Founding a Science of the Spirit
(Published previously as: At the Gates of Spiritual Science)
14 lectures by Rudolf Steiner

The lecture series, Founding a Science of the Spirit, offers a fine introduction to the whole of Rudolf Steiner's teaching. Steiner speaks of the fundamental nature of the human being in relation to the cosmos, the evolution of the Earth, the journey of the soul after death, reincarnation and karma, good and evil, the modern path of meditative training, as well as giving answers to individual questions.

Throughout, Steiner's emphasis is on objective and exact examination of spiritual phenomena as the only acceptable modern mode of acquiring spiritual knowledge, rather than philosophical speculation, reliance on spiritual traditions or on subjectively felt mystical or mediumistic impressions. As he says in his final lecture: "the highest knowledge of mundane things is thoroughly compatible with the highest knowledge of spiritual truths."

Trans : rev. M. Barton (14 lectures, Stuttgart 22 Aug to 4 Sept 1906, GA95); 176pp
Rudolf Steiner Press
ISBN: 1 85584 077 4; paperback

Other introductory works:

• Anthroposophy - a fragment

• Anthroposophy and the Inner Life

• Approaches to Anthroposophy

• How to Know Higher Worlds

• Rosicrucian Wisdom - An Introduction

• Theosophy

• What is Anthroposophy?

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 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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