Harmony of the Creative Word
The Human Being and the Elemental, Animal, Plant and Mineral Kingdoms
12 lectures by Rudolf Steiner

In Harmony of the Creative Word - formerly published as Man as Symphony of the Creative Word - Rudolf Steiner presents an extraordinary panorama of spiritual knowledge centring on the human being. We are the harmony of creation - a microcosm - containing within us ‘all the laws and secrets of the world’.

Steiner begins by speaking about our inner relationship to three ancient and sacred archetypal forms of the animal kingdom - Eagle, Lion and Bull - and to the forces of the cosmos that give rise to them. He goes on to deepen these themes by approaching the plant and animal worlds in the context of planetary and cosmic evolution. A new category is then introduced: the elemental nature spirits - the non-physical beings who work with plants, animals and humans. Steiner gives a unique and intimate description of them and describes the cooperation they offer to mankind. Finally, the human being, the central theme of earth evolution, is placed at the heart of this spiritual panorama of life.
 

Trans: revised by M: Barton (12 lectures, 19 Oct to 11 Nov 1923; GA230); 240pp
Rudolf Steiner Press
ISBN: 1 85584 098 7; paperback

See also: Mystery of the Universe
 

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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