Rosicrucianism and Modern Initiation
6 lectures by Rudolf Steiner

These lectures follow those on World History and the Mysteries in the Light of Anthroposophy and describe the changes in the inner life and consciousness of western man since the 9th century. The former awareness of the existence of the spiritual within all the realms of Nature disappeared to be replaced by the modern consciousness of the sense world alone. The esoteric stream however was preserved quietly by inconspicuous teachers and their widely scattered pupils. The inner teachings of the early Rosicrucian schools and alchemists is described and also the later occult schools of the 18th and 19th centuries. This leads to consideration of the training appropriate for today, the mastery of science, and its transformation through the inner development of’ the individual.

Trans: M. Adams (6 lectures, Dornach 4 - 13 Jan 1924, GA233); 98pp
Rudolf Steiner Press
ISBN: 0 85440 381 7
 

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.