On the weekend of October 8-9, 2011, four scenes from Rudolf Steiner’s drama, "The Soul’s Probation," were performed by members of the Threefold Mystery Drama Group at the 19th Heartbeet Conference in a barn. Yes, a real barn with hay bales and everything. Lights were rigged with extension cords, the floor was meticulously swept so eurythmists and actors would not trip, and stage wings of hay bales were strategically placed so the actors could change. It was magical to gather in the hushed stillness of a beautifully prepared hay loft to witness the soul dramas of Maria and Johannes - the muted sounds of cows urinating and dogs barking a few feet below. Thank you to all who made this experience possible!

The theme of the weekend was Know Yourself: Pathways to Inner Development and the mystery dramas provided the ideal context and opportunity to explore this theme through talks, small group conversation, artistic workshops and of course the performances. Eric Tidblom recently commented that since then, memories and images from the scenes keep coming to awareness in his daily life and provide a continuing source of insight and nourishment.

On Saturday morning Barbara Renold, director, producer and speech artist, opened the conference with a talk on “Rudolf Steiner’s Mystery Dramas and the Path of Inner Development.” These dramas bring the entire content of anthroposophy into artistic expression and allow us to have a direct, living experience of esoteric wisdom. Barbara has dedicated herself to bringing these dramas to us – a true community-building activity.

Her enthusiasm was infectious as she led us into the amazing imaginations, introduced characters and provided context and background. She spoke of four archetypes and the characters, they related to: Maria as caretaker (this includes farmers, homemakers and trash collectors), Capasius the historian, Strader the scientist and Johannes the artist. As pupils of Benedictus, each is on a path of initiation and Barbara reminded us that everyone is on this path today, like it or not. Our choice is to become conscious or not.

Following Barbara’s talk, Glen Williamson spoke to us from another direction, sharing an imagination of the temple, which comes to us from times long past. The ancient mysteries were hidden and secret for so long but a turning point came when they began to reveal their wisdom openly (the play “Aeschylus Unbound” came vividly to mind). Glen described the rising of the subterranean temple in Goethe’s fairy tale “The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily” (a seed for Steiner’s dramas) and how the kings bestowed their gifts of wisdom, compassion and strength to the prince – how a bridge was built from the earth to the spiritual world. Is this scene connected to a temple scene in “The Guardian of the Threshold,” Scene 10, where the Rosicrucian brotherhood has invited the pupils of Benedictus? These pupils had taken in the ancient wisdom now made public by Benedictus and the time was at hand for the brotherhood to pass on their responsibilities.

Were these initiates ready for this responsibility for guiding humanity? Finally, Glen spoke of the first Goetheanum and its burning and brought us to another temple scene that took place in Dornach at the Christmas Foundation meeting one year later in 1923/24, when Rudolf Steiner laid the foundation stone in the hearts of those members who were present. This temple exists, is being built, can be experienced. We can find it, but are we able to carry the responsibility that has been asked of us? What does it mean to be on the path – a path? I think we all felt a sense that the time is at hand.

These talks by Glen and Barbara laid a foundation so the dramas could come alive even for those completely new to them. Witnessing Johannes and Maria on their path is helpful and inspiring! Barbara’s workshop explored Lucifer and Ahriman through speech and movement and Laurie Portocarrero (who performed the part of Maria in the drama) led an exploration of various soul states and gestures from the dramas. With this amazing context we could begin to address the question: How do we take responsibility? 

What does it mean to be on a path? In small group conversations with the first chapter in “Knowledge of the Higher Worlds” as a basis, we explored themes of karma and reincarnation, facing the pain and sorrow in the world around us, maintaining inner rhythm amidst the chaos of modern life and many others.

As usual, the weekend was filled with scrumptious food, swimming in the pond, walks in the gardens and personal encounters with old friends and new. Don Jamison led is in singing that challenged and uplifted, opening the space and our hearts. On Sunday morning many gathered before the altar for the Festival of Offering Service.

On Memorial Day weekend, May 26-27, 2012 we will continue on with the theme of inner development. It will be our 20th gathering marking ten years! In the coming conferences we will further explore general demands, specific exercises, practice of non-violent and compassionate communication and more. To be added to our mailing list or for more information please contact Rachel Schwartz at raugustinahotmailcom or 860-852-3475.