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“Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.”
Rudolf Steiner
Educational Courses and Seminars - 2023 / 2024
We have wide range of online video courses and in-person seminars available during 2023 / 2024. These sessions cover pioneering and creative topics based on the initiatives of Rudolf Steiner during the 1900's. During his lifetime, he held over 6,000 lectures, a body of work that contains information and ideas that are still relevant today.
Join one of our premium memberships for instant unlimited access to all current educational videos, and admission to our in-person seminars when available.
We hope you will find all our seminars interesting and thought-provoking, as well as an opportunity to listen or join in discussions about how this knowledge may present solutions to the challenges of our modern age.
Free introductory video
Click on one of the pictures below to take you to the course content.
Biodynamic Agriculture
Biodynamic farming is a practice that was first developed by Rudolf Steiner, and it is the oldest ‘green’ farming movement. Biodynamics is a transformative approach which embraces the mystery of all life processes and seeks to maximize health and vitality. For biodynamics, farming is not primarily a means to maximise production, but each farm or holding is a self-sustaining organism in its own right, where diverse activities and habitats strengthen and balance each other. The soil is seen as the central component of all biodynamic farms.
Online Course Programme
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Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Growing
Nothing beats the taste of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in your own garden - or the satisfaction and enjoyment you can get from doing it. Not sure what to grow or where to start? We share all the tips and advice you need.
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Biodynamic Preparations and Compost Management
Biodynamic preparations are vitalising additions for soil and plants. As a kind of remedy for the earth, they also promote the growth and quality of the plants and animal health. For their production, plant, mineral and animal substances are combined and exposed to natural forces, and then returned to nature in a modified form.
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Biodynamic Calendar and Seasons
Since ancient times the twelve zodiac constellations have been associated with the each of the four elements and each element is related to a part of the plant. These influences have the strongest effect when the soil is disturbed and /or when the biodynamic preparations have been used. Choosing suitable times for cultivation, as well as for sowing and harvesting, is therefore important.
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Greenhouse and Soil Management
A comprehensive perspective of greenhouse management, as well as practical tips on soil blends, biodynamic preparations, water, light, sanitation, cuttings, and anything else you may need.
In-Person Seminar Programme
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Biodynamic Agriculture - What Is It and How Has it Evolved?
This 2 hour seminar covers the topic of biodynamics, which is a unique approach to the management of agriculture drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner dating back to 1924. It was the first step towards the modern approach of organic farming we have today. We will discuss the origins of biodynamics and the esoteric thinking behind the physical and spiritual aspects. This lecture imparts information on the concepts of biodynamics and is not intended to be a course on farming methods, although it would be useful information for people wishing to become involved in agriculture as a business or hobby. This 2 hour seminar comprises of two 45 minute sessions with a break for refreshments. There will be a 20 minute question and answer session to cover any further matters that attendees wish to discuss.
Anthroposophy
Anthroposophic Medicine builds on established scientific medicine and natural science using a Goethe-oriented phenomenology and the anthroposophic methods developed by Rudolf Steiner. This approach contributes to the fields of diagnosis, therapy, prevention, and public health. Within anthroposophic medicine, the human being is understood as continuously evolving, both as an individual and as a part of humanity. Fundamental goals are the healing of the patient, maintenance of health and prevention of disease, particularly by stimulating the patient‘s own activity and potential.
Online Course Programme
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Fundamental Aims of Anthroposophic Medicine
Explore the scientific foundations and research methods of anthroposophic medicine, as well as learning to independently access relevant anthroposophic medical literature.
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Conditions for Spiritual Development
Learn to embrace, understand and work with creating a clear spiritual path, with practical and thorough guidelines, based on Rudolf Steiner's '7 Conditions of Spiritual Development'.
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Art Therapy and Eurythmy
The human form is the instrument and through eurythmy gesture and movement, one may achieve balance. Moving together in eurythmy helps to overcome many hindrances, establishing a sense of spatial relations and an inner sense of directionality. Art therapy uses art to express experiences, supporting social, emotional and mental health needs.
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Child and Personality Development
Child development can be viewed in a threefold way. Rudolf Steiner indicated 3 seven year cycles of growth and development that comprise the journey of childhood for every human being. Within each 7 year cycle growth processes are connected to three distinct systems within the body.
In-Person Seminar Programme
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What is Anthroposophy and How is it Relevant Today?
Anthroposophy was created by Rudolf Steiner as a 'human oriented' spiritual philosophy, that is drawn from our deep spiritual questions on humanity, to our basic artistic needs, to the need to relate to the world from a scientific attitude of mind, and to the need to develop a relation to the world in complete freedom and based on completely individual judgements and decisions. Despite this seemingly complex definition, anthroposophy is not a religion, has no religious leader, spiritual guide or master, nor is it a system of belief or way of life. Those wishing to learn more about the subject, can do so without it interfering with their own religious beliefs or practices. Anthroposophy is like any philosophy, intended to deepen our understanding of humanity. This 2 hour class will comprise of two 45 minute sessions with a 10 minute break and a Q&A session.
The Philosophy of Freedom
The Philosophy of Freedom is the fundamental philosophical work of philosopher, Goethe scholar and esotericist Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). It addresses the question of whether and in what sense human beings are free. Steiner describes the aim of the book - knowledge should become "organically alive", stating that "All real philosophers have been artists in the realm of concepts. For them, human ideas were their artists' materials and scientific method their artistic technique."
Online Course Programme
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Knowledge of Freedom
Steiner begins exploring the nature of human freedom by accepting "that an action, of which the agent does not know why he performs it, cannot be free," but asking what happens when a person becomes conscious of his or her motives for acting.
