The Human Soul In Relation To World Evolution
9 lectures by Rudolf Steiner

In The Human Soul in Relation to World Evolution lecture series, Rudolf Steiner describes the human being as in a state of growth and evolutionary transition. He examines a view of the human which does not hold man as a physical collection of organs in a concluded state; rather the physical as an expression etheric, astral and ego activities, which are evolving in form and function. He also shows the human being's members of soul and spirit involve themselves with physical organs, and describes as well how they represent an extract and image of the spiritual cosmos from which the soul descended at conception.

“It is of extraordinary significance that we, in our descent into earthly life, draw together forces from the universal ether and thus take with us, in our ether body, a kind of image of the cosmos. If one could extract the ether body of man at the moment when he is uniting himself with the physical body, we should have a sphere which is far more beautiful than any formed by mechanical means, a sphere containing stars, zodiac, sun and moon.” (from the contents)

And much more besides . . . .

Trans: R. Stebbing (9 lectures, Dornach 29 Apr to 17 June 1922, GA212); 146pp
Anthroposophic Press
ISBN: 0 88010 113 X; paperback

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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