READING TO THE RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN WAR DEAD

Painting : Zan Newstrom

​Dear Friends,

The Russia-Ukraine war shows signs of reaching an end soon, and I truly hope it does. Please note though, that this work will remain relevant for these souls, still for years to come ; and also for the war dead of any conflict, present or future, anywhere !
 
Jeff Smith RN (Retired)


Reading to the Russian and Ukrainian War Dead

The question of relations between Russia and the West has been much on my mind recently ; and judging from posts and exchanges I see elsewhere online, on the minds of many of us. I've followed this story fairly continuously since 1991 and the fall of communism, through publicly reported stories and events - but also especially in light of things Rudolf Steiner had to say about certain secret Anglo-American brotherhoods, and their role in world events. In a conversation with a friend yesterday, my friend formulated this in a single sentence that stuck with me :

"The brotherhoods feel that their power is waning, historically, and they want at all costs to prevent a blossoming of relations between Middle Europe and Russia."

Rudolf Steiner spoke on this theme already around the time of World War I. In our own time Terry Boardman has also written and posted YouTube videos about it ; and I've seen remarkable presentations of world events and political dynamics that discern much the same - but from observers who probably know nothing of this more spiritual background.

See Facebook : #rightslifetodayukraine

In the past three years, thoughts have emerged for me as to what might help particularly in the current tragic Russia-Ukraine war. This might also need a separate conversation - but for now, there's one thing I can see absolutely no downside to.

At this point, hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian young people have died and are in the spiritual world - and I can only guess that they're unclear WHY they've had to die, in the sense of the deeper social and political causes of all this. I can only guess too, that it might comfort them to know how these conflicts and events might unfold for the better, take turns for the better in times to come. Rudolf Steiner recommended reading anthroposophy to the dead (examples) - that they're hungry for it, and I see no possible downside to reading to these souls who've died.

Steiner also presented his threefold social idea as a way to understand human society - including serious conflicts that arise in it, but also foundations for its future health. My sense is that this material could be especially healing for the dead in war. My recommendation and hope, therefore, is that people would consider sharing this content not just to the war dead of Russia and Ukraine, but with their own beloved dead - whoever they feel might want, need or appreciate hearing it. A simple way to do this :

- Read to yourself or aloud, with your chosen departed in your thoughts, feelings and heart.

- Read with the first firm goal to understand what you read, to the point that you're even able to put it in your own words.

- Read what you read at least three times.

- Pay attention in the days and nights following, to what "returns" to you as thoughts, feelings and impulses to action.

This pamphlet by Rudolf Steiner's personal secretary, Guenther Wachsmuth is very clear, and was one of the first pieces of anthroposophical literature I ever bought, from a bookstore table over 45 years ago. In that time, it's lent enormous structure and insights to my own understanding of society - and eventually, even also to my own actions in life.

I hope you'll look into this - and that if it resonates, you'll share it with your loved ones - both living and dead !

The Threefold Social Order
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For more on this subject, see also 

Living Waters Wellness Resources : Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea