy could be understood as “awareness of one’s humanity.”

The insights and observations offered by Anthroposophy have proved a fertile ground for the outgrowth of new endeavours in a wide range of fields. Waldorf education, bio-dynamic gardening and farming, Camphill communities, work with curative education and community living, and Anthroposophic medicine and pharmacies, such as Weleda, are a few of the ways in which this knowledge has been applied.

Although Anthroposophy is not taught in Waldorf schools, its vision of the unfolding human being inspires all of Waldorf education. Learn more about The Spirit of Waldorf Education.

The Trillium Waldorf School is aware of recent conversations about racism in Waldorf Education. We are listening and committed to making change to address and dismantle systemic racism where it exists. We recognize there are forms of racism and discrimination that are specific to Waldorf education.

Please see the following statements for more information:

Trillium Waldorf School Statement on Racism in Waldorf Education (link)

Trillium Waldorf School Position Statement: Racism and Fundamentalism in Waldorf Education (link)

“Anthroposophy is a path of knowledge to guide the spiritual in the human being to the spiritual in the universe. It arises in man as a need of the heart, of the life of feeling, and it can be justified only inasmuch as it can satisfy this inner need.”

Rudolf Steiner, Founder of Waldorf Education