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Rudolf Steiner, Anthropsosophy, Biodynamics, Ecological Agriculture
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was an Austrian philosopher, author, educator and social activist. He was an unusually gifted person whose ideas have been used successfully in many fields besides agriculture, including finance, education, medicine and architecture. His philosophy, spiritual science and cultural initiatives are called "anthroposophy." His ideas and suggestions for agriculture constitute the beginnings of the modern, ecological agriculture movement in the West.
Steiner was concerned with re-examining and renewing agriculture out of a modern, ecological, economic and social - yet also spiritual - understanding of life on earth, of human and cultural development. He was deeply concerned about the degeneration of agriculture (as with other aspects of human civilization) and made every effort to show how life is not just a materialistic / mechanistic reality, but that spiritual and psychological realities actually are the more significant and at the foundation of all life. He was also a champion of individual human freedoms, individual spiritual development and the self-determination of all people, everywhere.
Biodynamics was a name given to the ideas and ideals, principles and practices offered by Rudolf Steiner for agriculture by a group of early adopters - not by Steiner himself. He referred to these ideas and suggestions as principles of anthroposophical agriculture.
Anthroposophical agriculture (biodynamics) is practiced successfully around the world, in many countries, cultures and ecological conditions - both East and West, North and South, notwithstanding diversity of religious, philosophical, cultural, economic and other considerations by practitioners convinced of its spiritual and ecological practicality and long term value.
Although biodynamics can be understood in many ways, it is foremostly an attempt to understand how nature as a whole really works, how the substances, forces and beings at work in nature interact and form a whole, living physiology - and how to work successfully, naturally and ethically within nature's system of substances, forces and beings.
Although philosophical in framework, biodynamics is a very practical way to farm and garden - and not hard to learn. It requires a bit of mental preparation and study - this, however, leads to a fuller, richer understanding and practice.
Biodynamic farmers and gardeners focus on food quality through soil health, high biodiversity, humus building, natural pest prevention and control, integration of crops and animals - both wild and domestic - and an ever increasingly subtle and intense relationship to the land and its creatures. They also make every attempt to work with and not against natural rhythms, the year's and season's tendencies, the types of soil and climate they have - working to support natural health in every conceivable way.
Fundamental to biodynamics is a meditative approach to work and life. A consideration for the sacredness of all life and the needs of all beings and at the same time a deeply respectful inquiry into how we can meet the social, economic and ecological needs of our time.
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