Understanding Racism through Rudolf Steiner’s Psychosophy of the Seven Life Processes & Fallen-Life Processes.
Publication information:
Abstract
The research for this paper is derived from the work of my capstone for the Association of Anthroposophic Psychology’s 3-Year Program. The goal of this work is to begin developing an ‘Anti-Racist Anthroposphy’ using the framework of the ‘Seven Life Processes’ and ‘Seven Fallen-Life Processes’ that Rudolf Steiner provides in his lecture “The Riddle of Humanity (GA 170).” This research is only in a genesis-stage for the study of racism from specifically an anthroposophic psychosophy to develop a decolonial and anti-racist praxis, in hopes that it may continue over time with deeper work and collaboration. For now, I provide a starting place to catalyze both a study in this area, and a praxis for beginning to develop an anti-racist anthroposophy. This discussion on an anthroposophic verstehen of racism through the seven life processes and the seven fallen-life process, hopes to begin leaving you with some accessible praxis to embody an anti-racist anthroposophy. Through understanding the spiritual-science of anthroposophy and intersecting these frameworks of verstehen with the mainstream socio-cultural praxis of anti-racism, critical race theory (CRT), and critical race psychology (PsyCrit), we have a powerful opportunity to facilitate holistic healing that includes what Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy would believe to be spiritual and karmic healing for the present and future individual, community, and world with all its Kin-dom members.
Presenter Biography
Billy J. Choi-Gekas (they/them) is a wholistic practitioner, educator, and anti-oppression consultant, working with numerous universities, and social justice, queer, and interreligious organizations across Turtle Island (North America). They are a member of the Anthroposophical Society through the Goetheanum and is a graduate of both the Association of Anthroposophic Psycholgy’s 3-year Psychology and 2-year Psychotherapy specialized programs. Billy continues their graduate research at the University of Toronto through Trinity College and works through their institution in management and provides training for the university’s equity offices. Billy spends the rest of their time with their Anishnaabe-Cree community working with their Elder Audrey Bone to support the protection and ethical use of Indigenous medicines and ceremony. To ground their work, Billy’s sadhana (cultivation practice) is from the Anthroposophic, Taoist, and Vedic traditions, and is under a life-long mentorship with their Sifu Dr. Hon, Sat Chuen.