Global Activities and History
- 1st Training Cycle: February 2021 – December 2023
Karl-Heinz Finke & Laura Summerfield, with Group Guides & Mentees - 2nd Training Cycle: February 2022 – December 2024
Karl-Heinz Finke & Laura Summerfield, with Group Guides & Mentees - 3rd Training Cycle: February 2023 – December 2025
Karl-Heinz Finke & Laura Summerfield, with Group Guides & Mentees - 4th Training Cycle: February 2024 – December 2026
Karl-Heinz Finke & Laura Summerfield, with Group Guides & Mentees
We have set ourselves the goal of completing 3 more Training Cycles in English before we slow down a bit (due to ageing!)
These are Online Training Programs, and accessible globally.
3 Training Cycles are in progress, and a fourth starts in 2024.
Our participants, our Trainees, come from many countries, and enjoy the sharing process that throws light on such diverse biographical journeys.
Our common language is English (often a second language), our common understanding is humanity, our common striving is to learn more about ourselves and others in this biographical context. Our first languages, cultures, time zones, experiences are different, and these differences are shared and appreciated.
Trainees complete 12 modules online, consisting of comprehensive Learning Packs supported by online facilitated sessions.
With the 3rd Training Cycle, starting February 2023, we also began a Mentoring Program for the graduates of Training Programs (not just our own).
To make our Biography Work more accessible, we now offer all of our Training modules as stand-alone courses for those who have completed our Foundation course (or equivalent).
Karl-Heinz has summarised his Adult Learning material into 3 new modules on Adult Learning, which are mandatory for our Mentees, but invaluable for other educators working with adults. All 3 are available (once released) as stand-alone courses.
The next few years promise to be interesting, as we share the fruits of our learning, our work, and our experience.
Join us if there is something that interests you.
Contact
Mandarin – Online Workshops and Trainings
在线 – 普通话研讨会和培训
Foundation Courses in progress
- 1st Online Training Cycle in Mandarin started September 2022
Karl-Heinz Finke, Laura Summerfield, and Group-guides/ Mentees
An Online Training Program has started in Mandarin, hosted by our Taiwanese organisers, with participants invited globally. Graduates of the 1st Training Program in Taiwan are part of our Mentoring Program and act as Group Guides for the online sessions.
The 12 modules are translated from our English Online Training Program. Participants receive our Learning Packs in Mandarin, with all learning materials and lectures translated. Learning materials are also available in simplified Chinese.
All of the Modules are available as stand-alone courses for personal or professional development, if space is available.
Contact the Organisers for further details.
Our Biography Log-book is available in Mandarin as a print edition (see our Shop).
It has also been translated into simplified Chinese, and is available as a print edition or as an eBook.
For eBook see our Webshop. For print edition email: cmbiography@outlook.com.
Contacts
International
Taiwan Association for the Promotion of Biography Work
tfstpa2022@hotmail.com
China
Li Jing cmbiography@outlook.com
Website / 网站
Taiwan – Workshops and Biography Trainings
- 1st Training Cycle (Yilan Group): January 2019 – April 2022
Karl-Heinz Finke, Laura Summerfield - 1st Training Cycle (Mingdao Group): January 2019 – May 2022
Karl-Heinz Finke, Laura Summerfield
In 2019, our colleague Marah Evans, was asked if it would be possible to conduct a Biography Training in Taiwan. Marah approached Karl-Heinz Finke to organise this training.
We started by running 4 Foundation courses in Biography Work in 2 locations – Yilan and Changhua.
It was immediately clear that there was strong interest in the 3-year Training Program in Holistic Biography Work in both locations. Therefore at the beginning of 2019, a Training Cycle commenced in both.
The global pandemic and travel restrictions affected course delivery, and it was completed with online sessions in real-time with Karl-Heinz Finke assisted by Laura Summerfield. Participants have joined the course modules either online or onsite in Yilan and Mingdao. Additional training sessions have been scheduled.
Approximately 45 participants will graduate from the first Training Cycle, with a second Cycle planned (2022-2025) that will also provide mentoring to approximately 20 graduates.
