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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > Post-renaissance syncretist / eclectic systems
'We must eradicate root and branch any fear and dread in our soul
concerning the future that is coming towards us...We must develop
composure with regard to all the feelings and sensations we have
about the future; we must anticipate with absolute equanimity
whatever may be coming towards us, thinking only that whatever it
may be will be brought to us by the wisdom-filled guidance of the
universe.' - Rudolf Steiner Based on brief, pithy quotations from
Rudolf Steiner's collected works, the 'spiritual perspectives' in
this volume present core concepts on the subject of fear. These
brief extracts do not claim to provide exhaustive treatment of the
subject, but open up approaches to the complexity of Steiner's
extraordinary world of ideas. Some readers will find these
fragments sufficient stimulus in themselves, whilst others will use
the source references as signposts towards deeper study and
understanding.
In this concise and richly-illustrated work, Olive Whicher
introduces a radical new science of living organisms, forms and
processes, based on the pioneering work of Rudolf Steiner and his
pupil George Adams. If we are to understand fully the laws of
living nature, she argues, it is necessary to overcome the
one-sided ideas of modern science - ideas that are only adequate to
describe material forms and forces. We need to widen our thinking
to include the 'etheric formative forces' - forces that are alive
in ethereal space or 'counterspace'. Such forces work in plants,
for example, by drawing matter upwards in a suctional manner, in
contrast to the forces of gravity, which draw downwards, and the
forces of an explosion, which work upward and outward. This
easily-digestible introduction will be valuable to anybody seeking
to comprehend the living world around us.
'An external view of states of health and sickness must be
augmented by what we can also know about the inner, spiritual
reality within the human being.' - Rudolf Steiner In a series of
nine lectures to doctors, pharmacists and students, Rudolf Steiner
presents a wealth of medical ideas with numerous therapeutic and
diagnostic insights. As with his first series of lectures on
medicine held a year previously (Introducing Anthroposophical
Medicine), the range, depth and scope of Steiner's subject-matter
is breathtaking. Speaking at the international centre of
anthroposophy, the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, Rudolf
Steiner begins by describing the interplay of physical and
metaphysical aspects of the human being, presenting a paradigm in
which the four bodies - physical, etheric, astral and ego or 'I' -
interrelate in contrasting ways with the threefold human organism
of head, thorax and metabolism, and with our capacities for
thinking, feeling and will. These challenging but enlightening
concepts unlock a wonderful diagnostic tool for the appraisal and
understanding of patients. Steiner considers the medicinal actions
of various substances - including silica, phosphorus, sulphur,
arsenic, antimony and mercury. Among numerous other subjects,
Rudolf Steiner discusses the methodology of medical examination;
the treatment of developmental irregularities; the four types of
ether; raw food diets; the I and assimilation of food; metal
therapy and the actions of lead, magnesium, tin, iron, copper,
gold, mercury and silver; the use of root and herbaceous parts and
flowers in medicine; the rhythmic balancing process between the
action of salutogenic and pathological forces; and the nature of
death. This volume also features Rudolf Steiner's answers to
questions, an introductory lecture to eurythmy therapy, a
comprehensive introduction, notes and index, colour plates of
Steiner's blackboard drawings, and facsimiles and translations of
his notes for the lectures.
The time of Nazi dictatorship in Germany (1933-45) consistently
stimulates more interest than any other period of human history, as
witnessed by the countless books and other media on Adolf Hitler
and his leading henchmen. What is the basis for this enduring
fascination? And, does the abundance of available material help us
truly to understand the phenomenon? In this clear-sighted study,
Tautz concludes that there is an existential need for the human
psyche to come to terms with the forces of destruction that broke
out during the era of National Socialism. In an attempt to get to
the essence of the phenomenon, he employs the method of 'historical
symtomatology', as developed by the philosopher and scientist
Rudolf Steiner. Through these means, '...the historical process is
perceived as the physiognomic expression of spiritual forces'. By
viewing events as symptoms, the outer facts become transparent to
the hidden influences that lie behind them, and occult aspects are
revealed. Tautz focuses on the degenerate elements that inspired
National Socialism - their meaning, nature and methods - and
examines their manifestation in earthly events. He reveals the
spiritual context in which these adversary, opposing forces erupted
and attacked humanity - at a time when human consciousness had
stepped over a new threshold. The Nazi functionaries and their
spectral leader, whom he refers to as 'the Medium', willingly
served these powers, whilst the bedazzled masses were largely
passive. If we are serious about developing an egalitarian society
today that corresponds to the present level of human evolution, he
argues, we need to understand this period of tyranny in Germany at
the deepest levels. In addition to Tautz's classic text, a new
Appendix by Andreas Bracher brings the reader up to date with a
survey of relevant literature on the theme as well as an insightful
review of the Nazis' attitude to Rudolf Steiner and the
anthroposophical movement he founded. Contemporary extracts from
the Volkische Beobachter (the Nazi's house journal) indicate the
viciousness and hatred directed towards Steiner and anthroposophy
by the National Socialists.
