Ashburton, Great Britain. 2025 is the 100th anniversary of Rudolf Steiner’s death. How does he live on in certain individuals? Sven Saar, educator and director of The Modern Teacher, gives his answers.
Which sentence by Rudolf Steiner really touched you and why?
“The matter of real importance today is that man shall really grasp the truth that it is necessary for him to become. He cannot rest upon anything he already is, but must continue in the process of becoming.” We are not complete, but works of art in the process of self-creation. When I internalize this, my acquired opinions and perspectives become permeable. The Here and Now, not the targeted and yet illusory goal, characterise my identity.
Where did anthroposophy irritate you?
It can’t. Rudolf Steiner sometimes can, however. I admire his philanthropy but respond with disappointment when he expresses himself in a racist way because he tries to please his audience. I find the 1923 workers’ lectures highly problematic in this context.
For which questions in life is anthroposophy important to you?
For all of them! A colleague once told me that anthroposophy is a light I can direct onto things that I want to see more clearly. Anthroposophy as an everyday tool that I use with conscious deliberation—I think that’s a great idea. And I have it always available!
How has anthroposophy changed your life?
Everywhere! It is wonderful that anthroposophy characterizes not my being but my doing: everything becomes more interesting with a perspective enhanced by the spirit!
If anthroposophy were a mythical creature, what would it be?
At best, it is a Phoenix that constantly recreates itself.
More The Modern Teacher
Translation Charles Cross
Image Sven Saar, Photo: Siddhart
This remark from Sven Saar troubled me greatly: ‘Rudolf Steiner sometimes does, though. What bothers me most is when the humanitarian I actually admire expresses himself in a racist way because he thinks that’s what his audience wants to hear.’
I cannot imagine for a moment that Rudolf Steiner would say things because he thought that’s what his audience wanted to hear!
I hope that ‘came out wrong’ and was not really what was meant.