The local organising team members have done an amazing job in enrolling and supporting so many participants. They translate all the learning materials and all the online sessions. During the second cycle, they will have at least many Trainees/participants as well as the Mentees to care for. Our aim is: to be able to hand the Training Program over to local Trainers for the third Training Cycle.
Contacts
Taiwan Association for the Promotion of Biography Work
tfstpa2022@hotmail.com
Website / 网站
Thailand – Workshops and Biography Trainings
- 1st Training Cycle: March 2015 – September 2018 (Bangkok)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Chinrinee Weerawutiwong - 2nd Training Cycle: March 2019 – September 2021 (Bangkok & Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke, and mentees - Mentoring Cycle: March 2019 – September 2021 (Bangkok & Online)
Karl-Heinz mentoring: Chinrinee Weerawutiwong, Pornpimon Vonganan
From 2011 to 2015, Traditional Thai Doctor, Coach and Consultant – Chinrinee Weerawutiwong – attended a Living-way Biography Training in India, in English. During this training process, she expressed her desire to bring this work to Thailand.
After her graduation, Chinrinee agreed to host a Training Program in Thailand through her organisation Three Worlds Creator, with translation of the learning materials and lectures.
One Training was completed in Thailand (2015-2018), and another followed, with 2 graduates being mentored during the second Cycle to take over the Training Program in Thailand.
Foundation Courses are now run in Thailand, with a new Training Cycle being developed by these local Trainers, now our colleagues and part of our international network.
India – Workshops and Biography Trainings
- 1st Training Cycle: July 2011 – July 2015 (Bangalore & Hyderabad)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Marah Evans - 2nd Training Cycle: February 2016 – September 2018 (Bangalore)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Delna Tarapore - 3rd Training Cycle: February 2019 – February 2022 (Bangalore & Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Laura Summerfield, and Mentees - Mentoring Cycle: February 2019 – September 2022 (Bangalore & Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke mentoring: Rashmi Malhotra, Sangita Kamath, Sandhya Durai, Janaki Anant, Namrata Sharma, Ramadevi Pattabhiraman, Surya Chirravuri, Vibha Hariharan.
In 2009, two women from India attended the bi-annual World-Wide Biography Conference at Emerson College. On behalf of the Anthroposophical Medical Society in India, they were looking for Trainers to run a Biography Training in India. Following their invitation, Marah Evans and Karl-Heinz Finke conducted the first Indian Biography Training from 2011 to 2015 in Hyderabad and Bangalore.
A second Training Cycle took place in Bangalore, 2016-2018, with Dr Delna Tarapore.
Karl-Heinz Finke has completed the third Training Cycle (2019-2022), run as a Residential course in Bangalore until the beginning of 2020 and then Online, assisted by Laura Summerfield. Graduates from the former training cycles were mentored during this Training Cycle.
In June 2019, 4 Graduates (now colleagues) came to Hungary for a special meeting with representatives of the International Trainers Forum (ITF), and then attended the World-Wide Biography Conference.
Since then, Rashmi Malhotra and Sandhya Durai have formed the Association for Holistic Biography Work, accepting members world-wide. Their aim is to provide a platform for Biography workers, based in Anthroposophy, to stay connected with each other and share their learning across time and space. They desire to enrich the knowledge and experience of its members by creating regular opportunities to interact with Biography practitioners, mentors and teachers globally.
They had planned to host a regional Biography Gathering in 2020 with an excursion for participants to Tiruvannamalai and Auroville,
Due to the pandemic, they organised a Virtual Gathering that October, attracting participants online from around the world. Another Online Gathering was hosted in December 2021, across 2 different time zones.
The Association hosts regular Online workshops, and bi-annual Online Gatherings alternating with the World-wide Conferences.
Indian colleagues plan to continue the Biography Trainings in India. Two graduates – Sandhya Durai and Sangita Kamath – have founded their own Biography Training Organisation – Bodhi. They are running Foundation Courses before starting a 3-year Training Program.
In the meantime, Indian participants have joined our Online Training Program, and our colleagues from India provide assistance in our online sessions.
