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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Syncretist & eclectic religions & belief systems > Post-renaissance syncretist / eclectic systems
I believe, a time will come when greater distance makes the
conflicts in the Anthroposophical Society - which at first sight
seem so ugly - appear as part of the struggle for anthroposophy in
the twentieth century. When this future dawns it will be important
to be able to reach back to a historical documentation of what
happened. - Emanuel Zeylmans Following the re-founding of the
Anthroposophical Society at the Christmas Foundation Meeting in
1923, Ita Wegman, Rudolf Steiner's closest collaborator at the end
of his life, became the object of intense opposition, systematic
exclusion, and misunderstanding. This ostracism and misinformation
continued after her death, kept alive by prejudice and untruths
that created an atmosphere that made a clear and unbiased view of
her role in Anthroposophy impossible. Because no real biography
existed, even the open-minded and impartial found it difficult to
make an informed judgment. This lack was filled by Emanuel
Zeylmans' three-volume work, Who Was Ita Wegman? To write it, he
researched 100 undated notebooks, 2,000 manuscript pages, and 6,000
letters. Sifting through these was an enormous labor. To reach the
esoteric heart of "the Wegman question" took him twelve years. What
he found was extraordinary and of paramount importance to anyone
interested in Anthroposophy and the divisive karma of its history.
In Ita Wegman and Anthroposophy, Wolfgang Weirauch of the German
journal Flensburger Heft interviews Emanuel Zeylmans. Speaking
candidly about the deepest aspects of his revelatory findings,
Zeylmans describes how his passionate need unfolded to understand
what happened both to Ita Wegman and Anthroposophy. He talks of
meetings with those who knew her intimately. He tells of her
collaboration with Rudolf Steiner and her fraught relations with
Marie Steiner and Edith Maryon, both of whom also had special
relationships with Steiner. He describes the Christmas Foundation
Meeting and the conflicts that followed Steiner's death that led to
Ita Wegman's expulsion from the Executive Council. Though this book
will be of special interest to those who want to understand the
history of the Anthroposophical Society, it would be a mistake to
consider it a book about the past. It is a book about the future of
Anthroposophy.
'Anyone who embarks upon the study of anthroposophy will soon
recognise that the mystery of the human ego lies at its very heart.
This mystery is one of the central questions of anthroposophical
Christology and at the same time forms one of the most difficult
cognitive challenges presented by anthroposophy.' - Sergei O.
Prokofieff. The question of the true nature of the human 'I' or
individuality is one of the key issues of our time, but it is also
one of the most complex riddles of existence. This booklet doesn't
give simple answers but adds perspectives that deepen the theme,
offering a picture of its manifold mysteries. In three great
panoramas, the author develops central aspects of the topic,
beginning with the threefold nature of human individuality,
followed by an illumination of the cosmic dimension of the ego, and
finally an encapsulation of the significance of the earthly ego.
With his usual thoroughness and clarity, Sergei O. Prokofieff
throws light on one of the fundamental questions of our time.
"If we read Steiner's] lectures with an open and attentive inner
eye, we may be able to see the Christ mystery, not as a collection
of dogmas or facts, but as a spiritual impulse that stretches far
beyond the limits of Christ's own time and even of the lifespan of
Christianity itself. We may even catch a glimpse of the high powers
that govern the life of civilizations and of the great entity known
as the human race." -Richard Smoley (from the introduction) For
centuries people have been baffled by the varying accounts of
Christ's life as presented in the four Gospels and have struggled
to reconcile them. In these profound and stimulating lectures,
Steiner addresses this conundrum. He shows how each of the Gospels
presents a different lens onto Christ's life and message. Here
Steiner reveals the Gospel of Matthew as the one that emphasizes
Christ's humanity. But he does not stop there; his visionary
perspective traces Christ's life and message to spiritual impulses
that go back centuries, even millennia, to the legendary
civilization of Atlantis, to the mysterious Zarathustra, and to the
Jewish sect known as the Essenes. An introduction by Richard
Smoley, author of Inner Christianity, puts Steiner's vision into
perspective for modern readers. Once you have experienced Steiner's
powerful exploration of Matthew, you will never see the Gospels in
the same way again.
Personal instruction from El Morya for spiritual seekers and chelas
(students of a master). With the incomparable skill of a Zen
master, El Morya points the way for all who aspire to a higher
level of consciousness. He teaches us to become who we are, to see
beneath the surface of daily life. This book is foundational for
those who would not only know their true potential, but fulfil it.
These two lecture courses, given just after the beginning of World
War I, stand as a kind of unexpected gift. A few months later, once
the war became a reality, the possibilities for esoteric work would
change and it would become more difficult to do spiritual research.
But in the short interval before the true horror of the conflict
unfolded, Rudolf Steiner was able to give these lectures, which lay
out in the clearest fashion the path of anthroposophic meditation,
and its assumptions, language, and consequences.
"Love mediated by way of the senses is the wellspring of creative
power, of what is coming into being. Without sense-born love,
nothing material would exist in the world; without spiritual love,
nothing spiritual can arise in evolution. When we practice love,
cultivate love, creative forces pour into the world" (Rudolf
Steiner). This new collection brings together all of Rudolf
Steiner's main lectures and writings on love -- from earthly love
to the nature and function of spiritual love. These pieces are
essential reading for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of
our true mission and the purpose of human evolution on Earth.
Topics include: The Division of the Sexes; The Mission of
Reverence; The Teaching of Compassion and Love; Wonder, Compassion,
and Conscience; Faith, Love, and Hope; as well as the title
lecture. Topics include: The Division of the Sexes; The Mission of
Reverence; The Teaching of Compassion and Love; Wonder, Compassion,
and Conscience; Faith, Love, and Hope; as well as the title
lecture.
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The healthy social life is found When in the mirror of each human
being The whole community finds its reflection And when in the
community The virtue of each one is living. From the beginning of
his public work, Rudolf Steiner saw his spiritual mission as
civilizational. He understood that individual spiritual development
means little unless, spreading through a community of
practitioners, it leads to larger societal and cultural
transformation. As always, his views were radical. He realized that
a healthy social life would depend, above all, on the
transformation of work from a commodity into a gift. As he said in
1905: Evolution is moving towards totally uncompensated work. No
one rejects the idea and no one can change it. Whereas Greek
workers performed their work in bondage to their master and modern
workers are compelled to work for pay, in the future all work will
be performed freely. Work and income will be completely separated.
That is the healthy state of social conditions in the future. That
same year, he formulated what he called "the fundamental social
law" The wellbeing of an entire group of individuals who work
together becomes greater the less individuals claim the income
resulting from their own accomplishments for themselves-that is,
the more they contribute this income to their fellow workers, and
the more their own needs are met not through their own efforts but
through the efforts of others. In this important book, Peter Selg
shows us a different Rudolf Steiner. Here, the emphasis of his
teaching is mostly on the need to cultivate selflessness and
readiness to sacrifice. Selg first describes the context in which
Steiner expressed these ideas, how much they meant to him, and how,
when they fell on barren ground, he selflessly laid them aside
while holding them in his heart in the hope of a more opportune
moment. He goes on to show how this moment came after World War I,
when Rudolf Steiner dedicated himself tirelessly to the Threefold
Social Organism, lecturing extensively on economics and social
policy. Finally, in a last, extraordinarily moving chapter, Selg
shows the essential Christ- and Gospel-inspired nature of these
ideas: As long as you feel pain That passes me by, The Christ works
unrecognized... Weak is the spirit That can feel suffering Only in
its own body. Anyone interested in a just, equitable, healthy, and
spirit-based social future should read this important book
The School of Spiritual Science, with its headquarters at the
Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, has eleven sections that are
active worldwide in research, development, teaching and the
practical implementation of research results. During the early
stages of the Corona pandemic of 2020, the sections of the School
made individual contributions to the crisis in the form of sixteen
essays that offer insights, perspectives and approaches to tackling
the challenges of Coronavirus through spiritual-scientific
knowledge and practice. The work of each of the School's sections
seeks to develop anthroposophy - as founded by Rudolf Steiner
(1861-1925) - in a contemporary context through the core
disciplines of general anthroposophy, medicine, agriculture,
pedagogy, natural science, mathematics and astronomy, literary and
visual arts and humanities, performing arts and youth work. The
featured essays include: Creating Spaces of Inner Freedom -
Training Approaches in Times of Uncertainty and Fear; The Hidden
Sun - Reality, Language and Art in Corona Times; Consequences of
COVID-19 - Perspectives of Anthroposophic Medicine; Aspects of
Epidemic Infectious Diseases in Rudolf Steiner's Work ; Challenges
and Perspectives of the Corona Crisis in the Agricultural and Food
Industry; Corona and Biodynamic Agriculture; Our Relationship with
Animals; The Part and the Whole - On the Cognitive Approach of
Anthroposophical Natural Science; Comparing the Constellations of
the Corona Pandemic and the Spanish Flu; Aspects of Dealing with
the Corona Crisis for Youth; 'Crisis Implies that it's Unclear ...
as to What, How, Why and by Whom Things Need to be Done'; Education
in Times of Corona; Understanding History from the Future - Crisis
as Opportunity; Social Challenges and Impulses of the COVID-19
Pandemic; Consequences of COVID-19 - The Perspective of
Anthroposophic Curative Education, Social Pedagogy, Social Therapy
and Inclusive Social Development; A Medicalized Society?.
"The anthroposophical community seeks to lift human souls into
supersensible realms so that they may enter the company of Angels."
- Rudolf Steiner. Prokofieff traces the three stages of heavenly
preparation of anthroposophy: the 'spiritual thunderstorm', the
Michael School in the Sun sphere, and the 'imagination-based
cultus' in the spiritual word nearest to the Earth. These events
involved the nine spiritual hierarchies, associating them with the
karma of the anthroposophical movement. Prokofieff elaborates the
tasks of the Anthroposophical Society and indicates how these are
connected with the spiritual hierarchies, the Michael movement, the
Grail mysteries, the work of new Group Souls, and the Foundation
Stone Meditation. He shows that the General Anthroposophical
Society was, in an esoteric sense, created in order that human
beings might learn to work with the Gods themselves. This is a
vital booklet for anybody who cares deeply about the future of the
Anthroposophical Society, or the future of mankind itself.
This title contains a series of 8 lectures, given in Ojai,
California in 1955, from one of the 20th century's greatest
philosophers and teachers. Krishnamurti confronts the typical
grasping and confused mind which lies at the root of all violence
and suffering. Though offered over fifty years ago, the ideas in
these talks are fresh, relevant and offer an enduring message for
today as Krishnamurti discusses a world in which booming
productivity and scientific advancement should promise a happy
future, but don't.He points also to the ongoing escalation of war,
competition, envy and territoriality despite gains in education,
religious ecumenism and the technologies of self-improvement. He
asks his listeners to consider that all apparent progress is simply
another illusion. In their brilliantly clear essays, his focus is
singular, with no glib answers to eternal questions. To read this
book is to venture into the unexplored assumptions that govern our
lives. The workings of the mind are so simple and obvious in J
Krishnamurti's explanations, yet so enormously challenging to
confront. Like other classic texts, such as religious scriptures,
the words ring true. The issues addressed include: the nature of
violence; the problem of change; the conditioning of the mind; how
to achieve "peace"; the nature of worship and spiritual practice;
and how to really listen.
A pioneer in the field of curative education and the founder of the
Camphill movement, Karl Konig here emphasizes the importance of
understanding each individual child "through and through". "The
point is not only to see the deviations, but to see them against
the mighty backdrop of a comprehensive child anthropology". Konig's
explanations are characterized by a profound, holistic
understanding and love for the human beings in question. He is not
satisfied with a description of physical disabilities and their
classifications but proceeds to a deeper understanding of the
personality as a whole, leading readers to see disabilities as
meaningful ways of coping with living in a physical body in this
world.
A second, wiser self guides us through life. Without it we would
not go far, for it is what makes us human. In the first years of
life -- before memory and ego -- it guides us to stand upright and
to learn to speak and think. Then we exchange this wisdom, which is
still connected to the spiritual hierarchies, for our
ego-consciousness. Yet it remains ever-present, and through
meditation we can consciously connect to it.
Great differences exist between the "Know yourself" of the ancient
mystery centers and that injunction today. What used to be achieved
after death is now achieved in life. To reach higher stages of
development after death we must become fully human in earthly life.