From the moment that Marie von Sivers met Rudolf Steiner in 1902,
their relationship became key to the development of anthroposophy.
Marie Steiner's immense contribution is well known in the fields of
eurythmy, speech, the arts, and in her management and publication
of Steiner's literary estate - but she also assisted in almost
every aspect of Rudolf Steiner's work. So why has she been so
neglected by the anthroposophical movement? Driven by this central
question, the authors of this penetrating study came to the
conclusion that the karma and mission of Marie Steiner-von Sivers
is of vital importance to the present and future spiritual and
cultural development of the West. They evaluate Marie's 23-year
partnership with Rudolf Steiner, but also her three previous
incarnations: in the Ancient Orphic Mysteries, as the Neoplatonist
Hypatia, and as Albertus Magnus. The lives, deeds, cultural
legacies and thought of these various personalities are addressed
through a series of lucid essays, interspersed with studies on the
missions of both Rudolf and Marie Steiner. These are supplemented
with short extracts from literature which reverberate with the
word, helping to reveal the intimately intertwined karmic missions
of Marie Steiner-von Sivers and her work-companion and
soul-partner, Rudolf Steiner.
"Isis Unveiled" was H.P. Blavatsky's first major literary effort, a
critical response to the growing materialism in both scientific and
religious institutions, and a vindication of the ageless quest. In
the author's words, Isis 'is the fruit of a somewhat intimate
acquaintance with Eastern adepts and study of their science...They
showed us that by combining science with religion, the existence of
God and immortality of man's spirit may be demonstrated'. Supported
by extensive evidence from religious and mystical traditions,
classical scholarship, and the testimony of nature, these volumes
aid the student in detecting the vital principles which underlie
the philosophical systems of old. Volume I focuses on the
prevailing scientific theories of the time, balanced against the
'anciently universal Wisdom Religion', while Volume II examines the
creeds of religions past and present, alongside the myths and
symbols of various cultures. Throughout, the author strikes at the
root of dogma and affirms the 'paramount importance of
re-establishing the Hermetic philosophy in a world which blindly
believes it has outgrown it. This edition also includes two
articles by H.P. Blavatsky on the writing of Isis Unveiled: "My
Books" (1891) and "Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits"
(1886).
"Steiner does not talk about soul; he speaks from soul. That is the
entire method. There is, however, an entrance fee for doing
psychology. The fee is that you need to leave behind your
well-known-to-you self-identity. You must suffer the experience of
leaving behind not only what you know, but also what you think you
know of yourself. This requirement qualifies psychology as integral
to the work of initiation. -Robert Sardello, from his introduction
"Essentially, the correct meaning of theosophy is the allowing of
the god within us to speak; what it tells you about the world is
theosophy. Anthroposophy, for its part, may be characterized as the
wisdom spoken by us as human beings when we are between God and
nature, and allow the human being in us to speak of what is shining
into us from above and of what is projecting into us from below.
Anthroposophy is the wisdom that human beings speak. -Rudolf
Steiner In 1904, Steiner publicly described this classic account of
the Western path of initiation. Beginning with the assumption that
"the capacities by which we can gain insights into the higher
worlds lie dormant within each one of us," Steiner carefully and
precisely leads us through the stages of preparation, illumination,
and initiation, from cultivating fundamental soul moods of
reverence and tranquility to esoteric self-development. He also
provides practical exercises for inner and outer observation and
moral development. By patiently and persistently following his
suggestions, new capacities of soul and spirit begin to form,
revealing the contours of the higher worlds previously concealed
from us. Robert Sardello's in-depth introduction places Steiner's
lectures within the context of modern life and psychology and
provides insights into how to read and use this text for inner
development and a deeper understanding of spiritual science. The
challenges we face in modern life require ever-deeper levels of
wisdom and insight. In this important book, Rudolf Steiner becomes
a teacher, counselor, and friend through advice that is practical,
clear, and powerful. The text shows us how to cultivate the
capacities for such insights and places them at the service of
humanity.
