Developmental Insights

I'm reading a marvelous book called Developmental Insights: Discussions between Doctors and Teachers, edited by David Mitchell.





In the very first essay, which is about the Heart, there is a quote from Novalis which really resonated with me and I'd like to share it.

"The heart is the key to the world and to life. We are in this helpless state in order to love and be beholden to others. Being imperfect we are open to others, and it is openness to the influence of others which is the purpose."


I just finished reading Their Eyes Were Watching Godby Zora Neale Hurston and this quote reminded me so much of something she says in the novel. Janie is sitting by the deathbed of her second husband, Jody, and she is confronting him about how he always bullied her during the course of their marriage. In fact, he steamrolled right over everybody in the town.

"And now you got tuh die tuh find out dat you got tuh pacify somebody besides yo'self if you wants any love and any sympathy in this world. You ain't tried tuh pacify nobody but yo'self. Too busy listening tuh yo' own big voice."


The novel tells the story of a very strong woman through three marriages and her own developing sense of self. I think it's interesting the things that I am reading about the purpose of life. Why we're here... that age-old question. Some things I have read make it sound like you have to strive to be independent, strong, and self-sufficient and then you'll have done well for yourself. Then there's another point of view: that the true path is through humility and openness to others. Being vulnerable is the only real strength. I wonder whether Janie was stronger during her second marriage where she simply became subservient to her husband, or during her third marriage where she opened herself up and enjoyed every bit of fun and love that Tea Cake, her new husband, gave her. In the end she shoots Tea Cake at point blank range because he contracted rabies trying to save her from a mad dog and he is coming after her with a gun, his mind turned to madness by the disease. The jury ruled that she did it as an act of love.






Developmental Insights is a book I would recommend if you're looking to learn more about anthroposophy. It is a series of lectures given in 1989 at a conference between Waldorf teachers and anthroposophical physicians. Many of Steiner's ideas are explained and put into context in a lovely way. I'm finding it very helpful as summer reading before the school year begins.