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Reality of Freedom
Steiner begins the second part of the book by emphasizing the role of self-awareness in objective thinking. Here he modifies the usual description of inner and outer experience by pointing out that our feelings, for example, are given to us as naively as outer perceptions. Both of these, feelings and perceptions, tell about objects we are interested in: the one about ourselves, the other about the world.
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Ultimate Questions
The third part of Steiner's book is the shortest, consisting of one Chapter, "The Consequences of Monism", nine pages in the original German of the 1894 edition, and ten pages in Michael Wilson's 1964 translation.
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The four Concepts of Freedom
Learn about the four different characterisations of freedom outlined by Rudolf Steiner - (I) 'Love', (II) 'The Ideal Part of my Being: Thinking', (III) 'Obedience to Oneself', and (IV) 'Non-Objective Self-Determination'
In-Person Seminar Programme
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Revisit the Messages in Steiner's Insightful Publication
Rudolf Steiner first published 'The Philosophy of Freedom' in 1894, with a 2nd edition in 1918. His work reflects on our human notions of perception, conception, imagination, knowledge and creativity. Steiner focuses on understanding the relationship between human perception and our methods of thinking, to determine what makes us 'think' and 'act' whilst recognising how our 'internal drivers' and 'external pressures' can challenge us, creating issues for us as individuals, with associated constraints on our human freedom. Steiner also explores the influence of moral codes or laws on our behaviour, either consciously or unconsciously, as well as using our intuition, imagination or methods. Ultimately, Steiner concluded that we needed to realise our full potential as a unique individual, to be truly free. This 90 minute class explores his philosophy.
Global Economics & Finance
Steiner does not give abstract theories on the field of economics but bases his ideas on the dynamics inherent in the phenomena themselves. A mobile, flexible quality of thinking is required to enter into this radically different approach to such things as capital, labour, and natural resources, and the qualitative differences between purchase, loan, and gift money. The direction Steiner indicates in his lectures is the inspiration for a number of banking and financial initiatives now active all over the world.
Online Course Programme
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An Overview of Associative Economics
Concepts include: how the three functions of money become three qualities; why the ‘factors of production’ are better described as ‘factors of price formation’; true pricing (in lieu of the efficient-market hypothesis); the concepts of gift money and ‘loan money’.
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Local and Global Economics
Steiner recognized the central role of the individual entrepreneur and the inherent regulatory effect of face-to-face transactions between producers and consumers. At the same time, he noted that the economic organism had become truly global – moving beyond national boundaries – so that when the economy is seen from a national perspective this is only partial and potentially harmful.
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The Threefold Nature of Social Life
Learn about the threefold nature of social life; not as an invention or theory, but as observable fact. Central to this perception is the need for autonomy (separate yet conscious interaction) on the part of the three realms of social life: the economy, the rights life (including politics and law), and spiritual-cultural life.
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Land, Labour, and Capital
Many things which today are considered commodities within the ‘free-market’ paradigm are differently understood within an associative paradigm. Land, labour, and capital - the so-called ‘factors of production’ are seen as essentially matters of right which simply border the economic realm on all sides. In the associative paradigm, these 'factors of price formation' do not fall into the hands of the state.
In-Person Seminar Programme
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How did Steiner View Economics and Global Finance?
Economics is a 'social science' that studies the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Finance is a branch of economics, concerned with the investment of assets and liabilities over space and time, often under conditions of risk or uncertainty. A 'currency' is a system of money (units) in common use, different in each nation. The professionalisation of economics is reflected in the rapid growth of graduate programmes, often described as 'the main change' in economics since 1900. Rudolf Steiner gave a lecture in 1922, recognising that economic life would go global and needed to be mindful of all stakeholders, as well as respectful of all people and our planet, not just for profit. He described this as 'associative economics', generating debate ever since. This 90 minute seminar explores the subject.
Curative education with anthroposophical orientation was initiated by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Today curative teachers working out of anthroposophy are active in many different areas of curative education in curative education schools and homes, life communities, psychiatric clinics, specialist nurseries, early learning support and advice on upbringing given at home, and in social therapy work with adults.
Online Course Programme
The methodology is based on intensive investigation of the phenomena disabilities, unusual characteristics, 'disorders' where anything that does not appear 'normal' at first sight means that specific tendencies have grown dominant and often also out of balance in body, soul and spirit or at the social level.
The Waldorf educational style is holistic, intended to develop pupils' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills, with focus on imagination and creativity. Teachers have a great deal of autonomy in curriculum content, teaching methods, and governance.
Steiner's priciples are applied effectively in the child and adult care sectors through the use of life-affirming activities and therapies, supporting development of practical life and social skills.
The human being is seen as not only having an earthly biography but also being in a process of development that was in progress before he was born and will continue after his death. In life, the individual seeks developmental steps and the possibility to be effective in a way that is only possible on earth.
In-Person Seminar Programme
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What is Curative Education? Is it Part of the Care Sector?
Modern psychology and medical science developed rapidly during the early 1900's. Much was learned about the mechanics and chemistry of the human body and brain. But in doing so, much of the qualitative elements of our humanity were neglected. Rudolf Steiner began a different path of research. He wanted to explore the causal elements behind growth, emotion and self-reflective consciousness. Curative Education was first established in 1924 in Jena (near Weimar), Germany, when three young educators founded a home for children with special needs. The founders asked Rudolf Steiner to share his insights with them and he also met the children at the house in Jena. His insights were remarkable and formed the basis for curative education to the present day. This 2 hour seminar explores this subject and it's relevance today, including a Q&A session.