Life today poses many questions, both in our personal lives and in
our participation in nature and the broader culture. We often focus
on the outer needs for social, political, technological, or
environmental change. However, can we really meet the challenges
around us without also attending to our inner life and to our own
evolving biography as it reflects and informs the outer world? This
book starts from the premise that each of our lives expresses
uniqueness of spiritual intention within the unfolding of universal
rhythms and possibilities. Can we wake up to the developmental
opportunities offered to us through different life phases? Are we
able to step out of the narrowness of the dualistic nature-nurture
argument and experience that we are both more than our genetic
composition and more than a product of the social and educational
influences that have shaped us? Can we come to appreciate the
learning that our "I" has received through heredity, ethnicity,
schooling, and gender without losing a sense of our true
individuality? Waking up to our unique self as it grows through
interaction with the world and other human beings helps us
recognize the significance we all play in one another's biographies
and in the unfolding of our larger human story. Why on Earth?
invites us to explore our own meaning-filled life journey, to bring
conscious attention to how we go our path, so that we may more
freely perceive our possibilities and our responsibilities along
the way of our personal and shared becoming.
`A wonderfully beautiful legend tells us that when Lucifer fell
from heaven to earth a precious stone fell from his crown... This
precious stone is in a certain respect nothing else than the full
power of the "I".' Seven years after staging Edward Schure's drama
The Children of Lucifer, Rudolf Steiner felt able to talk openly
about the complex relationship between the beings of Lucifer and
Christ. In an extraordinary series of lectures, Steiner addresses
the difficult and often misunderstood subject of Lucifer's role in
human development. Speaking within the broader context of ancient
and modern - Eastern and Western - spiritual teachings, Steiner
clarifies that Lucifer is not the simple caricature of evil that
many imagine, but rather plays a pivotal role in human development.
Whilst Rudolf Steiner held a deep respect for Eastern philosophy,
he worked consistently from his personal knowledge of the Western -
Christian - esoteric tradition. At a time when many of his
colleagues revered ancient Eastern texts, Steiner viewed these same
documents as representations of an earlier stage of human
consciousness; as evidence of the heights that Eastern wisdom had
reached, thousands of years before the development of Western
science and culture. But Steiner maintains that the ancient truths
need to be understood in the context of contemporary knowledge:
that the old wisdom of the East has to be seen in the light of the
West. Chapters include: Eternity and Time - Comparison of the
Wisdom of East and West - The Nature of the Physical and the Astral
Worlds - Evolutionary Stages - The Children of Lucifer and the
Brothers of Christ - Lucifer and Christ - The Nature of the
Luciferic Influence in History - The Bodhisattvas and the Christ.
Within the Mystery cultures of ancient history, art, science and
religion formed a unity that offered direction and spiritual
nourishment to the broader society. Today, art, science and
religion can again be reunited. However, as Marie Steiner indicates
in her introduction to these lectures, these aspects of our culture
need rejuvenation through fresh spiritual understanding and
knowledge. Art cannot be renewed through compromise, but only by
returning to the spiritual foundations of life. As she says: "The
remedy lies in unlocking the wisdom of the Mysteries and presenting
it to humanity in a form adapted to contemporary needs." In these
wide-ranging lectures, Rudolf Steiner offers spiritual insight for
the modern day into a revitalised world of the arts. His themes
include: the relation of art to technology, the moral experience of
the worlds of colour and music, the legendary Norwegian Dream Song
of Olaf Asteson, and the relationship between the various arts of
architecture, sculpture, painting, music, poetry, eurythmy and the
human being.
Rudolf Steiner, the often undervalued, multifaceted genius of
modern times, contributed much to the regeneration of culture. In
addition to his philosophical teachings, he provided ideas for the
development of many practical activities, including education -
both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics,
architecture, science, religion and the arts. Steiner's original
contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct
'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions
of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he
brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for
conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from
childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree,
enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries
of life.Samples of Steiner's work are to be found in this
introductory reader in which Matthew Barton brings together
excerpts from Steiner's many talks and writings on Michaelmas. The
volume also features an editorial introduction, afterword,
commentary and notes.
A collection of best loved lectures containing practical insights
for day-to-day living.
During 1924, before his last address in September, Rudolf Steiner
gave over eighty lectures on the subject of karma to members of the
Anthroposophical Society. These profoundly esoteric lectures
examine the underlying laws inherent in reincarnation and karma,
and explore in detail the incarnations of specific historical
figures. In Rudolf Steiner's words, the study of karma is "...a
matter of penetrating into the most profound mysteries of
existence, for within the sphere of karma and the course it takes
lie those processes which are the basis of the other phenomena of
world existence..." A study of the karma of the anthroposophical
movement and society, the spiritual gates of the sun and moon, and
much more.
This Is A New Release Of The Original 1918 Edition.
