Community Life, Inner Development, Sexuality and the Spiritual Teacher
Lectures and documents - Dornach 1915 - Rudolf Steiner

This collection of lectures contains Steiner's strongest statements on the issues of human relationships in a spiritual community such as the Anthroposophical Society. Occasioned by an unfortunate "scandal" involving people influenced by psychoanalysis, these lectures present Steiner's comprehensive assessment of Freud's work and of psycho­analysis as a whole. As Steiner shows, our physical life, including human sexuality, has spiritual roots; looking to sexuality for the expla­nation of human behavior is therefore looking in the wrong direction.

In emphatic, forceful language, Steiner makes clear that becoming part of a spiritual community entails responsibilities, indeed, a new way of being. Above all, members must become actively interested and engaged in the concerns of the group, rather than simply wanting to benefit from it. It is essential for members to realize that a spiritual community is not just a club of like-minded people, but a living entity, a being that needs the care and respect of its creators. Throughout these lectures the attentive reader will gain much insight into the nature of the spiritual life and the role of the teacher in that life. This book will be of interest to anyone involved in a spiritual practice or a spiritual community.

Trans. C. E. Creeger (Lectures and documents, Dornach 1915, GA253)
Anthroposophic Press
192pp; paperback
ISBN: 0 88010 354 X

 

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy 'anthroposophy', which he defined as 'the consciousness of one's humanity', and the disciplined methods of studying this he termed ‘spiritual science’.  As a highly developed clairvoyant and spiritual initiate, he spoke from his direct cognition of the spiritual world. However, he did not see his work as religious or sectarian, but rather sought to found a universal 'science of the spirit'.

His many published works (written books and lectures) - which include his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development - invite readers to develop their own spiritual faculties.  He also provided indications for the renewal of many human activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion and the arts. He wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6000 lectures across Europe, and in 1924 founded the General Anthroposophical Society which today has branches throughout the world.
 

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