Life in Rhythm
By Xuefen Mullins
In Waldorf schools, teachers deliberately establish a rhythmic school life with students from the first day of their new journey. Students know what is coming next, which makes them feel at ease in the day. They expect when things will happen and even start to look forward to them.
Rhythm inspires healthy habits, positive inward reflection and enthusiastic exploration of the outside world. As hybrid seminarians, our directors have guided us to establish a rhythmic spiritual life since we started on the path, especially when we are in remote mode. My day starts with meditation and prayer in the evening as I am ready to reincarnate into the spiritual world, and again into a new day of my earthly life. Then the day slowly and quickly rolls out with Eurythmy, reading, family care, spiritual study, nature walk, etc.
Nature walks are one of my important daily routines, which I hadn’t fit in as much before my seminary life. Every afternoon I walk with my little Havanese for forty minutes along the streets to our neighborhood park. Occasionally we visit Lake Michigan. After a couple of months, the streets and the park are growing more and more peaceful and beautiful in my eyes. I don’t know if my dog feels the same way, or maybe he does all the time. The plants, the trees and little gardens of the houses are joyfully smiling and welcoming us. The park has a pure and clear feeling that it did not have in my memory. The tranquility of nature is intoxicating. My heart is filled with peace and gratitude. In the country the air is more pure than in the towns. Rudolph Steiner said, “Human beings there still lead a simpler, more rhythmical life in greater tranquility. He sets about definite tasks at different times, and thereby places himself in a far more intimate connection with the great cosmic laws. Through such rhythms, the very air he expires becomes more rhythmic, pure, better.” I believe it is true. Even a rhythmic visit to the city streets, parks and lakes can make subtle changes.
There is a grade school in our neighborhood. Every day during our walk, we come across four crossing guards around the school building. I don't think standing alone in the same place for a whole day is easy or fun. One of them often greeted everyone who passed by. I could hear her in my room, but she left after a couple of weeks. Another one is extremely shy and quiet, a little bit like me. The other two gentlemen are pretty quiet too. We often just say hello to each other when I pass by. One day, I decided to put my shyness aside and have a short “classical” conversation about the weather with them. I felt warm and happy in my heart. Now that shy girl often smiles at me. One day it was the first heavy snowy day in Chicago. I was helping my dog cross the street and I heard someone say hi from the other side of the street. It was the shy girl who was waving at me! This was the first time she took the initiative to say hello. Her beautiful smile shone in the snow. All of sudden, the cold air was transformed into warmth and joy. I know it is our Lord in her and among us. A little rhythmic appearance and hello each day are like a mustard seed. It grows and nourishes our soul and changes our living atmosphere.
As a seminarian, one of our deepest rhythms is the practice of evening and morning prayer every day. Sometimes it can be quite a challenge. But I know for sure now that it will be like leaven growing in our hearts, like the mustard seed.
Our author: Xuefen Mullins
a Knowing Christ student from Chicago, IL.
Xuefen, originally from China, is a Waldorf teacher. She enjoys working with soil.