Mystery Knowledge and Mystery Centres
14 lectures by Rudolf Steiner
Introduced and Edited by Andrew Welburn

Modern scholarship knows little of the ancient Mystery schools — hypothetical explanations and outer appearances are its sources. In the lecture series, Mystery Knowledge and Mystery Centres, Rudolf Steiner provides a penetrating look into the evolution and history of human consciousness, Earth, and the cosmos, and he describes the experiences people gained through the ancient mysteries. This survey takes us through the mysteries of Artemis in Ephesus, as well as those of Hibernia, Eleusis, Samothrace, and the Middle Ages.

He also discusses the requirements for initiation in our time. After preliminary lectures on the nature and function of the human soul, a magnificent drama is presented of the Earth's development — graphic descriptions of the metals, their connection with the planets and their curative properties. Steiner also outlines the origins of plants and animals, and humanity's connection with the Earth, giving a panoramic view of humankind in the past, present, and future.

Trans. rev. P. Wehrle
14 lectures Dornach, November - December, 1923 (GA 232)
Rudolf Steiner Press
272pp, 8 b/w plates; paperback
ISBN: 1 85584 061 8
 

See also: World History and the Mysteries in the Light of 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 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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