Day One – SOIL: Voices from the Grassroots

Keynote: On the Book of Nature and the Book of Man

Dennis Klocek – Teacher/Researcher – soilsoulandspirit.com

In this episode, Dennis Klocek, founder of the Coros Institute and former director of the Goethean Studies and Consciousness Program at Rudolf Steiner College, shares his profound insights on integrating science and mysticism. Discussing topics like anthroposophy, biodynamics, and the significance of warm-heartedness (Gemüt), Dennis delves into how personal dedication and creative imagination can heal the soul, soil, and world. He highlights the historical and spiritual foundations of biodynamic practices and emphasizes the importance of experiential truth in today’s world. This heartfelt talk also includes reflections on art, scientific research, gratitude, and seasonal patterns, offering invaluable wisdom for those seeking a deeper connection with the natural world.

A Dialogue Session with Agriculture Section Co-lead Eduardo Rincon

Eduardo Rincon – Biodynamic Farmer – Goetheanum Section for Agriculture

Eduardo Rincon joins us from the Goetheanum for a dialogue session with Soil, Soul and Spirit. Topics for the discussion include: Eduardo’s personal relationship to work on the land, how biodynamics entered his life, the aspects of traditional farming Eduardo believes can most readily connect with biodynamic practices and his thoughts on Steiner’s suggestion that those who work on the land need to become a new priesthood.

Understanding the Biodynamic Impulse: An Inquiry from a Tropical Cow and Bee Tender

Danilo Solano – Biodynamic Farmer – [email protected]

The agriculture course given during Pentecost in 1924 marked a precedent for those human souls whose yearning was to be guided by the great mother nature. It is fundamental that humankind comes to understand how they can do right by the great mother while at the same time pursuing their quest to nurture souls, bellies and communities. In his presentation, Danilo will share practical methods and insights gained through his direct experience of biodynamic agriculture in wet, humid, tropical ecosystems. He will also address the questions: What was happening in the untamed neotropical jungles of Costa Rica during the agriculture course? How is biodynamic agriculture carving and shaping his farm Esperanza?

Biodynamics and Cosmic Nutrition

Anthony Mecca – Farmer/Educator – biodynamics.com – educaredo.org

Biodynamics offers a rich new view on nutrition for human beings, animals, and the earth that encompasses the realms of life, soul, and spirit. Farmer and educator Anthony Mecca will guide us on a journey through the foundations of a spiritual scientific approach to nutrition, developing our understanding and demonstrating how we can more consciously participate in the dynamic interplay between the ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ of living organisms towards greater health for all.

Day One Panel – Dennis, Danilo, Matias

The conversation explore into the connections between traditional agricultural practices and biodynamics, exploring how these methodologies can honor and integrate the spiritual aspects of farming. Additionally, the panelists discuss the importance of community, the healing potential of biodynamic practices, and the influence of cosmic rhythms. The session concludes with reflections on karma, community building, and the evolving role of biodynamic agriculture in modern times.

Day Two – SOUL: The Inner Landscape

The Significance of Transforming Agriculture into an ‘Agriculture of Spiritual Deeds’

Matias Baker – Biodynamic Consultant/Researcher – [email protected]

In this session we will explore the meaning and practice behind creating spiritual deeds in nature. Matias will share a story of a healing ritual and how this healing can inspire our biodynamic path.  For example, by forming a sacrality around our biodynamic preparation work and how this can lead to new insights for new agricultural research and remedies. Ultimately, this will help us develop the artistic nature of forming inner pictures and organs of perception for experiencing the healing potential of the spirit throughout nature.

Spiritual Development on the Sufi Path Through Agricultural Symbolism

Wali Via – Biodynamic Farmer – inayatiyyaziraat.org

Wali has practiced both biodynamics and sufism for most of his adult life. He has found that these two streams of teachings can mutually support each other. Wali will share how one of the activities of his sufi path, Ziraat, uses agricultural symbolism, and attuning to the elements and nature as a means of traveling the spiritual path.