This was not always so; there has been a change. For in the center
of human evolution is the Christ event: in our time we must
experience the Christ in ourselves as light, life, and love.
Adopting the appropriate cognitive path, we become citizens of
the universe, rather than hermits of the earth.
Are you finding it difficult to understand your child? Do you feel
frustrated because you often end up in an argument but not sure
about how you got there? Authentic Parenting can help. By gaining
insight into how your temperament and your child's temperament
could be in conflict with each other, you can lean how to work with
both yourself and your child to head off misunderstandings,
explosive emotions, and sulking. With descriptions of how to
identify your child's temperament, tips for tailoring disciplinary
techniques so your child really hears you, as well as suggestions
for helping your boy or girl feel safe and secure, Authentic
Parenting is a valuable resource for bringing our the best in both
our children and ourselves. The authors have provided an invaluable
resource for all parents and educators.
Can there be such a thing as spiritual science today? Should faith
and spirit remain as purely private concerns - or, as
traditionally, preserves of the Church? When Rudolf Steiner founded
anthroposophy in the early twentieth century, his intention was to
create a fundamentally scientific approach to the spirit. His basic
works detail methods for developing spiritual consciousness,
allowing the individual to replicate the results of his research.
This key aspect distinguishes anthroposophy from the wealth of
spiritual teachings, sects, cults and religions within the modern
cultural milieu. But did Steiner fail in his endeavour to build a
scientific path to spiritual knowledge? Is anthroposophy just
another 'theory' based on intellectual thought, to be analysed and
dismissed? Up to now, academia has largely ignored Rudolf Steiner's
work. In 2013, however, the first volume of a new series - a
critical edition of Rudolf Steiner's writings, edited by a
professor of the largest religious university in the USA - was
published by a respected German academic press.Taking this concrete
case as an illustration, Pietro Archiati argues that academia, with
its in-built bias towards the atheistic assumptions of
materialistic science, will almost inevitably misrepresent
Steiner's work. Anthroposophy is a spiritual science, whose
metamorphosing nature requires penetration of its essence for true
understanding. Presenting a broad exploration of the critical
questions outlined above, Archiati's exposition works not only as a
critique of a specific new edition of Steiner's works, but also as
an introduction to key tenets of anthroposophical methodology and
thought. 'When, in the case of a flower, the coloured blossom
appears, this does not come as a correction of a faulty green leaf.
It is, on the contrary, a further metamorphosis of the plant,
which, without the existence of the green leaf, would not have been
able to arise. Rudolf Steiner was always comparing the arising of
his spiritual science with the evolution of a living organism.' -
Pietro Archiati
"This biography does not aim for completeness, but focuses on
Rudolf Steiner's being, intentions, and journey-aspects that must
not be obliterated by the many events, foundations, and people
involved with Anthroposophy.... It wants to convey (to quote Emil
Leinhas) 'the immense greatness and unique significance of this
individuality who radiates out over the centuries.'" -Peter Selg
(from the introduction) To acknowledge and understand Rudolf
Steiner's unique achievement and life's work, one must be able to
accept that the founder and spiritual researcher of Anthroposophy
was "a citizen of two worlds" the spiritual and the physical.
Anthroposophy teaches that this duality, rather than being a
quality reserved for special individualities, is inherent to human
nature. According to Rudolf Steiner, it is a central aspect of
being human, even in times when the suprasensory aspect of humanity
is eclipsed (for ordinary day consciousness) and almost eliminated
by certain civilizations. The interest in Rudolf Steiner's person
and essence, in his attitude toward life and work, will continue to
grow in the decades and centuries that lie ahead, both within and
outside the anthroposophical movement. It will take hold of
entirely different groups of people, including those who come with
spiritual questions or discover them in times of need. Rudolf
Steiner's work grew to be "one unique effort of bringing courage to
human beings" (Michael Bauer). This is the first of seven
comprehensive volumes on Rudolf Steiner's "being, intentions, and
journey." It presents Rudolf Steiner from childhood and youth
through his doctorate degree and up to the time of his work for the
Goethe Archives as editor of Goethe's scientific writings. By
considering his formative years in depth, we come to understand
better the roots and development of Rudolf Steiner's later
spiritual research and teachings.
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