Developing the Self

 At the foundation of Western esoteric studies is an understanding of the evolution of consciousness. Anthroposophically based esoteric training focuses on strengthening the human soul. Ancient and modern practices are reenlivened to meet humanity’s evolving needs and to fulfill our present task of cultivating freedom and love to its highest degree.

Individual efforts toward developing the higher self is essential for genuine progress on the inner work path. The clear insights and exercises outlined in this book reveal the meaning and necessity of this essential effort in the present age of the consciousness soul, contributing to simultaneously enlivening both our inner and outer work. The path of developing the self and our work in the world are not separated but united through our practices and their results.

LISA ROMERO is an author of inner development books, a complementary health practitioner and an adult educator who has been offering healthcare and education enriched with anthroposophy since 1993. From 2006 the primary focus of her work has been on teaching inner development and anthroposophical meditation. Through the Inner Work Path Lisa offers lectures, courses and retreats for personal and professional development, in communities and schools worldwide. Steiner Books has published; 'The Inner Work Path' focusing on meditation practice, 'Developing the Self' written after years of working with Waldorf teachers to support their inner work and pedagogical understanding of child development, 'Living Inner Development' offering an understanding of the inner experiences and results of various inner development exercises, 'Sex Education and The Spirit' to help awaken an understanding of our communal responsibility for the healthy development of gender and sexuality within society, and "Spirit-led Community" which introduces spiritually healthy guidelines for lessening the negative influence of technology on the inner life. For several years Lisa was the lecturer of Health & Nutrition and Male/Female studies at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, where she continues to give lectures to the tutors on inner development. Since 1999 she has been presenting on the subject of gender, sexuality and spiritual life. She has been working with Waldorf schools as a part of their health and wellbeing curriculum, working directly with the students, teachers and parents on this theme. Lisa has contributed to and is an adviser on Health and Personal Development for the Australian Steiner Curriculum Framework. She has developed training courses, and facilitates professional development on this subject for teachers and health professionals. Lisa designed and facilitated EduCareDo 'Towards Health and Healing' which has offered 8 year-long courses focused on working with therapists from all modalities, as well as Waldorf teachers, toward cultivating the depth of anthroposophical insight through practical applications of therapeutic and pedagogical methods. Lisa is a contributor, tutor and director of Inner Work Path, EduCareDo, Developing the Self Developing the World and the Y Project. EduCareDo is an organisation delivering a distance education course of self-awakening study in the foundations of anthroposophy. Developing the Self Developing the World delivers community education, and the Y Project supports the bridging of young people into healthy community life. Lisa's capacity to deliver esoteric wisdom with insight and understanding allows her to meet the diverse needs of a range of communities and professions. Essentially, her work springs from the inner work, meditation and exercises, together with a dedication to the path of unfolding consciousness.

Laura Summer is co-founder of Free Columbia with Nathaniel Williams. She has been working with questions of color and contemporary art for the past 30 years, since she completed a painting training at the Atelier House School with Jennifer Thomson. Laura's approach to color is influenced by Beppe Assenza, Rudolf Steiner, and by Goethe's color theory. Her work, to be found in private collections in the US and Europe, has been exhibited at the National Museum of Catholic Art and History in New York City and at the Sekem Community in Egypt. She founded two temporary alternative exhibition spaces in Hudson NY: 345 Collaborative Gallery and Raising Matter - this is not a gallery. She has published seven books, four with painting and drawing exercises and three with stories.