Goethean Psychology 101 (2018)

The true method of knowledge is experiment ~ William Blake

Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better ~ Emerson

Mr. Google informs me of only three pages for “goethean psychology” which don’t track back to this website and my other writings. In 2015, an Anthroposophist in England advertised a public talk speculating on what a Goethean Psychology might be. It has nothing to do so far with Goethean Holistic Science.

The last year, working on a new book in the Waldorf area, has been educational for me re Goethean Psychology. Happy news, I’m learning this ALREADY EXISTS and is alive and well. We were simply blind, unable to see as it was hidden in plain sight.

Want to see it? Please consider how any uncovery about the:

• lawfulness of any natural phenomena
• lawfulness of the human psyche
• lawfulness of invisible realms beyond the physical
• lawfulness of anything else…

…arrived at thru the method of:

• Careful, attention, objective observations,
• Employing all of our 12 senses, as appropriate; then
• Inner reflection on what we feel and think about our observations…

…is likely to be Goethean method science.

In other words, Goethean Science theory-method is not so different from Second Order “hard” science. Goethean Science simply has a larger science paradigm, the Three Sciences We Use Everyday, acknowledging all three domains where the above method is practiced.

With so much attention focused on tangible-visible “science,” we forget the above approach has also been applied to invisible-intangible Psychology for a century or more.

If the above seems obvious and UNDERwhelming, consider:

Goethean Psychology in child-human development and K-12 curriculum and method

The whole of Waldorf child-human development theory and K-12 method and curriculum appropriate thereto — is Goethean Psychology applied to child-human development and K-12 ed. Best modern articulation is not Steiner. See next article, review of Millennial Child by Eugene Schwartz.

Goethean Psychology of soul’s physical-mental-emotional condition

In 2002 a more coherent overview of Psychosynthesis laid out a Psychology of soul’s experience in the waking human form, gleaned thru Goethean methods. See further article, review of Psychosynthesis: Psychology of the Soul.

Goethean Psychology applied to interpersonal conversation

Compassionate (nonviolent) Communication (NVC) appears to me, to be a Goethean Psychology of effective interpersonal conversation.

Please don’t confuse this with “Goethean Conversation.” It pertains more to to Goethean Spiritual Psychology, addressed below.

Goethean Psychology applied to Energy Medicine

The justly famous first 100 pages of The Emotion Code by Bradley Nelson, is the result of Psychology methods applied in Energy Medicine.

Donna Eden’s Meridian Tracing demos and methods is Goethean methods applied to acupuncture meridians, for the purposes of Energy Medicine.

A Goethean Psychology of each meridian is laid out in the Meridian Metaphors manual.

A Goethean Psychology of the mental-emotional meaning of pain anywhere in the body exists in professional reference book, Messages from the Body.

The practice of Herbology is Goethean theory-method applied to human-plant interactions for the purpose of wellness, prevention and treatment.

The practice of Homeopathy is is Goethean theory-method applied to interaction of humans and dilutions. Within this, Homeopathy also has a well-developed Psychology based on Goethean method in service to human constitutional wellness.

Quantum physics is not Goethean, not yet

Quantum mechanics, quantum physics and quantum field theory are not yet Goethean Science in any sense I know the phrase.

What are Quantum mechanics, quantum physics and quantum field theory? They are primarily abstractions and theories. Hopefully these have more utility beyond welfare for under-employed scientists. So far, I personally am unable to verify much greater value.

Before dismissing all sub-atomic particle theory and observations, I wish to point to the Goethean Science of sub-atomic particles pioneered by C.W. Leadbeater and Annie Besant in Occult Chemistry.

The first edition was 1908, second edition 1919, third edition in 1951. Only 92 pages, any free version online will be illuminating except for serious users. The radical ideas in Occult Chemistry, pre-dating and predicting sub-atomic particle theory were later re-validated in two books and online, including at Yale HERE.

When and if more is learned about the reality of sub-atomic particles, I’m not aware yet of any significance these have to human health or healing. Still, using advanced First Order (clairvoyant) Goethean methods, such particles were demonstrable by the early Theosophists, as noted.

Goethean Psychology of clairvoyant and out-of-body experiences

I have deliberately not yet addressed Goethean methods applied to unconventional-rare soul experiences, by clairvoyants, like Steiner.

I’ve learned only this month the mixing of a psychology of soul in the waking human experience; with, a psychology of soul in an out-of-body state, causes much confusion and leads to endless arguments. Mainstream Western culture does not yet have an ethical-moral-values foundation robust-resilient enuf to discuss such things — without resorting to conflict, agression and competition.

A good example? The general public is persuaded all Waldorf schooling must be religious, since Steiner talks so much about his perceptions in an out-of-body state.

A clear line in the rhetorical sand is needed between:

• First Order Goethean methods applied to, soul’s experience in physical-mental-emotional realms (worldly psychology); and
• First Order Goethean methods applied to, soul’s clairvoyant and out-of-body experiences (spiritual psychology).

The 2002 Psychosynthesis book has a good start on how to draw the line between these two.

I’m aware many Anthroposophists have labored for a lifetime to keep the spiritual converged with the physical-material. I aligned with this in my Waldorf teacher trainings. I note converging these two works much better for children, teacher trainees; yet, less well for parents and the general public.

In time as better college then K-12 education emerges, it will be easier to make, have and use lines in the rhetorical sand, between soul’s experience in the Outer tangible 3D world; and, soul’s experience in a primarily out-of-body and/or clairvoyant state.

Comments and suggests warmly invited

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Author, Health Intuitive, Bruce Dickson online:
http://www.Amazon.com/Bruce-Dickson-MSS/e/B007SNVG46