Exploring the Intersection of Agriculture, Biodynamics and Education

Jonathan Code – Teacher/Researcher – Muck and Mind by Jonathan Code

This session will be part presentation and part dialogue with a focus on ‘biodynamics conventional agriculture’. The presentation will outline current developments and innovations in global agriculture and will explore how biodynamics features and contributes to these. The presentation and discussion will take a particular focus on education and draw on Jonathan Code’s current perspective as a Senior Lecturer in one of the oldest agricultural universities in Europe.

Biodynamics & the Body of the Earth

Carmen Hering – Anthroposophic doctor – liveoakmed.org

Drawing from the second Agriculture lecture and the insights of Anthroposophic Medicine, Dr. Carmen Hering will develop an imagination of the threefold human being as it relates to the earth and cosmos. We will explore how the natural world participates in the activities of digestion, cognition and breathing, and what this means for our future development with the earth.

Day Two Panel – Matias, Wali, Jonathan, Carmen

Join us for a panel discussion on the integration of biodynamics, health, and spiritual meaning. In this episode, panelists delve into the significance of finding purpose and meaning through biodynamic practices, the impact of technology on agriculture and health, and the role of education in opening dialogues about these vital practices. Discover insights from these experts in anthroposophy, biodynamic farming, and holistic health as they share their personal practices and experiences.

Day Three – SPIRIT: The Spirit of Biodynamics

Biodynamic Beekeeping as a Spiritual Path

Alex Tuchman – Biodynamic beekeeper – spikenardfarm.org – A Lively Hive by Alex Tuckman

Join Alex as he explores the spiritual path of beekeeping through connecting to the honeybee as our teacher and archetype of the spiritual human being manifesting a life based on love. The bees’ main struggles are caused by human blunders. In engaging with the bees and developing practices to serve their needs, we have a great opportunity to develop capacities for living in balance between heaven and earth. In this way, working with the spirit is immanently practical and can be a great help in daily life and our further evolution. Alex will explore the spiritual nature of bees, the inner practices of the soul that can serve our connection and communication with them and the research that has developed from this stream of spiritual beekeeping at Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd Virginia.

Celebrating the Four Seasons in Biodynamic Practice: Weaving Sense, Substance & Spirit

Patricia Kaminski – Biodynamic Gardener/Flower Essence Practitioner – flowersociety.org

In typical esoteric work, we’re asked to step outside the physical sense realm in order to achieve communion with spiritual beings. However, in Biodynamic practice we have the opportunity to approach the supersensible realm from the opposite direction: imbuing our perception of physical matter with such intensity of consciousness that we can breakthrough to spiritual realization. Several months prior to the June 1924 Agriculture Course, Rudolf Steiner gave a truly ground-breaking lecture series entitled, The Four Seasons and the Archangels, articulating the precise chemistry of nature’s seasonal cycles in relationship to the archangels who shape each season. Patricia has approached her biodynamic practice with the core alchemical insights of these imaginations of the four seasons. Her presentation will give an overview for combining practical biodynamic applications throughout the yearly cycle with a soulful consideration of those supersensible beings who orchestrate the four seasons.

Day Three Panel – Alex, Patricia, Dennis

Join us for a panel discussion on the integration of biodynamics, health, and spiritual meaning. In this episode, panelists delve into the significance of finding purpose and meaning through biodynamic practices, the impact of technology on agriculture and health, and the role of education in opening dialogues about these vital practices. Discover insights from these experts in anthroposophy, biodynamic farming, and holistic health as they share their personal practices and experiences.

Endnote: Star Wisdom as a Meditative Path

Dennis Klocek

In this lecture, Dennis speaks to the evolution of biodynamic practices, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing scientific research and spiritual perceptions. Through his years of research and personal experiences, he discusses the limitations of the traditional four elements theory, advocating instead for a method that balances polarities—a concept he calls ‘tempering.’ He highlights the significance of planetary movements and solar length of day in understanding plant behaviors, and connects this to the teachings of Goethe, Rudolf Steiner, and Carl Jung. Dennis also shares personal anecdotes and offers practical advice on developing perceptive skills for biodynamic work, aiming to inspire a new approach to agriculture, medicine, and community healing.