According to tradition, Lao Tzu wrote the eighty-one short chapters
of his Tao Te Ching around the sixth to fourth centuries B.C.E. It
became the foundational philosophical work of Taoism, significantly
inspired early masters of Zen Buddhism, and, for more than a
century, has been widely embraced in the West as an astounding work
of universal truths. Through deceptively simple imagery, Lao Tzu
gave us a guide to life, both spiritual and physical, that is no
less valid today than when it was written more than 2,500 years
ago. Claire Sit, the author of The Lord's Prayer: An Eastern
Perspective, brings us her translation of the Tao Te Ching and,
through her deep study and understanding of that text, examines
each chapter and places it in the light of Rudolf Steiner's
Anthroposophy. In the process, she shows how-although the path of
Tao and that of Anthroposophy seem quite different-they complement
each other and share many qualities and, in many ways, illumine the
hidden truths each has to offer. As in Anthroposophy, on the path
of Tao one looks within to know the world and into the world to
know one's self. Just as we can learn much about ourselves by
looking outward to the world and to others, we can also better
understand the depths of Anthroposophy by penetrating wisdom
traditions beyond our own path. Indeed, Lao Tzu and Anthroposophy
will generate much food for reflection and meditation for the
reader. According to tradition, Lao Tzu wrote the eighty-one short
chapters of his Tao Te Ching around the sixth to fourth centuries
B.C.E. It became the foundational philosophical work of Taoism,
significantly inspired early masters of Zen Buddhism, and, for more
than a century, has been widely embraced in the West as an
astounding work of universal truths. Through deceptively simple
imagery, Lao Tzu gave us a guide to life, both spiritual and
physical, that is no less valid today than when it was written more
than 2,500 years ago. Claire Sit, the author of The Lord's Prayer:
An Eastern Perspective, brings us her translation of the Tao Te
Ching and, through her deep study and understanding of that text,
examines each chapter and places it in the light of Rudolf
Steiner's Anthroposophy. In the process, she shows how-although the
path of Tao and that of Anthroposophy seem quite different-they
complement each other and share many qualities and, in many ways,
illumine the hidden truths each has to offer. As in Anthroposophy,
on the path of Tao one looks within to know the world and into the
world to know one's self. Just as we can learn much about ourselves
by looking outward to the world and to others, we can also better
understand the depths of Anthroposophy by penetrating wisdom
traditions beyond our own path. Indeed, Lao Tzu and Anthroposophy
will generate much food for reflection and meditation for the
reader.
From 2009 to 2010, Sergei Prokofiev and Peter Selg-two leading
authorities and spiritual researchers into the life and work of
Rudolf Steiner-gave a series of conferences on the Christological
foundations of Anthroposophy. Their aim was to show the power of
anthroposophic Christology. Consequently, they focused on key
turning points in Rudolf Steiner's exposition: his major work, An
Outline of Esoteric Science; the first Goetheanum; the Reappearance
of Christ in the etheric realm and the relationship of this event
to Rudolf Steiner's lectures on the Fifth Gospel; and the Christmas
Conference (1923-24) and the founding of the New Mysteries. The
lectures from the conferences (published as four booklets in
German) are collected here in a single volume. The Creative Power
of Anthroposophical Christology is essential reading for all those
who are interested in the true meaning and depth of Rudolf
Steiner's experience and understanding of Christ's deed on Golgotha
and his continuing presence among us and within Anthroposophy.
`This little book relates some experiences I had during the
spiritual research which was eventually published in my book
Cognitive Yoga. Usually I am concerned with communicating the
objective results of my research and not what I experienced whilst
doing it. But an objective description of what the individual soul
undergoes during spiritual research can be valuable to the study of
anthroposophy and to those who pursue the spiritual path
themselves.' Through faithful inner work, says the author, the path
of spiritual science can become a living spiritual being - an
intimate friend in the realms of soul and spirit. This being can
blossom into an extended spiritual community or school. One can
converse and co-create with this spiritual school, including the
being of one's teacher, by learning its inner language. In 2012,
Yeshayahu Ben-Aharon was confronted with a major obstacle in his
research work. After struggling alone, he felt he could not
progress without consulting his colleagues in the spiritual world.
The intimate soul experiences described in this book took place
during such a gathering - a special, festive occasion with an
active and engaged community of spiritual beings. `I want to share
some aspects of what I experienced during this event, in the more
personal and imaginative language of storytelling. It is a kind of
new, individual, Christmas nativity tale, about the earthly
ripening of a research problem, its heavenly conception, embryonic
life, and finally the birth on earth of what becomes a physical
book, printed black on white.'
