The Spiritual Signature of our Time in the Era of Coronavirus

Book excerpt: What can we read in the fast-moving events of recent times? Is there a theme – a spiritual signature – that should be recognized and understood?Following on from the book of essays Perspectives and Initiatives in the Times of Coronavirus, key figures from the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum assess critical societal issues in a series of striking lectures. In the context of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, the speakers address questions such as: 'Are we making a religion out of science?', 'How is our behaviour mirrored in the ecosystem?' and 'What effects do inner work and meditation have on the healing powers of the human being?' Offering scientific, artistic, historic and sociological viewpoints, their research is based on expert knowledge and practice in various disciplines such as medicine, agriculture and education. Uppermost in their analysis, however, is the spiritual dimension of the human being. The book also deals with misrepresentations and misinterpretations of anthroposophy.The School of Spiritual Science, with its centre in Dornach, Switzerland, has eleven sections that are active internationally in research, development, teaching and practical implementation of findings. The work of each of the School's sections seeks to develop anthroposophy – as founded by Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) – in a contemporary context through the core disciplines of general anthroposophy, medicine, agriculture, pedagogy, natural science, mathematics and astronomy, literary and visual arts and humanities, performing arts and youth work..