Local Contacts
Professional Organisation for Biography Work
Association for Holistic Biography Work
Email: info@holisticbiography.com
Bodhi – Training Organisation
Email:
Sangita Kamath: sanom13@gmail.com
Sandhya Durai: sandhya.durai@gmail.com
New Zealand – Workshops and Biography Trainings
- 1st Training Cycle: 2005 – 2008 (Hawke’s Bay)
Karl-Heinz Finke - 2nd Training Cycle: 2009 – 2012 (Auckland)
Karl-Heinz Finke
In New Zealand we began with running the Schooling Course. Taruna College invited Angela Youdale and Karl-Heinz Finke to run three 2-week courses, September 2001 – September 2004. Participants asked Karl-Heinz Finke for a Biography Training in New Zealand.
In the meantime, Marah Evans and Karl-Heinz had started the first English Biography Training Cycle in Stroud. They were in the process of translating and adapting the course for an English speaking audience. This preparation gave Karl-Heinz the confidence to conduct Biography Trainings on the other side of the world. One year after the Living-way Biography training started in Australia, the first Biography Training Cycle started in New Zealand, hosted by Taruna College.
The 2nd Training Cycle found a home at the Christian Community in Auckland.
Since then graduates have been using their knowledge and skill in the community.
New Zealanders are now able to join our Online Training Program.
Australia – Workshops and Biography Trainings
- 1st Training Cycle: 2004 – 2007 (Melbourne)
Karl-Heinz Finke - 2nd Training Cycle: 2009 – 2011 (Sydney)
Karl-Heinz Finke - 3rd Training Cycle: 2013 – 2017 (Sydney)
Karl-Heinz Finke - 4th Training Cycle: 2017 – 2020 (Canberra & Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke, and mentees - Mentoring Cycle: 2017 – 2020 (Canberra & Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke mentoring: Lukas Ryan, Madonna Holmes, Laura Summerfield
In 1997, during one of the last Schooling Courses at Hawkwood College (UK), Living-way received an invitation to conduct a Schooling Course in Melbourne, Australia in 1998.
This was a stepping-stone for many future Living-way workshops and trainings in Australia and New Zealand.
The Schooling Course in Australia sadly ended after a successful three-year cycle in Armidale, New South Wales.
The first Living-way 3-year Biography Training began in Australia in 2004, under the umbrella of The Melbourne Therapy Centre. The second training cycle started in 2009 in Sydney in co-operation with Sydney Rudolf Steiner College. There were 2 training cycles in Sydney. The fourth commenced in Canberra in March 2018 supported by the Anthroposophical Society in Australia, Canberra Branch.
In Sydney, there have been 3 bi-annual Gatherings of Biography Consultants (2014, 2016, 2018). The goal has been to strengthen a collegial network and to support local peer support groups.
A quarterly communication newsletter, Seasonal Sharings, was initiated at the 2018 Gathering.
In 2020, with the expansion of Holistic Biography Work in Asia and the changes caused by a pandemic, we supported an Online Gathering hosted by the newly formed Indian Professional Association for Holistic Biography Work.
England – Workshops and Biography Trainings
- 1st Training Cycle: August 2003 – May 2006 (Stroud)
Karl-Heinz Finke, mentoring Marah Evans - 2nd Training Cycle: August 2005 – May 2008 (Stroud)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Marah Evans
Hawkwood College in Stroud was the venue for the Schooling Course after the Centre for Social Development (connected to Emerson College) closed. It had and still has, a vivid alternative culture, a number of attractive venues and a big anthroposophical community.
Living-way (Karl-Heinz Finke) started to conduct courses in addition to the Schooling Course and thus created interest in a Biography Training.
In 2003 Marah Evans and Karl-Heinz Finke started to translate and adapt the biography training material for an international group of English speaking students. Marah’s background in Art therapy and counselling added a good dimension to the training program.
After two successful training cycles in England, Karl-Heinz decided to respond to the growing interest in Australia and New Zealand.
Germany – Biography Workshops and Trainings
From 1992 to 1997, Gudrun Burkhard conducted workshops and Biography Trainings in Europe. In 1996 she announced that she intended to hand over her European trainings. She approached Joop Gruen in Arlesheim (Swizerland) and Karl-Heinz Finke in Berlin (Germany) and both agreed to continue Biography Trainings, at the beginning in Gudrun’s footstep, and then step-by-step with their own individualised formats.