Why was the act of arson that destroyed the first Goetheanum so
devastatingly successful in its malicious intent? What was the
nature of the poisoning that Rudolf Steiner suffered in 1923? What
was the significance of Steiner's encounter with an unknown Master
in 1879, and his later meeting with Friedrich Nietzsche on his
sickbed? Rather than presenting an accumulation of data, Meyer
takes a symptomatological approach to the evolution of Rudolf
Steiner's thinking, pinpointing specific moments in his biography,
whilst making numerous links to contemporary issues. Seemingly
unimportant details are significant - such as Steiner's boyhood
habit of smashing dishes, or the droplet of water that adorned
Steiner's forehead at his funeral. The often overlooked language of
such images is evaluated within the scope and grandeur of Rudolf
Steiner's life's work. An incisive theme running through Milestones
is the dual nature of time - 'involution' and 'evolution' - and how
it affects the Anthroposophical Society and movement. Following
Steiner's death, a one-sided involution process has been evident in
the overemphasis on the Christmas Foundation Meeting, as well as
Steiner's supposedly 'indissoluble' connection with the Society.
This is coupled with distorted evolution processes, as seen in the
urge to enter the public domain by jettisoning anthroposophy
altogether. Such disharmonies can only be healed, says Meyer, by
seeing the reality. This book serves as an essential guide to
understanding the task of anthroposophy in the modern world.
In this revised and expanded edition of his classic debut, Sergei
O. Prokofieff investigates the deepest mysteries of Rudolf
Steiner's life and individuality, from 'the years of
apprenticeship' and 'the great Sun period' to 'the path of the
Teacher of Humanity' and 'the birth of the New Mysteries'. He
discusses the earthly and supersensible aspects of the first
Goetheanum, the implications of the Christmas Conference of
1923-24, and the Foundation Stone meditation that Steiner left as a
legacy to members of the Anthroposophical Society.In his very
personal Introduction, Prokofieff describes, in moving detail, the
events in his life which led to his discovery of anthroposophy
whilst living in Communist Russia, and how eventually he came to
write this extraordinary study of Rudolf Steiner. The resulting
volume - a work of secondary anthroposophical literature
unprecedented in its depth and significance - was first published
in Germany in 1982, meeting with equal amounts of acclaim,
astonishment and controversy. It is published in this paperback
edition to mark the 35th anniversary of the original publication.
Mani, the founder of the spiritual movement which has come to be
known as Manichaeism, established an influential teaching that
spread swiftly across Asia, Africa and parts of Europe but was
later brutally suppressed. Little was known about this 'Gnostic
religion' until archaeological findings in the twentieth century
revealed important aspects of Mani's biography and philosophical
thought. Many years before these physical discoveries, Rudolf
Steiner provided key esoteric insights, based on his personal
spiritual-scientific research, into Mani's life and work. Richard
Seddon assembles pieces of the academic and esoteric puzzle,
offering a lively and colourful picture of Mani and Manichaeism. He
gives a succinct outline of Mani's life, the fundamental aspects of
his teachings, and a description of Manichaeism's future spiritual
role. Seddon creates an image of a mighty Christian initiate
leading a movement with the critical task of transforming, and
ultimately redeeming, evil.
Based on a remarkable series of lectures delivered in his native
Israel, Dr Ben-Aharon presents his illuminating research on the
meaning of Judaism and the spiritual mission of the Jewish people
in the past, present and future. The Hebrew people have been a
central root in the development not only of Judaism, Christianity
and Islam, but of the universal human spirit itself. Thus, a new
understanding of their development and contribution to the
spiritual biography of humanity is essential to understanding
ourselves as human beings. The Jews were chosen to reveal the
deepest secret of ancient times: the existence of one God above all
gods, being the Creator of all human beings - beyond race, nation
and gender - in his divine image. The great historical and
spiritual figures of the Hebrew people - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Moses, Joseph, the Judges, Kings and Prophets - prepared humanity
for individuation - the true `I AM' - through devotion to the
divine foundation of the world. `The Lord our God is one', who is
to be loved with all one's heart, soul and being. Each person could
now fulfill the Word, which could be actualized on earth - in the
human being. In Jerusalem Dr Ben-Aharon describes the evolution of
the Hebrew people and its role in the development of the human
race. The journey continues to the present day, where the universal
human Self has the potential to become a free participator in the
ongoing creation of the universe. `The better I understand the
roots of the Hebrew people and its universal-human mission, the
better I shall understand the nature of humanity and its mission;
and the more human I become, in the most universal sense, anchored
in a new spiritual knowledge and practice, the more fulfilled,
active and creative I can be at the roots of my existence as a Jew
and an Israeli.' - Yeshayahu Ben-Aharon
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