Visit to Thailand on the Occasion of the 5th Module of the Asia-Pacific Training
From 14 to 20 October, at the end of the monsoon season, the fifth module of the Asia-Pacific Training took place at the Tripat Waldorf School close to Bangkok in Thailand.
Sonja Zausch, Bart Vanmechelen and Ineke Van den Bosch were invited to work with the students on the theme of “point-circle dynamics”. The mindful opening of the day with singing and eurythmy set the tone for a lively and well-balanced program of substantive contributions and artistic exercises.
Bart introduced the inner path of schooling as the basis for being able to observe, connect and act with presence of mind in every pedagogical moment in order to support the children. Central to this path of practice is reflection on one's own actions and deepening through the point-circle meditation. Both the formative principle in the human constitution and the developmental dynamics that arise in creating balance between polarities were addressed in the introductions as well as in the artistic exercises. Sonja deepened the theme with experiences in social-art eurythmy and Ineke with charcoal drawing in the light-dark polarity, with spatial modelling in clay and with the radiant light qualities of the primary colors on a black background. All the exercises focused on awakening and strengthening the perception and expression of oneself and others in the jointly designed social space. The basic eurythmy course, which was given throughout all modules by a German collegue who lives in Bangkok, was also woven into the program.
In the evening lecture, Bart explained how Rudolf Steiner demonstrated in the ninth and tenth lectures of the Course on Education for Special Needs how he arrived at supportive exercises and therapeutic instructions based on his perception of the children, and how important inner wakefulness and attentiveness are in this regard, which can be strengthened through the point-circle meditation.
On the last two days Sonja introduced the conditions for inclusive social development of adults with special needs in two sessions and encouraged the participants to reflect on how to become creative in this area.
With great gratitude, singing, dancing and lovely gifts, we celebrated how we were able to work together and learn from and with each other this week.
On the next day, Sonja and Bart introduced our Section at the Annual Meeting of the Network for Special Education and Social Therapy in Thailand.
On the following days, there were meetings with workshops with a parents' initiative and with teachers from a governmental special school, who want to implement the principles of Waldorf education and anthroposophic education for special needs into their work.
It was an enriching experience to learn in the various meetings and conversations how, in the cultural and social context of this remarkable country, our shared anthroposophical insights can inspire new initiatives for children and adults with special needs.
