Question for You All on Studies

[Donna]

Dear All,

I have found a number of articles which I would like to read with whomever, on this Forum, would like to join in. I have a couple in mind - one about self development as a teacher, another about the training of the will as the basis of morality. And, of course, we have our Spiritual Task of the Homemaker study starting in January.

My main question is: how frequently would people like to do this? Would a new article every other week sound about right? Or maybe every three weeks - that would give us about 2 weeks to share on article 1 before moving onto article 2 - giving us about a week to read and think about that one.

Is this something that sounds like fun? I certainly have no expectations from people - I am happy to read and just churn out a few thoughts - I don't want people to feel burdened or obliged ("oh, if no one says anything she'll feel unappreciated'). And lurkers are always welcome - there is no obligation to contribute to the conversation - though if lurkers get something out of reading, it'd be nice to let me know about that! I did elicit a response from people for the first article and was pleased both by the initial enthusiasm and the posts it has generated. So I am enthusiastic to plunge onto further depths. But I'd like some feedback before galloping off!

So the plan thus far is:

Finish up the Craig Holdredge article in the next few days
Have quick one on nurturing the teacher
Pause for the Holy Nights - I am thinking about putting some verses up for people and hosting a discussion on dreams for those who connect to this time of year
Spiritual Task of the Homemaker (about a month for this study?)
Then the one on the will by Michaela Glockler

What do you all think about this? Would you like something a bit deeper on anthroposophy? (which the one on the will is). More geared to younger/older children? Something about specific topics?

And I have a favor - I know that hosting studies is a "done thing" that people do and others pay to participate in - I wonder if you all might like to help spread the word about this and we could get a few more people involved? Obviously once a person pays the membership fee she gets access to everything else on here, too.

Feedback please? Here would be a good place for it so people who are just checking out this Forum could read what others have to say about this.

Thanks!

[Lea]

Hi Donna- I find the book/article studies really useful and thought-provoking. I like the schedule that you just laid out. Lea

[holistic_mama]

Hi Donna,

I find the discussions very insightful and helpful. I would be very interested in the book and articles that you just presented.

Blessings to you from El Paso~ where...By Golly...it has just started to rain!!

Kimberly

[PennyEgan]

Donna - I am looking forward to the Book Study in January - and will definitely lurk on the others unless I can actually contribute - could you please remind me what the nurturing the teacher one is all about? That sounds great!

As for feedback - I can't imagine that anyone on this forum doesn't benefit in a thousand ways - sometimes in ways that don't even reveal themselves right away! It's like when I reread your overview - each time some different paragraph "speaks" to me and helps me in a new way where I'm at in my journey, which is ever evolving.

I hope many others do join this forum - it is by far the best resource out there (IMHO) - way better than yahoo groups where the same questions seem to get asked over, and over, and over again. PLUS (and this is huge, at least for me) this forum is lead/moderated by by Waldorf HOMESCHOOLERS (and this includes YOU, who are an amazing example and resource for us all - you are SO well grounded in reality, and not just pushing some unachievable "school" ideal)- not just a Waldorf teacher who really doesn't have a sense of what we're doing (teaching several grades at once, or whatever). I personally love how the topics are separated so that I don't have to read posts I don't need to know, and get right to what I do need. It's like being on several yahoo groups at once, and they are are chock full of info that actually applies and is fun to read about and helps!

Anyway - that's my bit of feedback - I guess I should say thank you at this point, for creating this forum, which is indeed fullfilling a need that was sorely lacking in our homeschooling with Waldorf world... so.... THANK YOU!!!

Regards, Penny
(who hopes that this is what you were asking for in the way of feedback, and that you were not looking for more concrete book selection suggestions or something and if so is terribly embarrssed by her lack of comprehension (although I have wanted to write you a thank you for a few days, so all is not lost...))

[Andrea Golden]

O.K. -- so I am ready to admit it -- I am a "Lurker" -- with a capital "L"! There I said it -- have been for over a year on the yahoo group and I've been at it again here! I'm embarassed to admit it -- feels a bit like peeping and slacking off at the same time. BUT, the other night I created a profile and something is calling me to participate. I wanted you to know that I think this forum is fantastic. I really like the format -- being able to read the messages that interest me. And in particular, I like the depth. I have been longing for a space to discuss some of the deeper anthroposophical issues surrounding Waldorf education as well as the practical matters that arise from day to day (what craft could I do? what story? etc.)

As for the article studies. . . I would be very interested in participating. I read the Holdredge article and found it to be reaffirming and inspiring (so did my husband), despite having children that are no where near highschool age. Anyway, I just wanted to say that there are some of us out here (I'm sure I'm not the only one!) who have been silent, but who are reading, contemplating and enjoying the posts very much. Thank you Donna, for creating this forum.

Warmly,
Andrea

[Jenn]

I lurk mostly too but I do want to tell you that the Homemaker study was one of the main reasons I decided to join up. I am really looking forward to it! :)

[raquel]

i feel very blessed to have this articles and discussion groups, i always loved to study and this is like food to my soul! i just devored last night the book on the homemaker, and it looks like every sentence is almost worth to meditate for a while, so i am looking forward to hearing and talking about what it says and further more applying it! i will like too the articles, the will one i think is gonna benefit me a lot cause i need to work on my will forces and my inner strenght, through doing.....as for spreading the word i have little connections right now but i will recomend the forum to my friend in spain, who is a teacher, she just started the waldorf studies in madrid and is a little concerned about the strictness she founds in antroposophy. thanks again, for the seen and the unseen.
raquel

[Debbie]

Hi Donna (and all),
I am new to this forum and to learning about Waldorf, so I am looking forward to the article and book studies. These studies are part of the reason I joined the forum too. (and I'm hoping at the moment that my 2-year-old jumping in his bed through nap yesterday and today is not a sign that naps are ending!! This is such a good time for reading and using the computer!) I tend to be more of a "lurker," but I'll do my best to keep up and post when I have appropriate responses.
Debbie
P.S: I also love the wealth of information that can be found on this forum and your website - Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[Lynda]

Donna,

I would love to participate in the studies. Everything you have listed sounds wonderful to me, especially the holy nights and dream work. I always tend to have vivid dreams this time of year. I have been slow, and may continue to be for a few more weeks, getting around and familiar with this forum. I promise to put my profile in soon! I have to remember, consciously, to come to the site now that the e-mails aren't coming to me automatically! :) But I think once I get the hang of it, I will love this. I already really like the idea of being able to print out a thread and get everything to take away and read (I don't always have much face time on the computer---my office is in a separate building from the house),

Look forward to the depth of continued study with you all!!!

Lynda

[Donna]

Thank you all for your feedback! I am really glad that people are finding this Forum to be a useful place and a good place to share and to learn about Waldorf homeschooling. And I am really wanting to offer this space as a place for people to deepen their relationship to Waldorf and to anthroposophy. I think we have begun to take steps toward that direction.

So all feedback is welcome!:)

And please, do not feel guilty about lurking - I have no problem with people who lurk. Everyone has their own way to work with these things and for some people reading and thinking on their own - or perhaps with their partners - works best for them. Others need to have something like this place as a sounding board. I hope all will feel welcome! And I am very open to feedback on what might work for others.