Anthroposophical Society, Inc.

A Professional Research & Working Group

for Spiritual-Cultural Approaches to Dying & Death

 

Viriditas is an open, Specialised Branch within the Anthroposophical Society. Viriditas offers a forum for exchange and cooperation, mutual stimulation and support. This Specialised Branch work is praxis related, experiential, socially connecting and spiritually in-depth in assistance of artists, eurythmists, speech and drama artists, poets and creative writers, storytellers, musicians, companions, practitioners, therapists, homecare-givers, and experienced laypeople, who wish to be part of a new cultural-spiritual approach to dying, death and rebirth. This Specialised Branch does not focus on nor is it in competition with medical-palliative care; our activity is complementary.

 

The diversity in the way we conceive a culture of dying is a sign of the abundance and creativity of anthroposophical spiritual science. Viriditas’ focus is a Spiritual-Cultural Approach to Dying and Death, and the cultivation of a living understanding of Karma, Unborness and Reincarnation, and related research in the following core areas: research into the journey beyond the portal of death to support develop, and integrate a greater consciousness of our cosmic life into our earthly lives, and provide education and support to others who also seek to do so; research and development of the ways in which the arts and creative engagement can assist wellbeing, overcoming or alleviating fear, and provide support to those approaching the end of earthly life; research and development of the unique contributions music and storytelling provide as active preparation for a conscious approach to and crossing of the threshold; the education of companions, support people, and carers for those nearing the end of life; the deep study of and engagement with Anthroposophy and the praxis-based development of indications provided by Rudolf Steiner in this specialised area.

 

Our impulse is to inspire and cultivate a living perception of what it means to be human, the significance of our earthly mortality and our spiritual immortality, and to fully grasp: we live the greater part of our existence as a ‘spiritual cosmic reality’. To this end, the work of this Specialised Branch will foster conversations about dying and living, openness to new insights that allow us all to engage with death and dying ourselves through ongoing schooling. In this spirit, Viriditas intends to liaise with and encourage other interested activity streams within, or affiliated with, the Anthroposophical Society, in shaping a future

oriented ‘culture of dying and death’ and living connections to the spiritual world. All such regional, local, national and international groups are independent, self-organising and ideally connected through friendship, mutual interest and collaboration.