During the World Wide Biography Conferences of the following years, the relationship between the Biography Movement and the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum Switzerland, found a new form. The Biography Movement felt their connection to the General Section of the School of Spiritual Science strongly. However, since Bernard Lievegoed and Gudrun Burkhard were medical doctors, the Medical Section had started as the cradle of the Biography impulse. Finally, during the 2003 World Wide Biography Conference, a different pathway was agreed. In July 2004, Paul Mackay (representing the General Section), Gudrun Burkhard, Karl-Heinz Finke and Joop Gruen signed a formal contract, which contained Guidelines for Biography Trainings based on Anthroposophy. Our Holistic Biography Work Trainings follow these guidelines.
In 2006 Karl-Heinz Finke was co-founder of the German Professional Association for Biography Work. Our Biography trainings are recognised by this Association.
From November 2022, Biography Trainings in Germany are run by: Gemma Priess, Jürgen Brau and Rita Weber-Wied.
- 1st Training Cycle: September 1998 – March 2001 (Berlin)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Carola Wehrheim-Hahn - 2nd Training Cycle: October 2000 – June 2003 (Berlin)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Carola Wehrheim-Hahn - 3rd Training Cycle: October 2002 – June 2005 (Berlin)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Carola Wehrheim-Hahn, Claudia Vivaqua - 4th Training Cycle: November 2004 – June 2007 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Claudia Vivaqua - 5th Training Cycle: October 2006 – October 2008 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Claudia Vivaqua - 6th Training Cycle: October 2008 – October 2010 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Claudia Vivaqua, Susanne Rivoir - 7th Training Cycle: October 2010 – October 2012 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Susanne Rivoir - 8th Training Cycle: October 2012 – October 2014 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Susanne Rivoir - 9th Training Cycle: October 2014 – October 2016 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Susanne Rivoir - 10th Training Cycle: October 2016 – September 2019 (Kassel)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Susanne Rivoir - 11th Training Cycle: October 2019 – October 2022 (Kassel and Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke, Gemma Priess, Jürgen Brau, Rita Weber-Wied - Mentoring Cycle: October 2019 – October 2022 (Kassel and Online)
Karl-Heinz Finke mentoring: Gemma Priess, Jürgen Brau, Rita Weber-Wied
Our Vocational Roots
Biography Work, New Adult Learning, Destiny Learning, Social Faculties and the Anthroposophical Schooling Course
The overview below summarises the different impulses and people, who have inspired our courses and trainings. We thank and honour them with deep gratitude.
- 1997 – 1999 – Summer Schooling Course (annually, Trigonos Centre, Wales)
Shirley Routledge, Angela Youdale, Karl-Heinz Finke, Sybille Eichstaedt - 1996 – 1998 – Anthroposophical Schooling Course (annually, Hawkwood College, England)
Coenraad van Houten, Shirley Routledge, Angela Youdale, Karl-Heinz Finke - 1996 July – Schooling Course in Middle Europe (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Coenraad van Houten, Shirley Routledge, Angela Youdale, Karl-Heinz Finke - 1995 – 2005 – Regular Courses on Destiny, Adult Education and Social Faculties (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Coenraad van Houten, Karl-Heinz Finke, Carla van Dijk - 1994 – 1995 – Biography, Biography Intensive and Leadership Courses (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Helmuth ten Siethoff - 1994 June – First Destiny Learning (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Coenraad van Houten, Karl-Heinz Finke - 1993 November – First New Adult Education Course (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Coenraad van Houten - 1994 – 1997 Biography Trainings (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Gudrun Burkhard - 1993 May – Introduction into Biography Work (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Ursula Kliewer - 1992 March – First Biography Course (Forum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany)
Gudrun Burkhard - 1989 April – New Adult Learning (Der Hof, Frankfurt, Germany)
Coenraad van Houten - 1989 to 1995 – Anthroposophical Schooling Course (annually at the Centre for Social Development, Forest Row, England)
Coenraad van Houten, Nick Thomas, Ate Koopmans, Shirley Routledge, Angela Youdale, Ernst Amons and others
