Edmund Knighton, Ph.D., is a seasoned educator, clinical psychologist, and somatic movement practitioner whose multidisciplinary career spans more than three decades. He has engaged through various capacities with Waldorf education for over 35 years, once even serving as the president of Rudolf Steiner College. Drawing on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, the channeled material of “Ra” from the The Law of One, and somatic/transpersonal psychology, Edmund offers consulting for individuals, organizations, and families (including my own) committed to holistic growth. You won’t find Edmund on social media, but you can reach out to him by email: Fifthwanderer@gmail.com if you ‘d like to have his support in your home. In Part 1 of this series with Edmund, we discussed some of the basics around Steiner’s philosophy, the Waldorf pedagogy, a 3- and 4-fold approach to human wellbeing, and we started our venture into autism. In Part 2, we dove deeper into “autism” but also offered an invitation to consider the extrasensory gifts displayed by many “autistic” children. We also covered vaccines. In Part 3, we discussed the significance of the Holy Nights, a time of spiritual reflection and preparation leading up to Christmas as well as the days that follow. In Part 4, we focused on men. What is men’s work? What does it mean to embrace your feminine? What is meant by femininity and masculinity? What does this have to do with sex, childbirth, and love-making? In Part 5, we will explore darkness, sleep, and the importance of being “moved” throughout our life. We also go deeper into the masculine and feminine energetics of being (versus doing). Edmund shares this Rilke poem early in the conversation, and it is really captures quite a bit of what we discussed: You, darkness, that I come fromI love you more than all the firesthat fence in the world,for the fire makes a circle of light for everyoneand then no one outside learns of you.But the darkness pulls in everything-shapes and fires, animals and myself,how easily it gathers them! -powers and people-and it is possible a great presence is moving near me.I have faith in nights. - Rainer Maria Rilke This conversation took place roughly a week before a men’s retreat for fathers that I am hosting alongside Edmund in Idaho this August. This retreat will include blindfolded activities, MDMA-assisted sessions, movement exercises, and integration practices, aiming to foster trust, vulnerability, and deeper connection among these fathers (or soon-to-be fathers). As a preamble to our time together (and epilogue to a recent darkness retreat that I attended in Aspen, also hosted by Edmund), we explored the value of darkness retreats, the role of sleep and dreaming from the perspective of Rudolf Steiner, and the importance of reconnecting with the feminine, being moved emotionally, and experiencing presence and essence beyond productivity. We reflected on masculine and feminine energies, the significance of darkness in opening perception, and the potential for personal transformation through embodied practices and conscious unraveling of inherited identities. Be sure you don’t miss Edmund’s beautiful reflection on the menstrual cycle and blood as a sensing organ at [00:34:40] Email Edmund at fifthwanderer@gmail.com (He isn’t on social media) References from our conversation: * Check out Be Here Farm+Nature’s event offerings, as Edmund is frequently featured * All About Love, book by Bell Hooks * Buddha in Redface, book by Eduardo Duran This episode was sponsored by Born Free Method. The Born Free Method digital playground includes over 60 hrs of pre-recorded lessons (w/ slides) spread out over 180+ lessons when you enroll. You will also be invited to a Zoom call (recorded) every other week hosted by me, Sara, and both. We also often have guest speakers, and you will have access to recordings for all 100+ of our past calls/interviews. Enroll for your 7-day free trial!More ways to work with Nathan:Support for Midwives | Private Consultation | Clear & FreeMedical Disclaimer: Born Free Method: The Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only. Music provided by RealMovieScores / Pond5 Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe
