Finding Inner Balance: Meditative Exercises for Mindfulness, Empathy and Strengthening the Will
Finding Inner Balance in the midst of life, we can find ourselves pulled in many different directions, and it is easy to lose our sense of self. Can we find and strengthen the inner core of who we are? Can we rediscover our inner equilibrium and tranquility without retreating from the world?
Ever since ancient times, people have sought to reestablish inner balance by using various meditative practices. The “soul exercises” described in this brief book are derived from Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual philosophy, while also acknowledging the Buddhist tradition and mindfulness meditation. Offering strategies to boost self-confidence, self-reliance, inner stability, and concentration, they are intended for anyone seeking personal inner development. These exercises are perfect for enriching daily life, and can be of help especially during times of stress, mental and emotional crisis, burn-out, and in the context of psychiatric and psychosomatic therapies.
In a series of short chapters, illustrated with beautiful color photos, this book offers accessible, easy-to-follow commentaries and instructions for creating a path of inner development and balance.
Originally published in German as Das innere Gleichgewicht finden: Seelenübungen für Achtsamkeit, Herzenskultur und Willensstärke (Berlin, 2015).
C O N T E N T S:
Introduction
Meditative Exercises for Inner Balance
1. Finding Objective Clarity—Observing an Object
2. Finding Your Inner Breathing—Drawing and Object
3. Sensing the Living World—Observing a Plant
4. Making Space for Creativity—Drawing a Leaf
5. Deep Listening—Attentive, mindful Listening
6. Finding Inner Breadth—Observing the Skies and the Weather
7. Discovering Positivity—Keeping a “Sun Journal”
8. Finding Your Calm Perspective—Looking Back on the Day
9. Staying Centered—Preview of the Day
10. Preventing Forgetfulness—Being Conscious Where You Put Things
11. Pros and Cons: Decision-making—Weighing up Conscious Decisions
12. Finding Inner Stability—Practicing Balance
13. Being Self-aware—Finding an Upright Stance
14. Enhancing Your Life Forces—Practicing Beautiful Writing
15. Finding Your Own Rhythm—Conscious Walking
16. Finding Your Place of Inner Calm—Practicing Juggling
17. Looking with New Eyes—Observing a Picture
18. Inward Refreshment—Conscious Smelling
19. Wellbeing and Discernment—Tactile Experiences
20. Conversations without Words—Communicating with Rods
Soul Exercises—The History and Background
1. Anthroposophic Meditation
2. Soul Exercises and Personal Health
3. Salutogenesis and Anthroposophy
4. Soul Exercises in Psychotherapy
5. Soul Exercises in Anthroposophic Medicine
6. Single and Group Therapy
Acknowledgements
Notes
Further Reading
About the Author
Klaus Adams, born 1961, trained as a nurse at Herdecke district hospital. He has worked as a nurse at Friedrich-Husemann Clinic in Buchenbach, Germany, since 1990. He further trained in psychiatry and is a practice manager and expert in anthroposophic nursing and an IKAM auditor (International Coordination Centre for Anthroposophic Medicine at the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum). He has taught for many years on healthcare and nursing training courses, is a tutor for soul exercises and other aspects of anthroposophic psychiatry, and has authored various publications on anthroposophic psychiatric nursing.
Wolfgang Rissmann, MD, born 1948, studied medicine in Freiburg and Vienna, subsequently specializing in psychiatry. From 1987 to 2013, he was chief physician at the Friedrich-Husemann Clinic in Buchenbach, near Freiburg. Since 2014, he has headed a private practice for psychiatry in Hamburg. He works in training of medical students, physicians, and other medical professionals in the field of anthroposophic medicine and psychiatry.
Marko Roknic, born in 1958, trained as a nurse at Herdecke district hospital. From 1990 to 2009 he was a nurse at the Friedrich-Husemann Clinic in Buchenbach near Freiburg, Germany, and since 2009 has been a nursing manager at Sonneneck Psychosomatic Clinic in Badenweiler, Germany. He took further training in psychiatric nursing and is an expert in anthroposophic nursing, a trainer in Wegman/Hauschka rhythmic massage, and a health pedagogue (AfW Freiburg). He sits on the advisory board of the association for anthroposophic nursing, and has taught for many years in healthcare and nursing training. He is a tutor for soul exercises and other aspects of anthroposophic psychiatry, and has authored various publications on health education and nursing.
Matthew Barton is a translator, editor, teacher, and poet, and taught kindergarten for many years at the Bristol Waldorf School. His first collection of poems was Learning To Row (1999). He has won numerous prizes for his work, including an Arts Council Writer’s Award and a Hawthornden Fellowship.
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